That’s it now! Roy Keane will be totally gone with me! In fairness, I (as a lot have) agreed with his comments back in the day and by and large, still do to this day. Just not when it comes to myself being given the opportunity obviously!
I have made my long-awaited debut in a VIP box at a football match. Spurs v AFC Wimbledon in the cup. I keep referring to the fact that I am old skool with these things! It has taken me time to admit there are times where if you can’t beat them…join them!
On Sunday I was in a box with on tap service of beers/ciders and wine and a nice meal to boot. The view, as you would expect was decent from the box and from my seat during the match. Complimentary programmes galore. Thumbs up. Big time!
A big plus during the match is that you can take a (literally) two-second walk, and get a quick drink or bite to eat and watch it on the tv screen in your box. Certain rights mean the shutters are drawn in the boxes during play. Two seconds back the other way and your back with the action though. The choice is yours. You can still live it and breath it if you desire.
I didn’t feel bad like I can do about these things! I am not a big advocate of taking a seat at a true fans expense in truth. No, I don’t support Spurs and yes I would love to have seen Wimbledon cause an upset. Spurs are a tidy side to watch having said that and I think Pochettino is a top manager and geezer! It was not like I was taking a loyal fan’s seat though as they could have readily got them for this tie!
In fact, I enjoyed it enough to know I would certainly do this all again, given the opportunity. It’s not like corporate tennis or Liverpool boxes that have been populated in the past have given a damn about me, is it? Ironically as Roy Keane once again said, ‘an eye for an eye’!
Sadly, there was a little bit of gubbage! The lure of having a wagons day out meant a wagons bet…or two! Must have been the old skool method that tempted me. The match day coupons were next to the programmes! Harry Kane hat-trick, Victor Wanyama to score anytime and AFC Wimbledon to win, obviously! What could possibly go wrong? Trouble is my girlfriend also fancied a Kane hat-trick but went all in on Moussa Sissoko as well! Wagony bets mean one thing generally. Gubbage!
Not really though, I didn’t expect to be collecting on this occasion , so no qualms there!
However, Kane was on a brace when he got hauled off and Sissoko was subbed after just over an hour. Wanyama was actually Man of the Match for me, bossing the midfield, but a goal didn’t look all that likely. That’s not what the Kenyan is all about in fairness!
Wimbledon gave as good as they got for just over an hour, but Kanes quickfire double understandably took the sail out of their wings. A screamer of a third from Jan Vertonghen sealing The Dons fate, 3-0 it finished.
A really enjoyable day out though with good company and a top host. I left with a bit of Chaz and Dave in my head, they are already at Wembley though. Still, if you know me, you know when I have a song in my head. Relentless!
Andy Del Potro
The Gubbage and the Glory! 