Bayingblade
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2009
- Messages
- 5,881
- Reaction score
- 9,495
It's a while since I've spent any time in Bournemouth. A flying visit to see Carl Bradshaw snatch a win for us circa 1989 was as far as it went since the heady days of childhood holidays in the '70's that seemed to deliver endless sunshine and fun.
So it was with more than a hint of nostalgia that I entered the town with Mrs BB and Little BB on friday to re-visit the scene of those happy days and hope that the flares and babycham remembered days of 40 years ago were not too rose tinted.
They definitely were to begin with as the hotel that was the scene of all this happiness now stands an empty shell, decimated by a recent fire apparently after years of emptiness and decay. So sad, and as I gazed upon the scene, I swear I could hear faint sounds of childrens ecstatic screams as they played around the pool all those years ago. RIP The Cliff End Hotel.
Thankfully, the rest of Bournemouth appears to have thrived during the interim and the hotel overlooking the sea soon removed any lingering sadness as we set about enjoying the weekend. And enjoy it we did.
For most, the highlight was the game and especially the result but for myself and Little BB, this was to be the second best bit. For at half time, he was plucked from the crowd by a local AFCB Youth player and offered the chance to take a penalty during the half time interval, on the pitch in front of the Bournemouth fans. Dad's permission was sought by said AFCB youth and promptly given, although permission was refused to Dad to accompany the little one, sadly.
And so it was that my pride and joy (most of the time!!) stood up and slotted his penalty into the bottom corner past the Cherries mascot. One Nil to The Blades!! OK, it was only the mascot and it was only a bit of fun but did it matter? Did it hell! It was one proud Dad who watched his son cheered by fellow Blades as he calmly stroked home his shot and then see him return to his seat to more applause.
This is a pretty insignificant incident in the general scheme of things but it was a pretty big thing for an 8 year old who has become a mad Blade over the last few years and a mightily big thing for his Dad. It topped off a fantastic weekend and it will be a good while before the smile is removed from my face.
Yep, Bournemouth is a pretty special place for this little corner of Sheffield
So it was with more than a hint of nostalgia that I entered the town with Mrs BB and Little BB on friday to re-visit the scene of those happy days and hope that the flares and babycham remembered days of 40 years ago were not too rose tinted.
They definitely were to begin with as the hotel that was the scene of all this happiness now stands an empty shell, decimated by a recent fire apparently after years of emptiness and decay. So sad, and as I gazed upon the scene, I swear I could hear faint sounds of childrens ecstatic screams as they played around the pool all those years ago. RIP The Cliff End Hotel.
Thankfully, the rest of Bournemouth appears to have thrived during the interim and the hotel overlooking the sea soon removed any lingering sadness as we set about enjoying the weekend. And enjoy it we did.
For most, the highlight was the game and especially the result but for myself and Little BB, this was to be the second best bit. For at half time, he was plucked from the crowd by a local AFCB Youth player and offered the chance to take a penalty during the half time interval, on the pitch in front of the Bournemouth fans. Dad's permission was sought by said AFCB youth and promptly given, although permission was refused to Dad to accompany the little one, sadly.
And so it was that my pride and joy (most of the time!!) stood up and slotted his penalty into the bottom corner past the Cherries mascot. One Nil to The Blades!! OK, it was only the mascot and it was only a bit of fun but did it matter? Did it hell! It was one proud Dad who watched his son cheered by fellow Blades as he calmly stroked home his shot and then see him return to his seat to more applause.
This is a pretty insignificant incident in the general scheme of things but it was a pretty big thing for an 8 year old who has become a mad Blade over the last few years and a mightily big thing for his Dad. It topped off a fantastic weekend and it will be a good while before the smile is removed from my face.
Yep, Bournemouth is a pretty special place for this little corner of Sheffield
