October 2025. Ladybarn. Manchester.
That’s my view from a £17 a match season ticket at Manchester City a week ago, for one of the most exciting games I’ve seen at the Etihad.
Staying over near Stockport meant I had time to join the 15% of the crowd who stay to the final whistle to applaud the team, and then consider a post-match pint in a trad pub industrial estate taproom.
“Back on Track” was the working title for this post, but even I can’t make a whole 300 words out of a post-match pint out of a snatched pint of Track Auburn at their tap.
Far better than a cask Sonoma last year, and packed post match.
Just a 5 minute train trip back to Heaton Chapel to where Mrs RM was waiting blogging.
Oh. One train every two hours stops at Heaton. And I’d just missed one.
As luck would have it, the train to Mauldeth Road has been delayed, and not only was that heading south, it would also take me to a GBG newbie.
I always thought Ladybarn was near Bramall, but it’s tucked into student central
Ladybarn Social Club makes a merited GBG debut with £3.30 Red Willow Wreckless (3.5),
and that very slight frisson of concern you’re going to be denied your tick at a club.
“Can I sign in as a CAMRA member?”.
“Er, no.”
“Oh“
“But you can sign in on the electronic pad at the bar“.
I had, like Charlene, never been to Ladybarn before, and the dull trudge back to the security of the A6 and the Heating was like exploring a new planet.
Mrs RM demanded, and got, her bottle of 19 Crimes Red from Morrisons Local, to wash down the Salt & Pepper box from D & F.
Chinese takeaway is not the strong point of the Heatons.
retiredmartin 
Thank you for the laughs. Have a great week 😀
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And you. Do you have a full week ?
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Quieter this one and it’s going to be rainy a lot too, not that rain always deters me but it’s good timing at this point for me.
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“Staying over near Stockport meant I had time to join the 15% of the crowd who stay to the final whistle to applaud the team, and then consider a post-match pint in a trad pub industrial estate taproom.”
Good planning that.
“but even I can’t make a whole 300 words out of a post-match pint out of a snatched pint of Track Auburn at their tap.”
That’s… quite a few taps to, er, tap.
“Oh. One train every two hours stops at Heaton. And I’d just missed one.”
Yikes!
“Ladybarn Social Club makes a merited GBG debut with £3.30 Red Willow Wreckless (3.5),”
I thought you were pulling my leg.
“and that very slight frisson of concern you’re going to be denied your tick at a club.”
No worries. We’d could all vouch for you.
““But you can sign in on the electronic pad at the bar“.”
Isn’t technology great! 😊
“and the dull trudge back to the security of the A6 and the Heating was like exploring a new planet.”
Is that a comment on the current state of society?
“Chinese takeaway is not the strong point of the Heating.”
Ah, now I get it. When you originally said ‘Heating’ I thought you needed to find warmth after freezing your cojones off at the game.
Cheers
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Never pull a lady’s leg, Russ, whether in a barn or not.
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Too right! I only pull whatever the leg in question is encapsulated in.
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