Sunday 26 March 2006
Slow progress
Ended up listening to my lot on the radio in the garden. Personal family pressures meant not enough spare time this weekend to gad about watching football. Somehow Match of the Day isn't quite the thrill and buzz of a live game. I have always enjoyed the banter from the crowd, joshing with the opponents; sometimes its original but the familiar can also be worth a second, third, fourth, ... time around! I like a nice atmosphere, a full ground and some entertaining football; plenty goals are always a nice bonus but not necessary. I have seen plenty of nil nil draws that provided more excitement than five nil drummings. After all a good keep display by a keeper is worth seeing, and a comical one but rarely a bad one.
Wednesday 22 March 2006
Where next?
Well I would like to be at my team's match on Saturday but not much chance of that so I was thinking of Deepdale instead. Talking to colleagues it seems that Preston North End demand £2 over the pre-match fee for on day sales. And it looks like being a common theme so more judicious planning maybe required.
Saturday 18 March 2006
Seaside misery for Valiants
Not a day for the faint of heart or the weak of clothing, it was bitterly cold, no doubt more so for those travelling up from Stoke. I went by car with son and wife in tow, not literally, not into caravans.
We parked directly outside the ground on the car parks used by tourists visiting the tower etc. The rest of my party walked off to find a tram and visit the Sealife Centre - much enjoyed apparently.
To the football, the Valiant's had the better of the first half but couldn't get a shot on target. Blackpool on the other hand couldn't get a shot at the target full stop.
I had enjoyed a hot beaker of tea (£1.10) before kick off and by the half time break needed further sustenance to survive the cold winds rushing around the ground. Bloomfield Road being a ground with only two full stands, one low open stand for the away fans and some rough ground behind the other goal offers little protection from the seaside weather. I was sat in the west stand which is fairly new and the toilets are decent affairs. The canteen facilities are similarly modern and do the job well.
The second half started better for the home team though the visitors had their moments to spoil the day. As often happens, a couple of substitutions changed the game. After 65 minutes a new recruit made his début, Williams, and duly scored within a minute. Minutes later and the Vale yet again failed to hit the target this time from the penalty spot! Game over and several thousand Seasiders were happy. I reckon there were about 900 of the 5,494 crowd making up the unhappy contingent but at least they were in their cars before 5 o'clock. I waited 20 minutes for the rest of my party to get back to the car before we left for some tea and home. It will be a decent ground when they add the fourth side and replace the temporary stand with something better.
We parked directly outside the ground on the car parks used by tourists visiting the tower etc. The rest of my party walked off to find a tram and visit the Sealife Centre - much enjoyed apparently.
To the football, the Valiant's had the better of the first half but couldn't get a shot on target. Blackpool on the other hand couldn't get a shot at the target full stop.
I had enjoyed a hot beaker of tea (£1.10) before kick off and by the half time break needed further sustenance to survive the cold winds rushing around the ground. Bloomfield Road being a ground with only two full stands, one low open stand for the away fans and some rough ground behind the other goal offers little protection from the seaside weather. I was sat in the west stand which is fairly new and the toilets are decent affairs. The canteen facilities are similarly modern and do the job well.
The second half started better for the home team though the visitors had their moments to spoil the day. As often happens, a couple of substitutions changed the game. After 65 minutes a new recruit made his début, Williams, and duly scored within a minute. Minutes later and the Vale yet again failed to hit the target this time from the penalty spot! Game over and several thousand Seasiders were happy. I reckon there were about 900 of the 5,494 crowd making up the unhappy contingent but at least they were in their cars before 5 o'clock. I waited 20 minutes for the rest of my party to get back to the car before we left for some tea and home. It will be a decent ground when they add the fourth side and replace the temporary stand with something better.
Sunday 12 March 2006
Chester v Torquay POSTPONED!
Okay, not started well. Plans to go to Chester last week fell foul of the weather and our health. Perhaps luckily for us we fell ill first then Chester City called off their match. I had found a few attractions for the family to enjoy too!
New plans are to, maybe, try nearer to home and Blackpool FC at home to Port Vale. We know what to expect and a visit to the Sealife centre is on the cards for the others. It has snowed here today so we will have to watch the weather for any nasty developments. Also I cannot say we are all clear of our colds yet, but how much do you let that sort of thing rule your life?
New plans are to, maybe, try nearer to home and Blackpool FC at home to Port Vale. We know what to expect and a visit to the Sealife centre is on the cards for the others. It has snowed here today so we will have to watch the weather for any nasty developments. Also I cannot say we are all clear of our colds yet, but how much do you let that sort of thing rule your life?
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