Manchester United vs Liverpool 19/09/10

THE THEATRE OF DREAMS - OLD TRAFFORD

 Manchester United Kingdom

Manchester United v Liverpool 19/09/10 1330hrs

 

Arriving at Sir Matt Busby Way

Today was the day dad and I got to finally go to The Theatre of Dreams at Old Trafford and watch Manchester United. We left extra early to soak up the atmosphere which was wicked. As we approached down Sir Matt Busby Way there were lots of supporters dressed in the traditional Manchester United colour of red. For interest to those who dont know there is also a green and yellow scarf that is a Man Utd supporters protest scarf. An American family bought the Man Utd Club which has a billion dollar market but borrowed all the money to do so. So the green and yellow scarves while showing support also shows protest at the new owners of the club, the Glazer family from USA.



 

Walking toThe Theatre of Dreams along Sir Matt Busby Way

  There were lots of chants and you could feel the atmosphere building. To make sure things stayed under control there were lots of Police and security around. They were all easily seen in their fluro yellow jackets. There was also lots of police on horses - the horses had thick leather mats over their backs and their eyes were covered in a perspex shield. The weather was wet but only enough to be annoying.
 

 

Waiting at our entrance





 Once we met our contact that dad arranged through the NZ Manchester United supporters club we started the climb up stairs to the top area of the stadium. We were 5 rows down from the top right on half way in the North stand and about 9 stories high. We had a fantastic view of the field and match. 

View from our seats





Kick off



All the Liverpools fans were in  one area (as you look at the view from my seat they are in the far left corner) and had a lot of security guards and police around them so that there was no chance of fights starting in the grand stands.When the game was over they had to stay in their seats for 30 mins to make sure that the  Manchester United fans had left and there would be no fights.



After Liverpool scored their second goal there was a lot of noise to the right of me and about 6 or 8 seats away. It was a Liverpool Supporter who was winding up the Man Utd Crowd. He should not have been there and some Man Utd supporters around him started to move towards attack him about the same time as security arrived and took him away.  What an idiot he was. 

  

From the stand we had a great veiw especially when Berbatov (No 9 jersey) scored with his bicycle movement and then the crowd went wild screaming with happy joy and singing and chanting. When Liverpool scored both there 2 goals the crowd went silent and the small area where the Liverpool fans were started singing and when that was over the Man Utd supporters starting saying the referre is a scouser and booing at Steven Gerrard. A scouser is someone who comes from Liverpool and is identifiable by their accent. In football language these people are scum as there is a lot of hatred between Man Utd and Liverpool.

 

The final score was a 3 - 2 win by my favourite team Manchester United!

We got a cab back to the hotel that dad hailed down - a company called 'Street Cars'. The driver looked like a gangster the way he was dressed. He was dark and wore black leathers. It cost Dad $25 (pound) which is about double what we paid the previous day but what an exciting ride. I hope mum doesnt read this (but I know she will) but we drove down streets on the wrong side of the road to get ahead of the long line of traffic also leaving the area. We went through red lights to save time and in and out of back alleys - the type you thought shit where are we going!

Back at the hotel both Dad and I were a bit tired, maybe it was excitement from the game but in reality probably jetlag. We both fell asleep about 5pm on our beds and woke up hungry at 1am. Just as well the hotel had room service - Pizza style.

On Monday we travel by train back to my Uncle Bens house in Luton. We get a train from Picadilly that travels over 200km hour and in 1st class carriage. I am looking forward to that. 

Old Trafford 18/09/10

Outside the stadium entrance

Saturday afternoon was my first visit to Old Trafford. I feel very lucky going there as some people dream to go there but never do. I only got to experience outside the stadium and the manchester united mega shop. Tomorrow I get to experience the atmosphere inside with 70,000 other people.

    

This monument is the Trinity Statue of Best, Law and Charlton and is opposite the main entrance. These men are famous within the history of the Man Utd FC.

Outside the private tour entrance - not done yet

Inside the mega store against the wall

Arriving in Manchester - 18/09/10

We arrived safely and travelled by cab to our hotel in Picadilly. The hotel is centrally located to lots of shops and open spaces. Dad and I went for a walk to the local mall as we wanted to find a computer shop to look at my computer as I could not get on the internet. Problem solved with some advice from the local Apple store - man this store is big and has all the latest Apple products. I was in heaven as all the computers and stuff are available for the public to use.

 The guy in the shop said the biggest Apple store in the world is in London so I hope to go visit it next week.

We also found the local Police in Manchester have Neighbourhood policing Teams. This picture shows there station. Dad says it looks like a shipping container with a better decor. I wonder if Judith Collins knows about these? Dad also says that Counties Manukau Police have started with these teams also. Dad went in to say hello and find out where to have lunch - we ate mexican buritos which were very nice. But the cop was embarrassed as he had just taken a mouth full of his own lunch as we entered.



Our local area is shown here and is a 1 minute walk from the hotel

18/09/10- Traveling to Manchester

We got up at 5am this morning because the bus to the new british airways terminal was picking us up at 5 30am (Terminal 5). When the bus did arrive it was full and when we asked the driver what time the next bus would come she said she would call it now, we asked her again how long the bus will be she just drove off. We ordered a taxi which worked out better because it was a brand new mercedes car.

On arrival at the airport we started our check in. The check in is way different to NZ where u can arrive 30 mins before your flight. You  need to be a heathrow at least2 hours before hand. The security process includes taking our picture then going through a screening process similar to international flying possessions are put through the x-ray machine and we walked through and the metal detector booth every passenger is subject to a proper clothing pat down searching for concealed items. 

Dad took a picture for me near the security arrear before moving to go have breakfast at the giraffe cafe. A security person approached dad and wanted to look at the picture he took to make sure it did not include detail that could by terrorists, as you can see we still got to keep the photo.

Despite this being a domestic flight we still had to show our passports. Remember I said we had our picture taken well this is used at the boarding gate to verify who we are when we show our passport prior to boarding.

The actual flight time is 30 mins to Manchester although it took us 20 mins to taxi out because of he size of the airport and queuing for air space to take off. The actual time from taxing or landing is 55 minutes. 

On the flight we got a meal which is strange because as I said actual flying time is 30 mins. The 6 flight staff worked really fast to do the food which included a nice filled roll followed by drinks. The finished collecting all the rubbish with a few minutes to spare before we landed. This was not a small plane - probably one the same size as we would travel to Wellington on from Auckland except our one was  full.

Good Bye New Zealand- Updated 19/09/10

Finally I am off to Europe to see Manchester United. My first stop is at London. I arrive at 11am there time on Friday and stay the night in a hotel before catching another flight Manchester where I will watch Manchester United kick Liverpools butt. This photo is of dad and I about to check in

When we boarded the plane our seat was upstairs in the jumbo jet.  We sat in the front row of premium economy which gave dad and I plenty of leg room. I also got opportunity to change seats before we got off the plane at LA.


The flight to Las Angeles was 11 1/2 hours long. We both slept on and off. When we got to LA we were herded like cattle into a transit lounge but not before meeting some rude border staff who actually treated passengers like a processing line. Dad has his fingerprints and photo taken while I did not. A female border worker (same as our immigration) except they wear guns kept yelling "4 fingers" at a woman in front of us meaning place your 4 fingers on the scanner to take the fingerprints. The woman was tired, had a baby in her arms and was confused. I think a little politeness would have helped.

While waiting in the transit lounge in  LA ( Which we had no choice to do ) we saw this sign. Potentially scary stuff

Not long to go

It is only 3 days to go before I leave NZ and fly to London with my Dad. We are away for 6 weeks. There are some exciting things that we have planned and these will be posted as they happen.
Watch this space - :)