...for what it's worth (nodding2fingers) Having become a proud father only a few weeks earlier, I had a difficult decision to make about whether I should go to the playoff final, but thankfully, my two daughters came to my rescue. Jenny and Laura had been to a few games with me over the season including the 1st leg of the semi-final and there was no way they were going to miss the big one ! The question then was "what would the wife do ?" ! Again, the decision was made for me...Jo would come to Cardiff with baby Thomas and spend the afternoon shopping ! So it was at about 7.30 Saturday morning, we left Dronfield for the journey south-west. The plan was to meet friends at the services just before the M50. I had been given a tip that by using the M69 and M40, I could avoid the possible queues past the NEC, so that I did - only to find myself passing the same coaches that I had left behind on the M1 Nevertheless, we found ourselves at the services by 9.30, along with many other Tykes. It was funny hearing the lone Swansea fan say to his girlfriend "They'll all be crying on the way home !" - oh how we wish we could have met him on the way back Anyway, after queueing to get in the toilet (and out again !), we queued for something to eat and waited to meet our friends. It was then that I began to wonder what age the youngest supporter travelling to Cardiff would be ! I hereby claim that Thomas, at 7 weeks, was the youngest Barnsley supporter to travel to Cardiff (even if he didn't go to the game !) Eventually, having met our friends and received our tickets, we set off again (11 o'clockish) believing we would be getting to Cardiff about 12.30 - how wrong could we have been (furious) As many of you will have experienced the same, I won't bore you on how long it took to get through Monmouth, but eventually we reached the M4 - a car park ! Having Jo and Thomas with us, we had to drive into the city centre and find a parking space near the shops. Only problem was, we had to make an emergency stop at the services. Anyway, finally left the M4 at J32 and headed into the city. Saw loads of parking spots and fans making their way to the ground, and could see the stadium ahead in the distance. Then saw an NCP car park but no entrance, so took a left and ended driving almost all the way back out of Cardiff before finding a way back in. Second time lucky, I find the entrance to the car park, by which it was 2.30 - turned into the slip road with cars behind me and saw the longest queue ever. With no chance of turning round, Jo told us to get out and she would park the car (which took forever !) I set off with the girls to find the ground, having only a vague idea of the direction we should go. Luckily, the car park was at the end of the main shopping street and there were signs on every street corner, so off we charged, dodging shoppers at every step. As we made our way to the stadium, I could see loads of supporters sat in cafes, pubs etc, casually eating and drinking, so I wondered if the match had been delayed. Once outside the ground, we found our way in very easily and rejoined our friends in U34 block. Only moments later, the teams came out onto the pitch and the rest is history. After all the celebrations, we set off to meet up with Jo and Thomas, only to be confronted by a female radio reporter from Dearne FM (nice :$ ) Having been asked how I felt and what about the match, I mumbled something about us not having played well, but delighted to have won. I know I should have said something profound like "we should dedicate this victory to Mr & Mrs Cryne, because without them, we wouldn't have been here" but I didn't, so let me do it now ! We found mother and baby waiting for us on the corner of Cardiff Castle, enjoying the celebrations going on around them. Tom had a great big smile on his face as the air horns were being sounded. It was a very proud moment for me. Again, a thought sprung into my mind - I've waited 44 years to see the Reds win some silverware and he only has to wait 7 weeks - I only hope he doesn't have to wait another 44 years for some more ! After ambling through the crowds back to the car, via the KFC toilets, we left Cardiff about 7pm - a very happy family. We had decided earlier in the week to book a room somewhere within striking distance, so that the kids wouldn't have to endure two long journeys in the day. I must have know it would go to extra time and penalties. So it was to Gloucester we headed and the Travel Inn for our overnight stop. In the pub next door, we were made very welcome by the locals, and the Grimsby fans who were on their way down. As I was at the bar, I saw a young lad in a football shirt and after doing a double-take, noticed it was one of ours. As I still had mine on, I asked the lad if he had been - of course, he had ! A minute later, he came back and said "Will you come and talk to my dad ?" Lo and behold, a table full of supporters round the corner. The following morning, we headed into Cheltenham for a bit of sight-seeing. I'm not sure how busy it usually is on a Sunday morning, but it was very quiet this weekend - can't imagine why ! Then having bought some sandwiches, we set off for Bourton-on-the-Water for a picnic, and from there we headed home. Overall, we all had a brillant time and will remember the weekend for many years to come. I'm disappointed that we couldn't spend more time in Cardiff, as it seemed a very nice place. I was very sorry to hear of the chap who died following the game, I did wonder about the chap who's heart stopped after our first goal, but I gather he has recovered - our best wishes go out to both families ! One other thing to mention - Laura found a penny at the services and put it in her pocket. I remember her looking up at me just before Nardiello hit the free-kick and pointing to her pocket - does anybody believe in superstitions ? Andrew
I don't think I could have coped with all that.</p> Your lasses are made of stern stuff, and yes I do believe in superstitions. There were a few things happened during the week before that I attributed to good omens but I can't for the life of me remember what now </p>
