Every cloud...

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Like everyone else on here, I am nothing short of devastated with Saturdays result. Living down South and being in the Forces means I'm not a season ticket holder, but I managed to move heaven and earth to get me and my Dad tickets for the game. We sat in different sections but were just happy to get in.

I don't want to go over the game, what went wrong, God knows I've done it a thousand times in my head and watched the fucking thing three times in the hope Sylvain doesn't do that pass (he does). I just want to mention the day and the atmosphere.

I didn't have far to travel, around 30 miles from here to Wembley but still got to the ground early to soak up the atmosphere. The walk from the High Street up to the ground, we were surrounded by blues, all singing, having a bevvy, having a laugh. We didn't go the boozer we just sat on a grass verge by the railway station and had a few cans. Even the coppers joined in with the banter and had a good laugh with us all.

I then had to go and collect my ticket from round at entrance G, this I found to my dismay, was in the red end. I wandered up joining in the singing, taking a few pictures and eventually found my way round. I had to wait about an hour for the lad to turn up with my ticket but in this time I ended up bumping into loads of old mates from back home, most of them red. There was not one hint of trouble, everyone was gettting on sound. At one point a red offered me a face value ticket as he thought I was looking for one.

Once my ticket arrived I headed in, missing the kick off due to some Wembley cock up at gate P. Once inside, took my seat not long before Jelly netted. Amazing.

Half time came and I went down for a pint, whilst there, the place just erupted to 'If Yer Know!'. The ale was flowing and I'm not ashamed to say I welled up a bit. Following Everton, for me, does not get better than those fifteen minutes at half time. The rest is history.

However, even when we lost the two goals, despite the manner of them. I never felt like the red fans were taking the piss out of us the way we would have if the tables were turned. Afterwards, waiting for my Dad, Blue and Red were still mixing together and having a drink. There was no goading. Everyone was getting on. I have not seen it like this since I was a kid.

Whilst all this was happening and I was sat down (whingeing again), a family of reds walked past, a Dad and three kids. Some bloke sat beside me just let rip with a 'MURDERERS!'. Scaring the shit out of the poor kids. This was the ONE AND ONLY time I witnessed any of this shit.

I'd like to think that the performance of both sets of fans on Saturday has gone a long way to restoring a bit of harmony between the clubs. Of course they will always be our main rivals but the venom that has crept in over the years should be put to bed.

"The baby's not yours", "murderer"s, this shit just embarrasses our club. Its time to knock this on the head and I urge everyone, next time someone starts this up, don't join in.

As a city which is generally looked down on by the people of the South, the events of Saturday and then Sunday evening, proved we are the ones who know how to behave.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
Franny Porter, High Wycombe     Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:19:57

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