I didn’t want to get up on Saturday. It was Crewe away though, one of the absolute grade A away games of the season. I pulled the duvet over my head and thought “I’ll go next season”. But it’s Crewe away. One of our big rivalries. There was the added lure that after we went to Dublin for Josh’s stag do at Easter, this was billed as the home leg of his pre marital festivities.

The other plus point for staying in bed was that I didn’t have a ticket for the match. I’d tried to buy one on Wednesday, foolishly thinking that as it’s 2023 an e ticket could be purchased and sent to my phone but the only options were collection from Walsall FC ticket office (no chance) or sent via post (I couldn’t risk this option). The match ticket was £25 and with the booking fee it was almost £27. £27 for a 4th division football match is a bit much. I opted to pay at the turnstile, save the booking fee and spend that on samosas instead*.

I went to Jack & Ada’s. No poached egg on toast this time. I needed something much more substantial so I went for the big full English with a slice of fried bread as an added extra. Fried bread is something I don’t have very often as I reckon it isn’t that good for you but it’s always epic when I do.

I always leave things to the last minute and am rushing around constantly as a result but I allowed myself lots of time to eat and enjoy the food. I even had time for a second cup of tea whilst enjoying the background music which jumped from ELO to The Housemartins. There was also an appearance by Micky Mullin and my former housemate Colin so there was pleasant conversation to go with the food.

I had planned to have a bet on the Grand National but hadn’t seen a list of the horses to make my choice. Also it’s not the same when you can’t actually watch the race, mind I could last year but Craig had me cheering for the wrong horse that time.

With no need to visit the bookies I headed to the railway station and soon we were in Crewe. The Cheshire Inn (formerly Last Orders) was doing a roaring trade with numerous Saddlers already supping outside and a big flag erected on the exterior wall. I carried on as that place is always the last pint before the game venue so I was happy to walk past at this juncture.

I had no set plan other than drink until I heard off Josh as to when and where he would be so I headed for The British Lion as I had seen Facebook check ins there. There was already a good crowd of fellow Saddlers in there so I got a good welcome.

Upon leaving there I ambled down Nantwich Road looking for Beer Dock, a micro pub that I ticked off on Pub Challenge 2. As I passed The Brunswick though I heard a shout of “Evo” so I headed in there. The hunt for Beer Dock was over but that was probably for the best as I didn’t know at that point that it has changed its name to Ebenezer’s so I’d have probably walked past.

In The Brunswick was Andy and Zece who had both been in Dublin along with Gaz and Adam Ellison, Flembo and Guilty. Oh and another Evo who I’d not met before. There was much banter and laughs and then the news came through that Josh wasn’t coming. Oh well, we’d just stag do in his honour.

Madri or “Spanish Carling” as I learnt is it’s alternate name wasn’t on when I walked in but was available by the time I needed a refill so good times. Despite the large breakfast I can always find the room for snackage. The night before my mate Dave said that Walkers had announced they were going to discontinue Salt & Vinegar flavour due to poor sales**. I smelt a rat and thought this was purely to boost sales like when Heinz announced the demise of Salad Cream but on this second visit to the bar I asked for crisps and this flavour was all they had. Wow, sales must be really bad if all other varieties had gone but they still couldn’t shift these. I’m having a packet while I still can. Not my usual choice of flavour, far from it but they went down a storm.

More Saddlers arrived including two lads, now of legal drinking age that Gaz had taught when they were in primary school. One that he remembered and one he didn’t. It reminded me of those episodes of Surprise Surprise but with no singing by Our Cilla for numerous obvious reasons.

More drinks followed, including a random red shot which was surplus and thrust in my direction (thinking Cherry Sourz) but after a very pleasant couple of hours the group decide to move on. Back to The British Lion it was.

We didn’t make kick off. News quickly came through that we had gone a goal down after just 2 minutes. Suddenly spending £25 at the turnstile didn’t seem quite so appealing. We all stayed put. A good sing song followed, which wasn’t totally appreciated by the landlady and locals. Someone crashed the Baby Guinness’s, not sure if it was Dekka or Granty but this ace shot was also appreciated.

We went two goals down, had a man sent off and we were in The Express before the end of the game. I’ve never seen eggs on sale in a pub before so I liked seeing some behind the bar. A bargain price too if you go by the recent discussions on the Brownhills Bob Facebook page.

I opted to try and get a train back an hour earlier than my specified one, and the plan worked with the added bonus of the connecting one at Rugeley Trent Valley being in.

I had planned to go to the Walsall Arms on the evening as it was the landlady Jaz’s birthday bash and 5th anniversary of running the pub celebrations but I was a good boy and went home and got some much needed beauty sleep.

An absolutely superb day with great people without letting the match spoil it. According to the BBC website we had no shots on target, but both of mine certainly were.

*I still haven’t bought the samosas. **This was looked into live during Sunday’s recording of episode 12 of The Long & Shot Of It. Salt & Vinegar in 2017 were part of a “Choose me or loose me” campaign. I’m guessing people chose S & V or that pub has some very old stock.