Away Day - Prescot Cables 16.01.20

I left home with my rucksack on my back and a 30-minute walk ahead of me to the Bird in’t Hand to catch the fun bus organised by one of the Hatton Garden Crew (following Matt Brown’s resignation as Transport Manager). After doing all my Saturday AM chores in triple quick time I was hoping we could get a positive result at a ground where we historically struggle.

En route to ‘The Bird’ Andy Lee had blatantly drove past me so my hopes of getting a lift had vanished. On my arrival a cold pint of a premium lager was awaiting me which I duly despatched. Everyone was there except Brown & Burkey who apparently would be making an alternative journey via car due to Brown suffering an injury that morning.

The fun bus turned up on time and we piled on. The journey took all of 40 minutes but seemed shorter as I wolfed down the Roast beef & horseradish barms which my wife had lovingly placed inside my rucksack along with a spare pair of socks.

Treasurer Booth suggested that on our arrival we should frequent a hostelry called ‘The Bard’ which was Prescott’s equivalent of Urmston’s ‘Brew Chimp’. Unfortunately they had forgot to sell draught lager so for the likes of us lager drinkers we would have to fork out £4 a can for some posey lager. Fortunately a kind Cables fan told our group that their clubhouse had a bar that sold 3 guest cask ales so we rapidly left. Still no sign of Burke & Brown, although we saw some orange coats in the distance. Turned out to be road cones.

ABOVE: IS THAT BURKEY THERE BEHIND TOM & DC?

We arrived en masse after Cockney Cookie had shown us all a short cut through the back streets of Prescot. There was an orange coated apparition at the turnstile….. no it wasn’t Burkey, it was a steward. After purchasing a few more alcoholic drinks we decided to gather behind the goal that Trafford were attacking. We saw an orange coat over in the main stand…. was THAT Burkey? No, it was an inflatable kids swimming pool that had blown over the fence. After about 10 minutes the errant gentlemen arrived. The hobbling Matt Brown apologised for their lateness by explaining that he had suffered a gym injury that morning (dropped a bell on end of his toe). Sadly Burkey was not wearing his orange coat.

 Matt had come fully loaded with the new TFCSC 2019-20 season badges that us fully paid up members had been waiting HALF A SEASON for. The anger at this LONG WEIGHT dissipated when we received our badges – to be honest they were worth waiting for.

The first half of the game was quite even as Cable’s lone drummer boy at the opposite end was trying to get the home fans going to no avail. 0-0 HT. The lack of real excitement on the pitch was more than counterbalanced by Volair Park’s Texan born PA announcer who stuck out like a sore thumb (or toe if you’re Matt Brown) announcing everything like he was in Caesar’s Palace. He could teach Muggsy a thing or two…..sorry. Let’s get ready to ruummmmbbbbbbblllleeeeeeee!

BELOW: AWAY END

After a few more drinks at the interval we swapped ends. Prescott went down to 10-men halfway through the 2nd half with No.6 Burns being booked for two reckless lunges. Trafford couldn’t capitalise despite a few near misses as the 2nd half drew to close. The main talking point was the disappearing pitch marking as the Cable’s keeper didn’t know where his 6-yard line was! Thank god we have Foxy & Adrian!! 0-0 FT

ULTIMATE HATTON GARDEN FIGHTING CHALLENGE

Another drink was consumed in Prescot’s clubhouse while the Hatton Garden members Faulkner & pre-enacted the McGregor/Cerrone UFC fight that night. We partook in a one for the road drink in the upperclass establishment called Witherspoons whilst awaiting the bus. The driver Chris or Craig (can’t remember) was very accommodating by dropping everyone off at their choice of destination.

Feeling a little bit worst for where when I got home I devoured my chicken kebab (plus a portion of donner meat) Yum Yum.

(Brooko)