Aldershot played Woking in today’s boxing day game. I took Max and Tom. I figured that Max would enjoy the real atmosphere of a non league game. To help with that, we stood on the East Bank. Apart from when the flares went off, there was atmosphere aplenty.
To give Max the full experience, a few fans even threw things onto the pitch, just to show how civilised they aren’t.
I thought the game was quite entertaining, with both teams working hard in attack. Though, to be completely honest, and to quote a less than happy fan, there was no midfield. Max agreed with this, saying there was a lot of balls being hoofed up the pitch.
Nicktor, unsurprisingly, was not happy with the referee. He and James picked us up and drove us to the game. Such a lovely fella. They stayed on the Slab, of course.
Naturally, Nicktor was mobbed by his hordes of fans as we walked to the Rec. The umbrella that he insisted on carrying (it was never going to rain) ensued comments about the Woking Football Club’s habit of stealing them.
Eventually, Aldershot lost 1-2 and around 4,500 fans left the ground, swathed in misery. One memorable comment from one was “They were the better team, but we didn’t deserve to lose.” Which made Max laugh.
The worst thing, to my mind, was the fact that I have gout. It started coming on a few days ago but today it really slowed me down. We walked to The Lost Boy for tea, coffee, hot chocolate and beer early on, at a snails pace. I was so bad that Mirinda and Sophie walked home and Mirinda drove the car back to pick Max and me up.
Actually, Nicktor told me that he was a bit confused because I’ve been writing about Max and not meaning the car. It didn’t even occur to me but now, obviously, I’m loving it.
So, all in all, gout and football result to one side, it was lovely day.
