Han van
Eijden
Hitting your site brings back
the sweetest memories of the most remarkable match I have ever attended in the
UK. I come from The Netherlands and together with friends I frequently visit
football matches in England and Wales during one-day-trips in our attempt
to complete the 92, Our day-trips include visits to Scunthorpe, Mansfield,
Chesterfield, Stoke, Derby, Kidderminster and Swansea.
In March 1999 we decided to set
the ultimate record. Attending a game at Brunton Park, leaving and
returning to Rotterdam, The Netherlands, within 24 hours. The ultimate
day-trip. We choose the Carlisle United-Plymouth Argyle match, not realising
at the time the paramount importance of this clash. I remember we choose this
match in particular because we intended to annoy the Argyle supporters in good
nature, stating that for them it was only a short trip.... Little could we realise
what was in store for us.
We left Rotterdam at 4am Saturday
morning, arriving at the Euroshuttle terminal in France at approx 7am. We left
Folkestone at 7am thanks to the one hour difference. A
smooth car journey upon the motorways, despite the very irritating
and inevitable and persistent middle lane huggers, saw us arrive at Brunton
Park at 1.30pm.
We called in at the box office to
collect our tickets, bought a programme and amused ourselves with some Argyle
supporters, saying their journey to Carlisle had been a piece of cake compared
to ours. I know it sounds childish but they also thought it was funny.
It is our routine to proceed to
the exits nearer the full-time whistle to get away from a ground as soon as
possible. You can imagine why. When we heard the Scarborough result we stayed
in our seats, despite the fact we had a 11.50pm Euroshuttle to catch. Thank
Glass we did. It was incredible. Seconds after the goal we found ourselves in
the melee in the goalmouth and I nearly lost my pants. Do not ask me how.
In the end we managed to catch the
last shuttle to the continent. Again do not ask me how. We arrived home
exhausted but safely in Rotterdam at 4am Sunday morning. Not only had we seen
the most remarkable escape act ever, we had also set a record that can never
be broken. It will be our fondest memory after we have completed the 92.
Han van Eijden
- The
Netherlands