Near Lime Street Station, got the choice between 'The Crown' and 'The Shamrock', not a hard one. A few Bears in the Crown, as well as a couple of twisted locals wearing tim gear, who decide to entertain their wives by shouting out insults upon leaving the pub.
Train through to Piccadilly, meet up with a couple of buddies Nigel (up fae Brighton) and Angus (fae Edinburgh). A few at the station, then check-in at The Premier. Around 11pm we head out, blanket refusal to get in for a drink or food. Got that old customary feeling that football supporters aren't really welcome, will be tolerated.
Anyway, after a sit-in Chinese we head back to the hotel, however we've only one room (for 2) and they're doing controls at reception. I say I'm with the other two, doen't wash, wants me out, so I say I'll get my bag…
Half an our later, phone in the room goes, then a boy chaps on the door, does a room inspection for intruders; fortunately doesn't look under the bed!
Around 4.30am, some Bears hit the car park opposite the hotel in a less than discreet manner. Music up full blast, police intervention to turn down the music was for once welcome.
On the move at 7.30am, bit of brekky then hit Piccadilly square around 10am. Already a few hundred if not a thousand there, then by 11.30am it's choc-a-block. Drink flowing, sun shining (glad I brought my cap), bears mingling, good atmosphere.
On the way back fae the portaloo's I didn't quite approve of the treatment one of the foreign tv reporter's had to endure. OK a bit of a laugh to spray him with beer but then some neds started chucking cans at him.
Back to the beer, and a few Campbeltown boys join us, majority with tickets. Leave the square around 3pm to get checked in to the Ramada hotel, overlooking the square. Room not ready, bit of a mix-up, girl takes us up to the bar for complementary drinks, the boys then make the most of the mayhem (and lack of staff) to get complementary meals.
Over the road into the Britannia hotel for pre-match drinks, buzzing in there, leaving for the game (around 6pm) there's outrageous queues for non-ticket holders trying to get in. pleasant walk up to the ground, don't come across many Zenit fans.
Glad I got in early to soak up the pre-match atmosphere, although the music in the ground was a bit loud.
Match: Tactics: would've liked to have seen us going with two up front, it might have thrown them a bit as well. Thought Novo deserved a start after his recent performances (notably the one at the piggery). Can't really fault our defence, thought they all had good games. Alexandre was hesitant at times. But our midfield were just not at the races. Hemdani and Thomson got caught too often on the ball. Their boys looked fresher, and we were always chasing the ball. Still, with 20 to go we're still in it until Denisov breezes past Thomson and does a cracking one-two with Arshavin. Couldn't help thinking that Thomson looked tired, or perhaps the pace was too much for him. They knocked the ball around quite nicely after that, gers could have done with a bit of luck at goalmouth scrambles but we knew we were punching above our weight.
Walking back into town there's an ugly atmosphere, as sense of disappointment and realism set in.
We head straight for the hotel. Picked up the Manchester Evening Times the next morning at reception: 'The Battle of Piccadilly' on the front…
Subdued mood, each one of us heads back to our respective destinations, I stop at the Richmond Arms in Liverpool for a few, good craic with the locals, great bunch the scousers.
Like a lot of Bears I paid over the top for a ticket, but despite the result, it was worth it.
WATP
Donald