As many people are aware, there was a trip to SoccerAM Towers this weekend. Myself, YorkshireMag, Jon, Graeme and Monty made the trip to West London to see the show being filmed. This is my report of events.

My journey began on Friday afternoon. I got to Lincoln Central train station too early for the train, so I opted for a swift pint in the pub nearby. Immediately, some drunken tramp sat next to me, and started spouting some drunken garble at me. I made my excuses and left, to stand on a freezing platform for half an hour. In true rail style, there was an hour to kill between my train from Lincoln to Newark, and the connection from Newark to Kings Cross, so a trip to the local off-license, and another freezing platform was the order of the day.

I met YorkshireMag on the train, and we headed for London. Fairly uneventful on the way down, aside from catching up with gossip, and generally having a laugh. So Kings Cross to Osterley tube on The Piccadilly line, where west_ham_hammer picked us up, and drove us to the hotel. We met Graeme and Monty in the bar for a few scoopages, where they invented some garbage about me being drunk.... See the other thread for details

So to Saturday morning. A cab from the hotel to the studios, picking up Jon on the way. We reported in at the security hut, signed in and were escorted to The Green Room. We were given a sheet of paper with all the rules and regulations, such as no flash photography, no mobile phones etc. (I'll scan and post the copy later) It's quite hard to put into words how standing and watching the likes of Robbie, Neil and Rocket buzzing up and down the corridors, poking their heads into The Green Room and saying hello. Just before 9am, The City Hull fans were led into the studio, and the audience members plus "Stranger On The Sofa" waited until The Division 4 goals were being screened, when we were led into the studio by Jon Dyson, who gave us a quick briefing on what was and wasn't allowed.

The first thing that struck me was the size of the studio....Or in reality, the lack of size. It's really no bigger than the average living room. We were positioned behind the three cameras, between Tim/Helen and The Fans. Another strange thing was that every time a VT was run, Tim and Helen would pick up newspapers and read them. During the first commercial break, Fenners, still dressed as Stan Hibbert came over and introduced himself, told us to make as much noise as possible, clap, cheer etc, so we did!! The Floor manager periodically moved audience members to The Green Room for sections of the show, as the numbers exceeded health and safety regulations. Myself and Mag were the lucky two who didn't get rotated, so saw the entie three hours. During the breaks crew members kept coming over and introducing themselves, asking how we were, and generally being superb.

The show itself was one of the funniest for a while. Add to that, the things that occur off-screen (Such as Tim catching me "hip-hop" dancing to the bed for the fixtures) and it made for a great day.

As soon as the end credits stopped rolling, we were told to have a walk round, get photographs and so on. Nothing was too much for either the crew or the guests, all of whom happily posed for photographs, autographs and so on. In the meantime people were shooting around dismantling the studio, and when we left, there was quite literally no evidence of SoccerAM left. It was strange a little later to see a forklift taking the studio walls to a holding depot, and returning with the walls for another show.

Robbie came over to us, and invited us for a drink or ten at the local pub, the very pub where "The Wheatsheaf" is filmed. Again, in the pub the crew were excellant, and happily talked to us about anything and everything. Robbie was going to a gig, so only had a couple of shandies, but he did buy us all some chips!! Jon Dyson demolished a few bottles of Budweiser, while Neil Smythe was on vodka and coke.... Most strange

I have several pictures to upload later. Meanwhile it's time for the others to report their views of the day. However, I can honestly say that overall, it was a fantastic day out, and a real eye-opener.

Thanks go to the crew member who made it all possible.