my Blackpool Weekend review

[Marty 0]

OK, just back from a long weekend in Blackpool, thought I’d leave my brief review of the game and weekend. I must admit I am proper knackered, I’m not implying that I drunk too much and had late nights just that I don’t sleep as well when I’m not in my own bed. The hotel was pretty good (Paramount Imperial – north shore) and weather was cold and windy but mainly dry. I find Blackpool a weird place, not sure if I like it or not yet.

 

The Blackpool ground is rubbish, no atmosphere whatsoever from our fans, no surprise considering there is no roof. The pitch seemed OK, it cut up a touch but I’ve seen a lot worse. Was it my imagination or did the Norwich fans make no attempt to sing at all? The loudest singing I heard was whilst using the gents, not sure I was totally at ease during this form of male bonding whilst having a pee! I thought the games itself was OK, a typical cup tie, we looked better in the first half and they looked stronger in the second, all in all a fair draw. Didn’t we have a stonewall penalty turned down near the end of the match? I think the ref was poor, didn’t do Brown any favours. Great save from Marshall, he looked solid. I can’t believe how small the snack bar was for 200 fans, appalling really. I saw some guy queuing for a cup of team and he was munching on his burger and he had mayonnaise all down his chops and didn’t seem to realise, I was tempted to tell him but it amused me to watch people staring at him – maybe that was you? Also, who were the Norwich fans wearing the dodgy cowboy hats? The ones with slogans like “I bl*w and swall*w” and “I go commando” ?  

Other highlights of Blackpool included taking a trip up the tower; it seemed full or Norwich fans. Whilst I thought the town centre and south shore looked dull and tacky I enjoyed walking along the north shore, got some great photos of the impressive and choppy sea, got soaked doing it mind.

 

Had a couple of decent nights out, it seemed pretty lively but on the whole friendly. For some odd reason on Saturday night I ended up in Roxy’s, not my idea but my girlfriends, anyway, it was ever so slightly camp! I must admit I had fun watching the local ladies, I have never seen so many tiny skirts on ladies, especially considering the freezing temperatures, wow they are tough up north. Did anyone else notice how big the lasses were? There were quite few French maids (male and female!) in the pubs but my favourite couple had just come from the Rocky Horror picture show, in full fetish gear of course, suspenders, basques, boots and best of all g-strings. Now I know we saw these two in Roxy’s but I can assure you they were women! I’ve been trying to get my missus to dress like that for ages! I simply can’t believe that whilst I was leaving the pub to go back to the hotel I was wearing a think coat and hat and was bloody freezing, but you got these two ladies in suspenders and g-strings feeling the full force of the Irish breeze on their rather impressive booty’s – got to love this place! I think I’ll come back in the summer!

All in all a great time, got some great photos, had some nice food, watched Norwich just about stay in the FA cup and got loads and loads of very fresh air.

 

* sorry if there is not enough football in my post but being a football fan means more that 90 mins of watching fully-grown men kick a bag of air around!  

[Alex Moss 2,167]

Hey Marty, what did you think of Chris Brown other than the sending off? Listening on the radio he sounded pretty good, and that the technique is there for a big guy. He sounds potentially a very good signing (as does the loanee Marshall). Also, was Paul McVeigh in Roxy''s afterwards with Hendo and Brown?.

[......and Smith must score. 1,596]

Marty....enjoyed reading your review of proceedings in Blackpool ( if you''re at all interested I posted something similar last night under the heading, " Returned from the Blackpool Experience ".

Yes, I would generally agree with your summing up of the game, the ground and the atmosphere. I would say that only half the ground is poor - the two new sides look impressive. Not too sure about the penalty but it was unusual to see a player from each side getting booked for diving. The pitch did cut up a bit but considering how much rain they get up there it wasn''t too bad at all. I too had the pleasure of using the gents latrine in the middle of the the pre-match singing. The air in the gents was heavy with testosterone - and other best left unsaid aromas - so maybe the '' Brokeback Mountain '' look-alikes in the cowboy hats had yet to pay a visit !! ( only joking lads ). Still, it could have been worse .....Blackpool does a nice alternative line in cowboy hats emblazoned '' Kiss Me Quick ''. And no, it wasn''t me dribbling mayonnaise down my chin although I can''t say it''s never happened on occasion when staggering home under the influence of a gallon or two of '' Anti-Gravity Best Bitter '' whilst attempting to consume a gristly offering from a '' Your Life in my Hands '' burger van.

Speaking of food and drink we found very little around Bloomfield Road although apparently there was a Wetherspoons close by. Instead we tagged along with some City fans who were armed with '' The Good Beer Guide '' and we ended up in '' The Stanley Arms '' in Chapel St, fairly near the ground. They did some nice real ales and good food too.

Pleased to hear you had a good couple of nights out. Unfortunately I was on a day trip so was unable to unable to sample the racy delights of the evening entertainment.Yes, you meet some weird and wonderful characters in Blackpool, no mistake. My last encounter with the patrons of the '' Rocky Horror Show '' was in Richmond in London a few weeks ago. It''s all very well exposing ones extremities in the comparative warmth of a Surrey evening but to do the same facing the Irish Sea risks amputation in my book............

If memory serves me correctly I too have stayed a couple of nights with my wife at '' The Imperial ''. This was many moons ago, in fact 1980 BC ( Before Children ), and I remember it being a huge Victorian pile which looked tired and in need of a refurb..........the term " Faded Elegance " springs to mind . The annual Labour Party conference was always based there then and every October the hotel was commandered by the politicians accompanied by armies of   ''assistants '', i.e., freeloading hangers-on, all intent on drinking the place dry. Luckily we''d left well before that particular circus rolled into town..........

We did venture up The Tower on that particular  visit, but, looking down through the girders I got an attack of vertigo and ended up clinging to a metal girder until I could be coaxed down!! Luckily some years later, when in Paris, the queue for the Eiffel Tower was horrendous so we didn''t  bother, and, needless to say I''ve refrained from temptation since.

Finally no need to apologise for the lack of football content in your post. I too think there''s a lot more to a day out watching Norwich City than the match itself........in fact because of the way the team has been performing of late the 90 minutes actual play has sadly become more and more a mere side-show to the rest of the day''s entertainment.

[Marty 0]

[quote user="Alex"]Hey Marty, what did you think of Chris Brown other than the sending off? Listening on the radio he sounded pretty good, and that the technique is there for a big guy. He sounds potentially a very good signing (as does the loanee Marshall). Also, was Paul McVeigh in Roxy''s afterwards with Hendo and Brown?.[/quote]

 

I actually think Brown has potential, some people behind me were moaning about him but I thought he worked hard and had a good touch. He seems to hold the ball up OK and will probably be a better team player than Earnshaw, so if he settles in and we play sensibly he may prove a decent signing. Marshall looked good, he just seemed to have that pressence that you want from your keeper. Didn''t see McVeigh in Roxy''s unless he was in drag! He was fairly ineffective when he came on, shame since he does have good ability and he proved it with one perfect cross field pass, just shame these moments of skill are fleeting.

[Alex Moss 2,167]

[quote user="Marty"]

[quote user="Alex"]Hey Marty, what did you think of Chris Brown other than the sending off? Listening on the radio he sounded pretty good, and that the technique is there for a big guy. He sounds potentially a very good signing (as does the loanee Marshall). Also, was Paul McVeigh in Roxy''s afterwards with Hendo and Brown?.[/quote]

 

I actually think Brown has potential, some people behind me were moaning about him but I thought he worked hard and had a good touch. He seems to hold the ball up OK and will probably be a better team player than Earnshaw, so if he settles in and we play sensibly he may prove a decent signing. Marshall looked good, he just seemed to have that pressence that you want from your keeper. Didn''t see McVeigh in Roxy''s unless he was in drag! He was fairly ineffective when he came on, shame since he does have good ability and he proved it with one perfect cross field pass, just shame these moments of skill are fleeting.

[/quote]

Well that sounds very positive all round Marty, and whilst we''re talking about McVeigh I completely agree. He HAS the ability, no doubt, and it''s really frustrating not to be getting the best out of him.

P.s, Blokes behind you commenting on Brown are surely on this forum.

[Marty 0]

.....and smith must score, thanks for your comments and review of the day, most amusing. I agree about the Hotel, but i think it was in reasonable order inside, I guess a building of that age will require a monumental amount of maintenance. I think it looked great from the outside, my partner actually said it reminded her of a hospital, I think it was the smell! On the whole I would say it was well worth the money, especially after viewing some of the other hotels / B & B’s which were frightening! 

I enjoyed the Tower trip but I too feel a little less than happy once I have left terra firma but I was surprisingly chilled out up there. I have done the Eiffel Tower before and had far sweatier palms on that day. I find that I am OK whilst taking photos, it occupies my mind, once I stop doing that my palms start to sweat again.

I agree about the ground but at the moment it is just half a stadium, it may be quite good if and when it is finished.