Game of Two Halves

The Day started that way and was remembered in the same vein.  My Students, and no doubt other traditionalists, ribbed me that it was at this England versus Turkey match, that I eventually succumbed to a ‘half and half’ scarf.  I make no apologies, it just seemed right to buy for my Son – with his 50:50 heritage from these two great countries.

I use this same analogy to reflect on the ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’, the two halves from this Weekend’s excursion.

Firstly, the Good. How good is it to not have to make that blasted long trip to the ‘Smoke’ just to watch my team, domestic or National?  I know this in particular from an infectious stream of losses by County although the last trip resulted in Play Off Promotion.  I really applaud the England idea of traveling the Country to give all supporters a fair chance. Long may it continue!

Personally, despite one hiccup at the  X-Gate, I found the stewarding to be superb and a credit to Mancunians once again.  This comment spreads the whole route from the Metro in the City’s Centre to Manchester City FC’s seats.  The atmosphere was great, both sets of supporters a credit, caught up with old friends (Brits and Turks!) and we won.  England that is!

The Bad, daft drunken fans who I confronted because of continuous swearing in front of children. Also, others making inappropriate comments about Turks, who again I put in place as I’m proudly married into that Country. And for my first time being an opinionated pundit, the last bad was Raheem Sterling.  Is that loss of confidence or just a waste of time being included in the Squad?

I returned home also to learn of abuse from a Twitter profile saying he witnessed an ISIS flag in the Turkish end.  Another mistaken identity and the Twitterosphere shot that same person ‘down in flames’!

Really looking forward to the next trip to watch ENG-ER-LAND with the Lad.  Euro 2016 here we come!