Hereford United, The Home of Football!!

Apologises to all Hereford United Fans! Why? Because I said at Torquay when I was down there 3 weeks ago that they had been so kind to me I would be happy with a 1-1 draw when they came to Edgar Street today. I didn't mean it but there you go!

The final day of my challenge dawned in Tipton, the home of old friends Mike and Margaret Smith. My son James popped in for breakfast on his way to Scotland and I gave him one of my panniers to allow me to do the final dash a little quicker. Leaving around 8.15am I travelled though 4 counties today. I went though Kidderminster and right by Aggborough but as they are a non league club I carried on! Half Way home was Great Witley. Then the long climb up to the Herefordshire sign. I had to stop and take a photo. I love Herefordshire dearly but I don't like cycling around it. Too many hills! I arrived in Edgar Street at 1.30pm and met up with John and Tom Cutler. John is being a real fairweather playing drums for the pantomime but I forgave him seeing a lovely glass of cider placed before me! I then went to the ground and met up with my beloved wife Eunice and her sister Liz before going in and sharing a hospitality room with them. Graham Rivers came in a shared the room with us and as we were chatting we missed the 1st goal scored by Torquay. Directors Dave Preedy and Grenville Smith came in and congratulated me and we sorted out arrangements for half time. The announcer went on the tannoy and I did a lap of the ground with my bucket in hand. After counting it when I got home I found there was £165. 42 in it. Other people from the MS Society branch collected money at the turnstiles and I thank them for coming to do that. I don't know how much they collected. The second half started and I had to get back behind the goal at the Meadow End to my normal spot otherwise we couldn't win. As soon as I got there we were given a penalty. But alas it was saved. That's football for you, so unpredictable at this level but I wouldn't want it any other way. At the end of the game I went and helped Eunice back to the car before returning to the room to get my bike. I went through the door and there was Graham Turner sitting down looking sad. He hates not winning. I wasn't sure whether to beat a hasty retreat or not but he said to come on in and offered me a glass of red wine to take the edge off the disappointment. Then in came John Trewick briefly before being called away again. Graham gave me my rucksack of dirty clothes and the signed Boston ball and with one final act of masochism I cycled home with the rucksack on my back. 1504 miles completed. I'll do another log tomorrow when I have had a good sleep and reflected a bit more.