Escape to Essex!

[Andy_S]

Got back home at 0:20. Took an hour to get out of that grim awful hell hole that is Tottenham and then 30 mins from the A406.

We parked in the school right next door to the Ground, that isn't actually advertised, which meant that all in all there were about 30-40 cars in there, practically all of which had left before any of the Shrimpers fans that used it got back there! Seeing the only route out of there when we got there we thought it was going to be another Bournemouth, how surprised we were, although the High Road made up for that time wise. Some lovely flats around there aren't there. Not!

Did anyone else also think it was pretty farcical that for that entire stand there was only one entrance for Lower and one for Upper. Madness.

 

[al4shrimpers]

12.30 at Rayleigh Weir.

Slow to exit stadium from 2 rows from the back of South Lower.

Trains from Northumberland Park being cancelled / delayed both ways (we were heading north to Cheshunt) and waiting 20 mins in freezing cold watching 2 trains run past empty until for the 4 (!!) coaches which finally arrived at 1120, full and late. One door wasn't opening either. Just managed to squeeze in. Not good at all, very poor from One and potential for trouble (not football related) in contrast to the security at and around the ground itself.

Sad to see all ages out in the cold on both dark, packed platforms with no announcements or any offcials at all. Hardly an advert for public transport. It was like we were left to it once we entered the station. Mercifully short journey featured archetypal drunk sweary bloke in suit on way home from London.

Once on the road found slip road on to M25 shut (it was open when we drove in) and wasted time travelling to Potters Bar junction and back again.

Passed many coaches approaching Rayleigh and 2345 from Liv St had just pulled in the station so would say 1230 at Rayleigh was about the norm unless you left WHL sharpish

Just couldn't do that every home game if I was a Spurs fan

 

[Jai]

Quote[/b] (al4shrimpers @ Dec. 21 2006,20:41)]Just couldn't do that every home game if I was a Spurs fan

Well if you are a Spurs (or any London prem) fan living around here, I suppose you reap what you sow...

 

[SIT DAN]

Gave up after 20 minutes at WHL (quality Police advice), a 20 minute hike to Seven Sisters, tubes to Kings Cross and Liverpool Street, caught the 00:50 "Vomit Comet" to Rayleigh. 40 minute wait for a cab - home at Eastwood by 02:40. Up again at 06:00.

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

home to suffolk 00:20, not bad considering not on 406 until 11:10.

someone earlier mentioned barnsley. got back from that 01.20.

there do seem to be a fair few festive blue flashing lights on cars at the mo

cant catch me though

 

[KrustyTheKray]

Just been reading all these posts, and it must have been a nightmare getting away from WHL last night in such cold conditions.

I had tickets for the game last night but had to miss it as i picked up this sickness bug that is going around. I sold my tickets to a friend.

I was trully gutted to miss the game, and had to make do with the commentary on BBC Essex. We sure held our own didn't we!

That goal too was definitely off-side.

Let's just hope we can transfer this passion to the league. Three points on saturday would be superb.

Sorry to hear about all your bad experiences about leaving WHL, i only wish i was writing a similar post and not one about missing the game.

The highlights on TV were good, and even Martin Jol agreed it was offside!

UP THE BLUES!

 

[Blue Shrimp]

Having looked at all the different ways of getting to Spurs, I decided after advice etc. to go by Liverpool Street then by tube on the Circle Line to King's Cross, then Victoria Line to Seven Sisters Tube Station.

I was surprised that it seemed such a long walk to the ground. However, enjoyed a great game.

Walking back seemed again well over 20 minutes and had to stand on both tube lines back to Liverpool Street. Just got on the 1145 train back to Rayleigh. Had to push in as there where so many already crammed in. Little children, drunks, all ages, many S.U.F.C. supporters like sardines.

It go hotter and hotter. Had the great round stomach of a tall bloke pushing in my back and was forced against the door, which I hoped would not burst open as the train rattled along.

After Stratford Station, more somehow managed to get in. The kids did not like it at all. On what seemed the long, long journey to Brentwood, I began to feel sick and far hotter, there was no hope I could get my jacket off. Only by rubbing my forehead on the cold glass of the door was I able to cool down a bit and prevent myself throwing up over those near me!

Got to Brentwood, but nobody got out near us. On to Billericay where many left the train and things got better.

After Rayleigh, got home at 1245 am. thinking that we football supporters must be mad. But I was happy and now more confident that we can stay in the Championship.

Well done all the team, you made the journey well worth while.  

 

[OiRef]

Some background to this one … Dave lives in Stuttgart, Germany but travels over regularly to attend Blues games home and away. A supporter of 20+ years + here is his account of his journey home. Bear in mind that he had to get up at 4:00 on Wednesday morning to fly over from Germany ….

I had a horror journey back. Back to Southend just after 12 I had around 3 hours sleep, before heading for Stansted at 6-ish for an 8 a.m. flight. Fog wasn't the problem here but the number of people (school holidays had just begun I believe) and failing conveyor belts at the check-in counters. So rather than the usual small queue at that time in the morning I had to stand there for almost an hour and then by the time I was through security it was time to board so no time for my relaxed cup of coffee and reading of the morning papers.

After taking off and hearing a deafening noise from the engines the pilot told us a flock of wild geese had decided to 'end it all' by flying into one of our engines so back we went to Stansted, presumably landing with one engine only, and had to wait on the plane an age until the ground staff were ready for us. That's when all the real fund started and they told us there would be no replacement plane but we would have to try and get booked onto other flights which were already pretty full (our plane was very full anyway). It ended up with it being a first-come first-serve (except for 2 people being prioritised - a handicapped person and a young girl travelling on her own) meaning they took us to the baggage hall and then you had to get to the counter asap. Luckily I had only hand luggage so ended up totally out of breath and with a really dry mouth as first person at the counter. They had (apparently!) 16 places for flights with Air Berlin to Duesseldorf and then Lufthansa to Stuttgart. At the Air Berlin counter they knew nothing about this and it ended up with total confusion. Anyway to cut a very long story a little shorter, I got on with 10 other people but again no time to eat or drink (even though they gave us 5 pound refreshment vouchers - no time to spend it as we rushed to the plane!). Took off about 12:30 and at Duesseldorf the expected happened - no-one knew anything about it despite us being told in Stansted that someone would meet us there! The young girl (an unaccompanied minor) who had asked to tag along had been promised a person to meet her but this didn't materialise either. After talking to 3 more lots of people we all got booked on the next flight but again no time for food or drink.

Ended up in Stuttgart at 6-ish having had no food since the pie and chips at yours 3 p.m. the previous day (excluding the sweet in the car to Spurs, a sweet getting on one of the planes and half a cheese sandwich which they served up) and not much to drink either. At home I quickly finished off Christine's lasagne from the previous day, had a pizza and drowned numerous cups of tea and glasses of water...........what a day!

There was one plus point. Christine had taped the ITV1 highlights for me and there at the beginning of the game they showed two shots of the crowd and in the second you could make a certain Mr R and Mr B...........well at least our upper bodies and hands clapping behind the kid in the jester's hat (possibly saw Steve's left arm too ;-) ). And of course everyone was admitting that the goal looked offside except that prat Robbie Earle! But as you also said I'm not a believer in penalties either but a replay would have been nice. Here's to a good performance and more importantly 3 points on Saturday!

 

[southendstrett]

Is this Dave the same one who was in the Echo the other year, when they put a picture of him on the front page in a Bavarian hunters hat.
I thought it was an April fools.

 

[Napster]

4 hours from Hildenborough to WHL, consisting of a 2 and a half hour trip along the M25, which should have taken 20 minutes, meeting my old man at Orsett ****, getting stuck in more traffic, and then us four, 3 of us struggling to walk, up into the Gods, just to make kick off.

Then, the taxi driver not knowing where he was parked, we had more fun trying to find him, then got stuck in more traffic, dropped off someone at Shenfield station and back in Southend at ten past 2.

still the game more than made up for it

 

[tommytwoholes]

Went with grim up north and a few others. Basically as soon as spurs scored i tried ringing his phone( he was sitting elsewhere) and got no reply. So basically having got down the stairs ready for a quick getaway i then had to wait for grim and the others to escape. Got down to WHL station and just could not beleive the ques down there. Asked a copper who basically said you are looking at an hours wait to get on the train, so we walked (probably the wrong way) down to silver street where we just missed the train and had to wait for 25 mins for the 12.30. We got a seat before arriving at WHL were it was a joke watching all of these people trying to get on the train. 10 Stops later and with the Fenchurch st line tucked up for the night i decided to go to Southend vic. I had about 5 mins so i went to Maccy d's and then tried to get on a massively rammed train. Squeezed on and worked my way down when a couple moved up left me a space. I mullered my food went a sleep and work up at southend train empty. Outside more fun and games queing for a taxi. So i just walked over to the odeon and got a cab to westcliff at 1.40am . Not so bad though as i had a day off next day. As has already been mentioned " WHL never again"

2holes

 

[southendpier]

After the game and having what can only be described as a **** on a biblical scale.  Went straight to Northumberland Park.  20 min wait for first train at 11:14 ish  On that to Liverpool Street, then on the 11.45 to Southend Vic.  Fairly smooth.

Been to WHL before by car and train from WHL Station both of these were an absolute joke.  

The Northumberland Park route is by FAR the best way I've managed to do it.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Had the luxury of an exec box on Wednesday night, right behind the goal that Defoe "scored" in, so at the opposite end to the impressive bank of Southend fans.

Our host (a mad keen Col Ewe fan!) advised us to hang about at the end as WHL station would be packed. When we finally got to the end of the queue, we waited for ages, inching forward as the first couple of trains came and went. Eventually, on the home staight we were told by the police that the trains were going to be more infrequent from then on and there was no guarantee that there would be enough space on them for those remaining in the queue. By then it was 11:15 so we decided to hike down to Seven Sisters which is a good 25-minute walk from WHL station. Got straight on a tube to Kings X and then straight on one to Liv St which enabled us to catch the 0:18 train back to Chelmsford. After scraping the car windows and dropping my mate home I made it indoors at 1:30.

Great night and a great performance and one which I was able to treat my mate Richard (aka Zambian Shrimper) to - his first game since the League 2 play-off final as he has been managing a hospital in Zambia for The Salvation Army since the day after that game (5 more donations of £10 required to hit the fundraising target for a new ambulance - hint hint!!!)

He'll be at the Birmingham game tomorrow in the South Upper (Row D, 130ish - tall bloke, Scottish accent) so come and say "hi" - especially if you donated. (Thanks to the Shrimpers Trust for their generous donation to the cause)