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1. Why you were looking
forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may
be):
I was very much looking forward to this game. After
several years of visiting Premier league and Championship grounds I knew
that this game wouldn’t be the prettiest game at a world class Stadium,
however something about travelling the length of the country on a cold
November's day somehow appealed to me and those I travelled with.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car
parking?
We used the Southampton Supporters coach to get to
the game. And despite the huge distance travelled it didn’t seem like a
bad journey, due to traffic being fairly kind and leaving early in the
morning. However when we got to Carlisle it took an age to get the short
distance from the motorway to the ground. Mostly due to traffic. However
it seemed fairly easy to find.
3. What you did before the
game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?
A group of us tried to get into the Beehive
Pub and then the Rugby Club for a couple of beers before the game. However
because we where wearing our ‘colours,’ we were turned away. This was
very disappointing after craving a beer for the whole seven hours
travelling up. Nevertheless we did get a beer in the ground. A pint of
Fosters from the pump was only £2.50 or a can of Strongbow was the same.
We managed to sink a couple of beverages before the start of the game and
indulged in a rather disappointing burger in the process. However at half
time they had ran out of all drinks (even soft drinks). As they clearly
couldn’t cope with the demand of a thousand away supporters.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions
of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground itself is abit
weird looking. The stand that the away fans are located in over runs the
length of the pitch, meaning that a number of fans had
a disappointing view. However we where quite close to the home
supporters and our seats weren’t too bad. There are two lots of
terracing behind each goal. One is for away fans when needed. Which was
empty for this particular match. The other is for home fans at the far end
of the ground, this stand looks very dated and old, but is very different
to anything else I have seen on my away travels. The Main Stand
opposite also had a ‘different’ look about it. With some terracing in
front and what looked like seated stands that had been dumped on
top.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies,
toilets etc..
The game itself was a shocker as far as we’re
concerned. Sloppy defending and an own goal cost us dear in a 3-2 defeat.
Saints fans created a good atmosphere but Carlisle supporters where quite
disappointing, with only a handful actually making any noise, and when
they where singing it was usually abusive towards the Saints supporters.
The stewards where very reasonable and allowed us to stand all
game and where quite helpful. The toilets and concourse where of a
reasonable standard and fairly clean and tidy. We where even allowed out
of the ground at half time for a cigarette.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the
game:
After the game we got away fairly easily from the
ground and embarking on the long trip home after a disappointing game. We
would arrive home in the early hours of Sunday
morning.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day
out:
Although the match was bad from our point of view I enjoyed
the day out. The coach trip was quite fun, with onboard entertainment as
well as good company. I‘m sure that one day Saints will rise again into
the Premiership and I will be able to look back on this day as a good
experience. Despite the result, I certainly don’t regret attending this
match. |
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