Bahamas, Bermuda, Birmingham

Two days back in Bermuda and the next stop on the itinerary is St Andrews on Saturday.

I fly into Gatwick tomorrow, a short stop at my parents and then will whisk my son up to Birmingham, the scene of one of the greatest night’s in the Addicks’ history. Saturday may not be quite so important as that Friday night in May 1987, but I am still looking forward to seeing the Reds for just the second time this season.

Disappointingly the Blues aren’t selling tickets on the day which will prevent the last minute planners from getting in, and a potential 1,000 travellers will be a couple hundred less.

I have learnt over the years since I stopped becoming a regular not to put too much emphasis on the games that I attend, you have to take the season as a whole and ‘doing an away game’ always lessens the expectation anyway.

Of course a big part of the day will be outside of the time we are in St Andrews and although the cultural delights are not easy to spot in the ‘second city,’ Dave, who we have to thank for organizing the tickets, has made the wonderful suggestion of visiting the Balti Triangle for a pre-match meal and a few warm-up Cobras.

I think this is my 4th visit to St Andrews, and there are plenty of memories….

An eventful 4-3 win in front of the cameras, ’96 I think, the locals didn’t like that one very much. They were much happier when they beat us in the last game of the season to stay up in the 92/93 season although I still have nightmares about Peter Garland’s shot going in at almost the final whistle. Palace were relegated that day and I think the last time I was there was for the final game of the season the year we won the play-off’s.

Hopefully more memories to add on Saturday. Come on you reds.