Right, have I got everything? Let’s
see... £500 cheque, engraved plaque, presentation party... PRESENTATION PARTY!
Have you ever had the feeling it was going to be one of those days? When
Joan, Barbara and Katherine failed to turn up at Euston I wasn’t unduly perturbed.
Travel guru Paul didn’t look worried at all, so they must be getting on at Watford, I
mused. When they didn’t get on at Watford I was admittedly a little uncomfortable,
but hey, Paul’s looking cool, he knows the score. When news broke that they’d
missed the train altogether the sudden realisation hit me like a smack in the mouth from a
wet, clammy dolphin friendly tuna. Oh no, it’s the Cluggo and Bertie Bee show.
Frantic phone calls established that the presentation party’s arrival
at the Sparrow Hawk would be, in West Coast parlance, retimed. Thank goodness. Except...
now, you know those bad to worse scenarios? The ones where crucial decisions are made
which actually make a tricky situation into a complete pantomime? Enter
‘Buttons’, in the guise of Keith Scott. Now ‘Cinderella’ had as much
chance of getting to the ball as one of Cozzo’s tackles.
"Why don’t you get off this train which is going via Preston and
would set your schedule back a few minutes and get on the next Manchester one, an hour
later?" Nice one Keith. I mean, when has anybody ever listened to Scotty?
Despite this, at twenty past two I was accosted by half a twin and we
rushed to Turf Moor for a meeting with Bob Oates. OK, everything , apart from the result,
turned out right in the end. The presentation was a low key affair, but in keeping with
the spirit of the donation. For those not aware, the money has been used for TV and video
equipment for the ‘Learning Through Football’ classroom at the club, a cause to
which I would recommend further donations in the future.
I must mention that despite a reluctance to increase the donation to cover
a plaque and engraving, I was fortunate to obtain ‘sponsorship’ to recoup my
outlay. I therefore extend my thanks to London Clarets member Chris Chadford for putting
up the dosh, nearly £50. Seems Chris shares my views on targeting the Community Scheme
for similar donations. I hope I haven’t embarrassed Chris, he being the shy retiring
type. Still, at least I didn’t mention the waterbed incident on the Bruges footy
tour... oops.
Thanks to the presentation party. I hope they enjoyed the day. Thanks to
Bob Oates for the hospitality and the free tickets. I was disappointed that we didn’t
get an official ‘thank you’ note from Bob. Apparently he’s left the club
now, but I agree with our Treasurer (savour the moment), we should have had one.
Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. It probably got lost in the post, along with
Frank’s receipt for the sponsored game last year.
