In 2005 I attended the weekend of the Open at St Andrew's. A year earlier I had the pleasure of visiting Troon for the final day of The Open. I couldn't believe how close we were able to get to the players - on some holes I was within a few yards of Tiger. It was superb.
St Andrew's however was a totally different story. From a spectator's point of view it was the polar opposite of Troon - on most holes you weren't able to get within 25 yards of the players. It's known as the home of golf and people travel from all over the world to play the course but it just felt a bit flat for me. I certainly wouldn't make much of an effort to return.
So, what's a sporting event that left you feeling a bit underwhelmed?
probably the first horse race meeting i ever went to . wetherby , many moons ago. it was freezing , it sleeted , the car got stuck in the mud , we were in the cheap bit , i didn't back a winner ...and i was hooked !
probably the first horse race meeting i ever went to . wetherby , many moons ago. it was freezing , it sleeted , the car got stuck in the mud , we were in the cheap bit , i didn't back a winner ...and i was hooked !
my first open was at st andrews , nicklaus won and i loved it, funny how things appeal differently to different folks. kind of knew the best places to stand.
went on a school trip to see new zealand all blacks play against the north, arrived late, got stuck in awful place, despite there being acres of space elsewhere. it started to rain, didnt know most of the players anyway, went to sit on bus, lol.
my first open was at st andrews , nicklaus won and i loved it, funny how things appeal differentlyto different folks. kind of knew the best places to stand.went on a school trip to see new zealand all blacks play against the north, arrived late, got
I have been at all Opens held at St Andrews and I must say I never encountered the problems mentioned. Was close to the action and Tom Watson used to always ask, "Mac, got any tips?".
I have been at all Opens held at St Andrews and I must say I never encountered the problems mentioned. Was close to the action and Tom Watson used to always ask, "Mac, got any tips?".
In answer to the original question, the Ayr Gold Cup but I can`t mind the year. Got a strong tip for Primula Boy. Bus broke down in middle of nowhere and by the time we got to the course the big race was finished. Primula Boy won at odds of 40/1
In answer to the original question, the Ayr Gold Cup but I can`t mind the year. Got a strong tip for Primula Boy. Bus broke down in middle of nowhere and by the time we got to the course the big race was finished. Primula Boy won at odds of 40/1
Rowing at the London Olympics. Sitting in a stand halfway along a 2km lake. No commentary, couldn't see which boat was which, every race looked the same, and too far from the finish to even know who won. Oh, and £90 a ticket ffs.
Tennis at the o2 for the end of year tournament they have; ATP finals or something. Two matches, first of which was doubles, so no interest in that and stayed in the bar. Went in for the singles, and someone was in our seats and they wouldn't let us move them out until the end of the set. Best of 3, and it was 6-1, 6-1 - we were sat on the floor for 15 mins and in our seat for about 15 minutes and that was it. Utter sh!te.
two spring to mind:Rowing at the London Olympics. Sitting in a stand halfway along a 2km lake. No commentary, couldn't see which boat was which, every race looked the same, and too far from the finish to even know who won. Oh, and £90 a ticket ff
I'd gone all in on the hare only to find out that he was in fact a rabbit. If I'd known that from the start, would have backed him each way
Tortoise v Hare.I'd gone all in on the hare only to find out that he was in fact a rabbit.If I'd known that from the start, would have backed him each way
England v Scotland Euro qualifiers 1999 - 2nd leg @ Wembley.
There was a lot of excitement at the prospect of a two-legged play-off to qualify for Euro 2000 between the old enemies. I spent ages on the phone trying to get tickets and eventually managed to bag a couple. Somebody offered to buy them from me - I can't remember if it was for £400 the pair or each but I refused as I got caught up in the excitement.
England beat the Scots in the first leg in Scotland so the second-leg turned into stolid, defensive game that was utterly forgettable. Scotland won 1-0 and England qualified. To top the evening off, the station at Wembley was chaos and we ended up walking miles to another station.
Not one of the best evenings I have ever spent.............
England v Scotland Euro qualifiers 1999 - 2nd leg @ Wembley.There was a lot of excitement at the prospect of a two-legged play-off to qualify for Euro 2000 between the old enemies. I spent ages on the phone trying to get tickets and eventually manage
I remember that. Paul Scholes scored twice at Hampden on the Saturday, Don Hutchinson got the only goal of the game at Wembley on the Wednesday.. I spent the evening watching the match in No. 10 with my, at the time, after work drinking buddies.
I remember that. Paul Scholes scored twice at Hampden on the Saturday, Don Hutchinson got the only goal of the game at Wembley on the Wednesday..I spent the evening watching the match in No. 10 with my, at the time, after work drinking buddies.
punchestown festival trains,planes,automobiles,buses,taxis just to get there ,loads of bars ,eateries till you find most are corporate,tkt only and a dozen bumpers to boot
punchestown festivaltrains,planes,automobiles,buses,taxis just to get there ,loads of bars ,eateries till you find most are corporate,tkt only and a dozen bumpers to boot
Southend v Exeter 1980 summat.Had a fiver acca running up onto Southend who at the time were top of div4 and Exeter were 2nd from bottom.Stood to win just over £800.Southend were big odds on so i stupidly didnt lay off .On a freezing cold night Monday at Roots Hall i witnessed the worst game of football ever played and with 5 minutes to go i shouted out " you fcking useless load of spanners".The Southend centre forward looked at me and mouthed " I know".Match finished 0-0 and haven't been back since and yes i do harbor a grudge.
Southend v Exeter 1980 summat.Had a fiver acca running up onto Southend who at the time were top of div4 and Exeter were 2nd from bottom.Stood to win just over £800.Southend were big odds on so i stupidly didnt lay off .On a freezing cold night Mon
I wouldn't say that I was disappointed, more surprised. But the first time I went to Anfield to see Wolves away at Liverpool. I had grown up listening to all the hype about the Kop etc. Liverpool won 3 nill and there was no atmosphere whatsoever. This was in the Dalgleash era. I know Scousers would probably say we don't get excited about beating wolves but I remember coming out thinking walofs
I wouldn't say that I was disappointed, more surprised. But the first time I went to Anfield to see Wolves away at Liverpool. I had grown up listening to all the hype about the Kop etc.Liverpool won 3 nill and there was no atmosphere whatsoever. This
And another one. Melbourne Cup back in the 80s pished down all day long and probably only about 40,000 people turned up....The Race that stops a Nation my @rse.
And another one. Melbourne Cup back in the 80s pished down all day long and probably only about 40,000 people turned up....The Race that stops a Nation my @rse.
22 October 1980, Aberdeen v Liverpool European Cup Round 2, First Leg.
I had queued outside Pittodrie all night to get tickets for this match which sold out in minutes. Once the match got underway, John McMaster sustained an injury and was off the field when Terry McDermot scored the only goal of the game in the fifth minute.
The rest of the match was a non-event, Liverpool shut us down. They went on to crush us 4-0 in the second leg, our European Cup adventure over and out.
Bob Paisley had well and truly got one over a young Alex Ferguson.
Liverpool line up that dreich night : Ray Clemence, Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy, Phil Thompson (c), Ray Kennedy, Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish, Sammy Lee, David Johnson, Terry McDermott, Graeme Souness
Aberdeen : Jim Leighton, Stuart Kennedy, Doug Rougvie, Andy Watson, Alex McLeish, Willie Miller, Gordon Strachan, John McMaster, Mark McGhee, Drew Jarvie, Ian Scanlon
22 October 1980, Aberdeen v Liverpool European Cup Round 2, First Leg.I had queued outside Pittodrie all night to get tickets for this match which sold out in minutes.Once the match got underway, John McMaster sustained an injury and was off the fiel
Last Saturday at White Hart lane watching the CL Final on the big screens.
Watched the semi-final 2nd leg in a central London boozer with a few mates and had a 'kin carnival! Tripping like hell for days afterwards and looked at going out to Madrid (dipped out when the road trip hit £1,500 with overnights on trains to and from Porto).
So I'm buzzing for 3 weeks leading up to the game. Met up with same mates, got right on it in a pub in Stamford Hill from about 2.00, moseyed up to the Lane - first time at the new stadium and was blown away by everything about it.
So I'm here! Right here right now! Anticipating a match I've waited 50 years to see!
........and then the most tedious game of football ever staged began.
Last Saturday at White Hart lane watching the CL Final on the big screens.Watched the semi-final 2nd leg in a central London boozer with a few mates and had a 'kin carnival! Tripping like hell for days afterwards and looked at going out to Madrid (d
I am doing the 92 club with one of my lads. He wanted to go to Chelsea v Tottenham last season and getting tickets was impossible so he stumped up for hospitality tickets.
£800 each for a crappy cramped seat next to a fat and clueless tourist who clapped, shouted and stood up at random times. The match was as boring as anything, Harry Kane touched the ball about twice and Spurs had no shots on target.
Total waste of time and money - by far a better atmosphere can be found in the lower leagues.
I am doing the 92 club with one of my lads. He wanted to go to Chelsea v Tottenham last season and getting tickets was impossible so he stumped up for hospitality tickets.£800 each for a crappy cramped seat next to a fat and clueless tourist who cl
if you like snooker go to sheffield for the 1round up to and inc the q finals 2, table format, its great , very close to the players and table, but semis and final are too far for my eye sight , in reply to snowynoon.
if you like snooker go to sheffield for the 1round up to and inc the q finals 2, table format, its great , very close to the players and table, but semis and final are too far for my eye sight , in reply to snowynoon.
ffs Frank, 800 quid each for a ticket! You was robbed mate. Corporate entertainment has ruined football. Like you say, grassroot clubs are the most enjoyable.
I went to all Scottish grounds, including Highland League clubs and it was a great adventure. Good luck to you and your lad, I hope you achieve and enjoy your task as much as I did.
ffs Frank, 800 quid each for a ticket! You was robbed mate. Corporate entertainment has ruined football. Like you say, grassroot clubs are the most enjoyable. I went to all Scottish grounds, including Highland League clubs and it was a great adventu
tmm - we are having a great time doing it. Forty grounds so far and some cracking matches as well as a few stinkers. It's expensive but like you had, an adventure for both of us, plus some good father/son time that I treasure.
tmm - we are having a great time doing it. Forty grounds so far and some cracking matches as well as a few stinkers. It's expensive but like you had, an adventure for both of us, plus some good father/son time that I treasure.
The Daily Mail seems to do a feature every year, and, going by the photos, I'd imagine Ladies Day at Aintree would appear to be a massive let down.
Surprised that the Liverpool trading standards haven't got involved.
The Daily Mail seems to do a feature every year, and, going by the photos, I'd imagine Ladies Day at Aintree would appear to be a massive let down.Surprised that the Liverpool trading standards haven't got involved.
Got soaked walking over there. Watched the the ball bouncing off Jon Parkin's fat head for 45 minutes. Abandoned at HT. Working nights when it was replayed midweek
Newport County v Barnet - 2016.Got soaked walking over there.Watched the the ball bouncing off Jon Parkin's fat head for 45 minutes.Abandoned at HT.Working nights when it was replayed midweek