We were a short way down the M3 when we heard that the other car of regular Watford press followers had just arrived in Portsmouth at 11.30! Now I like to be early but I don't think I have managed to make it that early yet for an away trip!
We headed straight for the ground when we arrived at around 12.45 and after being asked for £10 to park in the main car park, found a free alternative which was reserved for press and other guests about 200 yards away. It was there that my summariser for the day, former Hornets striker Colin West, and I spotted another former Hornet, David Byrne, in his car so we spent a few minutes chatting with him. Both Colin & Budgie are looking to get back into coaching or managerial positions in football so it was very interesting hearing about the various clubs they had approached and which managers and coaches they are in touch with about working with in the future.
The press room at Pompey has been upgraded since I was last there, the press box hasn't. However, the facilities were more than adequate and the view, right at the back of the main stand, was ok although the low roof meant that we did lose sight of the ball from goal kicks! Pies were the order of the day in the press room pre-match but I didn't indulge as it was a bit of a walk from the press room which is actually outside the ground, up to the press box and time was moving on towards the start of our Three Counties programme. As I was setting my equipment up I was joined by Steve May from Five Live and resident of Bricket Wood although he wouldn't confirm whether that meant Watford were his team! He was waiting for the Watford team to arrive as a live interview had been arranged with Malky Mackay before 2pm.
We then heard that the team coach was stuck in traffic but they still arrived in good time and Malky fulfilled his promise and conducted the interview live at the back of the stand before heading back to the dressing rooms to prepare for the game.
There were a number of overhanging TV screens above us in the press box which were tuned to Soccer Saturday so we had good access to all the latest scores on what was a barmy day for goals and some amazing comebacks!
Our game was full of excitement, the type of game that is a great to commentate on. No sooner had the second-half swung in Watford's favour that Pompey hit back and went back in front. Despite all the entertainment some fans in front of us, who had earlier arrived late, felt it was best to leave before the end! When they first arrived they found others already in their seats so everyone had to stand up, including us as our view was then blocked. They also left early at half-time and were late back for the second-half! But they were no less passionate than their fellow fans as they celebrated Pompey's goals vigorously each time, they obviously just were only interested in watching 80 or so minutes of action!
Full-time and I headed pitch-side to conduct the post-match interviews. As the various broadcasters (tv and radio) were all waiting for the managers and players to emerge, the rain started to fall and the temperature plummeted - I could barely feel my fingers when the time came to press record on my kit as Malky Mackay approached. We headed for the manager's dug-outs where I was joined by reporters from BBC London and Talksport. I had just asked my second question when Malky stopped his answer as there was a Portsmouth official edging closer as if he was attempting to listen in on the interview. He was ushered away and we began the interview again - an interrupted interview doesn't make good radio!
I then grabbed an interview with goalscorer Stephen McGinn, who spoke really well and he was quick to mention the fabulous travelling support, praise the contribution of the 'wee man' Michael Bryan, as well as his frustration at conceding an equaliser so soon after his strike had put his side ahead. I also asked if he had been trying to copy his Scottish U-21 colleague Chris Maguire's goal direct from the kick-off a few days earlier in their Euro Qualifier play-off game - he said he felt you would need a lot of courage as well as ability to try something like that and that he would be one of the first to be shouting at a colleague who tried it and it didn't come off!
Both interviews were played out on the Three Counties programme before we went off air at 6pm and then I made my way back to the warmth of the press room. Colin was deep in conversation with former Pompey midfielder Alan McLoughlin, who had been working for a local radio station for the game (as had fellow ex-Pompey captain Andy Awford), and others were busy filing reports for newspapers or editing photos to submit to club websites and the Sunday papers.
Fratton Park is a ground that hasn't seen much development over the years and still retains that feel of yesteryear. The atmosphere generated is much vaunted and it didn't let us down on the day. Some of it's history is still visible such as the picture below which I was told dates back to around 1960.
It's good news for Pompey fans that they can look forward now but their plight has left many out of pocket and let's hope that this situation is a wake-up call to all concerned that football must get it's house in order otherwise the future is bleak.
Thanks for reading, my next offering will include dealing with some technical issues at Vicarage Road,some thoughts on Watford from England fast bowler (& Watford fan) Steven Finn who I interviewed prior to the game at home to Ipswich and a look ahead to the forthcoming trip to Derby County.
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