A Day Trip To Wembley
Thu 11th August 2016 | Respect Campaign | By Stewart Taylor
It was a fine, bright day in August and the clocks were striking 6. As sleep turns into wakefulness, the befuddled state resolves into the realisation that today is a special day.
“We’re off to London to see the Queen” said the cat in the traditional nursery rhyme. Well, not quite but “we’re off to Wembley to pick up an FA Respect Award” doesn’t quite cut in the literary sense but the level of anticipation and excitement is the same.
Traffic to Stockport Station is almost nil. The customary Glossop Crawl is suspended, but only temporarily. The platform is all but deserted save for the inevitable pigeons picking at seemingly non-existent food on the tarmac surface.
The first train of the day on the departures board is the 0808hrs to Chester. “Departing from the Front Entrance by bus” is the rather ominous message. Is this a sign of things to come? We will see but then the 0814hrs Virgin Pendolino hoves into view.
All is well as the journey progresses until Justine, our Train Manager, advises us that we are being diverted due to over-running engineering works at Stafford.
Several minutes later Justine is back on to tell us that we are being diverted via Northampton due to over-running engineering works between Rugby and Milton Keynes. New ETA at Euston is 1130hrs - 25 minutes late - but she doesn’t sound too sure.
Arrive at Euston at 1114hrs. Three hours I’ll never get back and, to be honest, wouldn’t wish to. “Now then” says a little voice, “No negative waves, this is going to be a good day”. True! Meet up with the League Secretary and off we go.
The tube to Wembley Park is fine. The walk from the station begins with the first view of the noble arch and ends at the Club Wembley entrance door via a sea of mostly blue clad spectators. Spirits are high.
The lounge behind the Royal Box is huge. I can never accurately estimate a crowd but we must have been two in a throng of around 400 people sat at tables of 10.
A “goody bag” awaits but, sadly but not surprisingly, no free Rolex watches or anything like that but the programme of the afternoon and a programme for the match are all we really need. We meet up with several of the FA staff.
The names I know but I have never met these guys before. Our League Secretary greets them as old acquaintances – or should that be adversaries?
Acting FA Chairman David Gill welcomes us all and looks forward to the match from a neutral perspective despite his time at Old Trafford – go on then David, we’ll accept that just this once.
Reference is made to the 50th anniversary of the glorious World Cup victory in the summer of 1966. We are graced with the presence of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Cohen, Ron Flowers and Jimmy Armfield with the promise of Sir Geoff Hurst to come, along with Sam Allardyce and Sammy Lee.
The first course is consumed accompanied by a rather fine Pinot Noir from, perhaps surprisingly for the wine buffs, the very south of France.
There then follows a question and answer session with George Cohen and Jimmy Armfield, hosted by TV presenter Matt Lorenzo. A fine light-heated interlude and although George’s knees may be giving him trouble the humour in that London accented voice is still there – great stuff.
Another course of the fine lunch passes and David Gill introduces the Respect Awards. There are some really inspiring stories of individuals and clubs who have more than gone the extra mile to make football inclusive, enjoyable and, of course, respectful. Stephanie Moore MBE (widow of Bobby Moore) makes a great speech in support of the Bobby Moore Individual Award winner Chris Williamson and the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research.
A very slick video production of all of the award winners is played on screens around the room. We know from the filming done for our award that the film editors must have waded through many hours of film to come up with what was a splendid summary.
The award recipients are assembled and called forward one by one to be presented with their awards. Enthusiastic applause all round and quite moving really.
The list of winners and the video should be on the FA website fairly soon. I really must have a close look at the video to see what I missed on the day!
Having completed a fine lunch with the odd additional glass of the rather good Pinot Noir, we head out to watch the match. Leicester City v. Manchester United for the FA Community Shield.
A fine goal by Jesse Lingard puts the Reds one up at half time. Into the second half and Marouane Fellaini passes unerringly to the feet of Jamie Vardy who rounds David De Gea with some style and equalises for the Foxes. On 66 minutes the crowd all join in with a one minute applause in recognition of the achievements of the England side back in 1966 – again, quite moving really.
Into the last 10 minutes and the threat, if that’s the right word, of a penalty shoot out to decide the winners. The previously anonymous Zlatan Ibrahimovic then pays back the first instalment of the status entrusted to him by Jose Mourinho by heading in a cross from the right by Antonio Valencia to win the game. 31 trophies in his career so far for Ibrahimovic apparently.
The presentation ceremony was impeccable, following which we all head back to the lounge. The League Secretary sets off to collect autographs whilst I manage a quiet word with Sir Bobby Charlton. Memories of the Stretford End Paddock and a young George Best – again, quite moving really.
The event comes to an end around 7 pm as we say our farewells to the other Respect Award winners. Particular mention to Heartbeat United and Corby Town, who shared the same table and were excellent company.
To the hotel, a quick change and time for a final couple of drinks and then, as the diarist and essayist Samuel Pepys was fond of saying, – “and so to bed”.
A truly memorable day and totally enjoyable, but a question must be considered and that is, can we win it again?
I say this not only because I would like to do it all again next year (except for those three hours at the beginning of the day) but also because the award is a massive achievement at National level for all involved in our League, particularly the member clubs.
Will we be back next year?
A Day Trip To Wembley
Thu 11th August 2016 | Respect Campaign
By Stewart Taylor
It was a fine, bright day in August and the clocks were striking 6. As sleep turns into wakefulness, the befuddled state resolves into the realisation that today is a special day.
“We’re off to London to see the Queen” said the cat in the traditional nursery rhyme. Well, not quite but “we’re off to Wembley to pick up an FA Respect Award” doesn’t quite cut in the literary sense but the level of anticipation and excitement is the same.
Traffic to Stockport Station is almost nil. The customary Glossop Crawl is suspended, but only temporarily. The platform is all but deserted save for the inevitable pigeons picking at seemingly non-existent food on the tarmac surface.
The first train of the day on the departures board is the 0808hrs to Chester. “Departing from the Front Entrance by bus” is the rather ominous message. Is this a sign of things to come? We will see but then the 0814hrs Virgin Pendolino hoves into view.
All is well as the journey progresses until Justine, our Train Manager, advises us that we are being diverted due to over-running engineering works at Stafford.
Several minutes later Justine is back on to tell us that we are being diverted via Northampton due to over-running engineering works between Rugby and Milton Keynes. New ETA at Euston is 1130hrs - 25 minutes late - but she doesn’t sound too sure.
Arrive at Euston at 1114hrs. Three hours I’ll never get back and, to be honest, wouldn’t wish to. “Now then” says a little voice, “No negative waves, this is going to be a good day”. True! Meet up with the League Secretary and off we go.
The tube to Wembley Park is fine. The walk from the station begins with the first view of the noble arch and ends at the Club Wembley entrance door via a sea of mostly blue clad spectators. Spirits are high.
The lounge behind the Royal Box is huge. I can never accurately estimate a crowd but we must have been two in a throng of around 400 people sat at tables of 10.
A “goody bag” awaits but, sadly but not surprisingly, no free Rolex watches or anything like that but the programme of the afternoon and a programme for the match are all we really need. We meet up with several of the FA staff.
The names I know but I have never met these guys before. Our League Secretary greets them as old acquaintances – or should that be adversaries?
Acting FA Chairman David Gill welcomes us all and looks forward to the match from a neutral perspective despite his time at Old Trafford – go on then David, we’ll accept that just this once.
Reference is made to the 50th anniversary of the glorious World Cup victory in the summer of 1966. We are graced with the presence of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Cohen, Ron Flowers and Jimmy Armfield with the promise of Sir Geoff Hurst to come, along with Sam Allardyce and Sammy Lee.
The first course is consumed accompanied by a rather fine Pinot Noir from, perhaps surprisingly for the wine buffs, the very south of France.
There then follows a question and answer session with George Cohen and Jimmy Armfield, hosted by TV presenter Matt Lorenzo. A fine light-heated interlude and although George’s knees may be giving him trouble the humour in that London accented voice is still there – great stuff.
Another course of the fine lunch passes and David Gill introduces the Respect Awards. There are some really inspiring stories of individuals and clubs who have more than gone the extra mile to make football inclusive, enjoyable and, of course, respectful. Stephanie Moore MBE (widow of Bobby Moore) makes a great speech in support of the Bobby Moore Individual Award winner Chris Williamson and the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research.
A very slick video production of all of the award winners is played on screens around the room. We know from the filming done for our award that the film editors must have waded through many hours of film to come up with what was a splendid summary.
The award recipients are assembled and called forward one by one to be presented with their awards. Enthusiastic applause all round and quite moving really.
The list of winners and the video should be on the FA website fairly soon. I really must have a close look at the video to see what I missed on the day!
Having completed a fine lunch with the odd additional glass of the rather good Pinot Noir, we head out to watch the match. Leicester City v. Manchester United for the FA Community Shield.
A fine goal by Jesse Lingard puts the Reds one up at half time. Into the second half and Marouane Fellaini passes unerringly to the feet of Jamie Vardy who rounds David De Gea with some style and equalises for the Foxes. On 66 minutes the crowd all join in with a one minute applause in recognition of the achievements of the England side back in 1966 – again, quite moving really.
Into the last 10 minutes and the threat, if that’s the right word, of a penalty shoot out to decide the winners. The previously anonymous Zlatan Ibrahimovic then pays back the first instalment of the status entrusted to him by Jose Mourinho by heading in a cross from the right by Antonio Valencia to win the game. 31 trophies in his career so far for Ibrahimovic apparently.
The presentation ceremony was impeccable, following which we all head back to the lounge. The League Secretary sets off to collect autographs whilst I manage a quiet word with Sir Bobby Charlton. Memories of the Stretford End Paddock and a young George Best – again, quite moving really.
The event comes to an end around 7 pm as we say our farewells to the other Respect Award winners. Particular mention to Heartbeat United and Corby Town, who shared the same table and were excellent company.
To the hotel, a quick change and time for a final couple of drinks and then, as the diarist and essayist Samuel Pepys was fond of saying, – “and so to bed”.
A truly memorable day and totally enjoyable, but a question must be considered and that is, can we win it again?
I say this not only because I would like to do it all again next year (except for those three hours at the beginning of the day) but also because the award is a massive achievement at National level for all involved in our League, particularly the member clubs.
Will we be back next year?
