I can't find it now but somewhere on the internet a few months ago was a well written article about Port Vale and Burslem. As you say it was pretty depressing seeing boarded up houses and shops and manufacturing businesses much of the way in the taxi from Stoke to Burslem. Not dissimilar to Blackpool, and even Wycombe's centre looked run down. I suppose even in leafy Guildford, we have lost both big department stores - House of Fraser and Debenhams. The local council were hoping for a regeneration of one side of town to be headed up with a big John Lewis, but I doubt John Lewis are that keen anymore.
Anway, a good day out, for once all of my trains ran on time and had plenty of space. We sneaked into the "no football fans" Titanic BoD bar at Crewe station by claiming we were off to the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter. Two Norwich fans with yellow and green scarf, and a yellow and green fancy dress wig were not so lucky.
Taxi to the Bulls Head, which as stated by PB was open to both sets of fans. A good range of beers from the Titanic range and others, and a decent barbecue outside.
As for the match, we've been moved to the other end to last time, which doesn't have great facilities and a large pillar blocking a good bit of the pitch so at one point our player went behind the pillar with the ball only for a Vale player to emerge with it on the other side.
Two good goals. The worked short corner seemed straight from the coaching manual of "possession is better than hoofing the ball into the box".
Half time was odd with two sets of catering, one just behind the stand, and another set down a set of steps with a german style sausage cart and a bar with a couple of lagers. Makes a change from the grounds with just burgers, rollover hotdogs and pukka pies.
Got back to BoD with time for a quick Plum Porter, and results went our way for a change and we are just in the last play-off spot, but with four others just behind.