retiredmartin

April 2026. Alderley Edge.

I’m not sure my heart will stand these tense City games, but after a period of letting the lads use my season ticket I thought I’d better see The Arsenal, apparently champions elect. If you don’t use your season ticket enough it gets cancelled and you have to pay £88 a game.

Mrs RM came with me, got annoyed with my “frantic*” pace somewhere near the Petersgate Tap, and I left her for an hour to get Alderley Edge ticked.

The towns and suburbs get progressively duller as you leave Stockport, I can say nothing good about Wilmslow, and Alderley lost any edge it ever had when it became a dormitory town for footballers.

The shopping precinct mirrors posh Essex,

but bars called “Bubble Room”, Corks Out” and “Salmon of Knowledge” say more than my photos can.

Completely out of place, the new GBG entry is thebl Union Club, and I don’t think the union is the PFA.

It’s a sparkling, cheery, club with more snooker tables than the Crucible.

I’m let in after I press the buzzer and extend my gold card.

“Can I get a beer please?”

There’s an ominous pause while the barman considers the question.

“You’ll need to sign the book“.

He then gives me the spiel that presumably won the Union Club of the Year, lots of stuff about beer festivals and rotating beers.

I had a Wreckless, cool and chewy and assured him it was great.

And then dashed back to the station. No-one should have to spend TWO hours in Alderley Edge.

*Frantic ? Me ?