I saw a great "football" game yesterday
It's the kind of football that they call football here in England. In other words, soccer. While the country will look to Giants-Dolphins later today as a curiosity that may or may not be worthwhile, the real passion here is soccer.
As luck would have it, I got to see a terrific performance yesterday, thanks to a former Newsday paper boy and his two buddies.
... so I'm getting coffee in the hotel lounge yesterday morning, and I see these three guys who are clearly from the U.S. The "New York Yankees" t-shirt on one of them gave it away, as did the New York accents. Obviously, they are here for Giants-Dolphins.
Anyway, I overhear them talking about going to the Chelsea-Manchester City soccer game later in the day. I had inquired with a British soccer writer the day before about how much it might cost to just show up at the game and buy a ticket from someone looking to sell. I was told it would probably cost around 250 pounds, or slightly more than $500.
Alllllrightsir. That's that. It would be a day of tooling around Trafalgar Square or Buckingham Palace or wherever else the "tube" dropped me off.
Being a soccer nut - I still play, even though I'm older than Neil Best - I asked the guys about the game. Turns out they are transplanted New York/New Jersey guys now living in Florida and Texas, and they'd gotten tickets through a friend in Fort Lauderdale. Then the guy in the Yankees shirt says, "You want to go? We've got an extra ticket."
I'm thinking back to the 500 pounds it might go for, and I sheepishly ask, "How much?"
"Face value. 60 pounds."
Double that to get the dollar figure, and $120 is pretty reasonable, about the cost of a Broadway show.
I'm like, "Uh ... sure."
Turns out a friend of theirs couldn't make the trip to London because he had emergency surgery a few days before the trip. He's doing fine, although the nature of the surgery was ... um ... in a delicate area, I guess is the best way I can describe it. His buddies were yukking it up about the surgery, especially after seeing this week's episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," in which Larry David also has some issues related to that "area." In honor of the show, the guys nicknamed their friend - I cannot write it here, although I'll just give you the initials "LB." If you've seen the episode, you'll know.
Anyway, a fine time was had by all. Chelsea's football stadium is an icon along the lines of Yankee Stadium, and the first time I laid eyes on the green pitch (that's the word they use for field over here), it reminded me of my first time seeing the field at Yankee Stadium as a 6-year-old.
What a performance by Chelsea, which hasn't lost a game at home since 2003. The final was 6-0, and a guy behind us remarked afterward, "I've been coming here for 35 years, and I've never seen a performance like that."
Cool. Very cool.
So thanks to Scott Kaye, the guy in the Yankees t-shirt who remains a Giants' season ticket-holder despite living in Fort Lauderdale; Steve Popkin, a Wantagh native who delivered Newsday as a kid; and David Marne, who is actually the Mayor of Shavano Park, Texas. I kid you not.
As for you, Scott Meyers, good luck on your recovery. I'm sorry you had to miss the trip, but your soccer ticket was not wasted. Your buddies missed you plenty, and will have something special for you when they return. You were not forgotten.
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Comments (11)
I think you mean "curb your enthusiasm" Bob.
You are absolutely right. Thanks. Got it corrected. Apologies to Kornheiser and Wilbon.
Bob, thanks for the kind words :) We enjoyed the time with you as well. I'll get you the URL of the video once we have it done, you will like it ;) Have a safe trip home! The guys
Thanks, Steve.
Send along the pix when you get a chance and we'll post them, too. Regards to your buddy back home.
BG
Bob,
You, Scott & Steve made my day! Wish I was there, but my "lb's" are getting better! My wife forwarded your blog for a good laugh to all our friends. Glad my ticket was put to good use!
"lb" Scott
Glad to hear you're doing better, Scott ... er ... "lb" ... you've got great friends, though, so I'm sure you'll be making a few trips down the road.
Cheers.
(PS: Tell those guys to send the pictures! I want to post them)
BG
Bob,
I need your email. I have some great pics but cant find your business card. Email me back with it so I can forward the pics. Hope you had a safe trip home. How was 15?
Bob.Glauber@newsday.com
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