A Match Made in Tigers Heaven
The Bride & Groom
By TigerTom
June 18 2009
Saturday 3 O'clock kick off. Wake up nice and early and check the weather, it looks fine, a few clouds but no real threat of rain. That good, 'matches' are always more enjoyable when dry. I do lots of messing around at home before getting ready for the 12:30 departure that I've already briefed my wife about. I check again that the schedule is still happening and phone Andrew to check on his ETA.
He's running a little late and we agree to meet in the Vaults before the 'match'
Time to go - and typically my wife isn't ready, wait for another 30 minutes or so and finally head off. Now we're late I decide on a change of plan and I'll meet Andrew at the hotel. Once we arrive I quickly phone him, no answer so he calls back. Of course he's gone straight to the pub. Still a few minutes later, he's arrived at the hotel and we've unpacked the car. Now we have a nice walk down New Walk to the Vaults.
Great the other Tigers fans are here and we get a quick chat before heading off to the 'ground'. It's a new venue to me, one of if not the oldest in Leicester. After a quick check round plenty of other 'fans' are beginning to arrive all in their match kits. We have an official photographer who's busily snapping away making sure the occasion is properly recorded. I guess this must happen before every game, but we're much earlier than my normal 2:55, so it's all new to me. Anyway before long Andrew gets dragged away for an interview by an official, luckily he managed to escape in time for the KO.
Meanwhile Jenny has decided on a late arrival, and has been further delayed by deciding to travel by Morris Minor Traveler. The car has annoyingly decided to break down near to the Guildhall, and positively refuses to start. This isn't helped by a traffic warden trying to help and pushing the car into a nearby bollard, denting the front bumper.
However before long Jenny does arrive, and she too is accosted by an official before she can set foot in the 'ground'. Everyone else has moved to their seats and is waiting patiently, and desperately trying to keep up with the Lions score. Some mobile phone work lets us know that they're winning at half time, but then the officials strike again and force all phones to be turned off.
Finally we get the game under way when Jenny arrived looking stunning in her new outfit, bought specially for the occasion. It seems the train is causing problems but after a quick reorganisation we get everyone seated, but instantly the excitement rises and we're all on our feet.
The referee tries her best to ruin the occasion by repeatedly misprouncing names, but generally everything proceeds smoothly, but near full time the referees assistant insists on taking some names and several of us have to sign his book.
We're all very thirsty now, and fortunately we can all get a refreshing drink before heading off. Everyone is heading the same way and before long Andrew and Jen are on new walk. However everyone else is stuck the other side of Belvoir Street waiting for the crossing. Fortunately they wait for us and we head on up New Walk. They both peer longingly into the Vaults through the window, but some of us sneak in for a refreshing drink before continuing on our way. I've never spent so little time in the vaults after a match!
It's such a nice day and we all decide to have a quick wander round a little park near the hotel. The match photographer has decided to come along too and takes the opportunity to take some more photos. Before long though people are becoming restless and we all move into the hotel for a bite to eat and some more refreshments. Andrew and Jen lag behind a little but get a nice cheer when they finally arrive as this means we can start eating.
We get a smashing meal, accompanied by super wine, although for some reason we do also get some fizzy stuff. Obviously being a real ale man, I have no idea what this is for. No one else is drinking it either, but then Jenny's dad has an idea. If two or three of us stand up and make a speech, then we can do a toast or two and that get rid of it. So up he gets and makes an excellent emotional speech. Andrew gets the idea and joins in with a great
speech of his own. Things are looking good, its nearly all gone, but oh no Andrew decides to suggest that I make a speech too. Arrgh. Still I can't refuse so up I get. It starts OK, but then I have a sneaky idea and suggest that Jen has a go too. Oh rats she refuses and I have to continue. I have another idea, perhaps some singing might go down well. I suggest asking what ancient feet do in ancient time or maybe what a team of Julian Whites would be like. However Jen threatens me with death. I suspect that she's heard my singing before in the Vaults. Still I've got to carry on now, so I complement a few nearby people and wish Andrew and Jen a long and happy life together, and finally all the fizzy drink is consumed.
We quickly vacate the room so that it can be reorganised and a few of us instantly rush off to the vaults for some decent beer. A swift half or maybe two later, and its time to head back to the hotel where the room has finally reopened. Many more fans seemed to have turned up and there's even more food to be consumed. At some point during the day Andrew and/or Jen must have stolen the match ball. I can tell this because they've wrapped it in icing
in order to get it out of the ground, but they've carelessly left it in
plain view. I know it can't be a cake because its oval shaped. Somewhere though they must have switched it, and magically its become a lovely cake.
Much more alcohol and food is consumed and some people have thoughtfully brought along some musical instrument to entertain the crowd. This all seems to go down well, and at one point Andrew even joins in with the band, fortunately for everyone present he only play the guitar, and doesn't start singing.
Eventually everyone drifts away to their homes, although a fair number of hardy should stay up until the small hours celebrating a fantastic day.
Overall a terrific day for everyone, and hopefully the rest of Andrew and Jens life together will continue in the same happy way. Now if only Tigers could win the European Cup to mark the occasion.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:20:01:34:24 by Tokyo Joe.
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)