Non Football stories of Cardiff 2004

[Eddie the Seagull]

Any tales, experiences or anecdotes (Non footie!)

Firstly, the commardery on the road was awesome.

I guess my lasting memory is stopping at the services just before Bristol on the way to Cardiff in the glorious sunshine.

In view of the fabulous weather in the previous 150 miles I decided to put the roof down on my cabrio & we all put on our blue & white affro's, and off we went on the final leg......

Five minutes later I noticed the air went cold & then BOOM! It pissed down - I am not talking showers here, but nugget sized bombs of rain.

I had no choice but to pull over on the hard shoulder & with my brothers help, in our soaking affro's etc., we put the roof back up.

The army of Albion cars went by - beeping their horns - with looks & laughter of; 'You wanker.......'

They were right!

 

[Hilton]

It was awesome driving there yesterday and back this morning. Every other car the whole way had scarfs, flags etc and it was great to see

Obviously everyone was in a great mood on the way back with lots of random horn beeping helping me to stay awake!

 

[Biscuit]

Guy behind me commenting on the size of the flag, finishing with "How long we 'ad that then?" Classic

 

[SussexSpur]

Enjoyed the obligatory coach organiser jokes as we approached the Severn Crossing, ie "I don't know if any of you have visited the Third World before, but. . ." and "Okay, if you can all get your passports ready". . .
But would have been disappointed without them!

Or: "Okay, lads, we're now 60 miles from Cardiff. Time to get (dramatic pause) hatted-up."

Or the reaction at the final whistle as assorted Albion fans started to realise the trips ahead next season:
"Leeds!!!" [cheers]
"Leicester!" [cheers]
"Wolves!!!" [cheers]
"Sunderland!!!" [cheers]
[silence]
"Rotherham" [loudest cheers]

 

[CP 0 3 BHA]

After a couple of

a weak bladdered member of our party nipped into the small portaloo thingy by the Heineken Bar at the Castle as we were leaving after the game.

The rest of us hammered like hell on the outside, sang "we know what you're doing" and other childish remarks - as you do in such high spirited circumstances.

Door eventually opens and a complete stranger walks out - pissed out of his head and looking understandably dazed.

It turns out that this is a bit of a Tardis like Portaloo with urinals for two! Any other day, that would have been the highlight - we were pissing ourselves all the way to the station afterwards.

 

[Gazwag]

Did anyone see the car with HONK FOR FALMER in great big white letters on the rear window. It passed our coach on the A23 and we then saw it about four or five more times, the last one just before Cardiff

 

[Adams score 0]

Had five very runny shits all day.

 

[BUTTERBALL]

The Reading services were just a sea of blue and white. Limo's, cars, coaches and a bloke selling loads of memorabilia outside.

During the day, saw assorted Albion tops with sponsors on them ranging from British Caledonian (!) outside Cardiff Castle, Donatello's, Nobo and Sandtex!

I take it these people don't get to many games

 

[Lady Whistledown]

For the first Swindon game I took a soft toy Donkey (out of Shrek) along for some reason, clad in an Albion scarf. Needless to say, he became the official lucky mascot, and thus had to be brought to both subsequent games, including Sunday's final.

Donkey was duly waved out of our coach window to the numerous passing Albion cars on the M4, while any approaching Bristol fans were met by its arse being rubbed against the window, accompanied by much pointing and "baaaa" noises (ok, a little animal sound confusion there, but it was early in the morning).

And the mooning of a Bristol minibus that went past. Fortunately the coach driver didn't appear to mind the arse cheek prints on the window. It wasn't me, can I just add.

 

[Jim D]

I wore a B Cal shirt as I'd worn it for the semi's. I can now officially retire it as it's at last been to a major final and won!

Also, this year is its 21st anniversary.

 

[rodgerscuz]

Was anyone else on the yellow double decker bus back to the car park with the mental driver that decided to take each corner at 70 mph and nearly sent 100 very happy (but slightly concerned) albion fans sprawling across the road?

Also ..... we passed the team coach at about 11pm on the A23 and they looked well happy with the cup in pride of place at the front!

Will there be an open top bus parade in Brighton - anyone know?

 

[Superphil]

A memory I wish I didn't have.

Carrying the f***ing giant flag back to the coaches a mile away when I was going in the opposite direction cos it had just been dumped by the stadium gate.

Thanks for the others who helped, none of whom were going that way either.

I only hope it got taken of the coach and looked after when it got to Brighton. Anyone know?

BTW, I stayed in Cardiff and was on the train so not able to take it back myself.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Also, when Chris Kamara and Wee Gordon Strachan took their seats right behind us, and a whole bunch of guys seranaded Kamara with a loud chorus of

"One Lionel Richie, there's only one Lionel Richie"

Took a few seconds for the penny to drop with him, but then he looked around and chuckled.

 

[CP 0 3 BHA]

A memory I wish I didn't have.

Carrying the f***ing giant flag back to the coaches a mile away when I was going in the opposite direction cos it had just been dumped by the stadium gate.

Thanks for the others who helped, none of whom were going that way either.

I only hope it got taken of the coach and looked after when it got to Brighton. Anyone know?

BTW, I stayed in Cardiff and was on the train so not able to take it back myself.

Thanks for your help mate - I was the one with the small group who found ourselves left with it. I'm assuming it has found its way home or is still awaiting collection at Conway St.

I'm glad you posted as I wanted to thank those who helped in our hour of need!

PS: Note to TLO - I'm not reopening the debate, just thanking Superphil!

 

[SeagullinKent]

Best non footie related memory.

Sitting in our hotel bar talking to Norman Cook after the game

 

[The Great Cornholio]

I wore a B Cal shirt as I'd worn it for the semi's. I can now officially retire it as it's at last been to a major final and won!

Also, this year is its 21st anniversary.

Was that you being abused by Brizze Fans on the opposite side of the road from the castle. They carried on long after you had gone - "He must be regular" - "Wasn't that when the guy with the headband played for them" etc.

 

[Yorkie]

Talking to Dick Knight in the street before the game and shaking his hand. Out there with all the fans and enjoying every moment of it.

 

[Seagulltonian]

My Eight Stone half-pissed sister singing "The Brighton Aces" to three neandethal Bristol City fans, and then she almost followed them to the Bristol end I wish I had a video camera for that They just didn't know what to do!

 

[elbowpatches]

Speaking to some German bloke in some services near Usk, yes I avoided the M4 like the plague, just after we crossed the border into the 'Big Country'. He came over shook my hand and was very excited about the prospect of us beating Bristol and wished the team all the luck in the world.

 

[pasty]

Mrs Pasty's retort to a group of Brizzle singing "Does your boyfriend know you're here"............"Yes mate, here he is, does yours?"