Broadwood Stadium - now there�s a name to put a shiver down your spine. This wretched place has never been a happy hunting ground for me, or other ICT fans come to think of it. Today was to be the exception rather than the rule.
This match was one we had to win to keep any hope alive of winning the 1st division title. It was also the match that heralded the start of HMII (Highland March 2 � a walk from the penultimate match of the season to the last) where five of us (including me) started to walk from Clyde FC to Inverness after the game. You could imagine how that would have gone if we�d have lost this match and any chance of glory along with it.
The journey North was again by air as we flew into Glasgow from Birmingham. We landed on time shortly after 0920 and reclaimed our luggage. We are met at the airport at around 1020 by ITN and Jnr, this after I had changed into my HMII Kilt!.
It was also at the airport that we were joined by a BBC cameraman who took some shots of these idiots in kilts and a ruddy great big flag!.
We are then whisked away to Broadwood Stadium by the HMII support mini-bus, which was promptly parked up, and we headed for the pre-arranged drinking establishment. This was, initially, the Smiddy Bar where the owners welcomed us. A small array of sarnies was laid on for us before we were dragged outside by the local newspaper reporter for another photo shoot. On the way to the ground we called in at Broadwood Farm where the vast majority of the ICT support had gathered. Singing in the sunshine ensued as the pre-match booze flowed.
Before the match started we were allowed to walk part of the way around the ground to promote our walk before taking our seats in the far stand. The first half of the match was quite dull with very little in the way of chances but we were just about on top at this point. The second half proved to be a lot better and when Keogh smacked the ball into back of the net it was time to leap up and down like a demented 14 year old again. Our joy lasted for about ten minutes when the bald headed idiot of a referee decided Clyde should have a penalty and they equalised from the spot. This caused many a heated word in the general direction of the ref�. At this point it looked like the walk up the road was going to be longer than planned. However, with a little over ten minutes remaining, Hislop heads the ball into the back of the net and more leaping around ensued. The match finished 2-1 in our favour. This was the first time ever that I�d seen ICT win at Broadwood. The match was played in glorious weather up until the last few moments when the heavens opened which gave us a wet start to our trek but we were warm inside! [A report of HMII can be found here]. A great day out indeed.
