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Matchball sponsor experience

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So a little while back, my Dad decided we were going to sponsor the matchball and picked out the Sheff Weds game (I'm a teacher so holidays made it a bit easier for me).

Outline of the day: Arrived at the ground (4:45pm) and introduced to Bill Punton who was our host for the day. He took us straight to the bar and got us a drink in the Directors Lounge, and we had a chat with him. He took us on a tour of the ground, and then for a meal in Delia's. He then escorted us to the Director's Box. He met us again at half time and again at full time. Part of the package was a picture on the pitch with the MOTM at the final whistle, and then a seat in the Gunn Club to be presented with a replica match ball by a player. Bill was with us the whole time.

Bill was very engaging and entertaining, full of stories. He told us the best player he ever played against was George Best and recounted some brilliant anecdotes, about how he signed for us. He was playing for a local team in the Highland league, and the manager of Portadown was in Scotland on holiday and asked to take him to Ireland for a month's trial. He got chucked straight in the first team due to illness and the pitch was a mudbath and he couldn't do anything. Was persuaded to stay and see out the trial, scored 2 and then 3 for the reserves and got put back in the first team where he scored 2 in his next game and never looked back. He moved to Newcastle after they put a bag of cash on the table to stop him meeting with Arsenal (after Celtic had agreed to sign him then reneged due to his religion!) and then we picked him up from there and he played 8 years for us. We let him go as we didn't want to pay for an operation he needed but he refused to uproot his young family so stayed in Norfolk and trained with Norwich on a daily basis, just turning out for Sheffield Utd and then Scunthorpe on match days - totally different era.

Meal in Delia's was off a limited menu but was excellent food. Bill was quite forthright in making sure there was plenty of wine and the service was fantastic.

Tour of the ground was interesting - but pretty similar to the experience the mascots and Fan of the match get tbf. Only other legend I saw doing tours on that day was Mark Barham, the rest seemed to be media guys. There were LOADS of tours going on simultaneously.

Got a half page bit in the programme which just said "Come on you yellows...." with the Children Always First logo underneath it. Disappointingly, the logo was TINY on the video screen pre-match (unless it was prominently displayed and we missed it, as we were a little bit late getting to seats, although they ran it again on the scoreboard at full time.

Directors Box seats was a totally different experience of watching the match - padded seats, extra legroom and the noise seem to reveberate round. The banner and the flags in the Barclay looked absolutely unbelievable from there by the way. Great job all involved. Had to obviously tone down the language but was surprised how vociferous it got in there when we scored. Couldn't stop myself leaping out my seat a few times at some of the reffing and think I may have got a few sideways glances for that though! Barclay and River End alike sounded so loud from in there. Didn't meet Delia, although walked past her a few times and said hello. Michael Wynn-Jones stopped a couple times to chat to us briefly and came across very well, seems like a really nice bloke. We were sat on the other side of the box to Delia, and didn't spot any other famous faces in there. We were directly behind away dugout and Bruce came across as a whinging git, huffing and puffing and throwing his arms around at every decision. Farke was much calmer but in the ear of the 4th official constantly (not surprisingly given the atrocious reffing). Met Bill for another drink (which we pre-ordered and was waiting on the table) at half time and some fancy sausage rolls (which were unbelievably good - credit Delia).

To be in position to get the photo on the pitch, Bill instructed us we had to go down when the 4th official held up the injury time board. We commented when he said that how dangerous it was given our penchant for late goals, and so it proved. We walked down and were watching on Skysports as Mario lined up that free kick. Unfortunately, the TV was on a 7second delay so we heard the roar from the stands and everyone was hysterically saying "He's done it.... hasn't he" before TV caught up and the lobby erupted in a delayed celebration.

Went out on the pitchside immediately on the full time whistle, and saw Emi celebrating in the dugout. Stiepermann as MOTM should have had his picture with us but obviously wasn't clear on protocol, had a photo with a kid (possibly a mascot or something) and then took his shirt off and disappeared down the tunnel. There was a horrible moment when he took his shirt off that I envisaged the photo being with a sweaty Stiepermann in that bra type thing they wear for data tracking, but then he disappeared the PR guy said Don't worry, Mario's doing the SkySports interview, I'll grab him as he comes off. He did and we had a brief chat with Mario and thanked him for saving the day, to which he replied he was glad to hear it and got a picture with him on the pitch (which will be posted out in due course). My Stepmum and missus got some photos from the box of the moment though. Waiting for Mario I even managed to join in with the Farke wave from on the pitch which was totally surreal.

After the game we went to a table in the Gunn club where we had our drinks waiting on the table. Cantwell came in and did the interview and then presented us with the match ball, which was another photo op. Thought Cantwell was a strange choice given he hadn't played on the day but he's a good lad, been a big part of the season and he's one of our own so no bother there, happy enough that it was him. A side note, Cantwell stayed around after his obligations were fulfilled to sign some stuff for people wanting autographs and take some selfies with fans which I thought was a decent thing for him to do.

Matchball itself was not a replica match ball at all, but one of the cheap canary branded ones. Signed by the squad and in a plexiglass case which is pretty poor quality and difficult to carry. If you were one of those who spotted it as we made our way back to the hotel to drop stuff off then it was me and the family you saw, quite a few commented as we made our way up POW Road and Tombland (stayed in the Maids Head hotel which I highly recommend, lovely hotel).

All in all it was an unbelievable experience, and one which will live long in the memory. Bill was a brilliant host, and the whole day was really well organised and thoroughly enjoyable (despite having to wear a shirt and shoes to the football which aint really my style).

 

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Caption for the last photo?? "The ref had a good game".

Cheers for posting.

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4 minutes ago, Herman said:

Caption for the last photo?? "The ref had a good game".

Cheers for posting.

"Ipswich are going to run away with League One next season"

(Obviously not what was actually said, but I like a caption competition!)

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23 minutes ago, A Load of Squit said:

What was the temperature of the fancy sausage rolls?

 

Room temperature! Despite that, they were delicious.

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Sounds like you had an amazing day buddy👍

Did Bill tell you how he transported all that cash to back to England?🙃

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Great day for you KIO, must say from looking at the photos I had you down as a much younger man, your son looks like a fine fellow though😀

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Sounds like a fab day. Thanks for the write up and glad you all enjoyed it. 

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8 hours ago, KeiranShikari said:

I'm vegetarian. Do they have alternatives?

There was an array of bicuits available, although I didn't partake.

9 hours ago, Branston Pickle said:

Sounds a great experience - I bet it doesn’t come cheap, but worth it for a one-off!

Definitely not cheap, and definitely a one off, but a brilliant experience! Looking forward to watching the game today in a footy shirt and trainers though!

Edited by kick it off

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