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My beloved Barrow played out of their skins the other night and murdered Oxford 3-1 to reach the 3rd round of the FA Cup, for the second year running.
Last year, we played Middlesbrough away and Salmon pulled in a few favours. He organised an excellent trip for sixteen of us, including my eldest son Jake and my father-in-law.
We set off Friday in a convoy to the Sunderland Travelodge and after a couple of hours drive, we were soon all playing 3 card in the restaurant next to the Travelodge. It was knock-out, but you could buy a card if you didn't like your hand, so the pot soon built up. Jake upheld the family luckbox tradition and split the winnings heads up.
Being a tight so and so, this meant that he made a profit from the trip.
In the evening Salmon had arranged a mini-bus to take us to Sunderland dogs, where a three course dinner awaited us. I was having no luck at all at the dogs, until I decided to back whichever the longest priced dog was. This scientific and deeply researched system led me to back the last five winners on the card!!
Back at the Travelodge and after a bit of furniture rearrangement between rooms, we had a poker room set-up. There were six or seven regular players, plus one or two novices. Within minutes Salmon ends up all in on the river, against a complete novice.
The novice looks completely confused and I simply point out to him what his best options are. The novice then decides to call and his pair beats Salmon's bluff. Salmon then sees his arse completely and accuses me of goading the call. To avoid World War III, we decide to let Salmon re-buy and you guessed it, Salmon the cry baby ends up beating me heads up.
We had a great day at the Riverside on Saturday, with a pre-match dinner in one of the suites. The only problem is that during the match we sat in the stand among all the Middlesbrough fans. Our low profile was blown when our Jake and his friend insist in joining the many thousands of Barrow fans in the traditional, "shoe off if you love Barrow" chant - while holding a shoe in the air.
A lot of tutting and whispers of, 'they shouldn't be here' follow as those around us realise that we had been actually been shouting 'Come on Barrow' and not 'Come on Boro', with a heavy cold. We decided not to join in the rest of the Barrow fans in the "Going Down" chants, which of course end up being a pretty good tip at the time, at a price of around 5/1.
Although we lost 2-1, the team did us proud. I didn't realise until on the way out, that the only Barrow bet I had done on my coupon was a daft £1 on 2-1 with Jason walker scoring the last goal. I went back in to the stadium to collect a cool £150 and wishing I had put more on.
Anyhow, with our lastest fantastic result, a return trip is on for January 1st/2nd and Salmon has already booked the same hotel. Somehow I don't think the Sunderland people will be quite as enthusiastic this time; we heard, 'I hope you win' a lot last year. Seriously though, I always find people in the north east friendly and welcoming.
Oh and if Boyles have a box going spare on January 2nd you know where to find me...;)
Comments (1)
tight so and so! pfft.. at least im good XD haha sweet blogs dad :P