The best footballing weekend of my life.

Great to hear this from a travelling Eastleigh supporter,-- Taken from their forum.---
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Post by cjj on 18 hours ago
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Just back now after the best footballing weekend of my life.

Stayed in Sheffield for 3 days, another city which never fails to amaze me, train over to Grimsby Town Sunday morning via a rail replacement service from Shorpe onwards (try selling that one to your girlfriend). Grimsby fans on train at Sheffield just shows you how big they are.

Arrived in Grimsby Town centre by 12 , into the Yarnbrough hotel spoons , friendly place , walked on through the pleasant centre and onto a corner pub called peebs(?) next to the Minster , as soon as we took an interest in the Rovers - FGR and obviously my southern accents at the bar we were getting asked and told how mad we were for coming up , 'fair play' and all that stuff.

Then got a call to say all coaches were getting police escort into ground, surprised me massively considering what I was witnessing in the town centre , pre match party mood etc, so had to shoot off quick via taxi to give brother his ticket , walked along the beach for a bit as the weather got better.

Into the ground via a most friendly of searches before entry, instantly saw the numbers we had taken , a lot of who I didn't recognise but glad they were here supporting be their team. Into the excellent away bar with its jolly bar lady and man , the 2 pints thing is an idea for our own place I thought.... Anyway all great pre match and chilled.

Into the ground shortly before kick off and wow what a place , real football history (anyone remember that league cup win over Spurs?) within this place and the crowd got right behind their team, and apart from a few numpties setting off bangers and giving it the bravado , it was pleasant enough.

Thought we did really well until their goal but without really being penetrative up top. Just wanted to give Willl a big hug when it all went wrong for the 2nd goal, good to see none of the team give him abuse.

Second half, just a party really , a realisation of what a bloody good season it's been on the pitch and I was so happy it turned out that way , we received a lot of respect from the people of Grimsby for that.

Walked the fair hike back from Cleethorpes to Grimsby Town in the blazing sun , sing songs echoing round the alleys and pubs and genuinely it was great to see kids in shirts with a smile on their faces , a place like Grimsby really does need a good football club to boost the people's hopes and dreams because without being stereotypical , I'm sure it can get a bit 'depressing' when the weathers not great up here etc.

Back in the Ice Barque spoons in another lovely area of the town next to a canal , a brilliant way to cap off the day ready for the train.

Best of luck to Grimsby for the final and thanks for treating us with respect.

Great to read that. Just shows you what we take for granted.

When I was looking at those photos posted last night I saw the one of the Osmond entrance and thought "the place just oozes history".

Just a little bit sad they stayed in Sheffield and not Cleethorpes!

Great read. Thanks for posting.

Sure it's true though? That nice Mr DeFrietas told me all football fans are thugs and they wreck parks and cementrys

Maybe they went to the snooker as well?

Nice to hear someone had such a fantastic away in GY and Cleethorpes though and, to be fair, their fans were brilliant, singing throughout, which no doubt contributed to the fantastic atmosphere.

Wonder if DeFrietas and his family and friends have got there Wembley tickets yet? Just a thought lol.

Quoted from Mrs Doyle

Wonder if DeFrietas and his family and friends have got there Wembley tickets yet? Just a thought lol.

Probably hoping for a freebie in Club Wembley seats.

Quoted from Mrs Doyle

Wonder if DeFrietas and his family and friends have got there Wembley tickets yet? Just a thought lol.

Maybe Barralad has bought him tickets as he hopes Mr D has lots of free time after Thursday

Can't be true as GY is a dog turd covered, cold and bleak sh1thole. Any self respecting away fan knows that.

Not one mention about the achitecture either.

I thought Eastleigh fans were great. An absolute credit to football as a whole. Not many fans would be singing like they were at 4 goals down on aggregate and after the game. What is the two pints thing he refers to?