Chronicle Article 10 March 2000

The Great Escape 2000 moved temporarily into Devon and thankfully came out unscathed. As someone who failed to make either journey, tributes should be paid to the travelling fans' strength of support for the Blues. The time, cost and emotional investment of the past few days has been immense for those supporters. Due recognition should be given to the players and the coaching staff for getting four points to lift us off the foot of the table for the first time in months, and earning Wayne a double bonus in the process. Morale should be high. Let's keep it that way.

Us stay-at-homes, who watched on teletext or were permanently awaiting radio reports from Ken Furphy (who saved Neil Turner the trips), know the tension of not being at the game can be just as great. As I left Tesco car park at 3.05 on Saturday, the first words to come over Radio Merseyside were that Siggi had scored, quickly followed by the news that Carlisle were two down. Resisting the temptation to shout and punch the air (due to inhibiting presence of passenger), I assumed smugness mode until arriving home sometime around 3.15. Whilst passenger unpacked shopping bags in the kitchen, I quickly switched on the radio in time to hear Mr Furphy relay news of Luke's goal. (Air punching and celebration mode was assumed in safety of living room). Once Carlisle went three down, tension became too much (remember Swansea?) and the second half was spent gardening, free of radio contact until the perfect set of final scores.

Tuesday night involved watching teletext and listening to Radio Merseyside for match reports. A guy called Rob who had phoned in, temporarily relieved the growing tension. Before ringing off, he told presenter Alan Jackson that we wouldn't go down and that we'd make the Great Escape. "Who's your team then?" asked Alan. "Chester" replied Rob. Good on yer Rob. At full time, I phoned travelling fans at Plymouth with news of the Shrewsbury home defeat, whilst jubilant Blues bombarded the website message board.

Along with the big improvement (apart from the Brighton blip) we need faith, (in the lads), hope, (from the fans), and a bit of charity (from refs.- we're due some). We are set for our best league run of the season as we "welcome" Shrewsbury for what should be an interesting game. It will be strange when Kevin Ratcliffe and Dave Fogg take their places in the visitors' dug out. Presumably they will not make the mistake of Big Ron, who sat on the wrong bench when starting a brief but unsuccessful spell at Forest. Kevin and Foggy were great servants of the Club but I don’t think I'm alone in hoping that they will be on the losing side, and that there will be big and vocal support to help us beat them.

Great Escape 2000 T-shirts will be available early next week. Who says that the ISA hasn't got confidence?

Les Smith ISA chairman

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