Story of seeing the United team coach for the purists only

[Sheff de party]

On a rare drive through Sheffield yesterday I stopped to fill up next to none other than the first team bus. There were no players on it.

The driver was happy to chat. He said the players went up yesterday and stayed in Burnley of all places, he was picking them up after lunch. They’re heading down to Reading on Monday, so again the day before.

He said they have a lot of fun on board, but said “what goes on the coach stays on the coach” and wouldn’t say any more.

He also said they’re based in Dover and wasn’t sure how they secured the contract, but he very much enjoyed it. Despite not being from Sheffield he’d clearly become quite a fan. Reckons we will beat Blackburn easily.

Not a page turner I know but I love all this stuff so I thought I’d share in case anyone else does

 

[Sheff de party]

I might add this to “dullest anecdotes of meeting a footballer”, since it’s dull and wasn’t even a footballer.

 

[broomhillblade]

I might add this to “dullest anecdotes of meeting a footballer”, since it’s dull and wasn’t even a footballer.

Not dull at all. An interesting insight into logistics.
In the days of my youth (pre motorways) footballers often used to travel by train.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Martin Scorsese on Line One.
Shall I ask him to hold?

 

[BladesOnToast]

2 days in Reading! Poor bastards.

 

[Tickhill Blade]

2 days in Reading! Poor bastards.

Maybe that's why they stayed in Burnley last night, makes Reading look good?

 

[wizadry]

This thread is already fantastic!

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

On a rare drive through Sheffield yesterday I stopped to fill up next to none other than the first team bus. There were no players on it.

The driver was happy to chat. He said the players went up yesterday and stayed in Burnley of all places, he was picking them up after lunch. They’re heading down to Reading on Monday, so again the day before.

He said they have a lot of fun on board, but said “what goes on the coach stays on the coach” and wouldn’t say any more.

He also said they’re based in Dover and wasn’t sure how they secured the contract, but he very much enjoyed it. Despite not being from Sheffield he’d clearly become quite a fan. Reckons we will beat Blackburn easily.

Not a page turner I know but I love all this stuff so I thought I’d share in case anyone else does

I know you said what happens on the coach stays on the coach stays on the coach but any snack info, Balfock having a Kit Kat habit or McBurnie having a secret stash of Sherbet dip dabs?

Hate to say it but think you're asking all the wrong questions.

 

[Trigger Blade]

I might add this to “dullest anecdotes of meeting a footballer”, since it’s dull and wasn’t even a footballer.

Not at all, in fact only this morning, I was wondering where the team would have stayed last night, Burnley wasn't on my list though it has a Travelodge and a Premier Inn

Earlier this week, Trig Jnr (TY) sent me a pic of a coach he'd seen parked at the Kenwood House in Nether Edge. I reckon they stayed there so the team could walk to the ground, but young Trig reckons that given the state of Sheffield pavements that would be a high risk strategy for highly paid pro footballers f

 

[blade67]

I might add this to “dullest anecdotes of meeting a footballer”, since it’s dull and wasn’t even a footballer.

This is actually a new genre. Dullest anecdotes of meeting with backroom staff or administrators.

 

[robbiez666]

Burnley is a perfect place to stay before playing Blackburn. They hate Blackburn with a passion. No way any Burnley fans are doing anything daft or trying to keep the team awake. Blackpool would be the other option but you don't want to find John Fleck drunk on a donkey at 4am.

 

[Linz]

Blackpool would be the other option but you don't want to find John Fleck drunk on a donkey at 4am.

You sound like you speak from experience there...

 

[robbiez666]

You sound like you speak from experience there...

I have many stories from my days working as a donkey in Blackpool but they make you sign a NDA.

 

[Trigger Blade]

I have many stories from my days working as a donkey in Blackpool but they make you sign a NDA.

Ah yes, a Neddy eh?

 

[Davalon]

Disappointed to find the players don't take it in turns to drive

 

[SwissBlade]

I might add this to “dullest anecdotes of meeting a footballer”, since it’s dull and wasn’t even a footballer.

Yeah but you met the coach

 

[djbaldken]

Burnley is a perfect place to stay before playing Blackburn. They hate Blackburn with a passion. No way any Burnley fans are doing anything daft or trying to keep the team awake. Blackpool would be the other option but you don't want to find John Fleck drunk on a donkey at 4am.

Benidorm four years ago
John Fleck

my lawyers insist I say no more.

 

[DifferentClass]

I'll tell thi what goes on there.

Orgies with City Sauna's finest, fuelled by copious amounts of cognac and Moet Chandon. The classy club.

 

[robbiez666]

Ah yes, a Neddy eh?

Being ridden by a Rangers fan is a low point in my career.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

Disappointed to find the players don't take it in turns to drive

No but they do all have to chip in for fuel now

 

[Bla blade]

No but they do all have to chip in for fuel now

Chip in for fuel ….an instruction misinterpreted by Mousset

 

[Scarebus]

I've seen the first team coach outside Heathrow arrivals before. I'll be honest, coming out after a night shift, running for the staff bus, it was a really nice surprise.

 

[JT89]

Not at all, in fact only this morning, I was wondering where the team would have stayed last night, Burnley wasn't on my list though it has a Travelodge and a Premier Inn

Crow Wood Hotel is pretty close to Burnley, slightly more up-market than Travelodge & Premier Inn...

 

[originaltrueblade]

It ain’t dull it’s these little insights that are interesting

 

[Grey Blade]

I came across it near the station at Rheims in 2019 when we had a pre season friendly there.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

I came across it near the station at Rheims in 2019 when we had a pre season friendly there.
View attachment 156667

I hope you wiped the mess of it before the team got back...

 

[Grey Blade]

I hope you wiped the mess of it before the team got back...

You should of read that back before posting

 

[djbaldken]

You should of read that back before posting

also you should HAVE read that back before posting

 

[Davalon]

No but they do all have to chip in for fuel now

Outrageous. In fact, it's downright offensive.