Sheff de party
Well-Known Member
Having only met up with S24SUers once before, but had a cracking day out in Brentford despite a 2-0 defeat, I was understandably keen to do so again. Last time out I was joined by SwissBlade Blackheath Blade Balham Blade and several others, so as attention switched to the game at Villa park, Sheff de Party decided to repeat the experience. What followed was too many ciders, numerical ales, a serious allegation to start a new conversation, a hate campaign against Villa, a takeaway that travelled several hundred miles, a mobile bookmaker from Derbyshire and Ryan Flynn scoring with his left foot. Almost all of that happened before the final whistle. If you don't want to know the result, look away now.
I arrived at Euston station early having booted the missus back off up north. After investing another (foolish) fiver at the bookies, I stood on the platform awaiting the arrival of moDtheGod Balham Blade and Ollessendro , who were to be my companions for the journey. I actually saw Balham wandering the concourse, but failed to be sure it was him, having seen him only once before under a Blades flag singing about James Beattie in a Brentford boozer. After a quick trip to M and S, the three met me on the platform and we sat and discussed all things Blades. Mod the God spent almost the entire journey defending Murphy and Flynn (who knew he was so prolific at predictions?), Ollie a portion of it trying to steal Mod's beer and I brought shame upon myself and the rest of the de Party family by drinking Budweiser. Mod the God revealed his theory that there is no such thing as the midlands, which caused some dissension among the travelling Blades.
We arrived in good cheer before midday and headed straight for the Shakespeare. Real ales flowed and I moved onto the cider as we awaited the arrival of Papa Luigi, a.k.a Ollesandro senior. We also met Piggy Dingle, who was already draining the first of many beers that day, despite being apparently skint and hungover. Mod the God almost set himself up as a bookies, at one point offering 200-1 that United would lift the FA Cup, on which Ollesandro attempted to be 21p. Sheff de party and Ollesandro revised their '4-0 Villa' prediction to '1-0' United. How we laughed. Ollesandro revealed his massively expensive £8 Casio watch, which is stuck an hour fast because the button to alter it is broken. His claim that "it's right half the year and is convenient when travelling in Europe" was met with hoots of derision, broadly taking the form of insults directly aimed at a man overly reliant on thrift.
On to the Barton's arms, where Ollesandro produced a '20p off real ale' card that was met with great enthusiasm and further cemented his reputation as a wise man with money. Mod the God left one conversation to start a new one with Papa Luigi which some might feel cast aspersions about his good name and character. Mod claimed the old classic excuse - context, then we all laughed a lot more. It was around 2:40 when we set off for the ground and I took my seat at kick off.
'What a game' doesn't really cover it. To see my League One side going toe to toe with a Premier league team was a joy to behold. We went nuts when Murphy scored, silently accepted Villa's goal and went even nuttier when Flynn rammed the winner in. I hugged my mate and at least three other people, two of whom were of the age that provokes the kind of question that even context can't defend. Needless to say, it was all right and proper as joint jubilation fuelled some serious celebrating. The Doug Ellis stand (or at least the red section) was rocking and we were loving it. Time for more beers and the Wellington beckoned.
It seemed like everyone in there was a Birmingham fan and they were all asking us how we'd got on. They were also asking us, dressed in Blades shirts and scarves, if we'd been to the match. No, we wanted to reply, we'd just come to the city of Birmingham to listen to it. Revelation after revelation ensured as the drinks flowed further, including the unnamed person in our party who finally admitted to having owned a Leeds tracksuit in his misspent youth. As time ticked on, Piggy Dingle departed for his train, as did Papa Luigi, who was becoming quite a hit with one local man. There was still time for Ollesandro to insist on a curry, so a taxi driver dropped us off at Akbars, where a table was an hour away (as in wait, not distance). Ollesandro and the others ordered a takeaway, took it on the train and sailed off into the midlands night as I headed to stay with a friend for the night.
The whole day and experience were as good as my headache was bad - it was bloody brilliant. Everyone in our group and everyone we spoke to was great fun and it was all in the right spirit. A top day out and I'm already looking forward to the next one.
UTB
SdP
I arrived at Euston station early having booted the missus back off up north. After investing another (foolish) fiver at the bookies, I stood on the platform awaiting the arrival of moDtheGod Balham Blade and Ollessendro , who were to be my companions for the journey. I actually saw Balham wandering the concourse, but failed to be sure it was him, having seen him only once before under a Blades flag singing about James Beattie in a Brentford boozer. After a quick trip to M and S, the three met me on the platform and we sat and discussed all things Blades. Mod the God spent almost the entire journey defending Murphy and Flynn (who knew he was so prolific at predictions?), Ollie a portion of it trying to steal Mod's beer and I brought shame upon myself and the rest of the de Party family by drinking Budweiser. Mod the God revealed his theory that there is no such thing as the midlands, which caused some dissension among the travelling Blades.
We arrived in good cheer before midday and headed straight for the Shakespeare. Real ales flowed and I moved onto the cider as we awaited the arrival of Papa Luigi, a.k.a Ollesandro senior. We also met Piggy Dingle, who was already draining the first of many beers that day, despite being apparently skint and hungover. Mod the God almost set himself up as a bookies, at one point offering 200-1 that United would lift the FA Cup, on which Ollesandro attempted to be 21p. Sheff de party and Ollesandro revised their '4-0 Villa' prediction to '1-0' United. How we laughed. Ollesandro revealed his massively expensive £8 Casio watch, which is stuck an hour fast because the button to alter it is broken. His claim that "it's right half the year and is convenient when travelling in Europe" was met with hoots of derision, broadly taking the form of insults directly aimed at a man overly reliant on thrift.
On to the Barton's arms, where Ollesandro produced a '20p off real ale' card that was met with great enthusiasm and further cemented his reputation as a wise man with money. Mod the God left one conversation to start a new one with Papa Luigi which some might feel cast aspersions about his good name and character. Mod claimed the old classic excuse - context, then we all laughed a lot more. It was around 2:40 when we set off for the ground and I took my seat at kick off.
'What a game' doesn't really cover it. To see my League One side going toe to toe with a Premier league team was a joy to behold. We went nuts when Murphy scored, silently accepted Villa's goal and went even nuttier when Flynn rammed the winner in. I hugged my mate and at least three other people, two of whom were of the age that provokes the kind of question that even context can't defend. Needless to say, it was all right and proper as joint jubilation fuelled some serious celebrating. The Doug Ellis stand (or at least the red section) was rocking and we were loving it. Time for more beers and the Wellington beckoned.
It seemed like everyone in there was a Birmingham fan and they were all asking us how we'd got on. They were also asking us, dressed in Blades shirts and scarves, if we'd been to the match. No, we wanted to reply, we'd just come to the city of Birmingham to listen to it. Revelation after revelation ensured as the drinks flowed further, including the unnamed person in our party who finally admitted to having owned a Leeds tracksuit in his misspent youth. As time ticked on, Piggy Dingle departed for his train, as did Papa Luigi, who was becoming quite a hit with one local man. There was still time for Ollesandro to insist on a curry, so a taxi driver dropped us off at Akbars, where a table was an hour away (as in wait, not distance). Ollesandro and the others ordered a takeaway, took it on the train and sailed off into the midlands night as I headed to stay with a friend for the night.
The whole day and experience were as good as my headache was bad - it was bloody brilliant. Everyone in our group and everyone we spoke to was great fun and it was all in the right spirit. A top day out and I'm already looking forward to the next one.
UTB
SdP
