Hello there Fellow Steelfolk
Well, we did it! Two days and six hundred miles later (well, six hundred and twenty, to be precise!) we circumnavigated Scotland, and made it around the twelve SPL clubs, Hampden and Ross Country in an event for Sport Relief. Right now, from the money we have in cash, and our GIVING PAGE, we’re sitting at around £400, so, shhaaaaaattting! Thank you for all who gave. Here’s an account of our journey…
We meet Alan Marshall at Fir Park at the start of The Long Way Round
Motherwell
We got to Motherwell on a really awkward day for them. Away to Hibs meant they were focussed and busy, but we managed to get a couple of good pics with Steve Jennings and Omar Daley, as well as Health and Safety gaffer, Alan Marshall. Fear, not, though, fellow Steelfolk, there is more from Motherwell to come! Oh yes.
Jenno and Omar join in The Long Way Round
Celtic
A little behind schedule, we made it to Celtic Park, and introducing ourselves to security proved to be a surprise for them – despite organising this for months, no one had bothered to tell them we were coming. Nonetheless, the guys there were fantastic, and even went out their way to give us a bucket to collect donations in, as well as throwing a few pounds in themselves. So Celtic was very much a success.
Next stop Celtic!
where the Champions could not have been nicer!
Hampden
Euan from Peter Vardy supplied us with the fuel for The Long Way Round
From Parkhead we headed to Hampden, which was a last minute idea but sorted very, very quickly. We had agreed to meet Euan from Peter Vardy here, who had donated a fuel card to get us around our route, so as we were chatting to him, Alex Hall came out from Hampden ready to show us around. We were very privileged to be shown onto the Presentation area, the dugouts, the tunnel, the indoor training area, the dressing rooms and a little hidden lift! Far more than we’d hoped for.
And the charming Alex Hall showed us around!
including the Scotland dressing room!!!
Ibrox
From Hampden, onto Ibrox, and again, everyone was fabulous. Breenjing in in our Sport Relief T Shirts – back on schedule – must have given the front door a clue, because without a word from us we were welcomed and shown directly past Coisty’s office and into the tunnel. Ibrox is an old, opulent stadium and it oozes its history and it was, with the exception maybe of Pittodrie, the most fancy. Again though, everyone was fabulous with us.
Rangers gave us the run of Ibrox!
So we got interviewed! Em, by each other!!!
St Mirren
After a pit stop for fuel and breakfast, we made our way to St Mirren, and were disappointed to find it empty bar some blokes playing on the astroturf. Pity as it’s a smashing wee stadium. Still, photo taken and offski again, down the M77 and hitting our first 50 miles to Kilmarnock.
The Buddies... wis shut!
First of two domestic trophy encounters at Killie...
Killie
It was BALTIC down in Ayrshire, but a quick phone call and shufty into the Hotel got us access to the League Cup, proudly displayed in their front lobby, and then out onto the pitch, which was still showing signs of the spanking issued by Celtic earlier. Charming folks in the bar were cornered for donations too!
Where we resisted a pie. Honest. I know it looks like we didn't.
Hibs
With Motherwell playing at Hibs, we had a dilemma of which way to go. Google said back the way we came and then along the M8, but we gambled with the A71, which wasn’t the best idea thanks to Easter Sunday drivers. Add to that the City wide traffic jam known in some parts as Edinburgh City Centre and some broken traffic lights on Ferry Road and unfortunately we missed the game – and the teams – but Sue very kindly stayed around for us and presented us with a signed Hibs top. You can bid for that HERE.
Sue at Hibs was fantastic!
...and presented us with a signed top! Scottish Cup finalists. Just saying. Bit on ebay!!!
Hearts
Up to Tynecastle we went, but as the day wore on, we found it empty and devoid of human life – kinda like during a match day to be honest (joke!). But we took our photo and pressed on, over the Forth and towards Dunfermline.
HEARTS! Wis shut... thanks guys. Not.
Dunfermline
This was another club not made aware of our coming, but the hospitality manager, herself dead busy with Easter covers, was accommodating and friendly, and again let us out onto the pitch to have a few snaps.
And so to the Pars at the end of day one! Phew!
From there, we headed to Dundee and our overnight stop. Now THAT would be eventful…
To be continued…
VFTES
STEELTOWN: Voices from the East Stand 