Ayr 29 March 2003
The club headed to Scotland for a hard earned break after such a strenuous season. We were scheduled to play a local team however they pulled out at the last minute, efforts were made to get a team together to play against us, but it was left to late. So a relaxing weekend beckoned with some sight seeing, brisk strolls along the beach and a little light reading with some intellectual conversation.
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It began that way 7.40 am on the Saturday morning we set sail on the HSS to Stranraer everyone grouped together as one big family reading the papers and contemplating breakfast. Burger King was the choice of most, although Big Frank preferred the good old bottle of Irn Bru and a Pot Noodle......Nice??
 Frank about to mix the Irn Bru with pot noodle |
So by 8.30 we were all fed and ready for some light refreshments. Ok so pints of lager at this time of the morning was a little sad but acceptable, however Gin &Tonic and Vodka & Red bull somehow seemed a little too much, I'm glad to say that Sean and Judgey are now active members of Alcoholics Anonymous. The train journey up to Ayr from Stranraer was a time for chat and to soak up the scenery, seeing as no one remembered to bring any beverages for the train, but at least we had Frank for entertainment, still inebriated from the night before.
On our arrival at the Ramada Hotel we stashed all our bags in the reception area and headed off for a bite to eat and to sample the local public houses. The first sign of Witherspoons and that was it, in for a few aperitifs and a bite to eat. Although this particular Witherspoons was an old Church with the altar and all still intact, and to be truthful it was like a funeral so off we went to find something a little more lively.
 Not the first time you will see Gippy eating |
On our travels we did a complete circuit of the town and ended up back at the Ramada, where we found a bar next door The Sports Bar and decided to stay here and play a little pool, watch the football and drink lots of beer. As you can see the locals didn't want to join us, come to think of it neither did these three strangers. Ex Colts players, and legends in their own rights, now with H & W Sport.
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The nearest one in the picture yes he with no hair Davy Long, retired at 25, but a super player in his day, although he was always carrying an extra few pounds he was still able to dazzle and entertain the screaming crowds, today he prefers to manage H & W Sport. Big Rab centre picture has the deadliest strike of the ball you are ever to see, outside of the boot every time, would give Roberto Carlos a run for his place. Finally Paul Patterson, what can we say, the best left back to grace the soccer pitches of Northern Ireland, with his strength, speed and pin point accuracy this is one for the future. Its only a matter of time before he is plucked from the little leagues and into the English Premiership and maybe one day wearing the colours of his beloved Manchester United.
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So back to the festivities RIcky Ingram & Ricky Ellis were destroying every one at pool, so Gary Hassan had to step in and sort out the boys from the men. It was like a scene from The Color of Money a few more more pints under Ingrams belt and it was like stealing candy from a baby, Ellis well he took a bit more effort but its amazing what old Jack Daniels can do to your eyesight. While this was going on Paul Griffiths retired to his room for a 3 hour snooze followed by several other members of the team, although George Newell preferred the surroundings of the Hotel Gym to work on those pecks, and to grab a quick sun bed to top up his all year round Belfast tan. Meanwhile there was a personal battle going on between Hassan and Ingram for the champion pool player and in the end, well they cant remember, all they do know is that the drink won.
A few hours later in pops Griffiths refreshed cleaned and sober and decides to show his skills against the now blitzed boys Hassan & Ingram who had not moved from the bar all day and as you can imagine, he looked good, but then Combsy the Hustler began to ply his trade on the table and the battle for supremacy began again.
To Be Continued...................
