Man in a Hat Finds Guiseley Closed !

Our intrepid Man in a Hat, who scours the Country for Real Ale whilst following the mighty Stockport County, discovered Guiseley to be largely closed yesterday. And, where was the Blue Army?

09:27 train from Piccadilly. Asked the ticket man if he knew where the Blue Army were. Don’t think he likes working Saturdays!

Leeds crawling with police. Early k-o with Leicester. Did they know where the Blue Army was? No.

Arrival at Guiseley. Still no Blue Army.

Red Lion shut. Martha’s Ale House shut. New Inn shut. Bacon.

Pic taken 18 Jan by G Privett

Guiseley Factory Workers Club open! Had they seen the Blue Army? No.

Off to Coopers, “one of the best real ale boozers in the area” I boast as we stroll the deserted streets. “It’s so good, we’ll probably have to come back after the game”. Shut for refurbishment until next month. Oh well, at least we can come back with the Youth Side.

The White Cross Hotel. Open. Saddle Black & Blonde Witch. Deviled whitebait.

2pm - better get to the game. The bar at the ground has 3 ales on, so plenty to try. The Blue Army must already be there.

Pic taken 18 Jan by G Privett

What’s this? The place is deserted. Just the Chair of the Official Supporters Club stood outside. Perhaps he knows where the Blue Army is?

Game off! WTF! We haven’t seen any rain AT ALL, all day! Look at the pitch. It’s fine. Going to rat them out to Hedgegrower. Take some pics.

 

Pic taken 18 Jan by G Privett

See 2 of the Blue Army on the way to the Station (pub). Ales aplenty. Moans aplenty. Stuck in Guiseley. Don’t want to risk Leeds straight after their game finishes, particularly as they have lost! More ale.

Stick to plan A - couple of hours in Leeds. Scarborough Hotel & Leeds Brewery Tap, Friends of Ham, Pig Aplenty. Half of the Blue Army sighted earlier find us. Bump into our friends from Dublin! Freaky.

Back to Manchester. Last orders in the Bulls Head. The Blue Army turn up again. Stalker! Last bus home.

Graham

Editors note;

Following Graham`s report the blog sent their very own hack with a pen and a crass line in repartee-Nigel Farago up in the  blog helicopter to survey the scene from above and get an aerial shot.

Pic by N Farago.

As you can see the ground also  looked playable from that shot, and it was a cause of some exasperation that yet again we had been deprived of a footballing feast on a Saturday , after all hadn`t County sent their resident dampness expert( we will call him Steve for the purposes of this  item) to advise our hosts- at least the YB rumour mill had said they had!

Meanwhile  we understand that Man in a Hat is supporting the on line CAMRA petition demanding that Vince Cable appoints a Pub Watchdog for the UK. There`s a parliamentary debate on Tuesday, and already the petition has attracted over 18000 signatures.We are unable to confirm( or deny) whether the blogs latest photographic talent is to be a candidate to fill the post should it come to pass!