Mid summer and we were on our way to the first friendly match of the season. Our first chance to get a look at the new signings Steve Evans has made over the summer, 11 in all so far. It was a lovely summers evening, no need for coats, shorts for Vicky. We arrived in good time after a lift from Chris and decided, after a discussion on the merits of each, to enter via Turnstyles 9 and 10 instead of 11 and 12. 'Can I have my ticket?', I asked Ian. 'Yes' he said 'But no way are you going in first, you cannot operate these turnstyles, you don't put your ticket in right and always hold everyone up', and so saying he muscled me aside. There was a bit of a kerfuffle with a fat man in front having to turn sideways and all his mates laughing and jeering at him, then Ian stepped up and inserted his ticket, the red light stayed on, the gate did not turn. 'Try again mate' said the steward. He tried again, the red light stayed on, the queue was getting restless behind. 'Let me see that ticket' said the steward. He examined it then declared 'you have to go round to the ticket office, sorry.' A very disgruntled Ian was then escorted from the queue and round to the ticket office. I stepped up and inserted my ticket, an immediate green light flashed on and I swept into the ground, as did Vicky. Some people are just not technically minded.
Vicky and I headed for our NEW seats, Ian would be a while yet. Due to Vicky being away last year we didn't get her a season ticket. Her seat was taken by a Ginner kid and so this season we had to move away, a very big thing for a football fan, especially as we were very pleased with the guys behind who knew everything about every player, manager, ref, even physio, that graced the New York pitch. 'Who is that little kid with the shaved head and viral tattoos' you would think to yourself. 'That little kid used to play for Bury where he scored against Fleetwood then moved to Morecombe' one of them would say. Because they sat behind we never saw their faces so don't know what they look like, but we will miss them. The same cannot be said for the guys on the row in front who always came in, separately, after two minutes, ensuring everyone on that row had to stand up, then went for a pie, separately, after presicly sixteen minutes, ensuring everyone in the row had to stand up. Our NEW seats are further along in the same stand, the North stand, nearer to the corner flag, one row lower down. We sat down and debated the pros and cons. Very close to the corner flag where the players tend to run when celebrating a goal (reference Alex Revell), one row lower down, does the rain reach this row? We tend to think not. Is there more or less chance of getting hit in the face with the ball? Not sure. Not as close to the net, a bit of a negative there. Also significantly closer to the home dugout. Not many of the seats around us were taken as this was just a friendly match but the row behind was occupied by two men and a woman who, we overheard saying to another guy, have always sat there. Our new neighbours then. The players came out to great applause, especially Alex Revell, and there was still no sign of Ian. Some of the new signings were to play and some of the old favourites. Steve Evans was resplendent in a track suit, clearly he had been on a pie diet over the summer as he looked like he had put weight on.
The match kicked off and Ian finally arrived, fuming. The guy in the ticket office had told him 'this ticket says you have entered the ground', Ian 'does it look like I have entered the ground?' Guy 'you must have done it wrong' Ian 'I didn't do it wrong'. Guy 'it must have gone green' Ian 'it didn't go green,'. Guy 'it worked ok for 11,000 other tickets'. The guy then accompanied Ian back to the turnstyle where the first steward told him 'it didn't go green' before he finally entered the ground and found his NEW seat, among 3599 other people. Vicky, meanwhile was finding that wearing shorts to football is not a good idea. Not only did her legs get stuck to the plastic seats, but her belt got caught in the back and she couldn't get up. It's trousers for her in future.
The match went the way of most friendlys, very reserved with the players not trying too hard, although Michael Tidser, recently returned from a loan period in Scotland, put in a stellar performance which led us to believe he really, really does not want to go back there. Ian didn't take long to find this seasons Lionel, ie the player he really does not like. Step forward Ryan Hall. Poor man, no matter what he does in his Rotherham United career it will not be good enough. There has to be one though. At certain points we could hear Steve Evans screaming at the players, a pro or a con? Not sure. Meanwhile, the new neighbours were chatting away when Ian caught part of a conversation that led us to believe they are twitchers. We await developments in that area. 'Who is that fat player in a Rotherham shirt warming up near the corner flag'. I said after the break. 'He must be a trialist hoping for a contract'. 'That fat player is Jonathon Greening, he is on trial hoping for a contract' said the twitcher behind'. Mmmm! Late on in the second half Kieran Agard latched on to a crisp pass from Pringle and calmly slotted home. He rushed toward the corner flag to celebrate with the fans there. The match finished 1-0 to us, and most of us leaving the ground felt quite optimistic.
We walked up Moorgate and, as is customary on a night match, called at the Carlton park for a swift half. We discussed the players who looked good and those who did not impress before strolling on home.
Men of the match
Jackie-Michael (please don't send me back) Tidser
Ian-Paul Green
Vicky-Conor (the Ginner)Newton
Quote of the day
'Take a run at it!' - Fat man at turnstyles mates as he struggled to get in.
Ians award for worst refereeing decision
The ref refusing to stop the game for a head injury although Paul Woods head was clearly pouring with blood.
Funniest moment
Ian vs turnstyle
Sounds so exciting, especially the getting in part. Can't wait to go next Tuesday.
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