The birthday boy at 6:15am! |
However, surprisingly there were no hiccups and the 8 stripes were indeed at Bath Spa/already on the train from Bristol, so all assembled in the carriage, cracked out their morning pork pies/sandwiches/pastries and dined, while wishing a happy birthday to 12 year old Sophie (I think!) But Paul Hill exceeded himself again in his friendliness by wishing his fellow birthday person best wishes.
8 Stipes outside St.Pancras |
Shameless selfpromotion in Luton toilets |
We then moved into the Fullers pub, the Euston Flyer where the rest of us imbued our first pints of the day. A pleasant time was had while waiting for the 9th stripe travelling from Brighton to join us, once he arrived and another pint was supped, we boarded the train to Luton (I'm intentionally glossing over the issue we had finding the platform, a nightmare!)
Artwork on Bricklayers Arms wall |
A couple of friendly fans escorted us to the ground, and we entered through everyone's favourite away end! The Oak Road Stands' entrance is through the ground floor of a terrace house and ignoring the ridiculous price (£18 for nonleague ffs!) it is definitely my favourite entrance as it is like none of the 48 grounds I have been in before!
Oak Road entrance, simply unique! |
One area which we did win though was crowd noise, despite there being 80 of us, so therefore approximately 4,920 Luton fans we made much the more noise with some cracking songs including Que Sera Sera (http://drinkupyecider.blogspot.com/2012/02/que-sera-sera-whatever-will-be-will-be.html) a Palmer inspired "The Stripes are staying up, cos everyone's in admin" and a rendition of BCFC which knackered my throat so much that I had to buy a drink and was appalled at the £1.80 I was charged for it (and £2.70 for a pie!)
The players applauded long and hard at the end, Adie later tweeted all you could hear was us, and I admit I almost shed a tear (booze probably helped the emotional state!) when we proudly clapped the players and they proudly clapped us back, we might be down but God I love the stripes.
Leaving the ground having only lost 2-0 we were reasonably pleased, headed back to a few pubs before arriving back at Bath Spa at 10ish. Hilly headed into Bath to continue his birthday celebrations while I decided to head home. A cracking jolly boys outing that was enjoyed by everyone, and once again showed that the train is an amazing way to travel. We might be losing, but football isn't all about the game it's about the people you watch it with and the fun you have while getting there.
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