My Top 10 Worldwide Weekend Groundhopping Destinations

My Top 10 Weekend Groundhopping Destinations 

Getting the most from spare time off work or enjoying a casual break for those of us lucky enough to be retired is always an attractive proposition. Those of us who love our groundhopping understand just how valuable time is, especially when it comes to fitting in multiple matches.

Therefore, finding cities that offer such options with lots of clubs of all standards is much desired. Ideally, with sightseeing, good food and drink, accessibility, and nightlife, with affordable travel and hotels rounding off a general tick list. 

Much of which cities or regions are preferred is down to personal choice and what standard of football those travelling are prepared to drop down to. Some prefer a couple of big games, while others enjoy doubles or trebles, ideally at new venues.

Here, in no particular order, are my favourite 10 destinations for my long weekends away when I lived and worked in London before moving to Thailand, with some kind of rationale behind the selections. Please feel free to comment or ask any questions. 

As a teaser, I’ve added links to the blog page to the club of my favourite outing in each city, which will give you some indication as to my eclectic tastes as well as other links to somewhere I consider worth visiting while in the city or a related video from my YouTube Channel, often with football influences.

Incidentally, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel, free of charge, where there are heaps of football videos, along with travel adventures around Thailand, which covers football in many titles, as well as exploring other destinations.

1.     Dusseldorf

Probably my most regular go-to destination. Regular value flights to both Dusseldorf and Cologne/Bonn offering excellent value. While Cologne is seen by many to be a more attractive city, Dusseldorf’s Aldstadt beats it hands down in terms of a night out after games, in my book.

Like the Northwest of England, there are so many clubs to watch at all levels within an hour or so, with train fares usually included in match tickets. Lots of games kick off at different times, so doubles and trebles are sometimes possible on a weekend, with choices too on a Friday night.

It's somewhere that will always be special to me as Fortuna v Bayern Munich was my first ever overseas match, and I have enjoyed so many great times in the area, including adjoining cities with the German Football Museum in Dortmund, a recently added attraction. A great atmosphere was enjoyed at several stadiums.

2.     Bangkok

Bangkok. On a weekend? Well, yeah, I know what you’re saying, but it’s not as impossible as it sounds, though it is probably best to stretch a visit to 10 days if travelling so far to get two weekends in. 

The Thai League has three pro divisions, with Thai League 3 regional including some local derbies. There are also a couple of amateur leagues for local football which have surprisingly well-appointed venues, while the semi-pro league from March to May each year for election into T3. As for the food and nightlife! And quality hotels are inexpensive.

Always something to watch throughout the year in a wonderful city, with my favourite side being very close to the tourist areas, where fans are earthy and have fun home or away, and the fan zone outside the stadium is what I think to be Bangkok's best beer garden.

3.     Bilbao

A city which often goes under the radar in groundhopping circles. There is often a Friday evening opportunity with Santander and San Sabastian not too far away. The valley reminds me of Newcastle, with a big river and lots of lower-league clubs on either side of it. 

Under-age games start early on Saturday and Sunday mornings, along with a sprinkling of lower league fixtures. Ideal opportunities for those groundhopping addicts where food and drink are usually available at the venues, an ideal way to shake off the excesses of the previous evening in a city famous for its snacks and drink around great fans. An ideal location for a couples weekend too.

 

4.     Glasgow

Many prefer Edinburgh to Glasgow, but to me, the western Scottish city has more heart and soul for a night out when a great atmosphere can be enjoyed. It’s easy to get to the capital in an hour where there are generally more Friday night opportunities, with Glasgow’s hotels making a significant savings.

 

You need to get lucky for doubles, but with more clubs becoming savvy and sharing their artificial pitches, it is no longer unusual. A great city with some tremendous venues where football is a true passion and the mandatory scotch pie and Bovril should always be part of the day out, no matter what size of club or stadium is being visited.

 

5.     Barcelona

Barca is not dissimilar to Bilbao with its spread of fixtures through the junior ranks and local clubs. Endless opportunities of doubles and trebles, depending on how far down the scale you are prepared to go. Some extremely underrated venues, too. 

Needless to say, Barcelona is an incredible city to visit. Sightseeing and strolls around the various districts with stops for food and drink more than make up for any Monday night unavailability. And there is more than one major club in town.

 

6.     Newcastle

The Geordie capital just sneaked into my list thanks to the Northern League and other feeders below it now including more Friday night fixtures and more spread-out weekend kick-off times than once before, often to accommodate the chance of fans heading to the main attraction of the weekend.

Handy for other cities such as Sunderland, with even Edinburgh accessible if there are no other Friday night options. A great area and a hotbed of English football, with a cracking social scene to match. It’s not far from the sea either, with an excellent transport system making everywhere accessible.

 

7.     Prague

Another magnificent destination with endless food and drink options, some amazing sightseeing, and a great place to stay offering magnificent value for money. One of Europe's great cities for a long weekend, it is easy to wander around. There is also no shortage of passion on a matchday.

 

The big attraction to me about Prague is that the lower leagues have kickoffs at 10.15am on a weekend as well as some late start times, with the major clubs sides under 19s playing on a Monday afternoon when I visited. There is even a club that plays regularly on a Sunday morning near the centre of town where the fans sing about their famous sausages.

 

8.     Vienna

Oh, Vienna. as Ultravox sang. Another classic city with a great history well worth chasing up. Absolutely no danger of going hungry or thirsty, in a place I thought was like an up-market city in Germany. 

Again, lots of clubs with numerous kick-off times, with Friday night offering plenty of choices to get the weekend underway. I found games in a Christian League on a Monday night to tick off another venue, while Bratislava is only an hour away on the train for those wanting even more out of their visit.

 

9.     Brussels

Many people are put off by Brussels, considering it to have gone downhill and is rough around the edges. I thought it a good place, again with no shortage of food and drink and accessibility to so many other cities within an hour or so.

Lots and lots of venues, some being real classics with grandstands like the old non-league days and grounds in England. Passion was always in abundance on my visits, with an earthy edge to affairs in some stadiums often missing elsewhere.

 

10.  Berlin

Last but certainly not least. Berlin. History is everywhere you look, especially in the east of the city, including their football clubs as they tried to deal with the old regime. Another destination with great links to other nearby football towns if looking to fill a fix. Great nightlife and accessibility make it a perennial favourite. 

As with many other German cities, matches galore from Friday evening through to late Sunday afternoon, at all levels, including the chance to tick off the iconic Olympic Stadium as well as experience the passion of a real fans owned club.

The Travel Adventures of Rob B! YouTube Channel

A Funny Kind of Love. Port FC and I

A Funny Kind of Love. Port FC and I

Port 1 Khon Kaen United 2

Thai League 1

Wednesday 14th January 2025

Attendance: 2,317

Thai football has been very special to me from the moment I first discovered that there was a league set up in the Land of Smiles on one of my early visits. Back then my time spent in Thailand was primarily for my involvement in partaking and assisting in six-a-side cricket competitions meaning my knowledge of football came via the internet.

Information was scarce, with Wikipedia being the main outlet before I later discovered Facebook and Twitter pages and I came across the excellent “It’s A Habitthat Sticks” an English blog site concentrating primarily on Chonburi FC, who lest we forget was a huge name in Thai football in the late noughties. 

I managed to buy some team shirts at the shops near the National Stadium in 2007 which included Police United and Port FC among others. My first chance of going to a game came in 2010 after the cricket was over in Phuket but an Icelandic volcano put pay to any scheduled return back to Blighty.

I went to Army United v Bangkok United and then Customs Suvarnabhumi v Thai Honda on consecutive days, which I thoroughly enjoyed as an introduction without feeling too much passion towards any of the sides involved. Before my return home, I took the MRT to Khlong Toei and walked the ten minutes or so to the PAT Stadium which was being upgraded to its modern form.

No More Madam Pang anymore. At least officially

There was something about it there and then that I loved. I knew that Port had a reputation, with their fans involved in fighting with those of rivals Muangthong United at Suphachalasai Stadium a few months previously which saw the Kor Royal Cup being awarded to MTU. I would have to wait for my first game at the PAT.

The opportunity finally arose in April 2013 when after attending a Regional League game between Globlex against Samut Sakon I headed in a taxi down Ramkhamhaeng Road with my driver eventually deducing where I wanted to go. Singhtarua, as Port were called at the time, lost 2-1 to BB-CU in the second tier. It was the first night under the new floodlights which attracted a good-sized crowd.

A drink with a pal in Bangkok's best beer garden

The ground had previously been somewhat of a shambles with repeated floodlight failures, Port having to move out, and the club even having to reform. Probably because of what I’d gone through with Scarborough FC going bust and then helping with the new Scarborough Athletic, I felt quite at home, even if I did giggle when a fan in front of me had “Hooligan” emblazed on his shirt rather than a player’s name.

My regular twice yearly trips sometimes came up lucky for Port fixtures. I enjoyed everything about the PAT experience and the occasional away games. The feistiness and passion of the fans while being virtually on top of the pitch gave it something that stood out above other Thai venues. I even streamed some games back in the UK.

Never a shortage of food or drink at the PAT

Things changed, possibly forever at Port, when Nualphan Lamsam, otherwise known as Madam Pang, took over the club. It’s fair to say that she is not camera shy and is not to everyone’s tastes.

The atmosphere seemed to change somewhat. Beer was no longer allowed in the stands, and she took great delight in being front and back of every match advertisement and sitting on the bench next to the coaches, who were put in awkward positions where if they had told her not to, would have led to her losing face and the coach being made redundant. That’s how Thailand works. 

Only the Lonely approaching kick-off

Anyway, by December 2021 I had moved to Thailand full-time. Tickets for the start of the second leg during Covid restrictions were purchased as my mate Steve joined me. I went a lot that season as results nose-dived. The same as many previous and future seasons to come.

Undoubtedly, I also changed when I moved home. Football results were far less important to me than before. Sure, I’d sometimes get involved and have a shout at my many games, more often as a neutral and visiting new places, but if a team like Port who I wanted to win didn’t I wasn’t that bothered once I walked outside the gates.

I think I can best put this down to living in a beautiful place and finding a woman of my dreams whom I have married while fully integrating into Thai life with her family and friends. I still meet up occasionally with fellow farangs but generally, it’s on a matchday somewhere. At Port, I have been lucky to meet some loyal locals who are passionate in the extreme.

At first, they couldn’t work me out but having been introduced to my friends going to games with me, whom they have treated superbly, they understand that football is my love rather than one club, even if they think I’m bonkers ever considering going to Muangthong in the home end. 

So, back from an amazing three-week tour around Thailand with my good lady and her relatives, the fixtures fell kindly for me to go to my third home game of the 2024-25 season. Port had lost the previous Sunday away to Chiang Rai United, who like tonight’s visitors, Khon Kaen United (never just Khon Kaen) were in the drop zone. Surely it would end in a home win.

I had taken the quick route from Minburi consisting of Songthaew, a rickety old smoke-belching bus, a canal boat with similar attributes and then the MRT underground before a ten-minute walk to the stadium. While I have a relaxed attitude about games and their outcome and I will visit anywhere for my football fix, something struck me on this occasion.

In the same way, I always got a buzz walking from St John’s Wood tube to Lord’s or heading down North Marine Road for a day of cricket at Scarborough, the PAT Stadium approach gave me the same warm feeling inside. It had definitely done something to me. It is a scruffy place and a dream job of any health and safety official on secondment from the UK. It has no corporate facilities but has noise, passion and raucousness. It's a perfect football stadium, at least to me.

There was certainly no need to seek out a tout or buy online for this match with the 6pm midweek slot being a contributory factor in a poor turnout. There is always somewhere to sit or wander around once through the main gates from the road. A huge variety of street food is available, in what I describe as Bangkok’s best beer garden when there is a game on and the atmosphere builds.

Two gents who always improve my PAT experience

Yao (apologies if misspelt) my Thai pal who plays great tunes via Bluetooth speaker in the fans park outside was unusually missing. I located his mates and had a couple of beers before heading inside to find my friend concentrating on the team doing their warmups along with his wife Tuk. Yoa formerly had trials with the club as a youngster and was brought up over the road from the ground. He is well educated from time spent studying at university in England and now helps run the family business.

His knowledge, helpfulness, and generally great company to be around along with the rest of the gang who position themselves in the corner behind the goal nearest the main stand. Port attracts a wide range of fans from different backgrounds and nations. I find the company of the locals the most comfortable as I get the chance to practice speaking Thai and learn from them. And they have genuine passion. It’s their club. Us expats are guests. One of those in the corner never misses a game home or away, turning up with large yellow and red cards which he shows to the ref to offer advice. I love it.

Time for half-time beers

One expat used this particular match to film for his YouTube channel. It seems like there are many trying to make money in this way, and fair play to them. I’m not personally a fan of the click-baiting that attracts views but if it raises awareness in Thai football then it’s got to be good. The gent filming would get a pretty raw deal, though those in the low crowd did their best to get behind their team.

The visitors went 1-0 ahead through Ryu Seung-woo midway through the first half. Port misfiring forward Lonsana Doumbouya had somehow headed a delicious cross from the exquisite left foot of Kevin Deeromram over the bar before that. He made amends by nodding him stylishly within three minutes of his side going behind. The hosts were missing opportunities galore, with away goalie Chirawat Wangthaphan making one superb save.

Yoa had brought the beers by this point. When Madam Pang took on the role of President of the Thai FA, she handed control of the club to a relative, though not many were fooled that she had relinquished her power. She was often seen in her apartment behind where we stand and even seen at games in her Port colours, which isn’t a particularly good look for someone who should be maintaining neutrality.

Once the reins had been handed over, beer was allowed back inside the stands. Muangthong fans were allowed back in the stadium for the derby after a hiatus of nine years, while improvements were made which included an excellent playlist before games. Now there was no danger of the rare chance of bad behaviour damaging Pang’s election, so it was back to more relaxed times. The wall of portraits of her on the rear wall of a stand leaves nobody in any doubt about whom to thank. 

We went outside at the break where Yoa’s mate had a stall which provided our beers and also sold some superb spicy sausage. The chat and fun were such that we missed the start of the second half which included what would prove to be the winning goal for Khon Kaen United.

Port continued to huff and puff but the lacklustre performance got no more than it deserved. The visitors did what should be expected of any team fighting relegation as they fought and scrapped and used every trick in the book. If only the home side showed the same passion. The victors showed just how ordinary they were when a few days later they lost 9-0 away to Buriram United.

It's A Family Affair, at Port

Enough was enough for the Port hierarchy. Head coach Rangsan Viwatchaichok had been talked out of resigning earlier in the season. This time he was shown the door before the night was done. It was typical Port and summed up their previous seasons. A good start with big signings before falling apart. It's a good job there are so many poor teams in the division.

But here lies the issue. Port, BG Pathum United, and Bangkok United are relatively unchallenged by the chasing pack, yet they know they have no chance of chasing down Buriram United. Sacking a coach may be good for a power trip and obviously needs to be done occasionally, not least to indicate to the fans that the owners understand their disappointment, but will it really make a huge difference? The only way is to be honest with fans, create a project over several years, employ the right coach and don't interfere and be patient. All traits missing from Thai club owners.

We were oblivious to the news of the sacking, getting stuck into more Leo’s and enjoying the evening. There was another home game to come the following week against Ratchaburi. I was pretty sure that I’d be there, but it looked like Yoa was double-booked. I'd find a way to have fun regardless though I'd miss him.

Tuk kindly took pity on this oversized farang and kindly dropped me at the end of my village as she put up with two heavily imbibed blokes not always understanding each other through the language barrier discussing life and football. She deserved the Player of the Match award.

TOT SC

TOT Sports Club was a professional football club based in the northern Lak Si district of Bangkok in Thailand before being dissolved in 2016 after the club was formed in 1954, originally representing the national Telephone Organisation of Thailand. The club lifted the FA Cup in 1993.

TOT became founder members of the Thai Premier League for the 1996-97 season when they lost in the semi-final of the Championship play-off to Bangkok Bank. Several seasons of mid-table finishes ensued before the club finished in the relegation places in 2002-03.

However, the team bounced back at the first attempt after winning the Division 1 League title at the first attempt in 2003-04. Their spell in the top flight lasted just one season before TOT were relegated once again.

This led to a season in the Provincial League; a competition which would eventually merge with the main second tier. TOT spent just one season there before winning promotion back to the Premier League.

The club played their matches at Namkaejon Stadium in Nonthaburi from 2007 and 2008 with Phuwadol Suwannachart the goal-scoring hero. 'Hello' finished in mid-table in the top flight, spending the 2009 season at Kleeb Bua Stadium in Kanchanaburi as Suchao Nutnum top scored. 

The move to Kanchanaburi didn't pay off, with a local side Muangkan FC being formed, so TOT upped sticks once more to share the then-named Yamaha Stadium with Muangthong United. Crowds were once again poor with TOT fans being regularly outnumbered by visiting supporters.

Further problems hit the club by way of an ownership dispute in 2010. Piroj Suwannachavee took over and arranged an agreement with another telecommunication organisation; CAT. The club's name was changed to TOT-CAT FC. 

The FA of Thailand were called in by TOT, the original owners, to settle the dispute and they agreed that TOT still owned the club, so the name reverted back to TOT SC. Throughout the period the team continued to finish in the lower reaches of the table.

The club eventually completed a new home stadium on the premises of TOT in Lak Si, with the club moving into TOT Stadium for the second half of the 2011 season. The club began to develop its youth structure from its new home, while Somchai Subpherm took on the role of Head Coach with Mohamed Koné scoring the goals.

In 2012 and 2013 Prakit Deeporm ended as the leading scorer as the club battled against many better supported clubs in the capital. Takahiro Kawamura and Bas Savage were the star performers in 2014 before Tewesh Kamonsin took over as head coach for the 2015 campaign.

The season would prove to be the final one for the club as the team ended bottom of the table. TOT withdrew from the 2016 competition, which would have seen them compete at the second level, owing to financial troubles.

My visits

Wednesday 27th March 2013

I had a spare day on my cricket tour of Thailand, and with the majority of my team mates not arriving until the following day, I decided to get stuck into my favourite spare time hobby of adventuring and visiting new stadiums. 

I had already visited the home of Regional League side Kasetsart University when I flagged down a taxi and showed him my print from Google Maps and asked him to take me to Soi 5 Watthana by Lak Si. 

My basic Thai and the map did the trick as we travelled along the easy route towards Don Mueng Airport, with the familiar signs of the railway to our left. I had travelled much of the route several times in the past on the way to play cricket at the Harrow International School.

Although I'd looked at the street view on Google, I really wasn't sure as to whether I'd get access inside the stadium. I wandered through the gates of TOT smiling at the guards and keeping walking. 

It was easy to find the way to the arena with the telltale signs of canvas-covered tables on either side of the main walkway, which no doubt furnished fans on match days. There was some sign of activity on the pitch, with the gates open. 

I wandered in to see the Summer Soccer School in full swing, with several parents occupying the stands. I got on with wandering around and taking photos. The Main Stand was three separate raised and covered seated structures occupying one touchline. Opposite was an open seated section, which again ran the full length of the pitch. 

The Lak Si end was unoccupied with just a high fence separating the pitch from the covered car and bicycle park. The TOT End was extremely basic, with a small roof covering an area back from the pitch reserved for away supporters.

A few smiles seemed to defuse any suspicion, as it often does in the wonderful country that is Thailand. I went along my way and walked up to the main road before I attempted to hail a taxi to my next destination.

TOT SC 1 Port FC 2 (Saturday 31^st October 2015) Thai Premier League (att: 1,580)

My second game of the evening had something to live up to. I had been to the Air Force Central v Police United game in the second tier, and it had been very good. I’d been slightly reluctant to leave it before full time, but Port needed all the support that they could muster.

The last of my pals had gone home after a successful Beer Battered Seadogs cricket and sightseeing holiday. I had taken them along with three ex-pat locals to Port’s home 2-0 defeat to Army United the previous Wednesday. They were awful in all honesty, and this game was about the last chance to start their serious challenge to stay up. TOT were bottom of the table and getting close to the point of requiring a miracle.

My taxi driver from Thupatemee Stadium spoke English and knew the way to the TOT Stadium, which was good news. He was honest enough to admit we’d struggle to make kick off, but I told him that was no problem and just to do his best.

Unbelievably we hit a standstill near Don Muang Airport as we were underneath the tollway. Surely there hadn’t been an accident? My pilot told me that he’d seen on the news that there was some kind of official visit to the airport over the weekend. Perhaps we’d found it?

After nigh on ten minutes of not moving at all we suddenly went back to normal speed. It did look to be some kind of controlled blockage for access further up. Sure enough, my driver did know the way. 

However, the main gate on Chang Watthana was closed to the TOT. I paid the driver up and set off with blistered feet back along and down Chang Watthana past the stadium. Vendors in the street were selling their wares to fans over the wall inside the ground.

The game was still 0-0 as I approached the away fans' entrance behind the goal. I was turned away and told that I had to buy a ticket. Instead of having a ticket office nearby for away fans I had to go all the way round behind the Main Stand, past the away end and half the far side.

While I loved most things Thai, it had to be said that their organisational skills were rock bottom. A major problem is that they take constructive advice as criticism, so things seldom change.

TOT had the nerve to charge 150 Baht (£3) for away fans. While that doesn’t sound much, it is to Thais, especially those who struggle in Khlong Toei. It was the most expensive ticket I’d paid for at a standing ticket in Thailand. They wanted 300 Baht to sit down the side!

At last, I managed to get inside and got myself a place on the back row of the rickety wooden stand. The unused TV gantry in the centre and netting didn’t help the view, the mud at the front was causing dust and mosquitos were biting the hell out of me, but I was loving it.

This was a proper do-or-die relegation battle. My team had a great following and cared passionately. Full families, all in orange and blue, were cheering on Port; from babies to grandparents. The noise from the Khlong Toei Army was incessant, especially from the youths with the drum on the flat standing behind the goal. There must have been around 600 in the away section.

Both teams were giving it everything; despite neither being very good. TOT were more like a Champions League side in a vital home leg than the desperate bunch propping up the league. Port were defending and breaking like lions.

The home players Anucha Taiwong and Dutchman Luciano Dompig were causing problems for the visiting defence, but they held strong. On twenty-one minutes the away end went wild when the ball was fed wide. A great cross from the right came to where an unmarked Wuttichai Tatong headed home.

Despite attacks from the home side, Port looked relatively solid and had plenty of play up the other end. Sadly, just like the previous match, there was far too much procrastination around the box without any end product. TOT were there for the taking, but Port lacked ambition and belief.

At half-time, I was hugged by several Thai Port fans and even asked to be in a couple of photos. I’m not sure who they thought I was? I enjoyed my first beer of the day, with smiles all around. It’s amazing how happy fans can be when their side are winning away from home.

After the break I stood up against the fence to catch the better atmosphere and because I didn’t trust the stands! An expat Englishman had a chat and made me very welcome. There was a small group of three or four others further along.

The bloke and his wife by me at the front had their junior daughter with them. I stepped aside so that she could stand on top of the fence and hang on to the netting. A girl behind was giving the ref some deserved stick, letting him know that she thought he was ‘mao’ (drunk!).

Inevitably Port’s attacks became fewer as TOT threw men forward. The tension was building in the away end. The occasional break wasn’t been capitalised on as the vital final ball was going astray. The home side bought on Bas Savage with twenty-five minutes to go.

I was lucky enough to have met Bas at the end of the previous season with Chonburi fan Dale Farrington as TOT staved off relegation and helped deprive the Sharks of the title. He was a smashing bloke, but I was less than pleased to see him again. His pace, height and strength immediately changed the dynamics of the game. Why manager Tewet Kamonsilp hadn’t started with him was a mystery?

Nobody was massively surprised when TOT equalised with just eight minutes to go. It was Dompig who scored with a low shot. The home fans down the open side were going crazy. Port’s followers began the noise again after a few seconds of stunned silence.

Suddenly it dawned on the Port team and manager Masahiro Wada that a draw was no good. Fortunately, the home side could sense the chance of a winner and were also going for it. The play was end to end and not of great quality.

In the final minute of normal time, a decent pass gave Port’s Hironori Saruta a chance of a shot. His first touch was awful, taking the ball away from the goal, but as he looked to turn he was brought down. Referee Taweechai Supatwan pointed to the spot. The place went mad.

Photo: Thanks to Judy from Klongtoey Army Facebook Page

After what seemed like a long delay as home players kept time wasting and encroaching into the area, David Rochela stepped up and smashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net as bedlam broke out all around. It doesn’t matter where you go in the world, or what standard; there’s nothing like a last minute winner away from home.

After a few minutes of stoppage time and no great alarms, the ref brought a halt to proceedings and further celebration. The home players came to the away section and were given a great ovation. I really love that feature at Thai games. 

Photo: Thanks to Judy from Klongtoey Army Facebook Page

An attractive young lady had been taking photos just in front of the away end as well as a video when the winner went in. She tried to grab my attention for a photo amongst the celebrating fans at full time. 

I eventually found the pictures online six weeks later at the Klongtoey Army Facebook page. I was sent the originals within the hour and told that it was Judy who took the pictures. Thank you very much for such a brilliant service and fantastic photos.

I was away before the Port players came over, with other fish to fry! Within a minute I’d hailed a cab outside and once again the driver knew where I wanted to go. He was pressing the metal to Soi Cowboy. I was in a great mood, especially when he told me Chelsea had lost at home again!

Photo: Thanks to Judy from Klongtoey Army Facebook Page

A tired and emotional Steve was waiting for me at the Queen Victoria, where a newly arrived Chris Lamb and his pal Timmy soon turned up. We went around to watch the Rugby World Cup Final and other assorted entertainment while catching up on Yarrambat and personal matters. The opened chips and battered sausage rounded off the proceedings. It was a great end to a fantastic day!

To see a video with my reflections, including the winning goal and celebrations, click here.