MY CUP FINAL DAY OUT

Carlisle train station. It was silent. Nothing moved. No people bustling. No trains shuttling through at 100mph. It felt like Cliitenhill on matchdays. It was eerie. The gentle whistle of the wind floated by. A deserted InterCity train was stationed opposite. The empty smaller one I'd arrived in, peered round the comer. I sat in the seating area, wondering what I had done.

Sat. 16th Mav 98 6 am: I awoke to the feeling of pride. Hearts were due to play Rangers that afternoon. And I was going to be there. It was my first Cup Final. The previous two, I had been unable to get a ticket.

0930: I had made my way to Preston station. I teamed up with fellow Hearts fans #1, #2 & #3. They had connections with the train company, so we had First Class seats. The right style, for the right occasion.

1230: we arrived in Glasgow. An extremely hot day. Began wishing r had not brought my jacket. We went to the pub where we soaked up the atmosphere of the day. Watching previews on SKY and Terrestrial at the same time. Don't drink too much - wait in hope for further celebrations after the game.

1400: LeR for Parkhead. Crushed on the train there. From Bridgeton, I have to memorize the route as nushing back afterwards. On the way, I see a disaster waiting to happen. Mounds, literally thousands of bricks Iying just yards from the stadium.

1435: Lost my mates. Don't know if I'm going in the right direction. Appear to be a lot of Rangers fans around me. I found #2, searchparty had gone for me.

1445: Enter at Janefield Street. i see Stevie Frail signing autographs. I am out of breath climbing steps right near the top of the stand.

1500: The teams have run out. Hearts are wearing their white with maroon shorts. We kick-off.

1500 3e sees: Penalty. Stevie Fulton goes past three. Is then taken down in the area Colin Cameron slots home the resultant kick. The euphoria that followed was breathtaking. The guy next to me jumps all over me, as I then did also. It was incredible. For the next twenty minutes I suffered from a stomach ache. Rangers were not threatening. Our game-plan was working. Abysmal long range shooting they were reduced to. They did however hit the post.

1545: Half-time. The Hearts section have been in full voice throughout the whole course. Halfway there. I worry about the inevitable second-half onslaught I also worry about my train home.

1607: Stephane Adam has dispossessed Amoruso. He is clean-through. A bit of an angle though. His shot is hindered by Goram's fingertip. It doesn't matter as the ball roles sweetly into the net. our army goes barmy. Rangers' threshold look to be under serious threat now.

1636: Ally McCoist puts them back in it. Nervous maroon faces can now be seen.

1642: McCoist surges through. I see our dreams flash before my eyes. This must be it. He is brought down, though. The referee runs into the area seemingly pointing at the spot. Myself, and everyone else around me thought the ref had awarded a penalty. It was, in fact, a free-kick.

1645: Full-time and over 20,000 Hearts fans wildly celebrate in the intense heat. 36 years of waiting has finally paid its reward.

1700 Free pies have been served. I'm starving. Not had anything all day. cup is being presented. Wesd waited so long for this. Not one piece of the occasion was a disappointment. It's everything I dreamed it would be - and more.1700 Free pies have been served. I'm starving. Not had anything all day. cup is being presented. Wesd waited so long for this. Not one piece of the occasion was a disappointment. It's everything I dreamed it would be - and more.1700 Free pies have been served. I'm starving. Not had anything all day. cup is being presented. Wesd waited so long for this. Not one piece of the occasion was a disappointment. It's everything I dreamed it would be - and more.

1715: Finally outside the stadium. Had a train to catch, bat needed to stay for presentation. Bridgeton had eluded me, seeing as though the police had cut off my intended route I asked a policeman where to get a taxi. He pointed to a road. So I went off not knowing whether I was looking for a taxi rank, or hailing a bloody taxi. Eventually, having enquired to two others, I found the rank. The time was now 1722. Driver assured me it would take 7 or 8 minutes. Mind's now at rest. Sharing a taxi with a guy who was pissed. He said he had been at the pub drinking and watching the match. He had a ticket but didn't go. Never found out why.

1741: Running through Central Station. Platform I . The train pulls away just as I arrive. Out of breath, I dejectedly trudge back to the seating area Don't know what to do. # I said I could stay at the BULB with them should this worst case scenario occur. I didn 't fancy crossing to Edinburgh, though.

1845: Girl asked me to by her a cheeseburger. I obliged. I have been congratulated by everyone for our win.

2205: I had bought a ticket to Edinburgh, then decided not to use it. Now on a train to Carlisle. Took kind of a funny route through Killie. Don't think my ticket would allow for this trip, but the conductor I think did not know where St Annes was.

0030: Arrived in Carlisle. Standing against a wall, I was spotted by a policeman. I had to explain my situations After we had established how I had come to be in Carlisle - he didn't seem to grasp it - he told the Station Manager, who allowed me to stay there. So I began thinking of the game, I sat in the seating area, wondering what I had done - but I didn't care!

0130: I was shown to a shoddy little office where I was allowed to stay. Other than one hour's sleep, I stayed up all night. As soon as the door was opened at about 0615, I went outside. I needed to get out as soon as I could.

0700: Been for crisps and a drink. Found out the first train home is at 1359. Cannot believe it. I walk up and down the streets of Carlisle for about half-an-hour. Then back to the station. Just hanging around outside.

091S: See a train to Leeds. I'm going to get on it to York. Can't believe it doesn't go there. Another plan scuppered. Can't believe only three trains will be leaving the station that morning. An old man is another who is stuck. I get talking to him. This wasted some more tirne, but he was getting all emotional over talk about the War.

13S9: Really tired now. Falling asleep. The train did enough to keep me awake. Finally on it on my way home.

The only disappointmen is that if I had got on that train to Edinburgh I would have seen the parade the next day. And I didn't have a chance to get drunk and celebrate properly.

171S: Finally outside the stadium. Had a train to catch, bat needed to stay for presentation. Bridgeton had eluded me, seeing as though the police had cut off my intended route I asked a policeman where to get a taxi. He pointed to a road. So I went off not knowing whether I was looking for a taxi rank, or hailing a bloody taxi. Eventually, having enquired to two others, I found the rank. The time was now 1722. Driver assured me it would take 7 or 8 minutes. Mind's now at rest. Sharing a taxi with a guy who was pissed. He said he had been at the pub drinking and watching the match. He had a ticket but didn't go. Never found out why.

1741: Running through Central Station. Platform I . The train pulls away just as I arrive. Out of breath, I dejectedly trudge back to the seating area Don't know what to do. # I said I could stay at the BULB with them should this worst case scenario occur. I didn 't fancy crossing to Edinburgh, though.

1845: Girl asked me to by her a cheeseburger. I obliged. I have been congratulated by everyone for our win.

2205: I had bought a ticket to Edinburgh, then decided not to use it. Now on a train to Carlisle. Took kind of a funny route through Killie. Don't think my ticket would allow for this trip, but the conductor I think did not know where St Annes was.

0030: Arrived in Carlisle. Standing against a wall, I was spotted by a policeman. I had to explain my situations After we had established how I had come to be in Carlisle - he didn't seem to grasp it - he told the Station Manager, who allowed me to stay there. So I began thinking of the game, I sat in the seating area, wondering what I had done - but I didn't care!

0130: I was shown to a shoddy little office where I was allowed to stay. Other than one hour's sleep, I stayed up all night. As soon as the door was opened at about 0615, I went outside. I needed to get out as soon as I could.

0700: Been for crisps and a drink. Found out the first train home is at 1359. Cannot believe it. I walk up and down the streets of Carlisle for about half-an-hour. Then back to the station. Just hanging around outside.

091S: See a train to Leeds. I'm going to get on it to York. Can't believe it doesn't go there. Another plan scuppered. Can't believe only three trains will be leaving the station that morning. An old man is another who is stuck. I get talking to him. This wasted some more tirne, but he was getting all emotional over talk about the War.

1359: Really tired now. Falling asleep. The train did enough to keep me awake. Finally on it on my way home.

The only disappointmen is that if I had got on that train to Edinburgh I would have seen the parade the next day. And I didn't have a chance to get drunk and celebrate properly.

1715: Finally outside the stadium. Had a train to catch, bat needed to stay for presentation. Bridgeton had eluded me, seeing as though the police had cut off my intended route I asked a policeman where to get a taxi. He pointed to a road. So I went off not knowing whether I was looking for a taxi rank, or hailing a bloody taxi. Eventually, having enquired to two others, I found the rank. The time was now 1722. Driver assured me it would take 7 or 8 minutes. Mind's now at rest. Sharing a taxi with a guy who was pissed. He said he had been at the pub drinking and watching the match. He had a ticket but didn't go. Never found out why.

1741: Running through Central Station. Platform I . The train pulls away just as I arrive. Out of breath, I dejectedly trudge back to the seating area Don't know what to do. # I said I could stay at the BULB with them should this worst case scenario occur. I didn 't fancy crossing to Edinburgh, though.

1845: Girl asked me to by her a cheeseburger. I obliged. I have been congratulated by everyone for our win.

2205: I had bought a ticket to Edinburgh, then decided not to use it. Now on a train to Carlisle. Took kind of a funny route through Killie. Don't think my ticket would allow for this trip, but the conductor I think did not know where St Annes was.

0030: Arrived in Carlisle. Standing against a wall, I was spotted by a policeman. I had to explain my situations After we had established how I had come to be in Carlisle - he didn't seem to grasp it - he told the Station Manager, who allowed me to stay there. So I began thinking of the game, I sat in the seating area, wondering what I had done - but I didn't care!

0130: I was shown to a shoddy little office where I was allowed to stay. Other than one hour's sleep, I stayed up all night. As soon as the door was opened at about 0615, I went outside. I needed to get out as soon as I could.

0700: Been for crisps and a drink. Found out the first train home is at 1359. Cannot believe it. I walk up and down the streets of Carlisle for about half-an-hour. Then back to the station. Just hanging around outside.

0915: See a train to Leeds. I'm going to get on it to York. Can't believe it doesn't go there. Another plan scuppered. Can't believe only three trains will be leaving the station that morning. An old man is another who is stuck. I get talking to him. This wasted some more tirne, but he was getting all emotional over talk about the War.

1359: Really tired now. Falling asleep. The train did enough to keep me awake. Finally on it on my way home.

The only disappointmen is that if I had got on that train to Edinburgh I would have seen the parade the next day. And I didn't have a chance to get drunk and celebrate properly.

G. JAMBO