Away Days - Grantham Town

Grantham away day

10 am Saturday morning prompt the poster for the coach said; even the management were on time. Then the manager’s phone went, with the news that a player was late due to rail problems, so off we set to the railway station to pick up said player.

After finally finding a place to park the bus the manager went in search of missing player, now if at this point we had just set off and left them…………………………………………… ha ha

Anyway they both returned and off we set for sunny Grantham via a pick up for the ‘junction 19 crew’ despite our late set off we made great time and stopped for ‘brunch’ at a little village called Blyth and as you’ll know by now that’s twice we’ve been to Blythe this season and lost 2-1. But at least the ‘Fourways Hotel’ did us proud, the athletes among us enjoying scrambled egg or beans on toast while us ex-athletes made do with a full English.

In no time at all we found ourselves outside Grantham’s home South Kesteven Sports Stadium

Right want some Grantham history? There nick name is ‘The Gingerbread Men, this is because when they formed they only had 10 players, 2 of which were baker’s so they made a life size gingerbread man to make up numbers! The gingerbread man was leading goal scorer that season *

The stadium looked quite impressive, but several of our happy band wanted to sample the delights of Grantham town and off they skipped hand in hand in search of barley and hops. Disappointing was the nice thing Cappy told me about it later. The rest of us entered the main reception and were ushered upstairs to a lovely large bar and function room. Where before the Tea Lady and I had even got a drink we were being quizzed by a Corby scout!!!! Told him to worry if Gallanders ( Tea Lady’s fav ) returns before next week!!!

So we settled down to watch Man City beat Everton and have a few drinks, and it was soon time to enter the ground, and although we had been warned…the dreaded running track, my pet hate, you seem to be so far from the ac…nearly put action there and so a very poor game spoilt by a ref who managed to upset the home fans more than us AND they won. Decisions included a sending off for two yellows delivered within seconds of each other, which I can only guess were for dissent.

The game came to an end and then something I’ve not experienced for years, bear in mind there were 5 of us sat in front row of stand including 3 ladies and as the so called Grantham supporters left we were verbally abused, so laughable

The tea lady and I were offered a lift home from Mad Melody and Taxi Tim which we accepted as we had plans for the evening and so had an uneventful trip home except for the Chorley fans on the service station ………………………………………………………….

Game: 4/10

Ground: 4/10 Bloody running track

Food: 7/10 Impressive proper Lincolnshire sausages on sale

Beer: 10/10 Draught Strongbow

Fans: 1/10 the few idiots at the end. 5/10 the home moaners in the upper stand 8/10 the rest who made us feel welcome

Value for money: 6/10 £10 admission.

Referee: 3/10. From me, less I imagine from home fans

Tea lady Man of the Match Smartie he offered to buy her a drink after game 

*This may not be true

Love Sempie