by Clyde1998 »
13 Jan 2024 19:48
Stayed in the ground with my usual group until the stewards asked us to leave (probably around fifteen minutes after the announcement). Had a bit of a suspicion the game would be finished behind closed doors - some of the floodlights were switched back on, the goals were left up, Nelson Abbey went to the dugout still wearing his full kit. Alas, they didn’t restart after we all left.
Went around to see if the Port Vale coach was still there (if it wasn’t it would definitely not be restarted), which it was, but our players were leaving the ground. I ended up guiding one Port Vale player to the hotel, who asked me if I went on the pitch!
He seemed completely unfazed by it all; probably as it doesn’t really affect him and didn’t put anyone at risk of harm. He was meeting his wife(?) and kid there.
Wasn’t enough football played to say anything about it, although was good to see Yiadom back in the starting XI.
Will be interesting to see what the result of this will be and where we go from here. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s forfeited (3-0 Port Vale win) tbh. I was a bit surprised it happened. I think this week’s events have shifted opinion towards much more direct action though.
Fair play to the Port Vale fans for their support. Can’t imagine it’s great having to travel back home after not seeing much football (I’m sure any of our fans who travelled to Sunderland that time can attest). Seemed to be more chance of violence between Reading fans than between our fans and theirs.