Right now it's dark (because it's one in the morning), but let me take you back to a time when the sun shone unabashedly and dreams came true. The time? A Saturday afternoon. The dream? Football!
I knew I wanted to go to a match while I was here, but it was my classmate, Rachel, who found the cheap tickets for a home match.
The whole weekend had gorgeous weather, and this day was no exception. A group of us ventured out to find Loftus Road Stadium, got off at the closest Tube stop, and then subtly followed the people in blue jerseys.
I knew I wanted to go to a match while I was here, but it was my classmate, Rachel, who found the cheap tickets for a home match.
The whole weekend had gorgeous weather, and this day was no exception. A group of us ventured out to find Loftus Road Stadium, got off at the closest Tube stop, and then subtly followed the people in blue jerseys.
All that stalking had us work up an appetite, so we searched out some food. We were hungry and had a couple options from a pub to a
food cart, but eventually we settled for fish and chips...okay for the chips. It was satisfying pregame fare. I never got to go to the University of Alabama, and so I've yet to experience tailgating (one of my bigger regrets in life), but any pre-game ritual that involves cheap fries and foreign ketchup-that-doesn't-taste-like-ketchup, that's fine with me!
food cart, but eventually we settled for fish and chips...okay for the chips. It was satisfying pregame fare. I never got to go to the University of Alabama, and so I've yet to experience tailgating (one of my bigger regrets in life), but any pre-game ritual that involves cheap fries and foreign ketchup-that-doesn't-taste-like-ketchup, that's fine with me!
Soon enough, it was time for the match! Our excitement was building as we made our way into the stadium. The dark, compact space of the tunnel muffled the buzz of the outside world. And then we emerged from the and there was the green pitch stretching out before us, the stadium seats around it slowly filling.
Was great to be in the midst of the excitement, surrounded by people passionate about the team. Was a good game, the QPRs keeping the opposing team on its toes, but still beating them 3-0. Even though our seats were by the corner of the pitch, I still felt like I was in the middle of it all, I guess that's the case when you're surrounded by dedicated fans. You rose on the swell of their excitement--especially that of the gentlemen behind us.! I even learned some new vocabulary from them! Oddly enough, most of it rhymed with "duck".
The man behind us was hardcore fan--he had the QPR logo tattooed on his arm and knew the name of every player. He was able to give quite a good commentary! I felt well acquainted with QPR by the time I left. Funnily enough, I met some of their junior players a couple weeks later on a bus back from Cardiff. Small world!
I had missed going to games. Cheering for the players as they stepped onto the green, following the insane progress of the ball up and down the field, unwittingly holding my breath as the ball nears the goal, shouting entirely too indignantly when the ref seems to have made a bad call, shooting out of my seat as one with the crowd when the ball goes in! It's an experience.
The man behind us was hardcore fan--he had the QPR logo tattooed on his arm knew the name of every player. He was able to give quite a good commentary! I felt well acquainted with QPR by the time I left. Funnily enough, I met some of their junior players a couple weeks later on a bus back from Cardiff. Small world!
Was great to be in the midst of the excitement, surrounded by people passionate about the team. Was a good game, the QPRs keeping the opposing team on its toes, but still beating them 3-0. Even though our seats were by the corner of the pitch, I still felt like I was in the middle of it all, I guess that's the case when you're surrounded by dedicated fans. You rose on the swell of their excitement--especially that of the gentlemen behind us.! I even learned some new vocabulary from them! Oddly enough, most of it rhymed with "duck".
The man behind us was hardcore fan--he had the QPR logo tattooed on his arm and knew the name of every player. He was able to give quite a good commentary! I felt well acquainted with QPR by the time I left. Funnily enough, I met some of their junior players a couple weeks later on a bus back from Cardiff. Small world!
I had missed going to games. Cheering for the players as they stepped onto the green, following the insane progress of the ball up and down the field, unwittingly holding my breath as the ball nears the goal, shouting entirely too indignantly when the ref seems to have made a bad call, shooting out of my seat as one with the crowd when the ball goes in! It's an experience.
The man behind us was hardcore fan--he had the QPR logo tattooed on his arm knew the name of every player. He was able to give quite a good commentary! I felt well acquainted with QPR by the time I left. Funnily enough, I met some of their junior players a couple weeks later on a bus back from Cardiff. Small world!
Oh man, but the day was a blast! It was just one of those days where you're with your friends, the warm weather wraps you in a hug, you're united with strangers in excitement, and you discover something new. I will always look fondly on my day with the Queens Park Rangers!