Hartley Hare
Being Naughty
I left North Norfolk at lunchtime on a glorious bright, warm and sunny afternoon.
The journey to Derby around 130 miles involved passing through five counties. No prizes for naming the five.
Parking was easy, a stones throw from the ground, and by 4.15pm I was drinking a most welcome pint of Abbeydale Deception. How refreshing my drink, and the option to have a decent ale at the football. Good on Derby for making this gesture.
I climbed the stairs to almost the top of the stand to find my seat on row T, next to Dan from around these parts. One of the best modern stadiums I have visited. A decent view of the action, and with the bowl effect, and enclosed full roof the noise did not evaporate away.
Gaw'd knows what happened when we conceded a goal straight from the kick-off. A stunning start to the game. The team fought back and played some lovely stuff in the first half. Derby looked dangerous on the break as we played a very open game. Norwood, Fleck and Duffy in command.
The pitch was very narrow. It seemed this was by design?
The equalising goal was coming, a mazy dribble from Fleck and cross to Bash who whacked it into the net. Cue wild and violent celebrations, which saw me catch a nasty rabbit punch and Dan's best spec savers glasses go flying. Thankfully, found safely a few moment later two rows down to the left.
The knuckle draggers nearby were like dervishes, but somehow it was right. I managed to get a neck hold on one, primarily to save myself from falling out of the stand.
The second half was disappointing. Derby took control, we seemed to run out of steam and the winning goal for Derby was on the cards. The substitutions did not work.
I am no expert, but Norwood and Coutts seem similar players. Duffy provides something else. We badly need a centre forward, someone like Jack Maddison. We should have pushed the boat out to get him this summer.
The traffic was slow leaving Derby. On the way home I stopped for a beer, just before closing time, in a small rural country pub, in the middle of nowhere. I went outside for a smoke of my trusty pipe to reflect on matters. It was a still, and quiet evening. A few locals chatting in the bar.
The front door opened and two ladies left walking straight past me. The first lady seemed somehow familiar, we glanced at each other and I nodded reverently. An attractive lady, who I thought looked like The Duchess of Cambridge. A moment later, true enough, out marched The Duke. Prince William.
Glory be - who would believe it. All in a day out following the Blades.
HH
The journey to Derby around 130 miles involved passing through five counties. No prizes for naming the five.
Parking was easy, a stones throw from the ground, and by 4.15pm I was drinking a most welcome pint of Abbeydale Deception. How refreshing my drink, and the option to have a decent ale at the football. Good on Derby for making this gesture.
I climbed the stairs to almost the top of the stand to find my seat on row T, next to Dan from around these parts. One of the best modern stadiums I have visited. A decent view of the action, and with the bowl effect, and enclosed full roof the noise did not evaporate away.
Gaw'd knows what happened when we conceded a goal straight from the kick-off. A stunning start to the game. The team fought back and played some lovely stuff in the first half. Derby looked dangerous on the break as we played a very open game. Norwood, Fleck and Duffy in command.
The pitch was very narrow. It seemed this was by design?
The equalising goal was coming, a mazy dribble from Fleck and cross to Bash who whacked it into the net. Cue wild and violent celebrations, which saw me catch a nasty rabbit punch and Dan's best spec savers glasses go flying. Thankfully, found safely a few moment later two rows down to the left.
The knuckle draggers nearby were like dervishes, but somehow it was right. I managed to get a neck hold on one, primarily to save myself from falling out of the stand.
The second half was disappointing. Derby took control, we seemed to run out of steam and the winning goal for Derby was on the cards. The substitutions did not work.
I am no expert, but Norwood and Coutts seem similar players. Duffy provides something else. We badly need a centre forward, someone like Jack Maddison. We should have pushed the boat out to get him this summer.
The traffic was slow leaving Derby. On the way home I stopped for a beer, just before closing time, in a small rural country pub, in the middle of nowhere. I went outside for a smoke of my trusty pipe to reflect on matters. It was a still, and quiet evening. A few locals chatting in the bar.
The front door opened and two ladies left walking straight past me. The first lady seemed somehow familiar, we glanced at each other and I nodded reverently. An attractive lady, who I thought looked like The Duchess of Cambridge. A moment later, true enough, out marched The Duke. Prince William.
Glory be - who would believe it. All in a day out following the Blades.
HH
