Premier League Cup, Group D
Monday 12 February 2024
Played at St Albans City
Ground Tick #472
A healthy 470 cold souls announced as the attendance at my 472nd ground tick. It didn't look that many to me if I'm honest. Maybe there were some issues at the turnstiles!!!
There were a lot of Leeds fans in attendance. Maybe a few Baggers. But mainly the Moortown Middle Class Migrants now living in the diaspora. There was some St Albans volunteer with a clipboard at the side of the turnstile. I saw him quiz the two guys in Leeds bobbles a few paces ahead of me. As we bunched up at the turnstile, I noticed the lady at the cash desk give them some bus ticket affair and let them in without paying. We're the Carrier Bag Firm. We know the drill here.
(Points at Leeds fan disappearing into the ground. Points at bus ticket)
“Mumble. Mumble. Mumble.”
(No complimentary ticket is forthcoming)
(Smiling…)
“Mumble. Mumble. Mumble.”
“Who do you support?”
“Hi there. Put yourself in my shoes. I've just seen you let those two guys in for free. I strongly suspect you're going to let these guys behind me in for free. It won't seem very fair to me if I have to pay.”
“Who do you support?”
(Smiling. While obviously not going to answer her question. Nor pay to get in.)
(The delicious sound of a turnstile clicking.)
Thank Fuck. Thought I was going to have to pretend to be a Leeds fan for a mo’.
This was the death throes of the Group Stage of the Premier League Cup. Obviously, for me, tonight was gratuitous. A Ground Tick. With a convenient 7pm kick off. My team, Sheffield United have already won their group alongside three (higher ranked) Cat 1 Academies. Tonight pitched Cat 3 Luton Town against Cat 1 Leeds United. By the time it was all dusted, Leeds had qualified second behind Chelsea. And Luton Town hadn't. Played six. Lost six.
Each corner of the somewhat ramshackle Clarence Park ground had Shipping Container bars serving Mad Squirrel beers from Potten End in Hertfordshire. Of course, this being a Premier League competition, those weren't allowed to open. The main clubhouse. Well out of sight of the pitch was serving. But, we'd already been at it in Snorbens.
Indeed, we stumbled across “a beer thing”. I'm happy to report I drank the beers. But I didn't participate in the thing.
Beer Shop
71 London Rd, St Albans AL1 1LN
The thing was - Guess The Hop. Three beers from Siren Craft Brew (Wokingham). All Hazy IPAs. But, each powered by a (different) single hop. You could submit your Hop guesses to Siren in the hope of winning prizes.
The barman was great with me.
“Just put the flavours you're getting into Google. And it'll tell you what the Hop is.”
But, I just couldn't get into it. There was a time when I'd be craving “Beer Knowledge” like this. But the whole episode made me realise - I'm not fucking bothered about that any more. When the friendly barman asked me to Guess The Hop on one of them. I said;
“Maybe Hukins Farm, Kent. The field down the back. Seventh row along. Fourth pole. But could easily be the fifth.”
I felt a bit sorry for him having to hear that. As he moved back behind the bar to put me on PubWatch.
Siren Craft Brew, Guess The Hop A on Keg at 5.5%
Siren Craft Brew, Guess The Hop B on Keg at 5.5%
Siren Craft Brew, Guess The Hop C on Leg at 5.5%. That one was Sabro. I'll stake my fucking reputation on it.
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