The Championship
Monday 10 April 2023
SUFC 2022/23 Game #59
Brave, brave decision by The Organiser. A No Wetherspoons Stop. Very rare. But, occasionally seen for games in Lancashire. But, and I don't know if you've noticed this, they're always places beginning with R. Rawtenstall for example. And today - Ramsbottom. As we approached the drop zone, The Organiser went into full Mother Hen Meltdown. He's a nervous ninny and "needs" to phone the pub targets as we climb & descend The Pennines.
"No one's answering their mobile phones. So, you're on your own."
He claimed, absolving responsibility. He'll fucking claim the credit if at all works out, mind. And so he should. Indeed, my closest Carrier Bag Firm companion pronounced;
"Ramsbottom is a Drinker's Town"
Not. Wrong.
Irwell Works Brewery
Irwell St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9YQ
If you approach this gaff from the right direction, you won't miss that it's a brewery. The brew kit is behind glass as you go through the main door. And, you have to climb the stairs to the bar. The pumps are in front of you and down the right as the room opens up at the top of the stairs. Lovely, warm feeling immediately. Not full, but buzzing with locals and later the CBF.
There's a range of handpulls on the bar. With just a little bit of doubling up. It took me a few visits up & down the stairs to the loo to realise the chalkboard (of sorts) was downstairs. I assume that's to entice people up. And, it wasn't 100% audited against actuality. I counted seven of their own on Cask (no guests, quite right too). The board had six. I'm not dying on that hill.
Irwell Works Brewery, Breadcrumbs, Hoppy Pale Ale on Cask at 3.6%. Inexplicably billed as American IPA on Untappd. I mean, I know The Blues originated on the Irwell Delta. Sonny Boy Entwistle, Blind Lemon Clegg, Sleepy Jon Arkwright, etc. But, it's a stretch to call that an IPA.
Helpfully, if you need a piss, the beer board downstairs describes it as Hoppy Pale Ale. Which it was. It came in pleasantly soapy. There was a bit of ginger in the smell, which didn't survive the journey to taste bud.
Long day. Of changing fortunes. Luton one down (to Blackpool) until 45+2, went on to win. Middlesbrough two down on 50 (to Bristol City) recovered to draw. United started on the front foot. And were the better team until the joint Robinson/Foderingham fuck up on just 17 minutes. The tactical switch to deal with a non-Foderingham situation was to go as a narrow four at the back.
"Go on then, get wide, put a fucking cross in, we'll deal with that."
"Or, try your luck through two tight lines of four, you mugs."
Unfortunately, that meant Jack Robinson was sacrificed to the eight legged God of four at the back. Again.
Mad Marcus Dewhurst walked past the front later. On his way from dressing room to dug out. He's been kitting up for first team games. Warming up with Matt Duke, Wes and Adam. He's the firm third keeper. An important but unsung role. Obviously, while Wes is on the naughty step, I hope nothing happens to Adam Davies. But, the Carrier Bag Firm have NEVER hid their love for Marcus. If he gets a shot, hope he shoots it.
It was just a matter of whether the ten could hold out. And they couldn't. We move on.
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