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Bank Holiday weekend saw us pop up to Scotland, with Mumsy in tow. After spending some time drinking and eating in Glasgow, it was off to the Beer Café to meet up with the rest of the FTP and Preston. We were joined by a new FTP recruit, Sanna, who had popped down after Dom's call to arms email during the week. We discovered a new beer while there - Innis & Gunn - which went down very easily in the absence of Liberty Ale (they were out of stock). |
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The gang relax with a few beers. That makes a change! |
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Louise tries her first Kolsch beer. |
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We started game day by posing for the annual TDC photo. We managed to miss all the photos last year so this was an improvement. |
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Would the 0-4 Claymores end up with the 'perfect' loosing season, like our old WLAF friends, the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks? |
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We popped into the Gold Lounge for our beers and programmes and then exited to walk all the way round (don’t ask) and watch Jamelia. Just as we were leaving, Ian was accosted by Lardy Boy John and told he’d been called up for duty. So instead of watching Jamelia, he wandered off to be painted up. Lou and Mumsy decided this was not something they wanted to witness, and instead chose to watch Jamelia’s excellent set. |
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Despite the poor record, Coach Bicknell braved the lounge to give his Chalk Talk. Such a classy guy. |
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Before the game, Mumsy and Lou managed to catch up with honorary Lardy Boy Ian, who was ‘M’ for the game, which handily stands for Mathias and Monarchs. If you’re not familiar with the Lardy Boys, visit their website at lardyboys.co.uk. The theme for the week was The Blues Brothers, so Ian was issued with a trilby, dark glasses and an inflatable instrument. The various instruments were generally used to hit Ian, who insisted on cheering for Rhein. |
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C: Your a Claymores fan L: Lardy, lardy man A: You are Absent of clothes Y: You're a Youthful guy M: Monarchs 'til you die... Hang on, that's not right... |
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By Week 5, Hybl had had plenty of time to prove himself, and the crowd was split over the whole QB debate. The FTP were behind fan draft top pick Curt Anes. We all held up our “We want Curt” signs and chanted throughout the game, much to the annoyance of some of our neighbours. But there were a fair few Curt supporters, including Mark & Jayne who were in the opposite stand with a megaphone. Needless to say, they were taking even more stick from those around them. There really is safety in numbers. Luckily, we were all vindicated when Curt banged one in to Ron Ballamy! The crowd erupted and the Claymores were finally able to post a win. Click here for the game report. |
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There was much rejoicing in the lounge after the game, and the FTP posed with Curt, with signs being waved all over. |
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A win like that deserves a celebration, so after a quick stop in the Clockwork, it was off to O’Neill’s to see Karl Byrne. Karl hasn’t been playing Flower of Scotland this year at the Claymores games, but he did a great job in the pub. As Karl started to play Wild Rover, Lou swiftly changed the chorus; |
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And there’s no Nate Hybl No Nate Hybl, no more And there’ll be no Nate Hybl No Hybl, no more |
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Soon the new lyrics spread around the bar (thanks to Bron), and by the last chorus, even Karl was singing them too. A few Claymores popped into the bar, as did Sean O’Connor from Rhein Fire, who we’d all met in Week 2. Afterward, we headed to Blanket for more drinks and a boogie. As is often the case, The Beerleaders were the last ones standing. Well, apart from Sean. |
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This week we’re raising beers to The Lardy Boys. Ian had a great time as a Lardy. Thanks boys! |
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