We're Nottingham Forest, We've Paid All Our Bills

At 5pm on the Saturday 23rd September I was hoping Portsmouth would be dragged out of their latest 'terminal' slide into footballing oblivion. This was primarily for selfish reasons you understand; we had a hotel booked. At the same time a week later I wished someone had pulled the plug.

In my view its about time one of these clubs was closed. At kick off yesterday the entire ground applauded a soppy speech about a new flag that was flying above the North Stand which signified a 'new dawn in the history of Portsmouth Football Club'. Prior to their recent exit from administration they have conveniently been able to fund the signings of around ten new signings one of which consigned us to defeat. I fail to believe messrs Lawrence, Kitson and the rest aren't receiving hefty salaries despite the financial turmoil the club has endured. Now most clubs, including our own, have spent while in heavy debt but this is on another level.

They're a cocky bunch too these Pompey fans. Not as deluded as the Geordies but they have that annoying habit of generally being a bunch of twats. A few years ago they tried to break down the gate at the back of the away end because we dared take the lead and they have continued this trend of getting rather bitter when things aren't going their way. Of course, they were only too quick to raise their ugly heads (literally) when the goals went in. They were pretty loud at times but they are not the fanatical supporters they would have you believe. If they bring the same numbers to Nottingham as we took there I will be surprised.

Anyway, that's the latest rant over with. I wonder what will upset me next week.

Before I move on, I would like to point out one exception to everything above. One very nice touch was the steward who greeted us as we passed through the turnstiles. Presumably of his own accord this particular steward personally thanked most fans as they entered for attending today as he gave a brief summary of how revenue from away fans is critical in their fight to survive. He was even shaking a few hands! While none of us were there to help their cause it seemed a nice gesture all the same. He should be thankful they weren't playing Derby on Saturday, that could have really spelled the end.

The three of us; myself, PL and Trigger arrived at midday and after something of a trek down Fratton Road we found ourselves in Wetherspoons. A couple of pints later and after enduring one of the worst games of football ever (St Johnstone v. Celtic on ESPN) we completed the rest of the journey to the ground. Since Forest last appeared at Fratton Park some of the Premier League money has been used wisely to attach a roof to the away end which has helped the acoustics no end. This led to a decent amount of banter between those closest to our right with their dismal bank balance the hot topic. 'Shall we lend you twenty quid' and 'Pay up Pompey, Pompey pay up' were the typical efforts on our part although they were surpassed by a chant of 'We're Nottingham Forest, we've paid all our bills' to the tune of the old unbeaten away chant. This led to a round of applause and a few smiles from some of the home support.

The blow of conceding (another cross!) spurned the Reds into action and what followed up until the interval was probably the best we have seen all season. We were destroying them and had numerous chances with the best falling to Mcgugan who surprisingly, based on recent exploits, missed the ball. If he had connected there was only one place that ball was going and we would most probably have won the game.

The first twenty minutes of the second half was in utter contrast to the first with us putting in maybe the most inefficient spell of the season and the defence eventually succeeding in gifting Pompey a goal. Most of the team seemed to touch the ball before we passed it to Lawrence to fire home with the aid of a lucky deflection, I believe. We pushed late on but, alas, there was no way back and we had to endure the delight of the Portsmouth fans who has been oh so quiet before the break.

It was almost 8pm by the time we looked to head out on the town. The game was a few hours in the past but the disappointment still lurked around. I was also feeling like shit and a night on the ale didn't appeal too much. I therefore decided to take the controversial decision to go to bed! PL and Trig headed out without me to meet the Family Bethell clan while I zonked out like a little girl.

It was 10pm by by the time my taxi arrived at the hotel to whisk me into town. The others undoubtedly whether i'd be out at all but I had no desire to stay in and miss the night out. Trig and PL were in Lloyds which was more like a club then anything. It was absolutely packed and it took me a long time to actually track them down among the revellers many of whom were dressed in Halloween outfits. Trig's brother, Andy and his two cousins, Kiegan and Parker, had just left but we stayed around for a while before catching up with them.

Trig had made the basic error of opting against bringing any I.D but this nearly proved costly as every doorman in town was asking for it regardless of age. It was a five minute battle to get in anywhere but he was eventually triumphant. After a few beers elsewhere and rejoining the Bethell's, we eventually ended back up in Lloyds which was disappointingly not as busy as it had been earlier although we were now in the early hours of Sunday. The Bethell's, including Trig, wanted to sample the club around the corner so PL and I soaked up the last of the night where we were. We arrived back at the hotel at the reasonable hour of 2.30am which, due to the clocks going back, was actually half one. 

The door creaked a little after 6.30am...

Trig had gained access thanks to the receptionist and was being remarkably quiet as he prepared for bed. He was also being even more remarkable by managing to make noises from both the bathroom and the sofa bed. In my intoxicated and drowsy state, I couldn't quite work out how he was doing it. After a few minutes I eventually opened my eyes in the direction of the sofa. I didn't see Trig but the silhouette of a female sat perfectly still on the mattress. Her jailor was soon on his way from the bathroom and he began questioning where the duvet was before 'waking' me for answers.

Meanwhile, unbeknown to me at this time, the fourth resident, PL, was also aware of the developing situation. After a few minutes of fearing the worst I eventually rolled over only to see his eyes wide open and the biggest grin that you will ever see. PL later remarked the following morning that he was extremely 'excited' about what was potentially about to happen! Unfortunately for PL, nothing did and the four of were eventually asleep.

A few hours later I was up and jumping in the shower. PL was awake and had put his glasses on for a better look at our mystery guest. As I left the bathroom, he was grinning once again and I figured he has spotted a bit of flesh. Instead he wrote the latest developments in a text. The girl had sat up, looked around and at the sleeping partner and exclaimed: 'Oh shit'!

PL and I returned after breakfast and woke them up. The girl understandably didn't want to hang around and was gone after a answering a few questions from the panel. Apparently she felt uncomfortable waking up in a room with 'three northerners'! After she had left, Trig spilled the beans as to how his night has panned out up until he arrived back at the hotel... That, however, is not a story for me to tell.

And with that we were soon back in the car heading back 'north'. We were pointless but it had been a decent weekend on the south coast. The next stop-over could well be Rapeye's stag do for Palace.

Cheerio.