A Week Ago, Today

[Beefymcfc]

Fucking hell, get the fuck in there you cunt! The crowd goes absolutely wild and there's uncontrollable screaming and jumping from every single City fan. Kisses and hugs go around freely and the lad in front of me has just jumped backwards into my arms - now that's the real meaning of being gay.

Before I know it, I'm doing the Poznan with every fan around me, even the 70 year old looking Irish Blue who's sat next to me. For that time it was like we'd known each other all our lives and I could tell you where he got every grey hair and wrinkle, it was awesome. City, City, City, City as the Poznan ends and we all go mad again with me diving on my best mucker Steve and squishing my lads hair as he once again decided to do some more dancing, on his own.

Oh, and that was at 1830 hrs and the headache is starting to kick in with the combination of singing and jumping around like a lunatic, but it's gotta be done, get back behind the lads and urge them to a life changing victory. Battle, poooof, this is a fucking War sunshine!

Bluemoon's starting to reverberate around the ground and there's not a squeek from the Rags. Keep it up boys, this day is ours.

[scroll]We Are Not, We're Not Really Here....................[/scroll]

[Beefymcfc]

1844 hrs: The songs are still going and our fans are behind every pass and tackle, willing the lads on. We're so dominant and the Rags are there for the taking. We need another, just one more to take us through. Please God, make this happen, please make this happen.

Whooooooo, Lescott, nearly. It's coming, I'm sure of it.

[Beefymcfc]

1850 hrs: There's been a couple of chances either way but Joe Hart's save a few minutes back had me fall back in my seat and pull my scarf over my eyes. It's hard, so fucking hard watching us play sometimes and although I keep the faith, I still never know what's going to be coming next - it's in the blood.

A few cards haven't helped either, especially Mario's. What's he going to do next, will he make it through or will Mancio change him. He's having a good game since the Bosses bollocking and as me and Steve had talked about, is playing well in the front man position.

Please Mario, don't do anything rash.

[Beefymcfc]

1851 hrs: 'Get off you dirty bastard'! Scholes is a cunt who just can't hack it anymore. The crowd goes absolutely wild as the ref takes a minute. He's not going to do out is he, look at him just stood back and letting him get away with it! Anyway, who is it who's down, is it Nige or Vinny? It's difficult to see at first until the news flashes around the stadium that it's Zab's. He's hard as nails that little Argie fucker so he'll be up in a mo, I was thinking.

Then, unbelievably comes the Red. The City fans go wild again knowing that against 10 men we could have this game sewn up and onwards and upwards to that Holy Grail that we so desperately craive - a Cup Final, and further more, some silverware in the cabinet. Open Top buses are starting to flood my head but wait, it's not over and we've still got 15 to go.

Come On City, you can do it, Come On.

[Beefymcfc]

1910 hrs: Last minute and I go up screaming for a penalty on Yaya, but he tries to carry on with no success, and no penalty either. Shaun and Paddy have been introduced and are doing a sterling job. Bluemoon has been sung loud and proud with other songs thrown into the mix but it was now nail biting time and the arse was really starting to twitch. We're still behind them though and there's a few groans as the 5 minutes extra time goes up, followed by more screaming and shouting to encourage the guys on to victory.

Just keep hold of that fucking ball will you!

[Beefymcfc]

1914 hrs: Free-kick to Kolarov. That's got to be the end, it's gotta be? We'd just had a false dawn a few seconds earlier so the ref surely couldn't keep us in such suspense. Come on, blow you fucker, just fucking Blow!

1915 hrs: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, Yessssssssssssssssssssssssss, Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, We've Fucking Done It, We've Fucking Done It, Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.........................

Fucking hell, we've beat the fuckers and beat them resoundingly, on their own turf (snigger). Men, Women, Boys and Girls are bouncing around the stadium and off each other. Kisses, Hugs and pure euphoria fills the hair as it dawns on everyone, that us, City, had beat the cunts and are now in the Final. The Final, how fucking good does that sound after all these years?

And as the lads finish their celebration and come over to us some of our fans are already doing the Poznan. Me, I was looking over to the rift in the middle where Nige was confronting someone, with Vince and then Shaun getting involved. I didn't know what the score was but it was great to see them come across and celebrate in front of the fans, and how we celebrated with them cheering and clapping all the way. And then the Poznan from the players, you could see every City fan laugh and point knowing that the lads were giving us a massive round of applause for our efforts as well, and duly, we did it back.

My head hurts even more now but who gives a monkey's, this is one day I'll never ever forget, not just because of the game but also because of every one of those City fans who stood by my side to make a day out an event that will remain firmly as one of thee best days I've ever had - and it hadn't even finished yet.

[Beefymcfc]

It's now around 1730 hrs and we've stood applauding and celebrating for about 15 minutes, getting ready to leave as the team was walking off. At one point I found myself just stood there taking everything in, looking up at all the people in the 'God's' celebrating like there was no tomorrow, smiles wide with hugs and kisses being dished out as if it was a 30 odd thousand strong Swinger's reunion.

The Irish Blue next to me was ecstatic which soon turned to tears. This man had followed City for far longer than I and had been given the ticket and passage by his family, who realised this could be the height of his City following days; they were waiting for him outside. He looked at me and just blubbed, dropping his head and arms onto my shoulders you could tell what this game meant to him. There was no shame though, just mutual respect for what we each, and everyone of us, had achieved in those 97 minutes of football. Finally we'd put something to bed, a step that could see us go onto great things, a step that was seriously needed on the road to achieving the project, and ultimately, to the top where one day I'm sure we will be.

A lot more celebrations went on until I looked at Steve and J and asked if we should move on. They agreed with broad smiles and we followed on to the concourse greeted by an overly exuberant rendition of 'Singing the Blues' that lasted all the way down the stairs.

[youtube]iBA77-I_gxI[/youtube]

And then out onto the platform around the stadium where it seemed no-one wanted to leave. Blues everywhere were singing, shouting, dancing, high-fiving and generally just having the best time of their lives. And who can blame us, we'd had the priviledge of being there for one of the best days in my history, and we wanted more, and more, and more. Eventually though, it was time to move off and get back to Central for our train back, and what an enjoyable walk, no Rags in sight apart from the last few stragglers, including my 2 who I'd picked up on the road out of the stadium.

Amazing isn't it, how so many fans can get away from a stadium so fast. Even with 5 minutes to go I could see large clumps of empty seats and when the board went up for the 5 minutes extra-time, they'd near enough all gone, apart from a few hardcore who must've been sat there because they knew they only had a 5 minute bus ride back home. Whats more, it was so good to see the full City crowd staying behind to celebrate with the lads, sometimes at CoMS it's empty before the lads get off the pitch.

Now, where's that train station?

[craigmcfc]

Superb Beefy. Best thread idea for quite some time

[Beefymcfc]

Superb Beefy. Best thread idea for quite some time

Not finished yet pal.

[Beefymcfc]

2100 hrs and I think we've been had off. We got back to the station and one of the platform blokes told us not to bother trying to get in the queue as we'd be hours, instead sending us to the back of the station for an easier route. There's been a good atmosphere on the way back and didn't see any problems fighting wise (although Kyle and Nico (the Rags) had seen a couple of tussles with the usual 10 on 1 in favour of the Rags) so had no problems going around the back, and to be truthful, we were on the train out quite quick. One minor detail that the Rosser's forgot to tell us was that this train stopped 4 stops short of Watford - Doh!

On the train though, there were many happy Blue faces singing away and really enjoying it, with only 2 openly seeable Rags in sight (Kyle and Nico). And guess what, there was no abuse from any Blue on that train, healthy banter yes, but never was there any chance of violence or overtly over the top shit which just shows to me how good our fans really are. This banter also went on with the locals getting home with one girl, very nice she was as well, taking up the bet to get up and sing a few of her favourite chants - she even through in a few dance moves as well which were well received from all those around. Other locals were just enjoying the atmosphere and 2 ladies said to me that this is the best they've ever seen, full of fun and no malice whatsoever.

We eventually got into somewhere, I think it was called Healdstone something I think, where we were told 3 minutes for the transfer. 45 minutes and 3 fast trains later, which nearly sucked you off (fast trains was her given name) we finally got our train for the last 4 or 5 stops with more banter, enjoyment and complete calm knowing that we'd done it. Arriving at Waford Junction saw people running left right and centre to catch their ride or just get into the pub first, but for us it was back to the car after a quick tinkle and on the road with the radio firmly on the sports channel.

I wonder what TalkSport have to say about that?

[Florida Blue]

Wait, happened last Saturday? Did I miss something? I thought we had a week off due to some scheduling gaffe.
















Well done beefy great read mate.

[Beefymcfc]

And to finish, it's just turned 0100 hrs on Sunday and I'm absolutely shattered after driving the full way back. A stop off at Mc'y D's was well appreciated but the highlight of the the trip back was seeing our Trafford Van Hire Mini-Bus tootling up the M1. There they were sat once again in the middle lane hogging the road, as if they owned it. Fair play to them though, they didn't look happy and even looked like they were seriously pig sick when I came up the inside of them. Even the darkened windows couldn't hide their disappointment as they'd left the inside light on, and to say they were pissed was an understatement. Ironically, the miserable Rag twat in the front gane me a rye smile as we passed with windows down and scarves raised, probably one of the few local coaches to travel down. I even felt sorry for them a little, having to sit in that miserable little mini-bus for the next few hours while we had the bonus of aiming a few underhand digs to our 2 Rags on the way back. They were gracious, but very unhappy - Thank fuck.

I hand the keys over and with a proper man's handshake, say goodbye to Steve. The Lad's are ordered to bed (as if I needed to) and I lock the place up ready for a well earned night's kip. But what's that out of the corner of my eye, is the Sky+ on pause? What's all that about, is the Mrs watching upstairs and if not, why's it not turned off?

A flick of the remote and their it is, the game, just ready for me to press play with Vinnie there standing like a rock, ready to go again. It'd be wrong not to, wouldn't it? Wouldn't it?

[john68]

The final part of the journey for your memories of that day should be straight into the CLASSICS THREAD...where on a cold dark unfriendly night, after having taken more than my share of abusive pissheads home, I can make a brew, put my feet up and with a box of tissues...read that quality set of posts again...and again...and again.

THANK YOU.

[blues-clues]

The final part of the journey for your memories of that day should be straight into the CLASSICS THREAD...where on a cold dark unfriendly night, after having taken more than my share of abusive pissheads home, I can make a brew, put my feet up and with a box of tissues...read that quality set of posts again...and again...and again.

THANK YOU.

Seconded!

A belting good read is that! Many thanks Beefy!

[s1ty m]

Fantastic read.

[bluej]

Aye that was a great read cheers Beefy.

[Chinners]

About this time last week I was asleep having only got home about 2 hours previous.

[Beefymcfc]

Cheers fella's, and I hope it was a reminder for those who went, as well as an insight to those who couldn't make it for any reason - I know how hard it can be to get a real feel for the full day, especially with some of you living thousands of miles away.

There was one more person missing though, a Lady who sits just in front of me at CoMS who is an ever-present, come rain or shine. She's not missed a home game since I don't know when and was seriously peeved that she had to miss the Sunderland game, even though she'd been rushed into Christie's. This is a Lady who'd spent her life caring for others, first as a nurse and then as a foster-parent for many young children in much need of a loving home and caring family. Her selflessness held no bound and all those who knew her loved and respected her in equal measure. Sadly, she passed away just 4 days after the Sunderland game and was unable to make the pilgrimage that she so wanted to be part of, to see City at Wembley.

So, here's to you Sue Corr, and that trip will always be dedicated to your memory; a trip that brought triumph to a club and supporters that have deserved more over the years and was well overdue. And although you weren't there, your brother, Steve, stood tall and proud and dedicated the goal, the win, and the day, to a fellow Blue now passed.

Thanks for listening and in Sue's words - 'Get On With It, Life Really Does Go On'.

[branny]

Fantastic beefy. That was a great read. Same again for the final.