Last summer I decided to make the biggest investment of my life, I decided to buy an engagement ring. Before you all begin to shout stop, the girl I bought it for is different, this girl is a blue and a street end season ticket holder.

So after the "one knee" and "yes", Sam now my fiancée wanted to get something for me, to commemorate the occasion. Initially Sam wanted to get me another tattoo, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew exactly what I wanted, to watch Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The reason for this I realised was deep rooted to the 80s and my dad. I've always wanted to watch a game in Europe ever since 1985, when my dad told me I couldn't go to Rotterdam with him, a decision I still don't understand to this day, I mean him and his mates not wanting to take a 6 year old on the piss to our 1st European cup final, crazy.

The other reason was from 1989, when I was packed off on holiday with my uncle to Weymouth in a caravan, not knowing my mum and dad where flying out to Spain the next day. So after getting back and finding out they where still away, I spent the night preparing my case for divorce from them, only for them to surprise me with a Real Madrid shirt. It was one of those tacky fake ones we all got as a kid with a name on the back, this one had michel #6, who I was assured was a boss player. It was my first non Everton top and ensured I would always be attached to them.

We decided we would go to the game against Bayer Leverkusen in November, so after sorting out flights and hotel, the next job was to sort out tickets for the game. If you look round the internet you can find sites selling tickets but all at inflated prices, so lucky enough I spotted the name "MICK IN MADRID" on our very own kipper forum and after a quick PM to him, he said he would sort it out when they went on sale.

TUESDAY

On the day of the game I contacted Mick, who had been in Portugal all weekend and we arranged to meet at Sol in the centre of Madrid.
Mick who we had never met, give us a quick tour and then on to the oldest bar in Madrid for a quick drink and then for a meal, all paid by Mick. I think this shows it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, as long as you’re a blue and a kipper, we'll always get on.
We swapped stories and Mick explained how he ended up in Madrid and how often he got home, I then explained how Sam and I met and enjoyed our 2 tattoos through a crowed pub story.

Mick thought it would be a good idea to get a picture outside the Royal Palace with the Bluekipper flag. This was not a "good" idea, not long after we got the flag out, two Palace guards ran over guns aloft thinking we were some ETA demonstration, needless to say we made a sharp exit, we still got our photo but out of harms way. We got our tickets off Mick who explained his mate had the equivalent of an A BLUE card and could get tickets early and at £24 each it was well worth it.

We said our goodbyes and made our way towards the ground, even at 6 o'clock the place was buzzing, people everywhere selling tickets and dozens of stalls with a range of scarf's and souvenirs.
We had a good look round to kill time and even seen the legend Gerry Armstrong although I was disappointed he didn't bring his Thunderbirds puppets.

We entered the ground using a new fangled barcode ticket scanner. The flag was soon out to the delight of many locals who got pictures of it. It soon become time for the pre kick off champion's league shenanigans, when the Champions League music came on the atmosphere was electric for this fixture Real Madrid daren't lose.
The first half was pretty poor, only livened up by Leverkusen scoring. At half time we were greeted by half the ground opening up homemade baguettes, no steak pies here, I swear I haven't seen that much tin foil since a Pete Docherty gig.

The second half began with Madrid pushing more for a equaliser, the way they play is bizarre, every player except the centre backs and goalie pushing on (I remember Sam saying they needed a Gravesen, bloody women!). After constant pressure Madrid got a penalty, with Figo to take it, who for the previous hour of the game had gone on mazy runs, fell over and then looked at the ref like a wounded animal, needless to say he missed! It was Figo again 10 minutes later that went on a great run and after a one-two, to cross for Raul to equalise. Real Madrid deserved to score, but Leverkusen should have scored 3 or 4 on the break.

Final score 1 - 1

So after 3 days the scouting trip was over, I would advise anyone who can, to take advantage of the internet and low cost air fares and get to one of these games before we wreck the joint, next season! Ped (22/03/05)

Inside The Ground


Sam Guards The Flag

P.S. The NUTTER PICTURE it is a joke in my family that I attract nutters and this read Madrid nut befriended me!! See you soon Sam. (22/03/05)