I was lucky enough to get a ticket yesterday, my son couldn't make it so I took my 7 year old grandson.
I could be lucky in one of the remaining ballots but somehow I feel yesterday was my final farewell to a ground in which I've been privileged to watch some fantastic footballers work their magic including but not limited to Denis Law, George Best, Booby Moore, Liam Brady, Pop Robson, Devo, Brooking, Cottee, Payet, the imperious Billy Bonds et al.
We got to the ground early and this enabled me to take some touristy photos of my grandson in front of and in the ground. I bought myself a Guinness to toast my late uncle who first sat me on his shoulders in the old North Bank and his uncle who came back from helping to liberate Belsen and never missed a game in the top left corner of the same stand and from that point in the tears flowed and unashamedly continued to flow through the pitch entrance rendition of bubbles up until I finally looked over my shoulder at the top of the roof walking back to my car.
Henry kept snatching quick glances at me during this only his second visit to UP (the first one being a not too shabby recent victory over the scousers) he must have thought silly old sod it's fantastic this I turn up see a brilliant game of football plenty of goals and we never lose. You'll learn son, hopefully enjoying this wonderful team at the OS.
The game really was fantastic (if you were neutral) and setting aside the obvious concerns/moans about the referee, was a fitting last game for me. The cherry on the cake for me was Bonzo's half time speech ( I cried like a baby again) and the Billy Bonds song that was sung brought back memories of the time that was in full cry at all home games.
Anyway this old sod has never cried nor been so emotional at a game before (angry frustrated yes) but I'm proud to have said farewell to what has been a very important part of varying stages of my life so far.
Goodbye and God bless the Boleyn and all who have played in and worshipped in her
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