14.00 - The train is right on time and I have reached the station. I alternate between going by a bus or by Metrolink tram, to Old Trafford. I choose the latter.
14.15 - I get a ticket for 2 pounds and am told I can use the same for the return travel too.
14.20 - I am inside the tram and I find a number of people wearing ManUtd jerseys. I curse myself for forgetting to bring it.
14.25 - Aware of the fact that I still have not got a ticket, I ask the blokes who are seated right before if I could get a ticket this late. I am told there are many people trying to sell the tickets for higher amount. I keep my fingers crossed.
14.35 - I get down at the Old Trafford station and follow the hordes of fans to the stadium.
14.40 - I pass by the Old Trafford cricket stadium and can see that a few people are watching a county match.
14.45 - On the way, I come across a number of small roadside shopes selling ManUtd memorabilia. I buy myself a ManUtd scarf for 5 pounds.
14.50 - I could see the stadium ahead, a few hundred yards from me. More than 2 hours before kickoff, the area is already crowded.
14.55 - I encountered a guy selling tickets, who was selling a 35 pound ticket for 60 pounds. A seat in the Eastern stands. I decided to buy it.
15.00 - I passed by a father-son duo who were wearing ManU jerseys. I asked them what would be the best time to enter the stadium. I am told they do not enter more than an hour before kickoff.
15.02 - I take a few snaps in front of the stadium and decide to check out the ManUtd store.
15.05 - The ManUtd store was great. I take a few snaps there too, and after checking out the stuff and the high prices, I decide to goto the ManUtd museum.
15.15 - I go inside ManUtd museum after paying 6 pounds. I am there for over half an hour, checking out their great history, the titles they won, reading more about the 1958 Munich Air Tragedy. I also watch a small video detailing how the stadium and locker-rooms and other things are prepared before any match. The museum visit has made me even prouder to be a ManUtd fan.
16.00 - I decide to go inside the stadium, and as I climb up the stairs to enter the corridor of the East Stand, I am beginning to get really excited.
16.10 - I enter the East Stand, and begin to take snaps. The seats are still empty around the stadium. The words 'STRETFORD END' and 'MANCHESTER UNITED' were etched onto the seats of the West Stand and North Stand respectively.
16.30 - Players from both teams have started to warm up on the pitch.
17.00 - The seats are beginning to fill up very fast.
17.15 - Fergie and Giggs are presented the 'Manager of the Month' and 'Player of the Month' awards. Match kicks off. Tottenham seem to play well in the opening few minutes. Both sets of supporters are singing. Tottenham supporters surprisingly seem louder.
17.24 - Giggs scores with a header after Robinson fumbles a Ronaldo freekick.
17.30 - I chant along with other ManUtd supporters - "UNITED! UNITED!"
18.00 - We are nearing half-time and I have heard various ManUtd chants. I cannot get the lyrics though.
18.30 - ManUtd are much better after the break and the atmosphere is just electric. A guy behind me is really enthued and has been singing vociferously.
19.00 - An announcement is made that a new Premiership attendance record has been set. I am one among the 75434 people who watched the game at the Theatre of Dreams.
19.15 - After an entertaining match, supported by fierce singing from both sets of supporters, the match ends in a ManUtd win.
19.20 - I am on my way back to the station and I try to make my way through thousands of fans and a number of security guards.
19.35 - I leave Old Trafford and on the way back to Manchester Piccadilly, I reflect back on my experience. Visiting the Theatre of Dreams was a dream and I finally fulfill it! Thank you ManUtd! United Forever!
6 Comments:
Very nice!
I look forward to more updates!
Wow!
That's a dream for me too! I'm gonna work hard enough to achieve it! ;)
Well, Britain's equivalent of Camp Nou is definitely an atmosphere to cherish. But watching United beating Arsenal(sad but true) would have made a more satisfactory experience. I'm sure the tickets would have been covered under your ceiling of 100 pounds.
Ah! It must have felt so bloody good man. hope to do it one day. And yep Camp Nou too !
@Soccerguy
hope u too succeed :)
@Marauder
true, watching ManU beat Arsenal in the stadium would be a moment to cherish...!
@Z
Yeah...it was one of the best experiences in my life - visiting the museum and watching ManU play live in the stadium.
And yes! Next Stop: Camp Nou!
@Lucas
How i wish u had been to the Arsenal game. Keep dreaming for another year. :)
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