Wingmakers on the Road

7.45am, on a cool but sunny Saturday morning, as the coach leaves Airbus on route to Bridgend for our fixture with unbeaten Penybont.

Accompanying the team are five loyal supporters looking forward to another away victory in South Wales.

20 minutes in, we stop in Rhos to pick up the rest of the lads, next stop Builth Wells and the Strand café for a much-needed breakfast.

Not much chatter yet, as some catch up on their beauty sleep.

9.20am, super organiser (of everything) Sam, takes the breakfast orders and phones ahead. Just after 10 o’clock we arrive and stream into a very busy café. Thankfully, tables had been reserved with the team sent upstairs so as not to frighten the locals. A good move as despite pre-ordering someone (no names but boiled egg suffices) ate the wrong breakfast and there were some extra orders, sending the café staff into confusion until Sam sorted it. Wisely, Mark and staff had stayed downstairs accounting for the extra orders.

Back on the bus refreshed, and in just two more hours we arrive at a busy DragonBet Stadium.

Must just mention the skill of the coach driver negotiating the narrow roads and parked cars just outside the Stadium-well done driver Sam.

As we enter the stadium a full-on Family Day is in full swing stalls, bouncy castles the lot.

Time to prepare, the lads go off to the changing rooms whilst supporters and Committee members have to kill time in the clubhouse.

2.30pm, Kick-off and by this time our travelling support had swelled to 10 as the “Cookie Crew” had joined us. This was our contribution to a record breaking 2,666 crowd though I guess many of that number watched from the bouncy castle!

What followed was a great performance from the team and we were extremely unlucky not to come away with at least a draw. You will have read the match reports and seen the interviews, so next up, homeward bound.

5.30pm back on the coach, a quick stop to take on vital supplies and Airbus here we come.

Lots of discussion about the game, everyone proud of the team’s performance, intermingled with updates on the attempted purchase of tickets for some group, Oasis I think they’re called.

7pm, time for an Airbus coach trip ritual, all players must sing to the bus and only two yet to perform. First up Jack, followed by Oli C, great renditions by both in difficult conditions, the coach mic wasn’t working, but no need for Oasis to worry.

A bit of a group sing along followed before organiser Sam suggested a quiz, management and supporters versus the players. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal the result, that stays on the bus!

By now it’s dark outside and we settle down for the remainder of the journey, some great banter, before finally arriving back at Airbus for 9.35pm.

Many thanks to Unicorn Travel and driver Sam for a safe and comfortable journey, Strand Café for great food, with a special thanks to our travelling supporters, although it did feel like we had been to World’s End not Bridgend.

Look out for our next away day, why not join us?

Ray

Supporter Liaison Officer