It's my day off today so I have a nice relaxing morning, that is after I've retrieved my garden fence from out of next doors garden! It's the transport meister John's birthday today, but he's been unwell all week so won't be attending the game. At least we can call off the fire brigade we had on stand by in case all the candles on his cake got out of hand. With Stu working too, me and Deano are travelling with Andy and Caroline. It's another bright and sunny day as I set off but it's still cold and windy. With Maz also otherwise engaged and meeting Deano in town so we can get the same bus up to Meadowhead where we're being picked up. I've got a bit of time to spare once I get to town so, being as I haven't eaten since breakfast I pop into the market. I was going to get a bacon sandwich but couldn't resist a dripping cake instead. Deano arrived just in time at the bus stop, just as a number 53 was pulling in so we hopped straight on. We arrive at Meadowhead bang on one o'clock and would you believe there was a number 75 bus right behind ours, we could have got that one too but knowing our look if we'd have met five minutes late we'd probably have been struggling to make it on time, you can never rely on these things. The company does run a scheduled timetable but I'm sure it's just for show as the buses rarely run on time. Andy and Caroline turn up and wave to us to attract our attention. This is because it's not Andy's usual car, he's gone all posh. I can't remember what make it was but when we commented about it Andy said, "It's the boss’s car. I ask, "Does the boss know you've got it?" and Deano enquires if we need to wipe our feet before climbing in and also if there will be ice cream served during the journey. Andy nods towards Caroline and replies," She's the lady with the tray, you'd better ask her." It's very smooth and comfy which finds me 'resting my eyes' in no time at all while Deano reads his rugby magazine. It was all going according to plan, following Andy's Sat-Nav until he realized it was taking him right through the middle of Loughborough. So it was stop start for a while as we hit every red light there was and there were plenty, usually spaced about fifty yards apart! We saw a man walking about with a Tri-corn hat on, nothing like looking out of place is there? I said, "I bet they nicknamed him Spannerhead.” We're still well on schedule time wise and we set off an hour later than the coach.

We found the ground, this after the Sat-Nav woman had a 'blond moment', trying to send us the wrong way. The car park is inside the ground so you have to pay as you enter like at Belper, the bloke on the gate takes one look at me and quotes me the pensioners’ price! Of course the others start laughing their heads off at this............the cheeky sod. He takes the money and the car park attendant points to the bottom of the car park and says, "There's plenty of room down there m'duck." We then have a discussion about the names we use for people in general, like calling people love. Caroline says she hates to be called 'petal', so folks, if you want to wind her up, you know exactly what to call her now. Being as we're early we sit in the car for a while to keep out of the wind and cold before it's time to brave the elements. I go and get the programmes and then head to the clubhouse for a cuppa and something to eat. I ended up with a tray of chips for a change.

The game kicks off and me and Deano go behind the goal while Andy and Caroline go and sit with some of the regulars who've made the trip here. We're exposed (not literally) as the wind is right at our backs. After their heroics at Gresley in midweek some of the noisy boys are here again. There are only four of them but they're singing their hearts out and at least creating some kind of atmosphere. Apart from a couple of scares we take control of the game as Jamie Smith puts us in front and one of the other Smith triplets (Gav) doubles the lead from the penalty spot.

Half time and we go into the clubhouse to warm up before the players take to the field again. The other end sees us facing the wind, in fact it's that strong that Andy has taken the flags down as they keep blowing all over the place. As usually happens on days like these, the 'help' of playing with the wind is no help at all as the ball is hit too long or the wind catches it, whereas Quorn have more chances this half playing against it. Overall we stay in control of the game and finish the job off with a diving header from Steve Hawes. I get the man of the match votes with frozen fingers before heading back to the car. Once my hands have thawed out I text Stu and John with the score. John replied saying he would stay away for good as they always seem to win when he's not there. I send him back a message to say that 'Deano says you can still take us to the games, but just don't come into the grounds.' I'll leave you to guess what John's reply was!

It's nice and cosy as we head off back, this time avoiding Loughborough town centre. We listen to 'Sports Report' well, three of us do. Deano has his earplugs in listening to music as he didn't want to know the Harlequins score as he was taping it to watch tonight when he got home. Of course, I'm that relaxed that I'm drifting off to sleep until I hear Andy shouting me as he wanted to know which way to go to drop me off at home which was a welcome blessing as it saved at least an hour travelling on the bus, and if I fell asleep on there God knows where I would have ended up! Until next time.

Happy Travelling

Trev

With John still not well it was Stu who was going to take me and Deano to Gresley tonight, the first job being to get to his house. Well, what a stressful journey that turned out to be. First of all the bus from home was full of school kids playing their crap music, each trying to outdo each other with the volume control, then, once I got to town I decided to take the tram for a change. What a mistake that turned out to be. Now, not being familiar with trams going Gleadless way I looked at the route on the shelter and it indicated that only the Herdings tram actually stopped at Town End, so being as I'd just missed one I had to wait half an hour for the next one and when it came it was that full that I was stood all the way until it was time to get off. When I eventually arrived at Stu's, Lynn was just getting ready to leave to take Liam for his karate class and while Stu was out of the way I gave her some chocolate that Jeanie had left. So what does Liam do? He shouts,” Dad, Trev's brought chocolate!" and Lynn said, "Liam! Why did you have to tell him, I was going to keep it for us?" I tell her about the tram ride and she then informs me that I could have got on the 'Halfway' tram as well as that stops at Town End too. I replied, "I wish I had known that as I let two of those buggers go!" Still, I'll know in future. She asks if I want a quick cuppa but Stu comes into the room and says, "No time, we'll be off any minute." Sure enough, Craig turns up a minute later and we all pile into the car and off we go, stopping at the top of the road to pick up Deano who was waiting at the petrol station for us. We're chatting away when for some reason we get onto the subject of our word association game which crops up from time to time and I can't remember which game we were referring to (think it was a Fulham game) but Deano comes up with, " Apparently Michael Jackson thought it a real Thriller, but then he was told to Beat It."Stu pipes up with, "Pity he didn't go to West Ham, then the fans could sing I'm forever Blowing Bubbles." which made us laugh.

It's a good journey and as we head towards the ground Stu starts to 'sing' the tune from Deliverance' and we all join in as the place looks like the back of beyond, it makes Maltby look positively palatial! It's like travelling back to the 70's, in fact we could well be featuring in an episode of 'Ashes to Ashes' as I write! We park the car on some waste ground just outside the entrance and wander in. The gatemen are a bit perturbed as Craig shows a visitors pass and goes straight through unchallenged while we wait to pay, they think he's someone who's just walked in off the street, (which I suppose he is, but you get my drift). There's a great sight to meet you as you turn the corner, the men’s toilet! Now, a few season's ago Deano took some photo's of some of the more, let’s say, prehistoric urinals we had to use and this one would certainly have made the top three, it wouldn't have beat the one at Bridlington Town though (ask Deano about it.) Not only that, but perched above was the 'hospitality suite. Gresley have a mascot but we haven't seen it as yet, it's someone dressed as a dog and guess what? He's called Elvis. Get it....Elvis Gresley - the hound dog! Some of our noisy boys had made the journey over to support the lads which was good to see, but it's interesting to note that Gresley have a lot more noisy boys, it’s just a pity that they're not interested in the football, they're too busy singing obscenities at our noisy boys and generally making a nuisance of themselves to anyone wearing Sheffield colours. Credit to their Chairman though who, in his programme notes was berating the behaviour of these so called 'fans'. The team start positively and are soon in control. after a few early scares at the other end. With nothing for the Gresley fans to shout about they make their way round to stand next to our noisy boys, who were totally outnumbered. Thankfully the stewards stepped in between both sets of supporters and herded the home fans away. The funniest thing was, as they were walking behind us a couple of them started to run and one went arse over tip which had all his mates in hysterics. On the pitch the lads finally took the lead with a typical Gav Smith effort.

At half time me and Deano wandered down to the far end while Stu was busy talking to a bloke he knows who he see's regularly when he goes on his jaunts. We get talking to one of the stewards, a lady who told us that most of the so called Gresley mob here tonight they've never seen before. It appears that the regulars must have hired some extra help in their search to make trouble, a fact borne out as the steward told us she was hit by one of them as they were segregating them earlier in the game. It's more or less one way traffic in the second half with Pete Davey doubling the lead just before the hour after some great work by Vill. The striker then capped a fine performance by grabbing himself a goal just on full time. There was one funny moment about ten minutes from the end when, with Gresley on the break the ball fell to Jonah who hoofed it out towards the hospitality suite, the next thing we heard was the sound of breaking glass!

Once the final whistle went we didn't hang about and made for the exit. There were quite a few police in evidence outside, trying to disperse the local noisy boys. We checked we still had all four wheels on the car and set off for home, heading the wrong way down a one way street, well the police never told us we couldn't go that way although Stu upset a couple of motorists who were trying to come the other way. After that it was plain sailing all the way home, the main talking point being about the crowd not the game and the fact that our noisy boys stood their ground despite immense intimidation and did the club proud by not getting dragged into anything unsavoury. WELL DONE LADS YOU ARE A CREDIT TO THE CLUB! Until next time,

Happy Travelling,

Trev

John is the first to start 'resting his eyes' which is a big change for him as he's the one usually doing the driving, although he did say to me later that that never stopped him before!

We have a look in the club shop before heading inside. It's not a bad ground but the pitch is in an awful state as there's more sand than grass. Deano asks," Where are the deckchairs?" I replied, "I don't know but I can see the donkeys," as our lads start their warm up (see Deano, told you I'd put it in!) There are no programmes on sale tonight as they've failed to be delivered, I think I've heard that one before only nearer to home; in fact it was at home! Stu has got me a cuppa, which is just the job to warm me up as Deano is trying to get a photo of the three of us (me, Stu and John) drinking but one of us always moves at the wrong moment. We go for a walk around the ground to kill a bit of time before the game starts. Some of our noisy boys are here which is good as they create a good atmosphere plus it's their second away trip in five days so we're honoured. Perhaps at last we're convincing them it's more fun to come and watch the lads away from home than go to Hillsborough or Bramall Lane. The game starts and we take up position behind the goal we're attacking. It's not long before Deano is shouting at the official, "Can we have another ball ref? They won't let us play with this one." It's not too far into the game when Andy turns up. Originally he wasn't going to be making the trip, but with the rest of the family going out for the night he decided to come along. He hadn't missed much as Nantwich were doing all the attacking and asked us, “Is there any score?" We replied, " No, but we've hardly had a kick yet."Almost on cue Nantwich score to take the lead. Of course, Andy gets some stick for this as we collectively put the blame on his shoulders but it's not long before the enigma that is Stuart Copnell produces a touch of magic to level the scores. After last Saturday's antics at Grantham he's getting some ribbing from us with things like, "Come on Cops, are you hungry for this?" and "Let's get in some biting tackles." There's no more goals but plenty of chances, most of them falling for the home side so we breath a sigh of relief when the ref blows for half time and walk round to the snack bar. On the way round we get talking to an old bloke who's local. He said he used to play for Stoke, he was called Johnny King. I said to Andy, "I wonder if they used to nickname him Jo King, bless him." Actually it was quite interesting as he was naming players who used to play for United when we were kids. In his heyday he scored 106 goals for Stoke plus another sackful for Crewe and Cardiff.

Once again it's been a lovely day, more like June than February with bright sunshine and a cloudless sky. We should have had our lucky mascot Jeanie with us tonight, but she missed her flight due to a severe snowstorm that hit New Jersey. It took her just over four hours to get to the airport, whereas it normally takes an hour at the very most and she missed her plane by fifteen minutes. Not only that, she's ended up sleeping at the airport due to the fact there were no hotel rooms available. Luckily her cousin lives in Philadelphia so she was able to go there first thing this morning(her time) to rest up. So there's one less for the journey as John arrives to pick me up, then it's off to town to pick up Deano from work. As he gets in the car John tells him about the fact that Jeanie's not there. He say's "Oh, I forgot she was supposed to be here." John tells us both to keep prodding him to keep him awake as he's been up since 5.30.I tell him I've been awake longer as I was getting up to date reports from Jeanie's mum regarding the 'will she-won't she' make the plane. Deano doesn't believe me. He say's "Is it because you're excited Trev?" Much to the amusement of both of them. John thinks she's purposely engineered it so she arrives on Valentine's Day!

Considering it's the tea-time rush hour we make really good progress with no hold ups on the motorway, just a couple of fog patches we had to negotiate our way through. Coming into Brigg we start to recognise familiar surroundings, even though it's been a while since we were last here. We find the ground with no problem and make our way inside. It's a cold night and a bit misty too, so we make our way to the snack bar to see what delights are on offer. Well, we didn't take long to choose what we were going to have as they were still waiting for the food to be delivered, (much to John's disappointment as he was starving) so it was just drinks all round to keep us going. I go and find Steve to get the team news, being as I'm multi-tasking tonight due to Stu's unavailability. He's at the opposite end of the ground from where we are stood so it gives me a chance to walk for a bit and get the muscles warmed up. Jackie and Bill are there with him too so we chat while Steve tells me the team. Our subs are just finishing warming up and one of the balls flies over the net and onto the hard standing. Wilko goes to fetch it (there was a small gate in the perimeter fencing) and as he comes back with it I shout, "Shut the gate Wilko, it's cold with that open." It got a smile out of him.

It's time to go back and join the others. The food has finally arrived and John got rid of his hunger pangs with a pie (I think). I'm not really sure what he had as there were only remnants left of whatever it was by the time I got back to them.

The game gets underway and we go and take our places next to the goal. The lads are well in control, creating chance after chance and finally get the breakthrough around 25 minutes when Daz Winter pops up to fire us into the lead. Surprisingly there are no more goals this half, so it's back to the snack bar for me and John. All the hot food has already run out, apart from one lonely Cheese and onion pasty, so John ends up with a soup while I have the usual cuppa and a Twix, then we walk round to the far end ready for the second half. The substitutes are busy warming up and Wardy sends the ball over the bar. Deano goes to retrieve it but fails to kick it over the three foot wall surrounding the pitch, so I end up throwing it back.( I wasn't going to try and kick it over, not after watching Deano.)

The second half starts and we score again within a minute as Gav Smith has the ball in the net, much to our delight and the Brigg 'keepers despair as it was an easy shot to save......he must have had a 'Gary Sprake' moment. (Kids, ask your dad, he'll tell you all about him!) The game is so one sided at this point that me and Deano are taking bets as to how many goals we'll score tonight. Oops, we spoke too soon as it all starts to go pear shaped. Brigg pull a goal back and all of a sudden the team look like they've never played together before. Three minutes later and the home side have drawn level as the lads struggle to contain them. It's backs to the wall stuff now and it takes a while before we create anything of note and with time running out, we just can't snatch a winner. Okay, we didn't lose, but we did throw away two points. We go into the club house for a quick warm and also to use the facilities before heading for the car park. Deano decides on a change of scenery for the journey home so he sits behind John. Mind you, this may well be because the van parked next to 'Sammy' is really close and I had a struggle to get in even with my athletic physique! (Go on feel free to laugh.)

Once again we have a good journey home as there is not much traffic about. Deano spots two Eddie Stobbarts on different occasions but me and John never saw them, we were too busy concentrating on trying to keep our eyes open. Just as we were passing Meadowhall I got a text from Jeanie to say she's already back at the airport and her bags are checked in. She's not taking any chances with the weather tonight as she's arrived four and a half hours before take off so watch out Grantham, she's on her way! Until next time.

Happy Travelling

Trev

Back into action for the second half and Wakey increases the lead before the hour. It's then leading scorer Lisa B. who gets in on the action with a brace of well taken goals, before being substituted. Charlie goes over to her and Lisa promptly drops a bag on his head, sending him running, and dizzy too. John says to her, "You’d better get back on the pitch Lisa, you're less danger there." The full time whistle goes and it's victory cheers all round for yet another great display by everyone. After saying our farewells we head back to the car and I say to John, "It's been like summer this afternoon. In fact I can feel my face burning."' It's a happy journey home as we listen to Pick of the Pops' before John drops me off. With all that fresh air and sunshine I'm sure I'll sleep well tonight. Until next time.

Trev

After the downpours this week it was quite a surprise when John called me to tell me that today's match was on. I was at home having a well deserved day off, even if I say so myself. Mind you, I'd been down to the paper shop earlier and it was quite windy so, it'll be blowing a gale when we get there. We went last season to watch the girls earn a memorable draw, although they should have won that one and now know how exposed the pitch is, so I'll be making sure I'm well wrapped up for all eventualities, all I really need now is a waterproof pen and notepad as it's bad enough trying to decipher my own writing on a good day, never mind if it's been smudged by the wet weather as well! John arrives to pick me up and we're just about to set off when we both got a missed call from Helen. We thought she was calling to tell us the game was off, but no, she was just checking that we'd got the directions. We get as far as Ecclesfield and we have to make a diversion as our intended route has been blocked off. Last year it was the Parkway that had a tailback of twenty minutes wait due to a lane closure, and there wasn't even anyone working on it. Back to today and we do get stuck in traffic despite the detour, but once we've negotiated that (after yet another twenty minutes) it's pedal to the floor as we head, full throttle along the motorway. I did spot a James Irlam which John swears he never saw, but he was going to give me the points anyway. John spots an Eddie Stobbart but then realises it's only the front cab, of course he still wants half a point for it. Coming off the motorway we miss the exit we need so go round the roundabout, only thing is, the exit we need is blocked from this roundabout so need to make a slightly bigger detour but we're soon back on track and still arrive fifteen minutes before kick off.

It's pretty muddy but we find a semi dry patch the park the car and stroll over to the pitch. There's a ladies rugby match taking place on the pitch opposite with quite a good crowd there to watch. There is also a good crowd turned up here to watch our girls, best I've seen for an away match. John has an Oxo as the girls retire to the changing room for a last minute team talk. Well, he eventually has an oxo once he gets the lid off, obviously Lynne is fighting fit and full of strength as he struggles to loosen it, he's ready for a drink by the time he does get the lid off. Cheryl turns up with Charlie, she'd been here ages but had been sat in the car. Of course, all Charlie wants to do, after greeting us is hunt for paper to chew.

It's a very tight game with the girls just shading the first half, but no score to either to side. The second half sees us take the lead through Jodie, and everyone on our sideline goes mental. Of course. White Rose hit back strongly and all was going well until they equalised, especially as we had a player down injured at that point, but to be fair, I wouldn't have expected us to give up a scoring opportunity like that. Despite the protests of Caz and Nell there was no way the referee was going to alter the decision. Clare comes on as a substitute and make a big splash, in more ways than one when she's tackled and lands in a puddle, I turned to John and said, "She'll be okay, she's in the fire service so she's used to water!" It was no means her only contribution, as she then set up the ball for Nell to run on to and fire home. It's getting very dark and gloomy as the action goes from end to end and we just keep our fingers crossed that the light will last until the final whistle. It's a very nail biting last ten minutes, due to the fact that as each minute ticks by John keeps telling us all how long to go. Nell has a great chance to put the game out of sight but her effort is saved this time. Finally the full time whistle goes and it's jubilation all round, especially as it's the first time we've beaten them on their own ground.

Eventually we make our way back to the car and slip and slide our way out of the car park. Back on the motorway and John sees an Eddie Stobbart, complete with trailer this time. I must admit, I never saw it, but then again I'm in such a good mood I'd have given it to him anyway. Once back at home it's time to celebrate, so I sit down and scoff a whole packet of Jaffa cakes , washed down with a couple shots of Bailey's Irish Cream . Needless to say, I slept very well! Until next time.

Happy Travelling

Trev

Trev

As we stand on the touchline with the wind blowing the referee checks the girls for any jewellery, then they go into their pre-match huddle. John asks if we can join them in order to keep warm, sadly our request is lost in the wind.

There's a bit of rain, but nothing life threatening so we stay where we are. Unfortunately things on the pitch don't go according to plan as Preston pull a fluky goal back and then make matters worse by equalising and, despite constant pressure late on, the girls couldn't grab the winner.

Once again I'm a two-car man for today's 'Travels', travelling there