2012/13 Unwrapped: Saturday 7th July - Lost nowhere near a Forest

   So, this it.  A massive seven weeks after the last game covered in 2011/12 for Gateway 97.8, it's already the first one in 2012/13, and the first one for Phoenix FM, as well as Gateway.

   Billericay Town are starting a bit early, sending a team of trialists to Waltham Forest to see how things go.  It has to be done.

   I pick up Chipper at Billericay, quick change at Shenfield, then shuttle to Goodmayes.  I just quickly check the Waltham Forest website.  Despite showing directions to Cricklefields, there's a note saying the game is instead at Wadham Lodge.  There's also a difference of opinion on kick-off time, either 2pm or 2.30pm.

   The consensus from Chipper and I is that either way we really don't give a toss too much as Ilford's ground is on our way anyhow, and missing some of a trialist pre-season friendly isn't going to ruin our years.

   We reach Cricklefields and it's even more grim looking than usual thanks to the building work going on.  A pitch around an athletics track.  An old athletics track.  In the pouring rain.  We venture into the club and see some sort of gym session for kids going on.  Nope, definitely no football here today.  It's almost a relief.

   Luckily the Shenfield shuttles are every 10 minutes, so a train into Liverpool Street and onto Highams Park or Wood Street won't take long.  They don't.  Going into London at any rate.

   I forget the gold rule of public transport.  At weekends, always check the timetables.  We get to the platform for Highams Park, only to see that line is closed for the weekend for engineering work.

   At that point Chipper and I grin at each other.  The thought we both have is 'Ah well, f*** it.'  We retreat to the KFC in Bishopsgate and from the warm, dry basement, relay updates on the score, thanks to my endless list of contacts - or twitter as some may know it - and text them through to both Phoenix and Gateway.

   With Chipper happily fed and watered we return home, with me stopping off at a bureau de change along the way to get some Turkish lira for Chipper's holiday.  Billericay win 5-2.  Both they and my lad have had a result.  I just put today down to experience.

   At least it can't get any worse.  And at least it's fun .....