Arabian Ian's on his way down for tomorrow's match

I must say I admire his enthusiasm & passion for Barnsley Football Club. Especially when you consider he'll be sat next to me! I hope he gets to see an enjoyable match. A similar scoreline as the last game he attended, the 2-0 win over Hull City in April, wouldn't go amiss.

 

That would be oreyt for all of us.

Hope he has a good day and a few beers!

 

Ian's got a six hour drive back up to Dundee straight after the match, so a few beers may not be an option for him.

 

It's very admirable, for someone, who isn't even a full time reds fan, to make such a journey, considering there's people who live on the club's doorstep who don't make any effort whatsoever.

 

He goes as ballistic as anyone in the stadium when we score and isn't afraid to hurl abuse at the referee if he gives a decision he doesn't agree with.

 

Thought he was booked in at the Premier Inn - or is that Friday?

 

That's where he staying tonight, mate

He's then leaving for home straight after the game, as Dundee United are playing on Sunday.

 

Re: That's where he staying tonight, mate

It's a journey I used to regularly make myself. In our Premiership season I lived in Dundee and had a season ticket. I came back for every weekend home game, leaving work on the Friday at 4:30pm and landing back in darfield around about half past ten. I'd then travel back up on the Sunday via the A1 to Newcastle, across the borders via Jedburgh to Edinburgh and then up the M90 and A92 to Dundee - a 600 mile round trip! The 'away' weekends (weren't they all?!) were spent with my then girlfriend who lived in Edinburgh. The whole year cost me a bloody fortune in petrol and I ended up in serious debt! I remember going to St James' Park on the Easter Monday and seeing Shearer cheat his way to a winner with about 10 minutes to go. That was a long journey back north let me tell you!

 

It's funny you should mention St. James' Park

To break the journey up, mate, Ian's calling in there today to have a look round. It's a ground he's never been to and fancies checking it out.

 

Re: It's funny you should mention St. James' Park

I've had a few mates live in Newcastle over the years and it is a fantastic city, especially on match days. It gets very tribal in the city centre. I went to stay there with a mate for the weekend when they were in the 1998 or 1999 FA Cup Final (I can't remember which one) and, at half time, they were losing. It went absolutely beserk in the Bigg Market. The locals were destroying anything they could get their hands on!

 

Have a safe journey home, mate

I'm just sorry you have something like a six hour drive home to Dundee, after having had to witness such a pathetic, shameful, unforgivable display.

 

Re: Have a safe journey home, mate

Amen to that.

I think I've got it tough travelling via train over two hours, from Bradford. But for anyone to travel from another country, and to support a second team.... well, that's just fantastic. Top man.

Safe journey, Ian.