So a reminder of the Atlético game was on my timeline this AM to remind me it's now exactly one whole year since I've been afforded being able to be together with my team in the ground for a game of football.
But it got me thinking back to that night, the crazy personal choices you oft make for your team with no rationale behind them, and the Worldwide horror we're still having to deal with daily ......
The
warning signs were there the first game in Madrid 3 weeks earlier. Although COVID hadn't really hit the over here or the Spanish capital at that time, Northern Italy was starting to get out of control. We flew directly into Madrid out of Gatwick that game. So after another great few days in one of the Worlds best capital city's, thought nothing of it. But then catching up with other friends on returning home, some of ours traveled back through Milan-Bergamo where they had a flight change. And they were greeted coming off the plane by having their temperature taken, then being isolated together at the airport, before another temperature check on the next flight. Officials on the Italian side were vague about the reasons why? But upon landing back in the UK they were advised to see their GP's and self-isolate if necessary as the virus was spreading across Europe.
And then subsequently, before the home game, Madrid infection/ death rates skyrocketed. Which all made you think
'Jesus! You put the lads who came back through Milan's experience together with this news and think how fortunate were we that none of our party became infected after 3 days in Madrid? And just what the heck officials on both sides of the channel weren't telling us that they must have known at the time?'
So by the time of the home game, things across Europe were starting to get totally out of control and Madrid had spiked to one of the highest hotspots in a state of emergency at that time. Which naturally lead a lot of very searching conversations among us about whether we should even attend the home game? But then you put your trust in the hands of the authorities. If the Government were happy to allow up to 3K from Madrid into the North West, how serious could it be? Surely L'pool/ UEFA et al wouldn't still sanction the game if there was a serious risk to all concerned?
So (I know. Naivety at worst) thinking you were in safe hands from the Government/ authorities, along with the lure of yet another belter Anfield night under the European lights, won out and we happily went the game. Madly, in retrospect, playing with our lives again.
I managed to knock off early that day as I had a few tickets to distribute so I was up The Glanbuck (the arl Stanley for anyone of my generation or older), around half 5 to meet friends. And it was about 6 PM in there that the place was dropped into a muted silence when it broke on the TV that the WHO had officially declared COVID a Worldwide pandemic. But then there was still a massive European night to look forward to so you can easily turn your thoughts back to matters at hand ..... I had to visit 3 other boozers before I went into the ground that night picking up and distributing tickets. All that was, naturally, rammed solid with a mixture of Spanish and English fans. ****, in the Solly (now the 12th Man for you whippersnappers), I was caught up in the middle of 5 or 6 Atléti fans all grabbing. kissing you and bouncing up and down singing some mad song.
It just brought home again, recollecting all this morning, just how fortunate, and how utterly stupid, we were to escape anything serious. And to put our trust in those that should be there to protect and make the right decisions for you to ensure everyone's safety.
We had a sharp spike here in the weeks following that game with no doubt many unnecessary lives lost directly related to the game. A girl who travels regularly in Europe with us tragically lost a long-standing face who had his seasonie behind her the Kop around a month after that game. With everyone convinced it was directly related to that night. (Richard Mawson. If any cares to read up.).
It really does make you think of the absurd stupidity of hosting that game/ allowing so many from Madrid into our little area of the Country. Which not only affected Liverpool but Manchester and further afield with them taking different routes in/ travel up to the North West. A rea
l 'There but for the grace of God' yanno?'
Sorry for the sobering thoughts this morning on what was my last live game watching the mighty Reds.
Exactly one year ago today. Sighs.