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......When
the Hearts went up - to lift the Scottish Cup We were there, we were there
.....'
What a day, what a night, what a weekend, what a hangover.
It was a brilliant morning starting off in the Koffee Pot where I had beans on toast - don't think I ate again until Monday night. There was an old wifie in who kept saying that the Cream Buns were going to win but I refrained from giving her a abuse. Then it was up to the pub for a few drinks before the bus left, then onto the Fairways pub in Rutherglen. I must say everyone was fairly restrained as we all had a good feeling bout the game and didn't want to be too drunk else we'd forget anything. None of the boys went onto the nips which is incredible !
Then we were at the ground really early so we had time to take everything in, I bought the obligatory silly hat and took loadsa photos of everything going on around us. Other people were grabbing my camera and taking photos as well so gawd knows what's on them. Everyone I spoke to was very confident - a good sign ??
I was really nervous and the massive hike up the stairs didn't help. I thought the stairs were never going to end - stuff being a season ticket holder at parkhead. I was on the end of a row which was going to come in useful for the celebrations.
Well, the game kicked off and some of the boys were still coming in when we got the penalty, unbelievable. I was soooo nervous but when it went in - what a noise, I never knew I could scream so loudly. I eventually had to sit down as my legs had turned to jelly, and I then thought that it was the worst thing that could ever happen as there were still 89 minutes to go and it was going to be torture.
Anyway, the game went on - we got more confident, I was praying and everything, I've promised to never smoke, drink, breathe etc. again if Hearts win.
Half time was a good laugh dancing away and singing. More daft photos. Then the second half, well, when the second goal went in it was absolute bedlam, what a noise. I'm covered in bruises as I went flying over seats and people. After it had sort of calmed down, I started realizing that we were actually going to win it and the tears sprung to my eyes. One of the boys sons came over in mass hysterics and I was concerned he'd hurt himself but he told me it was just that he was happy !! That made me even worse.
When the Rangers penalty claim incident happened, I actually had my head in my hands as i couldn't bear to look, so all I heard was one almighty roar so I assumed they had scored. It was a nightmare, all the usual thoughts were going through my head. Then I eventually looked up and the huns were taking a free kick, and the boys around me were praying so I actually had to ask if we were still winning !! Then it was the biggest wait of my entire life until the final whistle, I felt physically sick, I was so nervous. What a relief when the whistle went. It didn't really hit me that we'd won the cup and no wonder, mayhem
Anyway, I was a proud wee girl when they lifted the cup and I tried my best to take it all in.
The bus journey back to Edinburgh started off quite quietly - no one could take it all in, but it was rising to fever pitch as we got back and saw all the people lining the streets of Edinburgh and waving to us. Then when we got to Gorgie Road it was just unreal, where had all these people come from ? We got a carry out from Scotmid, who were doing a roaring trade, then walked along and waited outside the Gorgie Road entrance to Tynecastle.
When I saw the team bus it was like something out of Hollywood. Was that John Travolta or John Robertson at the front ??? Never before have I kissed so many strangers (well that's my story and I'm sticking to it). Then up to the Mill for the mother of all parties. There were a lot of strange goings on that night and a lot of laughs, we've sung the Hearts song at least 250 times, drank at least 250 bottles of beer, laughed, cried, cuddled. I had a stupid hat on and wouldn't let any one have a shot as it was my 'lucky hat'. when I eventually staggered home it was to fall into bed singing the Hearts song.........
Next day I was awake very early, smiling away. That's the first trophy I've ever seen Hearts win and I really had started to believe that the day would never come. I jumped out of bed early and went and bought £4.50 worth of newspapers. I was getting slagged off for that, then after breakfast and a shower it was back to the pub again. Even standing at the bus stop with other Jambos was great, almost every car that went past had a Hearts scarf flying from the window and they were all beeping. It was magic. What a laugh the pub was, dancing, singing and congas along the street. Everywhere you looked there Hearts fans, people in cars with Hearts flags, beeping their horns, it was unbelievable. We decided to go to Gorgie to see the open topped bus so we'd have a chance of getting in the ground fo the parade there, so we got ourselves a carry out (Strongbow cider - the sponsors no less) and sat and waited at the top of McLeod Street. What scenes there were in Gorgie Road. Hearts scarfs round dogs necks, just born children with Hearts tops on - the works. These scenes were something I will never forget. Then at long last the bus came along and we screamed and cried and waved, then ran for our lives and managed to get into the ground. Then when they were parading the cup in there it really hit me that we had actually won a trophy, I'd seen it at long last and I was greeting like a wee baby, I was so proud. We were dancing and singing, and I got to hear 'We Are the Champions' played at Tynecastle, I never thought I'd see the day !!
After that it was just
another big party, some of the boys got a take on at 5 a-sides in the orwell
Hotel, have you ever seen the like, 10 drunks trying to play football.
On the way up to the pub we heard some singing (Hearts songs) coming from
the canal so we had a look and there were loads of Hearts fans on an oversized
canoe, then we saw some poodles tied to a fence so we got pictures of them
with Hearts scarfs on etc. What a day.............. I'll never ever
forget any of it and will be smiling for a long, long time to come.
I always knew that when Hearts won the cup it
would be something special and there would be a massive reaction to it
but never in my wildest dreams could I have thought it would be as good
as it was. If they never win anything ever again then at least I know ....
but somehow I don't think it will be such a long wait next time.
