The Giant Killing Adventure is back, by
popular demand for a VIP one off special. By popular demand I mean, myself. How
have we been tempted back into this life of travel and adventure you may be
thinking? Well it is because Cumbria
University has invited us for a VIP day out and of course, we could not say no….
this is no FA cup game. This is a league
game and a local derby that should bring all the intensity, pace and excitement
of English football right to your computer.
Returning to your blog will be Tim
Webster, who you may remember from the 2014 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Hull
City, but his first appearance was in 2013 for the thrilling 0-0 draw between
Curzon Ashton and Lancaster City. On
that day, he did a lot of talk about the virtues of Walkers ready salted
crisps.
Also returning is driver and blog favorite
Adam Webster, Tim’s brother, who joined the Giant killing Adventure for the
2014 FA Cup Semifinal between Arsenal and Wigan. On that day, blog favorite and troublemaker
Lee Topping nearly had a fight with two Arsenal fans, but we do not talk about
that. Adam Webster kindly drove all the way to Wembley and back and he is in
the driving seat again on Saturday 25th November, 2017.
Brand new to the Giant Killing
Adventure will be University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Honorary Fellow
and Community Ambassador Russell Hogarth.
He is the real reason that we have been invited as VIPs, but he knows
nothing about football… or sport in general (unless you count Motorsports).
When Russell asked me how he should dress for the game, I told him to wear a
suit, a flat cap and to bring a football rattle – I hope he knows I was joking.
I would like to thank Cumbria
University for their wonderful invite and provide you readers with a little
history. The University of Cumbria has its
main headquarters in Carlisle.
It was established in 2007 following the merger of St Martins College,
the Cumbria institute and Cumbrian campuses of UCLan. The University is sponsoring the match on Saturday
25th November, 2017 as it celebrates its 10 year anniversary and
they will also be providing cheerleaders for the half time show!
I haven’t
even told you what game we’re watching…. Well, drum roll please… it is…. Carlisle
United vs Morecambe.
VS
Carlisle is an
88.1-mile trip from our base at the University of Central Lancashire. See below…
Carlisle is
the top end of England and 10 miles south of the Scottish border. It is the largest settlement in the county of
Cumbria and has a population of over 100,000 living in the wider area. Originally, Carlisle was a Roman settlement, established
to serve the forts of Hadrian’s Wall and was always an important military
stronghold through the middle ages.
Textile manufacture during the industrial revolution transformed Carlisle
along with it having an important railway connection to the North and South.
We are heading to Brunton Park:-
Carlisle
United was formed on 17th May 1904 and they are a professional association
football club playing in League Two, the forth tier of the English Football League
System. Morecambe were only promoted into the Football League in 2007 and they
are nicknamed the shrimps.
In the half way
part of this season the shrimps are perched in 22nd place, with 18
points from 19 games. Carlisle on the other hand are sitting mid table (in 12th)
with 26 points. With better league form
and home field advantage Carlisle should be favorites for this game – the Shrimps
are yet to register a win at Brunton Park but you never know what will happen
when it is a derby game.
This game
has the added excitement of a very watery pitch.
From initially
looking at these pictures, I thought that the club has either left it’s flood
lights on by accident or was trying to win the football pools ~. However, apparently it was due to heavy
rainfall.
At one point,
the wet pitch was going to encourage too much diving ~ so the ground staff have
done an amazing job and managed to drain the pitch in time for tomorrow’s game.
I am very excited
about this encounter and cannot wait. Here is the itinerary I have received from
Cumbria University.
You
will be one of 35 VIP guests attending with Professor Julie Mennell and Sandra Booth. A
2 course hot buffet will be served pre-match
in Foxy’s Restaurant. Your match tickets for the main west stand, team
sheet and match day programme will be given to you on the day.
There
will be an optional tour of the Brunton Park ground available, if you would
like to participate please meet at the main reception at 12.15pm.
Alternatively, if you would prefer not to take part in the ground tour please
arrive at Foxy’s Restaurant at 1pm.
Itinerary
12.15pm Meet at
main reception for the ground tour (optional)
1pm
Arrive at Foxy’s restaurant
2pm Food will be served in
the Restaurant
2.15pm Presentations to sponsors and Q & A Session
with current or former CUFC player
3pm
Kick off
3.45pm Half Time – back to restaurant for pre-ordered half time drinks
4.45pm Game
finishes - back into restaurant for match day competitions and man of the match
presentations.
What
is not to like and did I mention the Cheerleaders! So, one sleep to go and we’ll be back with
you tomorrow.
~ ‘jokes’ proved by Tim Webster. The Floodlights ‘joke’ was my own and I did chuckle
in the office. Life is so much easier when you can amuse yourself!!!
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