02/10/07
My Euro Dream.
It had been something that I had wanted to do for many a year - the sun shining, the Jack flowing and the banter great. This was no holiday dream to some far-flung beach paradise; I had done the Caribbean, I had been to Orlando and Dubai and all the usual Euro sun, sea and sand destinations (including a 7 year stint working in Tenerife and Mallorca.) No, this was much, much more than just a holiday: for years I had always wanted to watch The Rangers abroad and especially in a meaningful game, if there ever was such a thing as a Rangers game that didn't mean everything! This time it was perfect. The work situation had afforded me plenty of time off if required, financially I wouldn't need to watch my pennies. The only problem was that none of my mates were going, so this left me with the usual questions, should I or shouldn't I? It felt like a big step going by myself .
As I normally do at work once I'm in control of my duties, I logged onto FF. With the Euro trip still in my mind, but placed further back, I began my usual scroll through the threads looking for something interesting to read or some story to read the day before it hit the papers, I love FF for the fact that I don't need to wait for the papers, their stories usually appear on FF the day before they appear in print. While browsing I saw a thread regarding Lyon so I opened it up and saw posters discussing the places to visit while there, the best flights to get, the best trains to get, the best hotels and various other things, all in an effort to make sure the bears going had all the best info to make the trip better. As I saw the info an impulse came over me to check the prices on the flights, you know just in case, and before I knew it I had booked the Sunday flight from Prestwick to Saint-Etienne and had also booked the Premiere Classe: it was done!
I was still concerned that none of my mates would be going, so when i saw a 'roll-call' thread on FollowFollow.com I decided to enter a post saying I was going, just me, my first Euro trip and going it alone, was I mad? Out of the blue I received two Private Messages in quick succession from The Littlest Hobo and BB72 telling me I wouldn't be on my own for long, no bears ever were, and so if i didn't want to feel alone they would be happy to meet up for a beer. Those messages made me feel that much less nervous, two bears going out of their way to offer me any help I needed. I was now able to just look forward to the trip, and the spring in my step was obvious,
I arrived at Prestwick and the flight took off, the time was here, it was happening and although the flight wasn't full the bears were certainly on show. The usual football talk broke up the journey and learning that i wasn't the only FF poster on the flight was a nice surprise. When we arrived in Saint-Etienne ten or so of us decided to stay together to save on the costs of the taxis and also to make sure we all got to our destinations safely. We arrived at the train station ready for the journey on to Lyon and with some time to kill we enjoyed a refreshment at the nearest bar; life was good, in fact it was bloody great. During the drinks, a fellow poster, Amadeus, offered everyone a fine Cuban cigar to start the trip off. I have no time for cigars but caught in the moment and due to a fantastic gesture the cigar was lit. The drinks flowed as did the banter, carried on from the flight.
When we finally arrived in Lyon, we parted ways and I moved to the hotel to check in. Sunday night on French soil! My next task was to find Vieux Lyon and then the Wallace Bar, info kindly gained on the FF website. The Rugby was on in the area and the place was full of Scottish Rugby fans: it was still Sunday after all and the game wasn't till the Tuesday. Eventually i wandered into the Wallace Bar, and there were a few bears in the place, Satan666 and big Ian from the Golden Last in Benidorm included. The lads from the flight had also found it ok too and after a good few drinks three of us decided to go find a "late" one. We succeeded, but at a cost - we were charged €45 for 3 Jack Daniels and coke and after that it was clear we needed to stick to the bars to preserve funds.
On the Monday, as arranged, we all met up in the Wallace Bar with the early afternoon sunshine. It was great, the sun shining, more and more bears arriving, I was loving it. Even the appearance of Chick Young didn't spoil my mood, thankfully he walked past and didn't stop. By this time myself and TLH had been sticking to the Irn Bru to keep ourselves from spoiling the first day, much to the amusement of a group of bears from Coupar Angus who made it the focal point of their banter each time they went up to the bar, which was very often in a short space of time. Later on as the bar began to fill around 6 pm we moved on to more suitable drinks and the banter turned full circle. The guys from Coupar were struggling to stand up and soon disapeared, not to be seen until the day of the game. My lesson had be learned from them, I was happy to pace myself in the sun.
As the night wore on and the party tunes began to get us all in the mood the atmosphere in the bar and on the terrace outside was fantastic and one I won't forget thanks to some excellent photos. Great music, plenty of drink, among my own in a foreign climate and a carnival atmosphere, life didn't get better than this, or so I thought.
The tension was now building, it was the day of the game, an all day session and no hangover, this was great. Again we headed to the Wallace Bar, and noticed some new faces arriving to become part of the crowd. Our group decided to take a walk, so we wandered around Lyon - which is a beautiful city - and found a few watering holes. Rangers fans were everywhere and even the Olympique Lyonnais supporters club had the Rangers party tunes on in full swing. With each passing hour the atmosphere got better and better and the feeling began to grow that we wouldn't be beaten: blind optimism or just caught in the moment? Things then got even better as we approached a square called Place Bellecour, the sun was scorching and the place was awash with bears enjoying themselves, and the last remains of my nerves disappeared when I received my match ticket courtesy of Madrid Bear.
Kick off was now approaching and we left for the Stade Gerland on a public service bus. We walked into the stadium and the atmosphere inside hit us like a train. It was akin to a very large birthday party, everybody in good spirits and voice. We were amongst the fans, but the view was poor so we decided to try and get into the top tier. We were initially refused entry but didn't let that deter us and a little friendly persuasion and some good natured banter got us through. Suddenly the area opened up to us, and the view from the top tier was awesome, front row above the pitch what a view. We just had to hope the eleven guys on the pitch wouldn't let us down. As the game kicked off the nerves and tension could be felt among us.
Then from a corner in front of us, BANG! McCulloch. The Rangers in front; hysteria, pandemonium, elation, all kinds of emotions went through each one of us at the game and (no doubt) the millions at home watching on TV. I don't think we really settled down in the stand. Although Juninho, to his credit, had been giving us trouble and looked a threat, it's a pity he had to stoop to such lows as to dive so blatantly just before half time, especially from one with such talent. Sure, they had Benzema, Baros and Govou but it was Juninho who ran the show, and almost made us pay on the stroke of half time, clattering the bar with a trademark free kick. That moment aside, and despite the talent on show, we stood tall like warriors and McGregor kept his goal clear, even if the vibrating bar brought us back down to earth with a realism that it was still far from safe.
Half time came and went, the cigarettes calmed the nerves, and we had to be heroes for 45 minutes more, it would need a herculean performance of Braveheart proportions. As the game kicked off the tension wasboosted by the fact that the Lyon fans (megaphones galore) contributed to an amazing atmosphere inside the ground - heaven knows what the pubs and clubs across Glasgow were like, but in the stadium it was tense, as if there had been a collective sense that Lyon would equalise and then go on and win. Someone had forgot to tell Walter Smith and his band of merry men, especially Hutton who was marauding along the flank like a man possessed. Then, just as poster Bb72 turned to mention that he thought we would score again, Cousin collected a ball and ripped a shot like a bullet from a gun and we were in dreamland. Two Nil the Rangers, and by the time we had pulled ourselves up from the mass of bodies celebrating the goal, Cousin hit a remarkable pass that Beasley collected like the ball was glued to his foot and calmly slotted the ball past the stunned Vercoutre in the Lyon goal. Game over, Lyon 0 Rangers 3.
The next ten minutes are a bit of a blur, as we all celebrated as though we belonged in Carstairs. As the game neared the end the continuous cry of "au revoir", "au revoir", rang out at the departing Lyon fans. It was over and we headed out jubilant, but at the same time gobsmacked, each one of us ten feet tall and proud of our club. The Lyon fans laying in wait looked ominous in the dark, but it soon became apparent that they were queuing up to swap football tops with bears. It really was a special night.
We headed back to the Wallace Bar and the atmosphere was eerily subdued. Peter, the manager of the Wallace Bar (who had said all along he was a Celtic fan) welcomed us back to the sound of the party tunes and a free drink for the first 25 through the door. It was surreal but I think Peter would welcome the bears back anytime with open arms. Comments such as "did we actually win that game three nil?" could be heard around the bar such was the disbelief at what our Red, White and Blue warriors had achieved. Soon it began to sink in and the party atmosphere of the night before returned, only this time two-fold; even non-football tourists entered the pub, cameras in hand at such a wonderful sight with the whole pub singing and celebrating a wonderful win. The look on their faces as they watched and filmed a whole pub doing the bouncy is something I don't think anyone in there will ever forget, especially as some of the local females decided it would be fun to offer us table dancing! More than a few bears also enjoyed the topless show another local gave us!
The night closed out and everyone much the worse for wear headed for some much needed sleep and recovery, but unluckily for us we had to head for the main station and jump on the TGV bound for Paris to catch out near midnight flight back from Beauvais. Once again we met fellow bears and enjoyed a drink and some banter all the way to Paris, and just when I thought the trip had finished and all that was left was a late night flight back to Prestwick, a highlight of the trip occurred. We were introduced to a song called "cos Celtic are a massive club". Some of the offerings were absolutely hilarious and a fitting way to appreciate a night flight. It was a brilliant end to a brilliant trip and one I wish I had decided to do years earlier. But this time thanks to FF and fellow bears I did it, and boy was it worth it. It just cemented one thing i already knew.
We Are The People.
(I hope the posters named won't mind me mentioning them: The reason I mention them is that there may be other bears in my situation and it may inspire them to book a Euro trip knowing how much help they can get.)