2pm Kick off
Wembley Stadium
England 1 Croatia 0
I decided to get back into my football stewarding. It's something I enjoyed before the pandemic hit. I thought I'd give it a go. There was nowt else to do.
I'd never been to Wembley Stadium, the closest I ever got was being picked up by my agency in the Lidl car park and going to Luton. Previous entries will tell you all about those ordeals.
This opening game fell on one of the hottest days of the year. The morning however, was comfortable and fresh. My uniform is forever uncomfortable; white shirt, black trousers, clip on tie and black boots. It forever makes me look two stones heavier than I am.
I felt quite excited walking towards those famous Wembley steps with the other penguins. It was quite a novelty to be back at work after all.
I was told to queue towards the right of the steps. The queue snaked round and a vinegar tits type steward told us all to social distance. That was an impossible I must say.
I was stood behind a girl who was clearly on the spectrum. She just kept saying, "I need to sign in, I need to sign in! What time is it? Would you like a biscuit? Would you like a sip of my coffee?"
I soon lost her and joined another queue. It's people like her that make me feel okay about being a steward.
Nowadays you have to have proof of a negative Covid test 24 hours before your shift. It does take a while to get in. I've had my two jabs anyway but still. They'll never take that as proof. There's no social distancing in this stadium and I'll tell all later.
Upon presenting my negative Covid result I was presented with a wrist band. The kind lady put it on for me. Everyone was extremely friendly I must say. I was excited too! I just felt so happy to be part of something. Being back at work was rather fabulous too!
And so another queue ensued. This was my security agency that I was contracted out to. I was given another part of my lanyard and given a choice of chicken, ham or cheese sandwiches. I was then told to go on my way up the several flights of steps. I was so excited!
Upon arrival on the first floor of the stadium I was greeted by a couple of jovial men in their 50's. They were old hats at security and I could tell. The pass that they gave to me at my agency desk wouldn't work. I was to go down and do it all over again. It didn't matter to me though. I'd had a lack of exercise since the pandemic. I was happy to be running up and down steps.
It all worked out and soon I was in the stadium proper. I was put through another metal detector and then I was in. I felt so happy. I was on my way!
I was to be put on the ground floor and after a briefing about stuff like security codes and what to do if you see anyone dodgy or any suspicious packages then I'd know what to do. I listen to these briefings intently as I know how important they are. I'm not being up my own arse here but after the Manchester Arena bombing.... I followed the enquiry very closely. I now know how important stewards are. Crucial.
There were two male stewards behind me in the briefing taking the piss out of the man giving the briefing. The briefing steward in his 50's was really cool. You could tell he was old hat in security just like the men outside. I bet those two stupid stewards would be the first to run out.
I was given my hi-vis and ate my chicken mayonnaise sandwich. I was given my position doing the steps in the best placement in the stadium apparently. I don't care for football. I felt bad about that because all the boys wanted my position. Huh huh...
My co-steward was a young black girl. We got on like a house on fire and kept saying how much we hated football. When no one else was listening mind.
Throughout the match the supervisor kept telling us to stop nattering. She separated us in the end but the little black girl kept coming back to me and telling me how fantastic I was. She was fantastic too. She told me about her two children and her lack of GCSE's. I told her about my failures and I attempted to make her feel better.
Three Blackpool men wanted to put their flag on the balcony railings. I told them that that would be okay because then my Mum could see me if she watched and so could Dave. The Blackpool fan was extremely drunk and I had to keep taking his drink off him throughout the game. I'd been sober for four days and once I'm sober the drink doesn't bother me.
Blackpool lad told me his name was "Scooter Boy", an old Mod I guess. He kept asking me to dance and pulling his false teeth out. I didn't worry about it. My little black co worker thought it was funny. She'd got her SIA badge but never worked an event or even a football match.
I missed the goal. I was in the toilet.
she she can
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