Off to Northampton on Tuesday. My sons bailed out since it was rearranged as it’s a work night, so just two of us going down. Without going into the why and what for of how we’re in this situation, It’s a strange feeling preparing to travel for what feels pretty much a dead rubber, with the prospect of a third of the season left of similar fixtures. Our current situation is a bit of an anomaly really, as we’re usually involved in playoffs or a relegation scrap, and as a result it just feels really flat. I’m not a match day drinker, so it’s not even a day out with the lads to look forward to. How do the other regular travellers feel about the coming games?
You touched on it about drinking on the day out. That’s all I’m looking forward to. Haven’t done a game since Wrexham at home for various reasons and first game back will be Blackpool game. Not looking forward to that one as I don’t tend to bother drinking at home games but honestly can’t wait for the Mansfield game week after. Unfortunately last time the dead rubber games came around, we only won two of them after the Villa 3-1 away result. I’m so intrigued with how we promote season tickets with the ‘early bird’ being around the corner.
I’m doing Rotherham and Mansfield but there’s a social element attached too with a few beers with mates. I was originally going to Northampton and considered swapping work days (part time these days) around to go to the re-arranged game but just can’t face it. Can’t see me doing any others.
The thought of Charlton, Birmingham, Leyton Orient in this form? Even Reading last day. I’ve always been a ‘thick or thin’ sort of dude, but does that apply these days, when you start the season knowing that a couple of places are very likely wrapped up before a ball is kicked, and your team seems to have thrown the towel in?
I am off to Rotherham and may do Mansfield as I haven't been before. I'd be amazed if I feel like going to any other away game.
The top 6 should've been within us though with some proper recruitment, surely? If we carry on half arsed and feeling sorry for ourselves I agree that some of those away games look daunting.
For the next four, our 'normal' away group of six will remain intact for Rotherham, mainly for non-match social reasons, and likely mostly so for Mansfield for the same reasons, plus we haven't been there in a while. However, Northampton is already down to me only and even I'm struggling to find the motivation. Charlton is only me also but trains are booked for an all-dayer, meeting up with non-BFC friends who still live/work in London. Seriously looking at something like crossing a couple of grounds off the 92, an overseas game or, for the first time I can remember, taking an in-season holiday when we're at Wigan and Birmingham.
My brother mentioned this to me before, https://mysteryawaydays.co.uk/, would be good for the away game overseas. Might end up with an affiliation to a totally random team. my affiliation with a random team is Cowdenbeath - my French teacher loved them for no other reason than him finding it funny every time he read their name, so he took us to a game.
Took my ticket back too, up for work at 4 every morning. A ground I've been to a few times and were playing 5hite at the minute.
I know exactly what you mean. I've got a ticket from the original fixture and live as near to Northampton as Barnsley so will be going, but it's infuriating that when the original fixture was scheduled - not even 6 weeks ago - we'd won 4 in a row and were comfortably ensconced in the play off positions. The board, management and players should be absolutely ashamed at how they've completely thrown that away since then. That said - they've still got a chance to put it partly right and fight to get us as high up the table as possible, starting on Saturday. I'm fully accepting that the remaining away fixtures will be 90% for the day out though, as there'll be bugger all riding on the football.
We had a full coach for the original date at Northampton. It's held up better than I thought. 36 going to the rearranged date. Another 4 on top of that. Not bad considering lots work and school.