The NSNO Everton Forums

Obviously not living local and never having had a season ticket, I do 5-8 games a season probably depending on ticket availability etc so that leaves a lot of spare weekends and I do follow quite a bit of non league football. This year has seen me take the little un to Sporting Khalsa quite a few times (printed programmes and half time fresh Samosas have won my heart).

Last week, after the 2-2 draw with Coventry Sphinx, I was asked if I ever did aways and said I had probably done about ten homes so hadn't really thought of it.

"Come on the coach" was the suggestion for today's 5pm kick off at Loughborough.

Long story short, having not fully understood the offer, we have just left the ground on the coach with the players and staff with the club having steadfastly refused my attempt to pay anything as "the coach was going anyway wasn't it?"

Every single player has fist bumped my daughter on the way to the back of the coach.

Really quite an unusual but very pleasant experience. Hopefully a return journey having picked up a point or three.

That's fantastic.

I absolutely love watching football at all levels to be honest. Don't get me wrong, nothing beats Goodison, but I'm perfectly happy watching Exeter City regularly, Tiverton Town at regional level or watching my mates' sons play youth football (went this morning with my mate to watch his son play). I love the sport and everything that goes with it, especially the people and the social side.

So, the journey involved the last 20mins squeezing a coach round a university campus having sat nav'd in through the wrong entrance, then a goalless first half that Khalsa shaded before going down to ten men bang on half time. A heroic second half performance ensued including an 89th min reflex save to prevent a heart breaking own goal and then injury time being interrupted by the sprinklers coming on too early by accident.

A point gained at the end of the day and players giving Rosa another fist bump post match as she sat on my shoulders to clap them off. Crossing my fingers she falls asleep on the journey home although the bag of Haribo one of the staff has just very very generously donated her for her vociferous support has given me some doubts!

*"I like away matches Dad, the Blue is like Everton" (away shirt is royal blue)