Perfect Day

Heaven is a Racecourse Saturday

No.7 - NICK WELSH (WREXHAM)

Get up? Depending on whether I’m playing football or not, I get up about 10.30 and try to get excited about the match. Have breakfast while reading the Welsh Mirror and Friday's Leader. Wake my mates up via the phone to see who’s coming to the match.

Then? Switch the box on and flick round to Sky Sports to watch Soccer AM. There is never any mention of Wrexham on it - but football's football isn’t it? Arrange where to meet everyone and sort out what Wrexham merchandise I’ll be wearing to the match.

Lunchtime? Stuff myself with food and drink to keep me warm for the game and watch Sky Sports some more to see what the panel are going on about. Have a quick look at BBC to see more football and set the video if I’m missing any rugby games on the box. Walk into town via my friend’s house and meet everyone else.

Pre-match? Firstly, get straight into McDonalds and order one of those lush Quarter Pounder meals (depending on the coins in my pocket); then slowly make my way up to the Racecourse to see how many away fans there are going to be; and then pay a short visit to the club shop to see if there are any bargains available (highly unlikely) - not forgetting to buy RP on the way.

Pre-match inside the Racecourse? Find myself a good spot at the back of the Kop and read RP and friends’ match programmes . Soak up the atmosphere and try to see who’s warming up on the pitch; and finally pay a visit to the food hut to see how much I’m going to get ripped off by.

1st half? Guess how many away fans there are and try to get behind the team, having a sing-song on the way. Midway through the first half I ask myself why Russell is playing again; and, depending on the scoreline, I try to keep my emotions and comments to myself.

Half-time? Rush to the toilet and maybe buy some food or drink (depending on how much money I’ve got left) and sit down to rest my legs. Next, me and my mates try to complete The Turf quiz in RP and the quiz in the match programme (we’re never able to).

2nd half? Try to get behind the team again and try to pick a man of the match before we finish - although I’m a bit biased if Danny Williams is playing (I rate him a lot). Stay till the final whistle and make my way to the gates either happy or angry.
Immediate post-match? Walk into town and pay another visit to McDonalds (again depending on money) and stay in town to find out other results and hopefully laugh at Man United’s.

Teatime? Eat again and watch TV to discover our standing in the league. Phone friends to shout about the match…and then flick onto Teletext to see the match report and attendance figure.

Evening? Get onto the Internet to see the new updates and make my points on the Red Passion web-site bulletin board. Go to sleep and dream about a return to Europe (damn you FIFA!!)

All contributions to the PERFECT DAY slot are very welcome.