Away Days

After visiting a couple of vast monuments to sport, this week we return to the grass roots level. It was our first away trip of the 2007/08 season, and on a beautiful Friday night in late summer, we piled into Crespos motor and took off to the Cathedral city of Lincoln. The Bantams and the Imps share a bond, Lincoln City were the visitors the day of the main stand at Valley Parade caught fire, claiming the lives of 56 fans, and it was the first meeting since that sad day. A minutes silence was religiously observed prior to kick off, and considering it was a Friday night, it was a healthy crowd. Sincil Bank is a little bit odd, as we the away fans weren't seated at one end, but side on, and it was a pretty good view. The turnout was great, and after going a goal down, we fought back to equalise through Big Dave Nbungo. The away support got right behind the lads, and when Joe Colbeck scored the winner, the place went daft. As a stadium it is very much of its division, but that lends it a certain charm. It didn't prevent Crespo singing the "My garden Shed Song" at every opportunity. The ground is a little bit out of the town centre, and not the easiest to find (although we were pretty drunk on arrival, which didn't really help), but there seemed to be enough pubs within walking distance. Strangely they all seemed to have a couple of coppers outside them. I haven't seen such a high police presence since we visited Scunthorpe, must be a Lincolnshire thing. We had a few beers before heading off back to Bradford, when we got spectacularly lost and I blew the rankest farts ever. A champion night indeed.

Statistics

• Capacity-10,127
  
• Concessions-Was a bit fresh, so cant remember if they served beer or not. The food though was delicious. Pies, burgers and the mighty Licolnshire sausage sandwich, my winner as best tasted ground grub 2007/8. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
  
• Built-1895
• Did You Know?-The Stacey West stand was named in memory of two fans who died in the Valley Parade fire of 1985.
  
• Visited By-Euro Bri, Crespo, The Boy Dazzler and Mossy
  
• Rating-Park Pitch-I know Crespo would say garden shed, but it has a definite charm, is situated near the town centre and has killer sausage. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......