Besides, I couldn't just do a mail service celebrating my 500th game, because that was spent paying actual coin attention Reading FC U18 5 Crystal Palace FC U18 inwards an FA Youth Cup tertiary Round check. On newspaper it'sec the real definition of underwhelming, as well as anyway, just how many more than photos of the Madejski Stadium do yous actually want to see?
| Slough Town'second Arbour Park (hey, that'sec where this weblog started). I was treated to a blockbuster gibe (over again, on paper) to commemorate the occasion. Why yep, what improve way to celebrate than attention a mouthwatering Berks & Bucks FA Senior Cup Semi Final necktie between Slough Town as well as MK Dons (okay, that sounds interesting? Non league team looking to upset 1 of the 92 too all that)...nether 23s (oh) on a warm Wed dark in Apr 2018.
Oh my, y'all audio like a lunatic. How are you even keeping grade at this point?I used to accept keep an extensive collection of programmes acquired from every game I'd attended, just I'd reached the indicate where (coupled amongst the fact that the average modern football plan is directly the size of a Steve Bruce new) I was running out of space to shop them. Since merely throwing them away (because who wants to buy a load of tattered programmes with a child'sec scribble all over the dorsum? If yous know anyone, please permit me know. I still accept a charge left) made it look similar a total waste product whereby I would shortly forget which games I went to, I decided to go through the painstakingly nerdy job of assembling a spreadsheet (because all the coolest kids at schoolhouse had spreadsheets). This meant I could in conclusion go on a record of everything I've always been to, which made it a trivial easier to continue a rail of these arbitrary milestones that literally nobody cares well-nigh. So if you lot want to have a expect, you tin can observe said spreadsheet hither for your viewing pleasure.
I think nosotros underestimated only how distressing y'all are. You must live unmarried, right?Astonishingly, no.
I'thousand not sure anyone is going to believe that. Anyway, what most these other arbitrary "milestones"?Thanks to a quick browse of the spreadsheet (come across how useful it can live?), I've been able to notice that number 300 was a Reading abode defeat to a 2016 Hull City side that boasted players similar Andrew Robertson together with Harry Maguire. Both no refer players who take sadly failed to kicking on together with achieve anything of whatever significance inwards their careers since that historic twenty-four hour period. Whilst I don't recollect anything near that game, I do recollect my 200th. It was dorsum inward 2008, inwards a simpler fourth dimension where I was crippled past ongoing educatee loans in addition to I even so believed my writing skills might be practiced plenty to permit me to go far as a sports journalist. I covered a 1-0 win for Reading against Blackpool. And by covered I mean I watched the game from the lofty comforts of the Madejski Stadium press box, sat in that location silently during Simon Grayson'second mail service game press conference together with and so went abode. It'second tardily to run into how I made such a rip-roaring impression on the Reading Chronicle too went on to have a long career inwards the sports media manufacture, isn't it (I haven't). My kickoff century was hit during another Reading habitation defeat to Bristol City inward 2001. Again, a game I have cypher recollection of, merely that should live understandably excusable since I was about sure enough still on a high having witnessed the momentous Manchester United debut for Paul Rachubka during my kickoff visit to Old Trafford a week before. Now there'second a actor who went on to reach slap-up things inward his career.
I don't mean anyone is nonetheless reading at this betoken, but merely in example they are, how did all of this start? Why are yous the way that you are?My dad. Whilst I didn't inherit quite the same passion for the wild shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner, the bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher, or the competent drumwork of Don Brewer from him (you lot kids don't know Grand Funk?), I did inherit his passion for football game. He is very much responsible for all of this (after all, he allegedly created me). Ever since he allow an impressionable half-dozen yr former me in on a niggling hugger-mugger that my dwelling town of Reading had a football game team too nosotros should get picket them one-time, I've been hooked. Thanks, dad. I've like a shot wasted a ton of my money (too yours) on this giddy hobby. I hope you lot're happy!
Have y'all e'er thought that all these games have been a giant waste product of fourth dimension and coin?Probably. Isn't everything a waste of fourth dimension when you come to think of it? It'second my hobby. What are you meant to make on a Saturday afternoon otherwise? It'sec something I and many thousands of people observe enjoyable (or should that live endurable?). I've seen about nifty games, I've seen roughly downright terrible games, too I've as well been to other games where I've been unable to encounter anything at all because I forgot my spectacles. But virtually of all, I'thousand grateful that it'second been something I've been able to share amongst my dad. I grew upward going to Elm Park together with the Madejski alongside him, and so it was plumbing equipment that I could drag him along to my 501st game since nobody else would go along with me. The games may straight off live forgotten, only the times spent with him forcing me to terminate reading the program together with really watch the activity inwards front end of us volition never live.
A lovely thought, yous piffling suck up. So what near Ascot, the site of this magical 501st game?As Bono would order, "The Edge is fine. Adam Clayton is fine. The drummer is fine." Ascot is fine*. Game wasn't bad either. A narrow three-two defeat to Knaphill makes the Combined Counties Premier promotion race a niggling more interesting, and for certain more than interesting than the Stoke/Reading goalless draw.
*Actually they've done a slap-up job amongst the earth at Ascot. It reopened at the start of this flavor as well as it'sec developed into a really prissy picayune non league ground tucked away in the heart of the world famous Ascot Racecourse. Go bank check it out former. Take your dads, if y'all nevertheless tin. Useless information nearly the Racecourse GroundAddress: Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7LJ
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