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Monday 1st August:
Following a full English breakfast we left St Michael's Hospice at 07:10 bound for Cheltenham Town arriving at 08:00 to be meet by club secretary for a photo by the side of the pitch, within 5 minutes back in the car to Oxford United where we were photographed with Dave Oldfield assistant manager inside the Kassam Stadium and they kindly donated a signed programme by Brain Talbot, Oxford took us to The Causeway, Home of Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps, a brief tour of the stadium and the promise of a signed shirt had us in the car heading for Reading to visit the Madjeski Stadium and again a 5minute stop. Next stop was Swindon Town, Nationwide who sponsor them had arranged for the local press to be present for a photo for the local, then disaster struck M4 Reading to Swindon massive accident held up for 2 1/5 hours, on finally arriving the County Ground the photographer had given up, but a signed shirt was waiting and a photo taken pitch side. Now we were M4 West bound for South Wales, a brief stop at Ninian Park, Cardiff City and we were presented with an away shirt, time was now of the essence and saw us arriving at The New Stadium, Swansea for 5:15pm as we arrived the Chairman was leaving but still had time for a quick picture! Impressive new stadium.
Unfortunately we are now down to 3 members; Tim Harris's father has been ill for the last 8months and Tim's father passed away peacefully at the Hospice early evening so he left us at Newport to be with his family.
Next stop was the Memorial Ground home of Bristol Rovers where a signed shirt was waiting in the social club, at Ashton Gate the cleaners took our photo, at 09:00pm we arrived at Home Park Plymouth Argyle and received a signed pennant of the first team, over to Torquay Utd for a photo outside the club at 10:30pm.
Driving back up to Yeovil arriving at midnight then onto Bournemouth to met by the night watchman for a photo at 00:45!!
Falling into our hotel at 01:00 and have written this at 06:00am before breakfast ready for day 2!! Hopefully not as long.
Day 2:
Early breakfast in hotel in Bournemouth first stop Southampton to be met by Nicky Banger live on The Saints FM, presented with signed ball, down the motorway to Portsmouth presented pitch side with signed ball. Next stop Brighton to the Withdean met by the groundsman a bit different this stadium!! Off to the palace.. Crystal Palace here everybody in a good mood as AJ signed extended contract, pitch side with signed shirt and ball, Craven Cottage what a ground lots of great features pitch side with pennant and signed team shirt to follow. Arrived at Chelsea Village parked up and directed to reception, no joy at first then Peter Kenyon walked in, put donation in tub so we asked for photo, he kindly obliged, we briefly mentioned Chelsea had refused to help the challenge, Peter then got us a signed team shirt!!!
The Kings Road led us to Loftus Road home to QPR signed shirt on the pitch, Brentford gave us signed programme & 2 tickets for a home match this season. Heading towards North London Highbury the destination picture on steps with signed team pennant. White Heart Lane signed item being sent direct to us press conference taking place Edgar Davids was in town, over the hill to Underhill home of Barnet FC met the Chairman signed ball pitch side. Time was now of the essence it would have been nice to be off to Brisbane but we stopped at Brisbane Road, Leyton Orient, ball in post as late!! East London next, Upton Park was next signed ball pitch side. The New Den picture pitch side facing The Den, pennant to follow as now 20:50. Charlton Athletic next met by night porter with boot bag and photo by main entrance. Next to Kent arriving at Gillingham 22:00 quick photo, now driving towards Southend ready for a beer!!!!
