Tim of the Oak
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 29 Dec 2012
- Messages
- 18,744
Spot on mate although it sounds like your mate did a lot more than me.I got a lift to the swamp once on the Baguley & Brooklands bus, so had to meet at Wythenshawe Town clubhouse. Got to see first hand the absolute mountain of shit the chairman had to go through on matchday, running a big branch. A thankless task where he got very little appreciation and plenty of shit. Matchday ticket distribution was started hours before the game. Handling a large amount of cash, yes cash, was obviously stressful. Banking, accounting, book-keeping is like running a small business. I've seen him take verbal abuse at aways from past and present members. Stress from coach operators when the bus was not cleaned out properly. Meeting people prematch in towns and cities across England to handover away tickets. He gave it up at the end of last season as it was affecting his health, his home life and his friendships.
The final slap in the face was in Istanbul when he had some branch funds in cash in his wallet, only for it to be stolen on the Friday before the match.
The irony is, after years of looking after other people, he doesn't do aways now simply because the joy has been sucked out of the experience.
I came close the final straw on Saturday despite having a great time watching us thrash Wolves. I traveled over by train because I wanted a break from the Supporters Club after putting on many hours in the FA Cup Final tickets. I got a call at about half 2 saying an 80 year old Blue hadn’t been At the coach stop in time so they had left behind him. The peole on the bus didn’t want the coach to be delayed by traffic coming out of Elland Road onto the M62.
None of us like delays and there was talk of aggression from Ledds fans but I was livid that an 80 year old Bkue had been left behind. Good job it isn’t the 70s or 80s going kart Elland Road lol