The following article appeared in the programme for Racing Club Warwick v Boldmere St Michaels on 20th November 2004.
This week’s ramblings concern the recent International weekend and my visit to the Manchester United’s self-styled “Theatre of Dreams” for the England v Wales World Cup Qualifier. It is a rare treat to go to Old Trafford, especially these days, because United home games are exceptionally hard to get a ticket for. I first went there in 1982 and I have seen the stadium develop massively over the years from a ground with standing paddocks and the infamous Stretford End to the thoroughly modern all-seater venue that it is today. Of course there are a large variety of ways of parting with your cash which you would expect from a plc with profit responsibilities to its shareholders! These include a cafĂ©, a museum, megastores etc. That said, for such a large and modern stadium, Old Trafford has managed to retain much of its character. I’m not sure how much dreaming goes on at the Theatre of Dreams nowadays however. After all, once your dreams have come true, do you keep on having the same dreams? With the threat of American investors hanging over United perhaps it is time to re-label Old Trafford as the Theatre of Nightmare Scenarios? Nicknames for grounds is, I think, a rich and untapped seam of amusement for football fans especially as corporate naming rights seem to be in vogue and fans will, no doubt, be reluctant to refer to their home in the way that the corporates would like – do you remember that last season when Chelsea visited Scarborough’s McCain Stadium some wag produced a banner welcoming them to the “Theatre of Chips”. Perhaps we should think of a nickname for Racing Club’s home? The trouble is that we won’t be able to afford a full blown Theatre so maybe we will only be able to aspire to the “Amateur Dramatics Show of Modest Aspirations” or similar. I’m sure that you will be able to think of something better!
I have to say that I thoroughly disagree with the FA’s decision to play England home games on dates when there is a full programme of league fixtures for all those not contributing players to national sides. Do they realise that England supporters exist outside of the Premier League? In fact, from an analysis of England flags at Old Trafford I would say that most England fans follow lower league sides! Given that the date for the England v. Wales game was known before this season’s fixtures were generated, why not give all clubs a blank Saturday? What are we supposed to do? With Racing Club playing away at Loughborough Dynamo there was no chance of my attending both fixtures. The International fixture won in my case of course but, across the country, how many supporters were discouraged from attending a fixture due to the huge attraction of the match on BBC TV? It simply must have affected attendances. Thankfully Racing Club were away and so were not hit at the gate and the bar.
The journey up the M6 was hell. I don’t know if it is always as bad on a Saturday morning but I suspect not since there must have been 10,000 or so additional vehicles driving up from the South specifically for the football. Or maybe not if Manchester United’s home counties following is to be believed! The journey up was enlivened by the radio phone-ins which seemed to be the territory of embittered Welshmen complaining of the arrogance of the English. Apparently if we say that we WILL win then we are arrogant! Brave or foolhardy more like. If we were more humble what would they have to despise? We simply “does what it says on the tin” and fulfill the role of being imperialist oppressors of 700 years standing!
Now a little tip for you. If you are ever lucky enough to get tickets for Old Trafford, don’t attempt to drive right up to the ground and park. For a start the parking fee will set you back at least £5.00 and secondly you will probably be stranded in the car park for an hour or so after the match. I learned the hard way a few years ago and now I leave the car at Altrincham or Timperley and catch the Metrolink to Old Trafford. The return fare is £2.60 and the getaway is such that I was back in Warwick by 7:30PM. As an added bonus you will be able to admire the home of Lancashire County Cricket as you leave the Metrolink station.
The match itself? Well you must have seen it at some stage. Lampard’s goal after 4 minutes set us on our way and Beckham’s absolute peach of a goal in the last 15 minutes killed it off. And what about Wayne Rooney? I think that the press are already beginning to run out of superlatives. Only just back from injury and lacking match fitness? Don’t you believe it! I’ve only ever seen one other player create quite as much magic in a match as Rooney and that was Gazza at his peak. I don’t recall a single noteworthy attempt on goal by Wales. Come back in 20 years lads and try again (or Cardiff next year)! Ah well, back to the delights of Racing Club next week!
Keep the faith!
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