TSSeasider
Well-known member
Having decided that today was the day to use the hospitality vouchers given for Christmas, my two lads and I set off earlier than usual to make sure we got to Blackpool in plenty of time.
Plenty of Sunderland fans making their way to Wigan meant the roads weren't completely quiet, but no traffic issues.
Was able to make good time, so popped in to Carleton Crem to see my mum and sister; always nice to be able to do it as it's not always possible.
Made our way to a pretty quiet Lonsdale Road car park; parked up and made our way in to hospitality for the first time.
Walking past the steward glancing at shoes as it's a requirement not to have trainers; given the table number and off we go.
The shirts on the wall are a nice touch; it's a shame they don't go further back in our history, and we should start adding a few more from beyond 2010 - but not the obvious ones.
Into the Matthews Suite and it first impressions were pretty good. We were crammed in a little, but most of these places are, plenty of tangerine accents - I wasn't 100% sure about the mirrors in the ceiling and did think that it may have been something the previous owners took great delight in having in there.
We ended up sitting on a table with a group of 7 some of whom post on here (although they only had six settings at first) who were great company throughout the day and included us in conversations. Not that easy as we were complete strangers, and harder with an 18 and 12 year old in tow; but they were terrific.
Food served, and it was fine, yes there was a long delay between first and second courses, but I didn't feel rushed to make sure I ate it before kickoff.
John Murphy and Grant Ward were interesting enough, the questions weren't the most challenging mind.
Used an app to order drinks, worked fine. Very impressed with the 200mbs upload/download speed from the free WiFi; be brilliant if they could get that to the rest of the ground at some point.
Got to say the atmosphere when watching the game was pretty flat; and my eldest was frustrated with it (prefers the North!) so he just tried his best. We moved so we could stand throughout and not block the view of some old fella.
First half flew past, chocolate dessert thing, was tasty; queuing up to pour your own coffee though seems a little un-corporate. (Same at full time). They didn't appear to top them up either.
Nice touch from the club was a free book for the youngest as part of the get Blackpool to Read scheme or something; and an autographed poster which he will get framed.
Man of Match Gary Madine agreed he'd not played very well; and that was that.
Apart from my boys going back on to the balcony to watch the media interviews.
We called out to Neil Critchley, who came up, took a football off a young supporter and got it signed by the players in the dressing room.
He then came back and answered questions from my eldest who coaches a girls grass roots team for a good 5 minutes in the freezing cold. Critchley couldn't do enough, explained some of his changes v Fulham etc and was a class act.
Shook our hands, took the chance to say thanks and to wish him well and off we went. On the way out of the building we bumped into Madine and Marv who were both happy to pose for photographs.
Drive home was easy, plenty of happy Mackems and a chance to reflect on how far we've come as club.
Great day and something my boys will treasure.
Plenty of Sunderland fans making their way to Wigan meant the roads weren't completely quiet, but no traffic issues.
Was able to make good time, so popped in to Carleton Crem to see my mum and sister; always nice to be able to do it as it's not always possible.
Made our way to a pretty quiet Lonsdale Road car park; parked up and made our way in to hospitality for the first time.
Walking past the steward glancing at shoes as it's a requirement not to have trainers; given the table number and off we go.
The shirts on the wall are a nice touch; it's a shame they don't go further back in our history, and we should start adding a few more from beyond 2010 - but not the obvious ones.
Into the Matthews Suite and it first impressions were pretty good. We were crammed in a little, but most of these places are, plenty of tangerine accents - I wasn't 100% sure about the mirrors in the ceiling and did think that it may have been something the previous owners took great delight in having in there.
We ended up sitting on a table with a group of 7 some of whom post on here (although they only had six settings at first) who were great company throughout the day and included us in conversations. Not that easy as we were complete strangers, and harder with an 18 and 12 year old in tow; but they were terrific.
Food served, and it was fine, yes there was a long delay between first and second courses, but I didn't feel rushed to make sure I ate it before kickoff.
John Murphy and Grant Ward were interesting enough, the questions weren't the most challenging mind.
Used an app to order drinks, worked fine. Very impressed with the 200mbs upload/download speed from the free WiFi; be brilliant if they could get that to the rest of the ground at some point.
Got to say the atmosphere when watching the game was pretty flat; and my eldest was frustrated with it (prefers the North!) so he just tried his best. We moved so we could stand throughout and not block the view of some old fella.
First half flew past, chocolate dessert thing, was tasty; queuing up to pour your own coffee though seems a little un-corporate. (Same at full time). They didn't appear to top them up either.
Nice touch from the club was a free book for the youngest as part of the get Blackpool to Read scheme or something; and an autographed poster which he will get framed.
Man of Match Gary Madine agreed he'd not played very well; and that was that.
Apart from my boys going back on to the balcony to watch the media interviews.
We called out to Neil Critchley, who came up, took a football off a young supporter and got it signed by the players in the dressing room.
He then came back and answered questions from my eldest who coaches a girls grass roots team for a good 5 minutes in the freezing cold. Critchley couldn't do enough, explained some of his changes v Fulham etc and was a class act.
Shook our hands, took the chance to say thanks and to wish him well and off we went. On the way out of the building we bumped into Madine and Marv who were both happy to pose for photographs.
Drive home was easy, plenty of happy Mackems and a chance to reflect on how far we've come as club.
Great day and something my boys will treasure.
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We were in corporate in a box today and had a great day as well. When we came out Marvin was coming out as well……. how fooking tall is he 
UTMP!
