Away Day - 1874 Northwich

 

Trafford Away Day – at 1874 Northwich FC, 2^nd April 2022

Although we’ve had AwayDays, this was the first “FunBus” for a while. The shout out went for 12 to travel via Fork’s mate’s van. We got 11 (plus a few in their own cars, for whom the 12 noon start was too early) which meant one seat empty… actually 5 because it turned out to be a 16-seater!

Forks, Bellissimo, TC and Cockney Phil started in Wetherspoons for the traditional stomach-liner, then it was on to the Bird In Hand… which was sadly not open until 12, our departure time. As soon as the clock struck noon we purchased several take- outs and by 12.04 we were on route via the Mile Road…

Breakfast of champions!

…which had a mile long traffic jam on it, urgh! The delay meant our driver would spend the rest of the journey driving at 75mph round the country lanes of Cheshire, seeing as though he had to get back for a job in Manchester at 1pm, aargh!

After listening to Glinks enlighten us by reading out all the names of the shops we had passed, we arrived safely in Northwich... We jumped out at some traffic lights having spotted what looked like a cracking little real ale house... Only it was shut! So we took up residence in a place called the Salty Dog, which is a music venue – the stage was set with a full drum kit, but Burkey had forgotten his sticks, so we couldn’t get him to pound out some rhythms. Instead, the venue’s playlist was pretty decent while we tried to work out who all the celebrity arty-farty pictures were on the wall. 

Drums at the Salty Dog

The Salty Dog provided us with a potential newcomer to the party, and someone to fill the empty seat on the way home…? Some randomist sat with us, turned down a pint because he was “working at 5” then proceeded to tell us he’d already had 4 plus 2 lines…!

Which reminds me, we all made sure our lines were on.

Forks, Bellissimo and Tommo left The Salty Dog to check out a pub further down the street. “We’ll ring you if it’s any good” said Forks. Muggsy’s phone rang 4 minutes later. The caller didn’t even say hello…“It’s a shithole” was all he said before he hung up. The 3-Amigos were back in The Salty Dog 2 minutes later. Tommo came back even more p-d off: one of his traditions is to get a fish in any town we visit. His opinion of the one he’d just had in Northwich? “4 out of 10... Shite”.

By now it was time to get to the ground, which is actually in Barnton, about 2 miles out of Northwich, so we had to get cabs. As we passed the Bellis Daisy’s in the pedestrianised street, we were hoping our new friend wasn’t coming along for the ride… he wasn’t. After another whirl around the marvellous piece of Victorian engineering that is the ironbridge in the middle of Northwich, we soon arrived at Barnton Stadium, bailed out, and headed in for pre-match pies, burgers, and large cans of a beer called 'Hobgoblin'. Wicked stuff.

First half...

Second half...

The less said about the game the better. We’ve had a great season, but since the Playoffs disappeared over the horizon, and we lost he Cup Semi-final, things have been a little tricky on the pitch – especially the last two games. We have injuries, loads of young kids (4 teenagers and a 20-year-old in the starting line-up) and guys who’ve given it everything for the full season and are plain knackerd & need a break (on & off the pitch). Get these last 4 games out of the way boys, then come back next season refreshed & ready to go again. We love you all!

The second half was better – the sun was warmer at that end of the ground (closer to it?) and Rhys had a double packet of custard creams that he very kindly shared out, yum yum- although Glinks refused saying something crazy like 'it's a bad use of custard'. I think he was drunk. They tasted especially delicious when dunked in Burkey’s Dark Fruits...

Custard Creams!

We decided to do one pronto after the game, to try and get back to the Nag’s head for 80’s Disco night. Unfortunately, no one told Muggsy, so by the time he’d finished saying goodbye to people he doesn’t even know, he came out of the ground only to discover we’d already left!

It took a while before realising we were missing Muggsy – the teacher in Glinks decided to do a head count. Upon realising this monumental error, we decided to do the honourable thing... We carried on back home – United were kicking off at 5.30 and we didn't want to miss it or the 80's disco. And anyway, we figured Muggsy could always get back in touch with his new found friend from the Salty Dog. 

The journey home wasn’t as hell raising as the one that brought us to Northwich. We avoided the mile road and we discussed our season, plans for pre season piss ups/get togethers... All of which have since been forgotten (hic). Despite the result, we were in good spirits still – Although watching United for the next 90 minutes soon put pay to that!

Meanwhile Muggsy had to hitch-hike home, getting picked up by an old couple in a camper van who took him to Lincoln, then a truck back North. He arrived back in Urmsterdam just in time for the kids cup final at SV the next morning! 

 Viva Trafford.