It’s football Jim, but not as we know it. As they never said in Star Trek.
Of course it is still 11 v 11. And it does involve train travel.
But it’s Wemberlee, it’s Ingurland and it’s my 11 year old Godson’s special birthday present from TLF his (un)Godmother (UGM). It’s a whole different level of excitement. And that’s just me and his Dad.
The whole day out with an 11 year old is a bit of new experience for a TLF. For a start they seem to need more regular refuelling than my usual footballing companions. A serious bit of lunch at St Albans very own Meze Bar seemed to hit the spot. No room for desert and the Meze Bar was awarded the accolade of ‘third favourite restaurant ever’ (after Wagamama’s and a Japanese place in his home town). High praise indeed. But by the time we leave the stadium, it’s ‘where are we eating?’ TLF’s offer of home-made ‘something-on-toast’ was not greeted with the enthusiasm it deserved from the father or his offspring. ‘Kebab and chips’, regardless of the slight similarities with lunchtime items did get the seal of approval. Some days you’ve just got to swallow your chef pride and go with the majority.
Eleven also seems to be the ‘curious age’.
What’s that for? Well how does that work?
Where’s the train?
Why do you have so many earrings?
Why do they have that arch over the stadium?
Why did the old one have Twin Towers?
Why are they making us wait to get into Wembley Park tube?
Why do you like alcohol?
WOAH!!! Now steady on young man. There are some things you just shouldn’t ask a TLF.
In response to my, “because it tastes nice.” He tells me that, “No. Beer tastes like wee.” TLF does enquire about how he knows what wee tastes like, but answer came there none.
Resplendent in new Ingurland tops and a little bit excited
He has really got it in for the nectar of the Gods though. At 4.20pm, with 40 minutes to kick off TLF is sitting (!) in the airport lounge-esque area of Wemberlee thinking that a beer from the craft ale stand wouldn’t be a bad option. Except the small person whose treat it actually is, made it clear that he had a focus, “once you have finished your alcohol can we go to our seats please?” TLF is suitably embarrassed into supping up.
Give 2 ‘kids’ free flags and they WILL have a sword fight
An easy 4-0 for Ingurland, a pretty decent trip home and by 9.30pm everyone is tucked up in their beds. After a greasy spoon trip the next day, TLF waves au revoir to the boys. A message later tells me ‘best day out ever’. And for that he is forgiven his anti-alcohol agenda.
Soppy UGM Fox