Topic: Norwich Away - Being bitten by the bug.

[rakey_lfc]

First away game of the season, last one since this fixture last season. Living where I do I struggle to get to Anfield every year, even an away a year because of the costs. Luckily for me Norwich City got promoted and stayed up, so for two years I get to at least one fixture.  Now for many match going reds this is bit of smaller game and maybe one to avoid but for me I was buzzing for two weeks when I got the ticket.

The day started with lots of excitement, my little boy must’ve have shared the excitement as he woke at 6am. Brilliant. However, it only added to the frustrations that the clock wasn’t moving quickly enough for me. I started going over songs in my head ensuring I reminded myself of them and hoping it would speed up the process. Next came the first dilemma of the day, I haven’t bought the new top yet. Do I wear the old one or no colours at all? Last year I’d gotten some abuse on the train home from some Norwich City Fans, plus pushed into a car outside the ground for no apparent reason so I wasn’t sure what to do. Fuck it, red!

Just as I was about to leave, the phone rings and my mum offers me a lift over to Norwich with her and my step dad (both Norwich fans). We chat and have a bit of pre match banter until we arrive at City Hall car park. We wonder towards the ground and all I can see is yellow and green, even as we walk into riverside. I say bye to them at Frankie and Bennies as I go to meet my mate at the train station.

Waiting alone in a busy station I start to see more and more flickers of red and the familiar scouse accents. As I’m watching all these people come through the gates but not my mate, my mind flicks to Hillsborough and the thought of waiting at the train station waiting for loved ones on that day. I can’t really imagine the feeling but I get a lump in my throat so I get some money out to distract my thoughts.

Despite living in the local area and knowing Norwich well I couldn’t remember the name of the pub I was in last season but I knew it was only on the bridge. So I wandered through and met my mate lives in Norwich and who I was going to be sat next to. First thing KFC. Second thing lager. KFC was busy but quiet. There was no sense of real atmosphere? We eat up desperate to get in the Complete Anglar. Takes ages to get a pint then we go out into the sun. Few lads there getting some songs going like “were gonna get a tan” and other random songs which make us smile.

First pint when down without even touching the sides so we go back inside. Being the bright sparks we are we realise how busy it is so we get two pints each to save going back so soon. A few more songs start inside, the usual Poor Scouser Tommy, Liverpool and Justice songs. Despite them I’m not feeling it. The atmosphere doesn’t seem brilliant. Was it because last year was a later ko and we were all drunker? I’m starting to wonder if it was worth the £50 and if it’s going to be a poor afternoon.

We head to wetherspoons along riverside and the moment we walk in I get hit by the LFC BUG. It’s full of Norwich fans and then a corner of LFC fans which seem louder than the home fans despite being outnumbered 4 to 1. The old bill come waltzing in and with typical scouse humour “we’re the best behaved supporters in the land” start up. One copper stops and tries to have a laugh by asking if this is a Mexican standoff? Before I could answer some scouser behind me shouts “nah, they’re just unhappy because we’ve robbed their tractors”#

The pub empties pretty quickly and we walk to the game. The atmosphere quietens again until were inside. We get a quick final pint before KO. We walk up the stairs just as the minutes applause starts. I couldn’t tell you what we sung first but it was deafening. A real sense of believe and an almost Fuck you, this is our win today.

Minute in and Suarez scores. The crowd erupts and the atmosphere increases. Then the penalty appeal turned down. I think we’re singing the Maggy thatcher song until I hear the people around me singing “When Suarez gets a pen” Great chant and very relevant too. The moment of the day for me happened next. Suarez gets put through and miser an absolute sitter. The whole of the Barclay end erupts while the Liverpool fans fall quiet thinking how on earth did he miss that. “Wanker, Wanker” and the usual “we know what you are” loud and proud until bang Suarez robs Turner then embarrasses him and bends it into the far corner.

Absolute fucking eruption. I’ve never heard noise like it. The pure irony as the Barclay end looks on as embarrassed as turner. “We know what you are!” The game plays out and I miss Sahin’s goal because I wanted a beer. Twat. Until the end and even after the final whistle the songs are non-stop. I honestly can’t remember a time where we weren’t making noise? YNWA was sung loud and proud about five mins from the end. The final whistle goes and the crowd is belting out “Luis Suarez, we know what you are!” to which I think Luis was very grateful for.

What amazed me was how we knew when to play, when to get rid, when to hold our shape and when to press the ball and more importantly how it was done throughout the team. Joe Allen was standout for me though.

Me and my mate sit down in hope to watch the team come out for a cool down but we get ushered out by the stewards. We walk back to spoons and get refused entry, fuck it didn’t wanna go in anyways so we continue back to the Anglar. Full of reds again. The atmosphere was silent, but you could tell there was a sense of believe from what we had all just witnessed. We carry on drinking and two loud cheers go up when spurs score. I say hello to Sir Harvest fields politely this year after last year I pretty much jumped on him.

Then the drink must have kicked in because the songs start going again for twenty minutes. We carry on drinking until we realise we have less than a minute to catch our train. By this time I’m feeling pretty shitfaced, eyes as red as my top. I catch the train as the door close and I find a quiet seat by myself as I start to struggle to stay awake and more importantly don’t be sick. I start to think about how good a day it’s been and how sores my throat. I start to think how money becomes irrelevant when you’re watching the team you love. I start to appreciate how lucky I am to have what I have in life and wonder what sacrifices some reds make to follow the boys everywhere.

To be honest, from here on I can’t remember too much. I know I got Pizza because the box was on the side this morning. I think I walked home from the train station. I’m not sure if I fell over as I’ve got a massive bruise and sore wrist this morning? However, the one thing I do remember is walking in to the missus and just hearing those words “god, you’re smashed” haha priceless. She tells me my response was to start singing about Luis Suarez.

What a day, money well spent and definitely my best ever away game. I’ve got the bug back, that addiction of not being able to get songs out of your head, the wanting to go back to the next game. I didn’t even know I’d posted on RAWK until this morning!

YNWA.

[Floydy]

there is nothing that rivals watching LFC away,  absolutely unparalel,, other teams fans simply imitate us.

[Pistolero]

great review mate...cheers 

[theboyspen]

Pretty much sums up what being a Liverpool supporter is all about! Nice one! 

[TepidT2O]

That was a proper fans eye view....


Loved that...

[rusty-la]

Nice post that Rakey, thanks for sharing.

[Alf]

It was my first away game this season yesterday. It was going take something special to even match last season and it did. Was drinking the dreadnought like water and have been in bits all day.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Brilliant that Rakey. Thanks mate.

Feel free to add your own Norwich away  tales folks.

[joel]

Brilliant that Rakey. Thanks mate.

Feel free to add your own Norwich away  tales folks.

Will do! Start writing it up tomorrow.

Reckon it'd be a good idea to have a separate board for away day stories?

[JerseyKloppite]

Won't go into too much detail because much is the same as above!

Managed to bag three tickets off the exchange, which were hugely appreciated. Couple of friends who don't get to go to many games were dead keen. Set off from London at a pretty respectable 11am, trains were a bit messed up and had to go via Cambridge (happy memories of my recent wedding ).

Arrived, popped to Morrisons for the food and picked up the tickets. Also went to the Compleat Angler for a pint, and enjoyed the atmosphere there. Bumped into Sir Harvest Fields briefly on the way out, which was memorable. Joined in with the singing and caught the end of the lunchtime kick-off.

Headed to the game, lots of singing (the Lucas Leiva song getting a good airing, though not sure if people kept singing it around me cos' I've got him on my shirt...)

Recollections of the game are very similar! Buzzing from the off after the Suarez goal, following a minute's applause for John Bond which was immaculately observed by the travelling Kop. Nervy at times, as our defence sometimes opened up far too easily, but on the whole we were a pleasure to watch. "We'll all be having a party when Suarez gets a pen" ringing out alongside the usual songs. A delight to see Suso, Sterling and Wisdom acquitting themselves so well.

The second, as described above, was perhaps my favourite moment at a Liverpool away game. Suarez endures the stick of the home end, misses a sitter. Gets barracked. Pinches the ball and finishes beautifully, and we all went absolutely crazy.

Nerves at the start of the second half, when Norwich somehow missed, before we bagged the 3rd and finally felt safe. And when the 'Ole-ing' began, it was hilarious. Norwich chasing shadows as we added 2 more, a shame that silly mistakes cost us but a really enjoyable game.

Long wait on the platform for the train back but we crammed on and had a really good chat with some well educated Norwich fans who couldn't compliment us highly enough, and were very confident in Liverpool's project.

Great day out, and a really good place to visit as an away fan. Didn't see any trouble, and Suarez loves it at Carrow Road

[perth-red]

My experience is a mirror copy of the OP. Only thing to add would be the songs on the concourse before the match which got a bit of momentum. When Suarez scored that 2nd after getting smashed from the barclay end I was in total delirium. Great day.

[flashman]

Thanks Rakey, sounds like a great day, the bit about trying not to be sick on the train was funny.

Quick question, how did you know it was a rawk user, is there a special handshake?   

I say hello to Sir Harvest fields politely this year after last year I pretty much jumped on him.

[rakey_lfc]

Thanks Rakey, sounds like a great day, the bit about trying not to be sick on the train was funny.

Quick question, how did you know it was a rawk user, is there a special handshake?   

Yeah you have to be in the clique to know it!

Sir harvest fields has his username printed on his shirt!

[flashman]

Yeah you have to be in the clique to know it!

rawk's new world order

Sir harvest fields has his username printed on his shirt!

Good idea for places like ruse in London!

[royhendo]

Magic

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Will do! Start writing it up tomorrow.

Reckon it'd be a good idea to have a separate board for away day stories?

I think they deserve to be on the main board, I think it is good for fans all over the world to get an insight into what it's like following Liverpool around the country / Europe.  We do want to try and do one for every game this season though and the idea is that people can use the threads to share their own stories about the game.  So look forward to seeing yours mate

[GODS LEFT BOOT]

Thanks for posting that - Ive watched the last two games on streams using head phones and the away support has overpowered everything else.

[rakey_lfc]

Some very unhappy Norwich fans in work this morning!

[Paul-LFC]

Great post

Want to try and get to more aways myself in future, but I don't really know where to start with getting tickets. I've been to a few in the past when my mates can get tickets, but obviously those wouldn't be on my card and count as credits. The ones I've seen so far have had a lot of  credits required as a prerequisite, those will fall as the match gets closer I guess, but it seems unlikely any matches would drop to zero away credits required, allowing you to build up a couple of matches a season until you have enough credits for most matches after a few seasons - so my question is, where do you start?

[rakey_lfc]

Great post

Want to try and get to more aways myself in future, but I don't really know where to start with getting tickets. I've been to a few in the past when my mates can get tickets, but obviously those wouldn't be on my card and count as credits. The ones I've seen so far have had a lot of  credits required as a prerequisite, those will fall as the match gets closer I guess, but it seems unlikely any matches would drop to zero away credits required, allowing you to build up a couple of matches a season until you have enough credits for most matches after a few seasons - so my question is, where do you start?

In terms of getting on the fan card credits for yourself then I have no idea and it is something I have often wondered about. I used a friends fancard for this who wasnt going to the game.

I have used RAWK's ticket exchange 7-8 times and its always been spot on. Never any sense of a let down.

[scatman]

excellent read, away days are magic

[the 92A]

Thanks for posting that Rakey, enjoyable read.

[stevedo]

Great read that,  nice one!

[weebroalan]

Great read rakey - brings all the feelings and emotions of away days rushing back sat here at the desk!

[adwhite40]

Had a boss day and I'm still hungover! Signs of a good away day that

[Corkboy]

Good stuff, thanks for posting.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Up until September last year, I lived in Northern Ireland my whole life, as that's where I'm from.

Going to see my team play was expensive. Bus to airport, flights, bus to Liverpool, accommodation, match ticket, food and drink. I tried to get 2/3/4 times a season from there.

Back in 2005 myself and my brother went to the Graz qualifying game in the Champions League, hoping it would stand us in good stead getting to a group game in the CL that season if we qualify. The draw was made, we got tickets for the first home game... and the second... and the third... At this time, I was 18 and still in school, so going to midweek games usually meant taking at least one but often two days off school during my A-Level year. Wanting to go on to University, my form teacher and school were a bit concerned by that but fair play to my parents who always signed my absence form 'went to Liverpool for the football'. We got back from the Olympiakos absolutely buzzing. We were drawn against Leverkusen in the last 16 and thought, 'OK, perhaps our last CL tie of the season - we have to go'. We were definite underdogs - people thought they were a good up and coming team, our league form was patchy and we scraped through the group stages. Winning 3-0 everyone was on such a high - then we conceded and walking out of Anfield was like walking out of a funeral. In a single second the mood changed. Doubt entered our minds. Luis Garcia made sure the doubt wasn't there early in the second leg. Then we got Juventus and we were absolutely of the opinion 'Ah well, we'll go to this game as we aren't likely to make it through - it'll be a great occassion and chance to see those great players'. Amazing night and even a better night at home watching the second leg and how well we performed in Turin. I went into school on the Thursday afternoon after the Juve game and met my form teacher, who is a Manc. I will never forget his words, 'Enjoy that, because that's as good as it'll get for you Scousers'. Love it. We were automatically entitled to tickets because we had been at every game so getting a ticket for Chelsea was easy and a no-brainer. What a night. I remember sitting in pub at 6pm not wanting to go to the match. Afraid, nervous, knowing that this was either going to be the best day of my young life or the absolute worst. We were all bricking it, so we get into the ground around 7pm and the place was bouncing. The only thing you could do to control the nerves was to sing and try and release it all. The atmosphere was the best I've ever experienced. A night I will never, ever forget. Never sang
 so much, never felt so much pride and passion. We had been to every home game in the CL that season, flying from Northern Ireland every time. We were automatically entitled to final tickets - a no brainer. I had my A-Level IT exam the day after the final - the 26th. Still, a no-brainer. I wasn't doing it. The rest is history. And I got a B overall in my A-Level IT, went on to study it at Uni and I'm now an IT/Mac engineer.

I was very lucky how that all unfolded, and how we were able to get tickets, but I was 18 at the time. I came into some inheritance at 18 so could afford the trips at that time. My parents were great giving us lifts to and from the airports, allowing me to miss so much school.

So many great nights, just ignited the passion and want for more. It came to a point that my money just went to saving for trips to Liverpool to watch us play.

Fast-forward a few years and I now live in Essex. Driving to Liverpool last season was on 3.5-4hrs, so not too torturous compared to getting flights to and from Liverpool, accommodation etc.. Last season, I discovered the ticket exchange. I never really paid much attention to it in the past, as we always got our tickets via the Club or local supporters group. I ventured into the QPR exchange thread and landed myself a ticket. My boyfriend is a West Ham fan, and my brother now lives in France. I was faced with the prospect of going on my own - no problem, I will do anything to watch us play. I met with Steve from here, who was sorting me with the ticket - got to the pub, shook hands, exchanged tickets and stayed and had a few drinks with him. The atmosphere was bubbling, then into the ground and wow. It was so different to what I have experienced before. You weren't surrounded with people who were sitting there moaning or hands in pockets or taking pictures on their cameras - everyone was on their feet singing their hearts out. It's everything you want to see at 3pm Saturday at Anfield. We went 2-0 up and so continued to sing and have banter with the QPR fans. A bizarre turn of events rendered us 3-2 losers but the songs continued. Despite the loss, I had witnessed a new Liverpool buzz. And it was better than 99% of my Anfield visits. Felt such a big sense of camaraderie and togetherness with other like-minded people.

I was then due to go to the Norwich away game at the end of last season, but I had a freak wrist injury that left me unable to go. Devastated, as I watched Luis bang in an amazing hat-trick. Next season, I thought.

I went up to the Arsenal game a few weeks ago, on my own as my boyfriend was out for the day. I went to Euston, jumped on the train, got to Anfield, watched us lose, got back on train to Euston full of singing Arsenal fans, asked them did they do requests - they did, asked them to sing a song about how many European Cups they won, briefly silenced them, they started up again, nutted some Gunner dick on the head with an M&S hard mint and sat proudly in my seat listening to my iPod for the rest of the journey home. Inside, I was livid.

Norwich cropped up and as it's only a 2hr drive for me, I wanted a ticket so badly. I wanted to see BR's first Premiership win as our boss. I wanted to be there singing his name. Backing Suarez for all the abuse/unfair treatment he has been receiving and of course, to sing for the 96.

I got my ticket - travelled to Billericay on Friday night to meet someone off here who couldn't go, woke up 8am Saturday morning unable to sleep. Set off at 11:30am Saturday morning on my own. Wasn't meeting anyone, just travelling alone. Listened to the Arsenal/Chelsea game on the radio on the way, trying to build up a sense of atmosphere on my own. Parked my car at County Hall, proudly wrapped my scarf around my neck and began my walk to the ground. I hadn't been there before I was just following the crowds - the yellow and green crowds. I felt so much pride walking amongst them in my red and white scarf, getting comments from their fans asking me to predict a result etc... I went to get a quick bite, then sat on the wall across from the stadium just taking it all in. An old man came and stopped with me. 'Liverpool?' he asked. 'The one and only' I replied. 'Would you take a draw?' he mused, to which I replied 'I came here for three points and I think we will get them'. Had a brief chat with him, he was a Liverpool fan who has lived in Norwich all his life and goes to most home matches. Today he was split. I told him both teams could do with a result, but perhaps we were better equipped given recent performances. He berated referees and Sunday's result against United. I told him to enjoy his day as he left me to go into the ground. I stopped to give money to the Norwich Academy guys who were collecting outside the ground. I wanted to leave them with a nice impression of Liverpool fans.

I got inside the stand and stood and watched the last 10 minutes of the football with other fans. I spotted a woman in her mid-30s come into the ground, then a man quickly came through the turnstille after her. He took her by the hand, and they walked up towards the stand. I chuckled to myself, and thought that looked a bit weird at a football match. My boyfriend would punch me in the throat if I grabbed his hand at the game. He took hers and looked proud as punch. I got to my seat and what do you know, those two whoppers were sitting beside me. The atmosphere didn't really kick in until the game started, then when Suarez scored - the only way was up. I stood on my own, proudly singing and feeling every word of every song we sang, waving my scarf everytime Suarez scored and we sang his song. I thought to myself how amazing this was, and how there was nowhere on earth I'd rather be. I don't care that I'm on my own, and I hadn't spoke a single word to anyone that day, bar a few opposition fans and that old man. I was on my own from the second I got up until Sunday, yet I never felt more in sync with other fans and not once did I feel lonely. I enjoyed every minute of it. Amazing result. Amazing to stand there and sing Brendan's name and watch him appreciate it. Lovely to sing 'We know what you are' to Suarez as he was walking towards the tunnel at the end, only for him to turn around and give us the thumbs up - he knew what we meant, he knew we were behind him.

The two whoppers beside me were exactly that - first time whoppers you'd expect to see at Anfield on a Saturday. He was insistent on singing the few songs he knew directly to her after we had finished, I think to prove a point that he knew the songs, he ran back and forth to the shop to get her crisps and other treats, kept asking if she was having fun and enjoy it. To be fair, she looked like she was. She tried to sing the songs he had clearly taught them both before the game and clap along. He just embarrassed her. He was the lone voice shouting out 'The referee's a wanker!' when the ref correctly awarded Norwich a free-kick in their own half at 1-4. He turned around and asked her why we were singing 'SYP/Duckenfield/etc murders' but joined in the Maggie Thatcher chants. When the 'When Suarez gets a pen' chant went round he pissed himself before joining in, then singing it directly to her making sure she thought it was funny and that he was funny for singing it. Just complete knobs. It didn't spoil my day in any way, but it just makes you think how much it actually means to some people - how much are some people actually getting out of it.

I got to my car, drove home via Felixstone (wrong exit off a roundabout) and sat down to watch it all on Football First and then MOTD.

Brilliant day. Enjoy it as much on my own or if I'm with someone. Enjoy not being made to feel bad for singing, like at Anfield sometimes, or wondering why others aren't singing.

Love away days. I will make an effort to get to more, opposed to going to Anfield. Big games there are special, but away days are something else.

[the 92A]

Ciara thanks for posting great to hear of peoples experiences they brighten up the site just waded through a load of circular arguments adding nothing then read this thread with real interest.

[Crosby Nick]

Cracking read that Ciara - quite envious of your parents letting you have all that time off to go to matches!

I agree with you though, something about being in an away end and seeing us win that eclipses 'most' home wins. I haven't been for a while now, 2004/05 was the last season where I got to quite a few away games but saw some good away wins that despite being 'routine' games have lived long in the memory for me.

[Pendzo]

Great read mate.

I went to my first Liverpool game last year which was QPR away and the atmosphere was incredible, i can''t imagine how better it was with a Suarez hatrick and a 5-2 win 

Edit: Some wonderful stories on here. Quickly becoming my favourite thread.

[joel]

Just thrown this together!


Early 8am start for my third away game of the season, really looking forward to this one. Mainly because it’s ground I’ve never visited before, but also the prospect of picking up our first 3 points of the season was one not to miss!

After the alarm went, I proceeded with my usual away day ritual. Shower. Shit. Shave. I’m a superstitious little fuck when it comes to going the match. In fact, the shaving ritual before each away game started at Stoke in the cup last year, and each following round, whether I needed one or not, I would shave.. It worked out well in the end, didn’t it

Back on topic..

After the gobshite behavior of their lot in the crowd last year I contemplated wearing colours, but opted against it. Usual away day clobber was on. Jeans, t-shirt and Munches as well as my SOS badge (which is another superstition, but that story can wait...)

By 9.15 I was in my parents car on the way to Willington, just off the a50 where I would be picked up for the game. My family do not follow football in any way, shape or form so I was once again, adopted by the 3 members my footballing family for the day (They know who they are)

At 10 we were on our way to Norwich, Neil Atkinson's humorous tones airing throughout the car as we listen to TAW discuss the fixture ahead. This passed the time until we hit traffic about an hour from the city. There had been a small smash a few miles ahead and thanks to the shite single lane roads it took an age to pass. Crawling about 2 miles every 20 minutes. All was well though and we passed the time by photographing dead Dear.
At last we were passed the crash and back up to speed, the miles ticking down faster and faster, getting ever more excited about what lay ahead.

Around 1PM we arrived, parking at the county hall, naming every woman in sight ‘Delia’. Thirst had got the better of us by this stage (As it usually does..) so we set off into the centre for a watering hole. At first we wandered past this Whether spoons looking place thinking it was home fans only. We were wrong. There was a small section or reds in the corner so we tried it out. Me, being a pre pubescent looking midget was surprised we got past the bouncers in without ID.

2 of us stayed behind whilst the others went the bar. The small section of reds began to sing the usual so we headed over to join in. Friendly banter pursued between the 2 sets of fans. Them singing the usual ‘sign on’ shite etc. Whilst a few reminded them that we had payed £50 to come to this far flung, six finger, sister shagging part of the country.

1 pint down and the songs came more frequently. A few more bottles and the lack of lunch sent me into a merry mood (Not many more pints from a Wembley state, I might add.. Some know what I mean) 1 of our lot begins ‘Oh Campione’ with the rest following suit, whilst gaining admiring glances from 2 girls in the corner. (Be patient)

There’s always one who has to ruin it though, isn’t there Gobshite black lad began vile songs and gestures right in our faces, joined by a more than middle aged man.. Should know better really! The scallies retaliate and things get tasty. In come the bouncers and we drink up, heading to find cash and Morrisons for the famous pre game mints!

Walking to the ground singing the Lucas song to a lad who has his name on his shirt. Around 2.40 we were in our seats about to devour another Suarez masterclass, although we didn’t know it yet.

Because of us all being on different credits we were separate from each other. 2 together down the front and 2 of us squeezed into my seat a little further back. A short time before K.O my mate spots the girls he’d received admiring glances off a few rows down, and me, being my merry self proceeded down to them, asking their numbers for him.. Didn’t see their mother, who proceeded to tell me where to go hahaha.

The game started well, with Luis netting early on. Giving it some to the Norwich fans on our right. Just before HT though, Luis misses and absolute sitter. He gets slated by their lot ‘Wanker wanker...’ et al. We all knows what happened next.. Madness persued, us 2 both flying everywhere, bouncing on the seats in front. Brilliant celebrations. Them seats are very bendy too!

Go down for a pie at HT, see the queue and just head for the loo. Get warned by a fellow fan that we’re going to get kicked out for our celebrations.. He can’t be a regular at aways then. Come back up to see my mates actually talking to this bird and actually got her number, well in Tom

Can’t really remember the second half apart from us being boss and Luis nicking his third.

After the game we were told to use out ‘inside voices’ by Rob, this was wise as the Liverpool fans soon dissipated in all directions, leaving us 4 in hoards of Norwich fans. Not being able to constrain my excitement, I had to resort to furiously fist pumping every now and then, appearing to suffer from a bout of physical tourettes.

We made it back to the car in decent time and beat a good chunk of traffic for the 4 hour drive home. Needing the loo badly by this stage (My bladder can’t deal with ale at all) we stopped in a lay by to relieve ourselves.

Realising we hadn’t eaten since the mints about 2.30 we decided to find somewhere to eat. A truck stop appeared on the horizon, we pulled in, it looked a little too ‘OAP friendly’ for us, but we were ravenous and went round the back to find a car parking spot. We were greeted by the sight of bus loads of school kids.. SWERVE!

By this time it was around 8PM and we were still looking for food. We decided on a nice little pub called “The Ship Inn” where we fueled up on Chilli, a Burger, Chicken and the like. Meal was washed down nicely with some Lime and Soda before heading off into the darkness on our way home. Mate was trying to get in touch with this girl but he was getting no replies back, think it hurt a little

Woke up Sunday morning around half 11, aching all over, head to toe, voiceless again. Reminisced on what a brilliant trip it had been and how lucky we are to follow the reds most places.

Oh, and she never text him back!


I love Liverpool Football Club

[joel]

Some cracking stories in here. Loved that, Rakey and Ciara!

[Alan_X]

Norwich away was never on my radar until the HJC Rocks gig in London. We were all watching the match when Archie shouted "you, me Norwich away!..." at me and in my inebriated state I said yes. I got a couple of tickets through the exchange (thanks Harinder) and left it to Archie to check the travel - Liverpool Street to Billericay, bus to Witham and then on to Norwich in time for a pint or two in the Compleat Angler. Breakfast at Liverpool St was Eggs Benedict, Cappucino and fresh orange (fuck me how going to the footie has changed!) and we decided to wait before starting on the sauce (wisely in retrospect). 

The journey to Billericay and the bus to Witham was uneventful if a bit long and on the way up I tweeted Karen Gill about the 31st anniversary of her grandad's passing and was chuffed to see she 'favourited' it. Once on the Norwich train I got chatting to a Norwich fan in the queue to get a couple of cans. He was clearly depressed about their prospects this season. The biggest loss was Lambert in his opinion and he thought Hughton was hugely over-rated. "He doesn't know what to do if things aren't going well..." was his view..."under Lambert if it wasn't right on sixty minutes then Lambert would make substitutions that could change the game." He was also worried about them not having a goalscorer, which raised the issue of Andy Carroll. "Oh well, if neither team can score it'll probably be nil-nil." I said...

I know Norwich well, as my mum's side of the family are from Kings Lynn way, and arriving at the station in the sunshine bought back childhood memories of trips to Great Yarmouth, Cromer and Hunstanton. The itineray for this trip was to be more condensed, taking in the Angler, Carrow Road, the Angler (again) and the station. The bar at the Angler was rammed so we bought two pints each and not finding anyone we knew went out to the terrace. On our second pint the team news game through and I have to say I was really excited by it. Suso, Sterling, Sahin, Suarez... just the S's made the mouth water, never mind Wilson, Allen and the rest. It all felt positive as we downed our drinks, said the obligatory hello to SHF and made our way to the ground.

As we walked through the retail park that surrounds Carrow Road I said to Archie how much I love the fact that Anfield feels part of the area. Walking through a car park past Poundland and Morrisons doesn't compare with walking up the Walton Breck Road. Having said that, once you're next to the ground the rush kicks in - match ticket, beer money and your train ticket home is all you need apart from the company of a few thousand fellow Reds. Into the ground and a quick slash before making our way to our seats. Every ground is different but all have that wonderful moment when you walk up and see the pitch in front of you. Carrow Road on Saturday looked fantastic but tiny - the sun was out and three stands were decked out in yellow with our patch of red in the corner of the Jarrold Stand.

The teams came out and at the mention of John Bond's name, the travelling Kop spontaneously applauded and continued applauding when the announcer announced a minute's applause. It's a shame to me that people feel the need to have a minute's applause rather than a minute's silence because they don't trust it to be observed. I have no doubt that if it had been silence, it would have been observed impeccably - there are some things we just know how to do - and a minute's silence is a far more meaningful and moving mark of respect.

The game - well you all know what happened on the pitch and in the stands it was a holiday atmosphere. The only nagging doubt was that the last time I was at the same game as Archie was the infamous QPR away. Two-nil up and cruising we gave up three goals that night and walked out of the ground in shock and disbelief. Could it happen again? Surely not.

At half time we went for a pie and a pint. The beer was ok, the pie (Chicken Balti) was good but the service was shocking. You'd think with 2,500 away fans wanting beer at half time they would have poured  a few more ready for half-time - almost as bad as at Anfield. People were going back up as we stuffed the pie and necked the last of our beer, when we heard a roar. "A goal?.." "No can't have kicked off yet..." A quick slash and as we go back to our seats we see Norwich 0-3 Liverpool on the scoreboard. Bollocks...

The second half was party time, even when they scored it didn't affect the mood. That is apart from the utter fucking bellend behind us who was going mental in a world of his own where a five-two win is a shit score. We need to improve in defence and Skrtel needs to stop making his one-mistake-every-fucking-game but that will come. And if you can't enjoy a day like yesterday, then you should really think about giving up watching football.

After the game we made our way back through the sea (lake) of Norwich fans to the Angler. Their fans seemed more resigned than depressed and I don't think any of them seriously expect to be in the Premier League next season. Back in the pub we met up with Claire, Lents and Roy (nice to meet you mate) and settled down for a quick pint (or two) before getting the 6 o'clock train back via the Billericay bus. At the mention of the bus Lents and Claire asked why we hadn't done the sensible thing and gone via Cambridge. "What the fuck?... Archie?!.." My navigator had picked a route through the deepest heart of Essex when we could have gone from Kings Cross in half the time. "You should come back with us and stay for another drink". Archie wasn't sure and took all of two minutes persuasion and a guarantee that I'd underwrite any extra as we had Advance tickets with reservations, before getting another round in.

The United-Spurs games was on and there was a bit of what Claire called 'wool-behaviour' from some of the more excitable Liverpool fans who went mental when Spurs scored and starting singing 'We only hate Mancs' at the screen. "We aren't playing them..." After another round of beers and JD-and-cokes flowed the discussion of what constituted 'wool-behaviour' continued onto the station and the train back. We left Roy at Cambridge and made our way back to Kings Cross and a couple of pints in the Waiting Room pub at the station. I'm not sure whether the looks we got were of admiration, amusement or disapproval as we walked through the concourse singing selected highlights from the Kop repertoire - it must have been the first.

In the pub, Archie got into a discussion with a random person at the bar and Lents, Claire and I found a table. I'm ashamed to say I didn't finish my last pint and made my excuses and left before closing. Got the train home and finished the day off with a kebab (medium doner with everything).

All in all a great day out.

[Crosby Nick]

I know Norwich well, as my mum's side of the family are from Kings Lynn way, and arriving at the station in the sunshine bought back childhood memories of trips to Great Yarmouth, Cromer and Hunstanton.

Did you ever go to the Spice Museum Alan?

Another great read though.

[youll never walk alone it]

good read rakey enjoyed that.

[Alan_X]

Did you ever go to the Spice Museum Alan?

Another great read though.

No - haven't been for ages. All I remember about Hunstanton was walking miles to the sea when the tide was out.

[MHLC]

What a fantastic read. Cheers rakey.

We need to improve in defence and Skrtel needs to stop making his one-mistake-every-fucking-game but that will come.

Alan - do you think the low sun shining in players eyes might have contributed to Skrtels mistake?

[joel]

Proving to be a great thread, Alan and Joel enjoyed both of them accounts, if you just threw that together Joel you should do it more often

More than happy to do so 

[Alan_X]

What a fantastic read. Cheers rakey.

Alan - do you think the low sun shining in players eyes might have contributed to Skrtels mistake?

To be honest it hadn't crossed my mind. The stands are quite low so it's possible.

[scared_person]

Great post

Want to try and get to more aways myself in future, but I don't really know where to start with getting tickets. I've been to a few in the past when my mates can get tickets, but obviously those wouldn't be on my card and count as credits. The ones I've seen so far have had a lot of  credits required as a prerequisite, those will fall as the match gets closer I guess, but it seems unlikely any matches would drop to zero away credits required, allowing you to build up a couple of matches a season until you have enough credits for most matches after a few seasons - so my question is, where do you start?

You start at Wigan mate!

Wigan pretty much always goes down to all fancards. Blackburn and Bolton used to be the same but their relegation has been a kick in the teeth to anyone who isn't well up the away credit ladder.

A few other midweek aways in the season might go down a bit lower, but to be honest Wigan is your only safe bet.