266 DAYS, BUT THE FANS ARE FINALLY BACK
AND WE HAVE THE VACCINE
ALONG Hillbottom Road they came, past the Sands Industrial Estate and on towards Adams Park. Wrapped up warm and drawn once more like moths to a flame towards the floodlights blazing into the cold, dark night. Supporters everywhere have waited a long time for this and many have been denied the chance to celebrate those special achievements milestones.
Leeds fans have not been able to witness in person their team’s long-awaited return to the top flight. Brentford supporters have not yet experienced their new stadium.
And for Wycombe, the historic first ever season in the second tier of English football had been played in front of empty stands.
Until last night, when 1,000 were allowed in as a pilot scheme to see the game with Stoke before the full 2,000 permitted in Tier 2. The golden and tickets held by those first in the queue were grasped tightly, as the turnstiles clicked for the first time since a 3-1 League One win over Tranmere on February 22.
Even the announcer’s “welcome to Adams Park” triggered unusually loud cheers and players s emerging to warm up were re greeted even more ore enthusiastically.
Ma n a ger Gare eth t h Ainsworth (right) did a lap p of the pitch 20 minutes before fore kick-off. And that afforded ded the first chance for
Wanderers fans to show their appreciation at their own stadium of the memorable promotion and play-off final win at an empty py Wembley. y
As both teams ran on to the playing surface everyone stood in unison and wild applause broke out. Ref Darren Bond got
an early reminder
things were different when an earthy roar greeted a challenge that left home striker Alex Samuel clutching his head. And soon after there were howls of derision when Samuel went down claiming a penalty only to pick up a booking for diving. Everything seemed happily back to normal.
The overriding feeling was that which had been taken for granted has become a privilege to be savoured.Season-ticket holder
Ben Dunlop said: “It’s been really tough not being here in the flesh, it was such a fantastic night when we got promoted to the Championship for the first time.
“Fans of all clubs have missed being there so much and it has certainly felt like a very long wait for us, but what a night it is to be back. We will make ourselves heard.”
They certainly did that in Buckinghamshire last night, despite the Potters leaving with all the points.