Title: Locked out
Writer: Andy Males, Stevenage, Herts
I’ve followed games live, on TV, radio, Internet, Teletext, email, text - but only once purely by the voice of the residents of a small close in Baldock.
15th June 1996 – the Big One: England v Scotland. My girlfriend at the time had kindly arranged for us to visit her friends on that very afternoon. I had reluctantly agreed – on the proviso that we would (of course) watch the match there. So, setting off in good time, I drove round to their house and parked nearby.
I didn’t mind when the first knock wasn’t answered, but after two minutes of ringing and increasingly-loud hammering on the door I was getting worried. A quick glance at my watch confirmed my fears – kick-off was imminent and not a TV in sight. Assuming they’d be back soon, I did the next best thing and sat in my car to listen to the radio commentary.
The first half passed and with it many thoughts of going back home/heading down pub/breaking in/knocking on neighbour’s door. 0-0 and very nervous.
Then the joy – Shearer scored! Locking the car, I rushed out to tell my not-so-enthusiastic girlfriend, before quickly returning to resume listening. Except…oh no. I didn’t? In my excitement I had managed to lock my keys in the car! No TV. No Radio. Only echoes of the voices of viewers in the homes that surrounded me.
Confusion and frustration then reigned. An almighty groan – was that the equaliser? But then a cheer! What was happening? A few minutes later - an eruption of noise! What the heck what the score now?!
On the final whistle the friends turned up with apologies (something about an emergency) and as we rushed in it was all over. Just don’t ask me where I was for Gazza’s classic goal, OK?
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