TalkingBull - Issue 131 - Magazine - Page 25
of the day until my bladder reminded me that
we needed to stop at Membury.
11.15 – 1 hour before kick-off and time to enter
the stadium. Finding the right gate was easy,
just follow the numbers and meander through
My bladder was not alone. I joined a long
queue of assorted fans, some my age with built other lost souls in black and white,
occasionally meeting a familiar face for a brief
in bladder reminders, some younger with a
chat. It seemed as if half the shire was in town,
Cider intake already demanding that what
goes in eventually needs to come out. We had but of course we were all in the same quarter
segment, so it was obvious that we would be
coffee and sausage baguettes at a price most
Herefordians would normally pay for a three- sardines in that particular section of the tin.
We skilfully dodged the unofficial vendors who
course meal and, amply sustained, we set off
were selling scarves for the FAVA SE. A basic
once more in the general direction of Mecca.
error in the printing department was not going
At this time, it’s worth introducing you to the to deter these boys.
‘plastics’. Those 13,000 ‘fans’ that were
travelling to Wembley who had rarely, if ever, We had no trouble entering and I was instantly
pleased that the kids had been stuffed with
set foot in the street. They became more
Cheddar and Branston , for, once inside, the
obvious as we neared the M25 intersection,
official vendors were in force with their mega
flashing by in their 4x4s and BMW’s - back
burgers, hot dogs, Cola and Wembley
seat kids emblazoned in shiny new Hereford
kits. I wondered if any knew, or cared, if Millsy merchandise. ‘Treat the kids sir, take out a
second mortgage, or why not sign up for our
would be playing, for come Monday the kids
lifetime plan’. With half promises to return at
would be back in their United or Chelsea kits
regardless of today’s result, but Dad would be half time, we escaped unscathed and entered
the arena proper. Boy, it’s impressive and our
able to say ‘Oh yes, I was there.’
quarter was getting quite full, although the
Journeying on, now on the A40 inward and
rest looked a bit like a spot-the-supporter
the arch came into view. For those who had
competition.
not seen it before, this is a very impressive site.
I had to admit that the Hereford section
Strategically placed on high ground, it
looked really impressive and the arrival of
dominates the north London skyline and it
Ronaldo created the biggest cheer of the day so
wasn’t long before we were seeking our prefar. It struck me that if that specimen of fine
booked parking space and stepping out into
the great unknown. First stop toilets then into English beef decided to do a runner, those two
minders were not going to stop him and the
the Wembley Shopping Mall where shrewd
club would be faced with a hefty bill from the
marketing guys had positioned ample
instructions on where to find the nearest cash Stadium. But all was well and Ronaldo duly
did his walk-in front of the faithful and was
machines, and boy, did you need them. Back
returned to his pen for the long journey home.
to the car to collect the beach bag and
then find a space on the grass for cheese
and pickle whilst watching the plastic
neighbours on their tartan rug
devouring prawn sandwiches, quaffed
down with a bottle of Moet’s finest and
Waitrose orange juice for the kids. A
quick run back to the car to exchange
beach bag for coats, not worn but carried
by adults in case the fine May day turned
watery - as English early summer days
can easily do.
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