England 2016

Originally, Andrew and I were set to leave tomorrow (Sunday) as the Villa match we were going to see with John and Marianne was scheduled for today. However - due to the way European Cup matches played out and were scheduled, that match got moved a day.

This all happened just a few weeks ago - but with a tiny bit of scrambling (and flight reschedules), we were able to stay one additional day.

Marianne took full advantage of this and set up an AMAZING day at another (relatively) nearby Premiership club, Stoke City. So, in an early departure, we're off north of Birmingham to the Stoke home pitch - The Britannia Stadium!

A really excellent tour of the stadium follows, with a tremendous midfield view of the pitch from the Director's Box. The groundskeeping crew is methodically preparing everything for the match, with a very impressive pattern in the pitch.

The tourguide also points out the recent addition of the Goal Line Technology cameras, which help verify close goal situations - hopefully avoiding mistakes, one way or the other. From what has been seen so far in live matches, it's been fairly successful.

After ogling the pitch from above, we continue down into the home dressing room - where the Stoke kits are all laid out nicely in preparation for the match. We spot the locker and kit of Geoff Cameron, USMNT and Stoke defender. Of course I get a picture (or three).

But now ... it's out to see The Britannia pitchside! THIS WAY TO THE PITCH!

Andrew is impressed with the pitch quality, but even he knows that what we'll see tomorrow at Villa Park is better.

A father-son shot and a great shot of the four of us in the Stoke dugout later, we head back up to the "Tony Waddington Suite" for a pre-match meal.

We had a great time, eating, drinking, and laughing with John and Marianne and also our previously unknown table-mates, who seemed quite impressed that two Americans (1) knew so much about soccer (football) and (2) knew enough about Stoke City FC to hold a decent discussion!

They were very complimentary of the play of the previously mentioned Cameron, and that he was starting today.

Little did Andrew or I know that Marianne had arranged an even bigger (and far more awesome!) surprise!

She has arranged for us to be "Captain Sponsors" today, which means that we will not only be pitch-side when the teams come out, but also get to go out *ONTO THE PITCH* and have our photo taken at midfield!!!

This was an amazing experience. Any words would diminish the actual feeling of standing at midfield, next to the captains and referees... literally seconds before kickoff, with the crowd singing and chanting, and the general pre-kickoff electricity really starting to build.

As we walked off, Andrew and I agreed that we felt like we could suit up and play *right then*... what an amazing thing to have received!

THANK YOU MARIANNE! 🙂

Getting to our seats, *literally* as the kickoff whistle blew, we enjoyed a spirited match between Stoke and Southampton.

The view was amazing - we were almost directly on the midfield stripe - and had a personalized welcome on the display screen!!

I got a few good shots of our countryman in action and various other match moments.

Even though Southampton opened the scoring, it was really fun to be with the home fans when Stoke put one in the back of the net! Although, at the end of 90, it wasn't a good result for the home squad. Oh well - can't win 'em all.

Post-match drinks and treats were had, while a former Stoke star regaled the lounge with stories and commentary.

At one point, the England rugby match was on, and Marianne was caught in rapt attention to the television while England held on for a nail-biting victory!

There was *one last surprise* for the day, as Andrew was called up to receive the framed Captain's armband from the Stoke Man-of-the-Match, Glenn Whelan. This will be a treasure on his wall for many years to come!

As we wind up the day and head back to Charingworth, we realize that another English adventure is rapidly winding to a conclusion (boo!), but one of the primary reasons for the trip is coming on the final day - so there's a lot of excited anticipation for both me and Andrew for what's to come tomorrow!