C.S. Lewis might have got his inspiration for Narnia by attending Oxford City`s home ground. You approach the Stadium along a straight tarmac lane that runs between noisy football pitches on one side and the noisey Ring Road on the other. You pay your six pounds entrance fee in a converted wardrobe and then, with a click, enter The Land of Dreams. My first impression of the Ground was one of pleasant surprise. It is well laid out and gives the feeling of being well cared for and well run, but beware, you are about to be mugged. You have to walk past the Souvenir Shop (Shed) where a lovely woman pounces on you demanding that you buy raffle and Golden Goal tickets, programmes and blue and white football thingies.I cheerfully parted with my pocket money and strolled towards the main stand where I was instantly confronted with, in your face, emotional blackmail.To enter the stand your way is blocked by this chap,and his two minders, dangling an orange donation bucket. The two watchful minders ensure that you can`t pull the old trick of dropping washers from a downturned fist into the bucket. Their training and vigilance ensured that my seat cost me three pounds fifty and an old sixpence( Sorry Lads). I sat between four other charitable souls and the Media Box.
The first half was entertaining and both sides did more or less what was expected of them in a semi-professional manner but from past experience I knew I had to make the clubhouse before the whistle and the mad rush of the standing up supporters, probably about two hundred of them on the day.
The Clubhouse is a delight. The main Lounge is about the size of a tennis court. It contains an imposing bar,Pool Table, tables and chairs and large settees around the obligatory television. Everything is clean and fresh and there on the bar, in pole position, was a Premium Lager pump, a must for all those waiting for the national half time scores. The warm lounge has been cleverly designed with adjoinning rooms around its perimeter; these include clean toilets, snack bar and a modest boardroom. My first pint had evaperated before you could say Accrington Stanley so I quickly brought another before dehydration took its toll. I returned to my seat to watch the resumed match after stocking up with a ham sandwich from the pleasant snack bar ladies.
The second half was much like the first except it became dark and the floodlights were switched on. As the game entered extra time I realised that I hadn`t heard the raffle or Golden goal results so I marched off, on a fact finding mission, setting up my base camp between the Premium Lager pump and the T.V. in the Lounge. I never did find out if I had won anything but I know the result of the match. There were lots of goals but it ended as a draw(I think).
I have enjoyed my recent visits to City and the next time I might tell you about the football. Why don`t you go along and see for yourself ?
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