It’s strange how work sometimes throws you a curve ball. A trip to see a distributor in France meant I had to miss our Champions League game at SJP v PSV. But it also meant my business partners in France invited me to to go and see the Marseille v Liverpool Champions League game instead.
I can’t say I was delighted to miss our game but the idea of going to see Marseille at home and to have a night of corporate hospitality (free booze and scoff) did help ease the trauma. Modern technology and excellent wi-fi in the stadium (that’ll never catch on) meant I could keep up-to-date with the events back in NE1 whilst sitting in the Velodrome’s stands. Though I did also have to explain to those near me who gave me a few curious looks when I had I punched the air and gave a ‘get in’ at random intervals (well, exactly three intervals as it happens) during the match, especially when Wissa scored early and there was literally nowt happening in Marseille.
Anyhoo, we were staying in Aix En Provence which is a university town about 40km from Marseille. It’s a lovely place, with the typical town square (complete with fountain) surrounded by restaurants, cafes and bars filled with hip French groovers in berets (not really).
We headed over to Marseille and it took two hours to drive into the town (a bit like the A1 used to be round Team Valley during those (cough) wonderful roadworks years) and then another 30 minutes to find somewhere to park.
To be fair to them, this was 6.30ish with a 9pm kick off time and they were right up for the game even that early. On the walk up to the stadium, the roadside bars were full and Marseille fans were in good voice. I kept my gob shut on the understanding that Marseille Ultras might not recognise the regional differences in accent between Geordie and Scouse and give me a good hiding just for being English – I was happy with my life choices.
Entry to the stadium was a pain in the arse even two hours before kick off, two levels of checks causing huge queues on quite steep stairs with no hand rails. My Health & Safety antenna was going ballistic (not really).
Into the stadium though and the corporate area was magnificent. Large bars, buffet areas and table service with the walls festooned with old pics of the stadium I visited in May 2004 and players like Boli, Papin and a lad called Waddle from Gateshead. The seats were superb (nearly on the half way line) and the Ultras were in full voice long before a ball was kicked in anger.
The stand to my left had two levels of Ultras – both with their own drum section and chanter with a microphone. The Scousers were off to our left as well, in the corner next to that end.
The atmosphere was brilliant to be fair. The flag displays before the game were magnificent (Wor Flags take note) but I was a bit confused about the Fab Four flag that appeared just before kick off away to our right? Not sure what The Beatles (the most overrated band in history – Ed – not this nonsense again man) have in common with Marseille but they were fully resplendent in the home end?
The match was a regulation 3-0 win for Liverpool who were a little bit under pressure for periods of the first half. But once they’d scored the result never looked in doubt. The fans around me were passionate and really cared about their team (unusual sometimes in a corporate area) but both home ends were loud and proud over the whole 90 minutes regardless of the scoreline.
The older Marseille heads at our table waxed lyrically about the old times and teams they have seen represent this melting pot of a city. I explained to them why we hate Drogba and they agreed that they would be exactly the same. I couldn’t help but think United should have won here at a canter as well, the early goal should have set us up for a solid 2 or 3-0 win but our inability to close games down and win comfortably has already been discussed to death so I won’t go over that again.
A great trip, I really enjoyed seeing the ‘new’ stadium and the atmosphere was brilliant throughout (I love the chanting from one home end to the other).
Disappointed I missed our game but a great result. I still hate Liverpool mind you and I was pleased that their fans were stuck in the ground long after we had left – small wins and all that. The free food and drink helped.
Ted Edwards.