Andy is the fourth and latest Ipswich based Shrew. He is eagerly anticipating his maiden Greenhous Meadow experience having ventured up from Ipswich to Market Drayton on Friday to spend the weekend with his mum.
Saturday, that great day arrives. Mike, (unusually) travelling alone on this occasion departs 7.30 prompt from Ipswich to embark on the 200 mile trek to Mecca. Zero temperatures but a warming day in prospect.
As the miles roll by Mikes thoughts inevitably turn to great deeds done by STFC. A time to reflect…could it be another 7 goal win today. What if someone emulates Grant Holt or my hero the (great) Alf Wood and nets five. Could it be that Jamie or Marv cuts loose? What if Terry gets the bagful his tireless work deserves? Could Bradders blast sensationally onto Jeff Stelling's radar? Surely Goals! Goals! Goals! after last Saturdays no show.
Back to reality and Motorway Closure at Junction 2-3a M6 at Coventry. No matter… still making great time for the noon meet with Andy at Brooklands Hotel.
Excellent pre match. Convivial atmosphere aided by the industrious Ade Plimmer informing us of the great community based work of the STFC Trust. Then on to the jam packed Power League Bar where it’s cheery hello to Town legend Chris Smith, a quick pint and season’s greetings to friends. By now Andy’s well in to the gig.
We take our position. Back of Block 18 West Stand. Magnificent view. Andy is wide eyed. He’s reached his Mecca.
A great first 45. Purist’s football, the best I’ve seen from Town at home for a while. Richards orchestrating the symphony. Town fluent and Macc dogged. No goals but no matter. Andy’s confident. Patience the key today we muse. Then..tidings of great Joy from C-S, a great header and we’ve got a deserved lead.
Now for the other six… Oh James! The deserved second eludes us and a bit of late anxiety creeps in. Surely.. Not Plymouth again! Bite yer nails time but we see it through reasonably comfortably for a well deserved three points. Joy at final whistle. Big smile on Andy’s face and a hearty handshake.
Back to the Brooklands for Andy’s pick up and I’m on the road again at 5.30.
Well it wasn’t a seven goal mauling but its amazing how even a narrow victory makes the tedium of a 400 mile round trip melt away.
Quick stop at Selly Oak to collect daughter from Birmingham Uni. She’s hungry so we stop at Corley Services near Coventry.
In stroll several yellow shirted men. Blue and amber clad middle aged man meets yellow shirted Norwich fans travelling back from Everton. Once they identify the shirt discussion inevitably turns to Norwich cult hero Grant Holt who’d apparently scored a wonder goal at Goodison.
I regale them with tales of the mighty deeds of Grant for STFC, the 28 goal machine and how we basically re- launched career. I also make sure they understand our pride in Harty and Davie E for that matter.
Our conversation ends with a spontaneous ‘Holty is Superman’, ‘Holty is Superman’ rendition much to the bewilderment of the KFC clientele. We bid each other successful seasons and I depart happy that once again STFC links have brought the football fraternity together.
Home by 10pm, just in time for ‘Match Of The Day’ and ‘The Football League Show’ where it can all be re-lived.
What a great day. This is why we travel.
Floreat Salopia!
A happy Christmas to one and all at STFC
Mike and Andy.
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