Ahh….
The smell of meat pies
The roar of the crowd
Flags fluttering in crisp night air
Punctuated by a tsunami of tribal chanting
Highs and lows on
The green, green grass
Of home
Champions League night
Back at the Bridge.
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charactersfromthekitchen 
So, what is it all about? CuriousRod
Everything other than football – which last night was rather a disappointment even though the score was in our favour. I just love watching the fans and listening to the banter – nothing like a boring game to sharpen the wit!
I love this, sums those evenings up beautifully. You’re so right – nothing like a boring game to bring out the best in the witty tribe!
I knew you’d understand! After a long break, it was nice to be back even though the game lacked lustre 😉
There’s no green, green grass here, but the “tsunami of tribal chanting” rang true! Very vivid!
The first sight of the pitch as one walks up the stairs into the stadium never fails to make me gasp – even after all those years of having my season ticket – the grass is SO green and SO perfectly kept – like a hand manicured lawn.
Okay, I know what it’s not about…golf. 🙂 I’m with Curious Rod…curious and confused. 🙂
Sorry Jill. This is a very English trait, I think – to be fanatical about football (soccer). We used to have season tickets several years ago now, and go en famille to watch our team play. Having not been to a game for ages, I was thrilled that we had tickets for an evening game on Wednesday to watch our team play in an international competition. I love the whole big stadium experience – it is tribal, there is a sense of comradeship and when the football isn’t so interesting (as sometimes happens) there is always the witty banter to listen to amongst the supporters. Great for people watching, too.
Meat pies are sold before the game and at half time. They are generally disgusting and have their own unique aroma, but smothered in ketchup or brown sauce (don’t ask) they are just about edible.
Sounds like great fun, Jenny…except for the brown sauce. Thanks for the clarification. Your explanation made me feel as though I was there. 🙂 I’m looking forward to the 2014 World Cup.
Imagine a time before floodlights?
Generally these European nights have lost their magic. There are too many average teams, too many meaningless matches. Bringing back straight knock-out would revive the excitement but it will never happen. Nothing happens in modern soccer unless the money adds up.
Well I do remember the terraces. Immediate knock out would be much more exciting but as you say, won’t ever happen.
The best European night I ever experienced was when Chelsea beat Barcalona. The atmosphere was electric, as they say.
So you enjoyed it then?!
Strange as it may seem, I loved it – even though the actual football left a lot to be desired. The whole experience of a huge stadium is one I always find exciting.
Do they really sell meat pies? I thought that was only lower league clubs. I doubt if Hereford will ever play in the Champions League. But they do have tribal chanting. “We’re broke, we’re broke, our football is a joke”. It wasn’t always like that 😢
Meat pies? Oh definitely – with ketchup or brown sauce. Cup of Bovril – allowed in the stands – beers not. You have to down those quickly on the concourse before play resumes.
One of the tribal chants on Wednesday night was the favourite ‘Stand up if you hate Tottenham’ which I felt was a bit out of place on a European night.
Curious and confused also, but I loved the spirit of it! Thank you. It gave me a breath of fresh air!
Thank you, Hollis. I appreciate that understanding the English obsession with football is tough. I don’t understand it myself – you just seem to get caught up in it and then you’re hooked.