Pre Match Rituals

[rachyblade]

I was thinking today about how excited I am for the drive up to Sheffield on Sunday even though its just for the open day, I miss that drive.

It got me thinking of all the things I do before a match.

If its a home game I like to set off at about 12.30, just so it gives plenty of time. I have to have a microwaveable burger before I set off, even though they are nasty I've always done it. I drive the same way each week, and stop at the same service station to get a hot chocolate, after the service station I put radio Sheffield on for the rest of the journey.

I sometimes have a thing about what I wear, if we play well and win the same clothes have to be worn to the following match. I remember the season we got promoted me and my brother had to wear the same coat every week, even if it was hot or freezing. Even for the Cardiff game, we watched it at home on Sky, and we weren't playing too well 1st half so for the 2nd half we sat in the house wearing our coats.... it worked.

Just wondered if anyone else has any pre match rituals or superstitions?

 

[Linz]

My pre-match ritual is sponsored by alliteration

Pork Special and Pub for a Pint

 

[Billyblade]

My brother always goes in through turnstile 63. When he watched a live match at our house once, he brought a piece of card with a big 63 painted on it and stuck it to my back door.

Before the Crystal Palace Play-off final we stopped at a service station and bumped into a Blade who said he had travelled on his own, was sitting on his own and always went to the match on his own. He then proceeded to pull out of his pocket one of those red and white striped carrier bags you get from takeaways and told us that he took it with him to every match and he had got his lucky pants on. I stopped wondering at this point why he was on his own so much. (apologies if you are on here!)

My pre-match ritual consists of pub (Crown on Chesterfield Road) with my mates and a steady stroll down to the Lane.

 

[Samantha]

Sportsman before the game (unless it's a Tuesday night and I've been running Brownies, but it doesn't feel right)

Dad's mate has to go through turnstile, then dad, then me. Try to use same turnstile as one we use on first game of season.

Dad always lets me go to my seat first too. He has a Saturday morning ritual which is quite funny (can set your watch by him lol)

 

[happyhippy]

I never watch the kick off of both halves. If I do, we lose. Every time. I turn my back on the match instead of closing or shielding my eyes, just in case I accidentally glimpse the first movement of the ball ......

That's assuming I'm actually in the ground for kick off, which is a rarity.

 

[TonyAgana]

Set off around 1.30, meet my Dad and Great Auntie in The Devonshire Arms at the end of Ecc Rd, (prior to season ticket cards, at this stage I'd usually drive back home to get my season ticket, swearing at myself all the way) then have a slow meander to the Lane.

Try not to get any superstitions started in the first place as I'm scared of turning out like Gazza but I do always wear my tiny blades pin that I've had since 1999/00 season - and if I forget it and we lose, I quietly blame myself.

 

[whitefang]

me and my mate set off from donny about 1, drive into sheffield and park up for about 130, always in the same back streets behind B&Q. Then I always buy a programme from the same seller and buy a drink from the same shop before gtting into the ground for about 230 for some prematch reading!!

 

[Linz]

Superstitious bunch aren't we

My Nuddy gloves used to be lucky... but the luck ran out of them I think.

Nice to see you back around whitefang

 

[whitefang]

cheers Linz, It's been awhile. Ive been inbetween houses, so without the net. I'm back now though

 

[stinkyblade]

I just like to get in as late as I can, cos it bores me to death just sitting, waiting for kick off

 

[Tinoblade]

I used to wear like same clothes at the next game if we were on a run!

 

[SRBlade]

I used to be really bad.

Leave at the same time, walk the same way, wearing the same clothes from a good performance, never walk over 3 drains in a row, buy a bottle of water from the same shop, buy a programme from the same bloke, only go in a certain turnstile, sit down or stand up.

I was rayt bad, but since captain marvel spread misery over bramall lane i've not really cared much about these superstitions or rituals

 

[Samantha]

I used to wear like same clothes at the next game if we were on a run!

Haha!!

Me - "Can't wear them socks, we lost against (insert team name here) when I wore those"... Needless to say I've started buying plain black socks 'cos then I can't tell the difference so I can't be as superstitious!!

 

[jclpblade]

I always walk the same way to the ground and buy my programme off the same bloke (that guys probably made a fortune off of me!)

Also used to have a lucky watch. I got a new one for my birthday, and we suddenly slupmed, so the watch went.

Ironically enough the strap broke before the Wigan game . lol, I even took the face without the strap to the game.

 

[keenzy]

I've wore the same clothes before. When we was on the terrific run of form when we were promoted i had the same clothes on for each match. They didnt get washed either cos it would wash the luck away. needless to say my socks stank and my shirt had numerous ketchup stains on it. They all went in the wash finally and we lost. bugger.

 

[makkapakka]

The only pre match rituals that have involve:drunk:, although more in moderation these days

I'll more than likely try the Golden Lion this season now I've found this forum.

It's strange that in all the years I've been coming to the lane I've never been into the Golden Lion (that i can remember anyway)

 

[Monty's_Girl]

I've wore the same clothes before. When we was on the terrific run of form when we were promoted i had the same clothes on for each match. They didnt get washed either cos it would wash the luck away. needless to say my socks stank and my shirt had numerous ketchup stains on it. They all went in the wash finally and we lost. bugger.

So it's all your fault that we lost

 

[Sheffield-Bl4de]

I actually don't wear any United shirts, well not last seasons. Bought it when we played Wigan, got relegated, dared to wear it to another game, we lost again, and once after that when i wore it. Now I don't wear 'em

 

[happyhippy]

Haha!!

Me - "Can't wear them socks, we lost against (insert team name here) when I wore those"... Needless to say I've started buying plain black socks 'cos then I can't tell the difference so I can't be as superstitious!!

I'm like that too.

Dukla Prague away shirt - worn to a match twice - lost twice - never seen at Bramall Lane since.

The shirt, that is.

 

[Come from away]

Personally, I crawl downstairs in my underware, put on my Blades shirt and stare at the computer till Radio Sheffield comes on - not a pretty site but it's early in the morning and only my wife is up and about. Last year we lost whether I wore my shirt or not so I wear it anyway. If we lose, pick on me instead of poor old Monty, we'll probably both be listening in on Radio Sheffield.