Well - what a great day! I've actually come down to earth a little more now enough to believe it wasnt all a wonderful dream. Was it my imagination or was this the clock running very quickly yesterday?

A few moments of panic in the morning. As I was on one of the Trust coaches, tickets were held by them and not handed out until we got on the bus. I inadvertently got on the wrong bus (also numbered 3) settled myself down. A young lady came round checking names - and I wasnt on the list!! Aaarrrgggghhh. Hot and cold sweats. Has there been a cock -up? Have I got a ticket? 30 seconds of sheer panic ensued until I found out where I should really be and trotted off to the right bus where my tickets awaited. Phew!

Another panic! Theres a problem with the coach. An alarm is going off because of some fault and we have to leave to meet up with an engineer at Rothersthorpe services to have it repaired to the refrain of "We're on our way to Rothersthorpe" - which didnt have quite the rame ring as "We're on our way to Wemberlee". No engineer! We hang around for what seemed ages with this infernal alarm buzzing away, decide to pass the time by trotting off to the loo getting lots of funny looks from the other people there - can't imagine why - might have been the claret and white wig I suppose. Still who cared - I certainly didn't! I was proud to be a prat! We finally arrange for the RAC to disconnect the alarm (as opposed to fixing the problem) and off we go - the remainder of the convoy long gone.

A few miles down the road we come to a grinding halt. An accident stops all the traffic - panic - panic! Fortunately the accident isnt too serious and we are soon on our way again - time spend waving to the sea of supporters passing us in cars!

We pull into Scratchwood where the rest of the coaches are waiting. "We have to leave in 10 minutes" - hmmmmm - good job I had a pee at Rothersthorpe - the queue is 15 minutes long and for some obscure reason everyone is wearing a different shade of Claret - amazing how many different colours we have had through the years.

Off we go again and shortly the Twin Towers come into view. The driver, who before today obviously never knew we had a football team, makes various inane comments, complains at the cost of parking, complains about the cars getting in his way and erm... complains. Still, I feel in quite a good mood (for some reason) and I don't care. I get off and mill and take a quick visit to under the towers to see the red and black information booth - which doesnt exist. However there are red and black gates and a white booth so I settle for that.

After about 20 minutes I see my first Swansea supporter who walks along eyes to ground trying to find the other one. I make my way to the gates to greet the team coach and see a few familiar faces from the shop and club (none of whom are wearing claret for some reason). No sign of the coach but after a few minutes the sound of distant cheering begins to get nearer and suddenly there they are. They look pretty nervous, most staring straight ahead and a couple applauding the fans. Lets hope its concentration!

Make my way back to the booth picking up some fish and chippies on the way (which were surprising good) and a programme. Meet up with Ian from Swansea, the Canadian Cobbler and Gareth (who still hasnt got his ticket). Take a couple of piccies and go into the Stadium to soak it all up. A momentary delay as my wife's ticket is subject to detailed scrutiny (but Im already in!) but they give her the benefit of the doubt.

I can see why they are closing the stadium in 2000 for refurbishment but its still Wembley!! Memories of the Meccano Stand! I am stratigically placed behind a pillar obscuring one of the goals - hmmmm. The time rushs by and before I know it the teams are being presented. A moments distaste as the anthems are jeered - poor show!

The match starts and to all accounts I go into a daze, not getting to my feet to shout at the ref for at least 15 minutes (which must be some sort of record). During this interval Swansea have almost scored only being prevented by a back flip and fingertip save from Woody. The Cobblers appear to be adopting a more passing game that of late which appears to be playing into Swanseas hands. After 20 minutes Grayson robs Molby and breaks clear on a direct route to goal. Instead of shooting past the keeper he passed to his lef tto Parrish whos shot heads tantilisingly slowly past the keeper and towards the goal. A Swansea player appears and clears the ball a yard out. The members of both teams were obviously keyed up and a few over reactions took place. The ref was trying to calm everyone down and in general succeeding but a couple of strange decisions didnt help matters

Half time came and went - the only two points of note being a small bottle of coke which cost me £1.80!! and syncronised litter picking on the pitch accompanied by the band.

The second half flashed by with a couple of chances at either end (half of which I couldnt see because of the said post). Ten minutes to go and the Cobblers crowd become strangely subdued. Perhaps the thoughts of the number of games lost during the last few minutes has been telepathically transmitted to all the non-regulars and a feeling of doubt creeps into everyones minds. Swansea supporters are in full voice urging their team on to victory and Ian Atkins runs out of hand signals.

I look at the clock. 90 minutes are up and it looks like extra time and then penalties. Lee is fouled 25 yards out and I suddenly have a momentary flash of true precognition. Frain is going to take this kick and score! I was truly shocked as he shot and his kick was charged down. I was so sure! But wait. Frain appeals to the ref. pointing out that the player in question had encroached as the shot was taken. The ref. obviously agrees, books the player in question and orders the kick to be retaken. The seven man Swansea wall lines up and the ref. decides to move the ball three yards to the right. The wall shuffles over sideways but are still trying to organise as Frain steps up again. Wam! Round the wall and into the net! The crowd go wild (well our half anyway). Swansea kick off and the whistle immediately goes for full time. We've won!! We're in the second division.

I stand there for a few minutes, arms raised. cheering. The crowd start singing, and I suddenly choke up and cant join in so I mime. I look around and about half the Trust Supporters are standing there hands to faces obviously on the brink of tears as well which makes me feel less of a chump.

The Swansea players are collapsed on the pitch and Warburton trots round consoling them. Their supporters look even more stunned than you would expect and can hardly raise a clap as the players do a half-hearted lap of honour.

The team mount the steps and receive the Trophy and were nicely applauded by the Swansea supporters on their side of the steps as they return to the pitch. A few mindless idiots in front of me start singing "Your not singing anymore" - none were wearing claret but no-one else joins in. Totally uncalled for I thought - it could so easily have been us.

I make my way back to the coach and immediately I am encouraged to auction off John Frains shirt which I have been wearing all day. The bidding gets to £100 before they finally realise that it aint gonna be sold.

Mr. Moany, the coach driver announces that he has another job to do so we won't be stopping on the way back. I'm not too bothered as I'm absolutely done in and nor it seems is anyone else. We arrive back at Sixfields and everyone drifts away to their cars looking shattered. I begin to feel peckish so, off to the Wellingborough Road for a Chinky. The queue spies my shirt and again various bids are made for it. (as if!) Cars are cruising up and down outside sounding their horns.

I turn on the box just in time to catch the goal at the end of the Anglia news - switch over to BBC for MOTD (well - you never know) promptly fall asleep and the next thing I know is its 2 o'clock! I then find out that I dont have a recording of the match (help anyone?) - bugger! Oh well, Anglia have woken up and are showing highlights at 5:30 so I'll have to make do with that.

Sigh .......... it dont get much better than this!