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| Flame burst and fans when the players came out at the start |
As expected there was a dirty great pole in front of me at last night's match. No, I don't mean a fat plumber from Gdansk or a builder called Wojciech from Wroklaw but an actual constructional pole that supported the stadium roof. I had to keep moving my head like a wary meerkat in order to see the goalmouth action at the far end of the ground.
To my disgust every supporter received a free England flag on a white plastic pole. That's almost forty thousand flags! What a waste of the Earth's resources. One day things like that will no longer happen. There's no need for it. At least it was nice to see that the matchday programme had been printed on recycled paper.
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| Billy Bremner statue outside Leeds United's ground |
England were all over Costa Rica from the start and we won by two goals to nil. I had a perfect view of Marcus Rashford's opening goal as the ball looped over the flailing hands of Keylor Navas - who by the way also keeps goal for Real Madrid.
Before the game, I stood proudly to sing our national anthem and during the match I joined in with the chant "England! England!" several times but my most raucous participation occurred when a chant of "Yorkshire! Yorkshire!" echoed around - for most supporters present were Yorkshire folk and there were seven Yorkshire players on the pitch including Harry Maguire who left Hull City last summer.
Long before kick-off I also noticed a Hull City banner in the far corner of the ground where the official England supporters band were assembling. My "Sony" bridge camera has an excellent zoom facility.
Silver Clint was left in a terraced street on Beeston Hill, close to Holbeck Cemetery. After the game I unlocked him, put the key in the ignition and was back home in Sheffield before the local pub closed. And yes - I did think of Richard. I am sure he would also have joined in with the defiant, "Yorkshire! Yorkshire!" chant.
That England v. Costa Rica match day programme is selling on eBay for 6.99 pounds. I found it when I was on the site looking for that souvenir flag -- I hate to say it, but I want one. It looks like a nifty flag, with the St. George cross on the front and the three lions on the back. Blue lions. Is that the English team's color?
ReplyDelete"Three lions on the shirt, Jules Rimet's still gleaming..." The lions are on England's badge. Normally England play in white but so do Costa Rica so last night England played in their alternative red shirts.
DeleteWell, too bad about the pole, but you knew going in there was going to be some issue. At least your team won! (And I agree about the flags -- maybe you can express your disgust in some communication with the team or the stadium?)
ReplyDeleteI have already done that Steve. The Football Association asked me to submit feedback. They may not have been expecting what they got.
DeleteSounds to me like you would have had a great time even if they had parked a mac truck in front of you, Mr. Pudding.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your friend and neighbor, Neil. Big Bear and I have lost more than a hand full of good friends and colleagues in the past year. Sad. Makes you feel like you, too, are getting old.
Yes. I think that even as we mourn the lost ones there's an element of self-questioning. When will it by my time?
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the game, and were on the winning team, Yorkie.
ReplyDeleteAnd, it was good that Clint waited patiently for your return.
Seeing he kicked over as soon as you turned the key in the ignition indicates he as keen to get home...or to the pub.
I told Clint we were heading to a petrol station and that made him speed along. But it was cruel trick. I was just going to the pub.
DeleteYou're preaching to the unconverted. I'm not a sports fan. I don't even follow Canadian football or hockey. However , I don't tell anybody about this!!!
ReplyDeleteA Canadian man who does not care about sport! You may need psychiatric support Red!
DeleteHa! Ha!
Delete"like a wary meerkat" - what a great description
ReplyDelete