(In Character) Tears and pride, that's all I can say on that day on the 15th July. Following the Semi final victory, the hype and build up to the final was insane as pretty much everyone I knew wanted to go to Wembley, even my Rugby mad loving fellow taxi driver who hated football was wanting to be part of it which does say a lot. As you know, ticket sales to the Scots was limited to 20 to 30,000 something, could quite remember the figures. Even with this limitation, the demand for tickets was high with the website crashing due to the high figures of a million, yes that's right, trying to get tickets. If that didn't show how hyped up was a country of 5 million was feeling then I don't know what is.
I tried to get tickets but sadly I couldn't get any, but my uncle and cousin managed though and would join a Caledonian cavalcade down the M6 motorway which the sight of an endless line of cars and buses cladded in Scotland flags became quite well documented in many YouTube videos if you remember them. Some were using planes and others used trains (A real life Planes, Trains and Automobile affair!) And when they all got to London, where were all the English support? I think they must've underestimated the Scots coming down in large numbers, but with it being a WC final in your arch rival's home patch, why not be part of history.
Speaking of the mass exodus from Scotland, there was one funny front page title from the Daily Record newspaper that had the Scotland badge on the front with the headline reading 'Your Chance To Become Legends' with a sub header in brackets saying 'And will the last person leaving Scotland turn the light off please!' Giving how many were leaving even without tickets, it seemed like a fair point. In my town of Kirkcaldy, there was this big screen in the Beveredge Park showing the game live and in every house had at least a Saltire flag flying with many wearing Scotland tops, surely they must've made a fortune with how much they sold. While it was sunny for the final, the weather in Scotland that day was drizzly and footage from many fanparks showed people with umbrellas and it was just typical after so many days of sunshine and on the biggest day of Scottish football, the heavens had to open up.
I instead went to a local pub in the town with my Dad with the outside all being deserted as everyone was tuning in to watch the game. It was built up as the greatest day in the history of British football, yet the tension was there in the final half hour before kick off as we knew whoever won this game would have bragging rights for all time.
I do remember Rod Stewart singing and being booed on the TV, however despite it being a hit, many in the pub I was in seemed to hate it too and I must say it is the only time in which both sides seemed to hate something. Then we get into the game itself and I will say that Scotland started the game very well, though the penalty incident had us sweating bricks and you can imagine how relived we were when the referee said no.
Then came the first goal, dear Lord what a moment! Scenes of utter madness in that pub followed with everyone getting soaked with drink and you can imagine similar scenes of celebrations across Scotland despite the bad weather. I and several others ran outside and you could hear cheering taking place with cars honking their horns too, I did think that if that was for now, God knows what would happen if we win this game?
I will say that my heart nearly went when Griffiths scored as I couldn't believe it, though my Dad fainted with shock and it was all a bit mental in both a good and bad sense. When half time did come around and the scoreline came up on the screen, pretty much everyone got out their phones and took a picture of the score reading England 0 - 1 Scotland, and when my Dad did recover, he asked me if this all for real. I really didn't know and could only hope it was all too good to be true...
Looking back in hindsight, I think many began to enjoy themselves a bit too much thinking that they had already won, but I was fearful of tempting fate knowing how well this England team could be. I don't remember much of the second half as England did perform better and the good noise in that pub grew more weary as each minute ticked by. Then came Kane's goal and the mood fell apart and one angry guy threw his half drunken glass of beer over at the large screen in anger in which he nearly got barred for damages. When full time happened, some were thinking that we could take the game to penalties and win, but momentum was with England throughout the second half and it was all going to end all badly for us. We were pretty bad in extra time and it was confirmed when Sterling scored and the atmosphere in that pub became like that of a morgue from then on and tears were shed, me included, as in the end, we lost the final.
I do remember the standing ovation the Scotland players as the fans in Wembley tried to raise their spirts up, but the thought of us winning it is a painful what if. Still, when the team returned at Glasgow airport they got a warm reception for such a brave run that sadly may never be repeated again. God knows if Strachen will stay on despite everyone wanting him to carry on for Euro 2020, and the bizarre calls of making him a Saint, which hopefully the experience from this WC will hopefully lead us on to doing one step better. Anyone else have memories of the game?
(Out of Character) and so it comes to an end...at least for now. Despite the result not being the one I hoped for, it was a good one and I did laugh at Rod Stewart getting booed haha!take it Euro 2020 will be like a Europe wide tournament like OTL which means Hampden park will be there and the final will be at Wembley. Maybe Scotland will get revenge there...?
Anyway, better get working on my TL now, hopefully it won't be long until we get another football TL from you soon!![]()
Man, thank you very much for your tips and that In character, that were superb! your writings here and at "home nations" TL of yours are magnificent!...about your question, ITTL, Euro 2020 will be the same way ATL than in OTL, so, in ATL, a revenge is possible
Saludos!