retiredmartin

December 2024. Sheffield.

Right, a random collection of Sheffield’s Irish boozers, craft bars and brewery tap rooms in the bag, let’s do the Big Match.

Dr John had gone ahead of us to get programmes; groundhoppers won’t consider a stadium ticked if there’s no programme, a bit like pub tickers need to touch a mobility scooter to claim the tick.

There’s certainly a sense of occasion about the programme, which is glossier and more fun packed than most Championship teams, even for a crowd scraping a hundred.

What brings folk from Paisley and Edinburgh to the Don Valley on a dreich, foggy night to watch a game involving a reserve team ?

Well, a newish University/NHS collaboration 3G pitch used for rugby league,

and an exciting range of local craft ales at the well stocked food hut.

You’ll know you’re in Sheffield from the condiments.

That Pukka Sausage Roll was the last one, but pub tickers don’t bother eating so there wasn’t a riot.

What to say ? The team sheet shows Kiveton to be diverse, and Staveley to have a bigger squad than Manchester City.

It’s what the expert would call a “competitive” fixture, edged 2-1 by the visitors at a ground rather let down by the number of training goals tucked around the side of the pitch.

On the upside the assistant referee lino has a tremendous hipster beard of John Grant proportions, and the sausage roll was so warm I could have used it as a hot water bottle.

It’s just a shame I forgot to score that can of Doom Bar on Untappd.