Some of our newer fans may not know the history of this great club and our infamous game against the Gypsies, so here it is in thread form, re-told as events unfolded: Heybridge Gardens FA - A Gypsy Saga

Just done a pitch inspection and we've got a bit of a problem, some gypsies have set up camp in one of the goalmouths

EMERGENCY meet 6pm tomorrow to discuss how to remove the gypsies. Highly unlikely towing them in the middle of the night will work again

Some travellers are using the goal as a washing line. Others appear to be crowded around some chickens?? in the centre circle

They've also got hold of our bibs and have sewed them into a prom dress for one of their kids... it actually looks alright! #gypsyupdates

It's decided then. We've agreed with Gypsy Dave.

One game of football.

Winner keeps the pitch, as is the gypsy tradition.

#LetsDoThis

Jono's gone over with his bat to have a word. Tense standoff now between him and a gypsy with a shovel. Save it for Friday 7pm Jono #HEYvGYP

Have to win this game on Friday. The grazing gypsy horses are cutting the grass so well they're doing groundsman Andy out of a job #HEYvsGYP

The future of Heybridge Gardens FC rests on these proud shoulders. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. #HEYvGYP

Minutes away from kick-off. Heybridge players are finishing their spliffs, the Gypsies have finished saying the Lord’s Prayer

Kick-off underway: Heybridge in their classic green shooting towards the caravans first half. Gypsies in their strip of all white vests

Here are the lineups for the game. A game that some have been calling ‘the working classico’

Refereeing the game today is 17 year-old Amit Patel. Looks a little nervous but he’s a top referee. Always tries to let the game flow

8’ - Early chance for Heybridge sees Westy fire a shot wide from distance breaking a caravan window. Rufus Leaking doesn’t look pleased

13’ - Discord in the Gypsy ranks now as a good attack comes to nothing. A bare knuckle fistfight breaks out between two of the gypsy players

21’- Dispute settled, the gypsies win a corner. Over on the sidelines a gypsy lad grabs a spectating girl. I thought they didn’t do that?

25’- GOAL!!! Gypsies go 1-0 up. 12 year-old right back Gypsy Dave III heading in from the corner. How’s he won that?! He’s 4ft 8!

27’- Just been informed that ‘grabbing’ isn’t a real stereotype and that lad was just having a joke. Poor girl seems disappointed now

33’- Gypsy support in full voice now. Fantastic renditions of ‘It’s coming home’ and ‘The wheels on our house go round and round’ #HEYvGYP

40’- GOAL!!! Mozzy’s learnt some moves out in Syria. He evades two tackles and slides a great ball across the box for Westy to tap in. 1-1

HALF-TIME: Gypsies head over to the caravans where their wives pass them orange squash and babybels through the windows #HEYvGYP

First team manager Graham reads an inspirational quote from Sun Tzu’s - The Art of War: ‘In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity’

1-1 here at the break. Have to mention the Heybridge support who’ve been passionate as ever

50’- Not much happening so far. There’s a plastic bag floating around the pitch which is absolutely captivating. It’s like it’s dancing

55’- Heybridge winger Syrian Raf rattles the bar from 20 yards, knocking of some gypsy laundry in the process #HEYvGYP

Sad to say some Heybridge fans are holding a ‘GYPSIES GO HOME’ banner. Luckily not many of the gypsies seem to have registered what it says

61’- DISALLOWED GOAL!!! Gypsies have the ball in the net, but Tommy ‘quickdraw’ McGraw correctly rules the pull-back offside

64’- Bit of a delay here as the teams both try to retrieve the ball which has landed amongst a pile of rubbish and scrap metal

69’- SUBSTITUTION: Gypsies making a change here. Injured Baba O’Riley leaves the field on a horse-drawn stretcher

75’- SUBSTITUTION: Bruce Easley comes off after picking up a knock. Kyle Minogue replaces him, ‘about fucking time’ apparently

82’- Heybridge desperately looking for a winner, but Gypsies are showing fantastic fitness levels. Must be all that boxing and tarmacking

87’- PENALTY TO HEYBRIDGE! The ball bounces in the box and strikes Rick O’Shea’s hand. Gypsies surround the ref but Amit’s having none of it

90’- Incredible scenes! Last minute penalty missed by Billy as he tries a rabona! Gypsies immediately break down the other end and score!

That’s it, it’s over! Devastated. Club gone. Heybridge community in absolute tatters. People don’t know where to look. Disaster. #HEYvGYP

Oh, the gypsies are moving off. Some local farmer’s left his gate unlocked. Good luck you majestic wandering souls #travellersrights

Feels amazing to have our beautiful pitch back again!