Tranent v Rangers B

[ian1964 10,416]

26 minutes ago, 26th of foot said:

Ian,

 

It would be an honour to be in the company of a man who held the role as Chief Belter of the Belters for a decade.

 

I am heading off, dropping the wife in North Berwick before traveling to the Big T. After the game, it is a rush back to N Berwick, the wife has booked us into a restaurant called, 'Osteria'.

 

In terms of recognition at the game, I will be sporting a pink carnation. I believe such flora is de rigueur amid such culinary plethora as highlighted by Frankie?

 

What colour do the Belters wear?

I will be hard to spot, black jacket, cap & jeans😁, look out for Frankie as he is easy to id being a tall chap with glasses , I'm sure you have met him before! I can dm you my phone number if you wish

[Gonzo79 13,631]

I kind of wish I was heading to Tranent now.  I know Frankie and Ian are real but 26th of foot has an ethereal, fictitious character air about him.  

[Scott7 5,170]

53 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

I kind of wish I was heading to Tranent now.  I know Frankie and Ian are real but 26th of foot has an ethereal, fictitious character air about him.  

He’s a whole bloody Regiment.

[Gonzo79 13,631]

Just checked and Rangers B drew 2-2 (Z Lovelace x 2) in Tranent, coming from behind twice.  

 

Hawick Royal Albert (thankfully they've dropped the United) lost 1-0 at Edinburgh United, which was disappointing...particularly with a one man advantage for most of the match.  

 

I'm just keen to hear if anyone met 26th!

Edited November 5, 2022 by Gonzo79

[ian1964 10,416]

15 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

Just checked and Rangers B drew 2-2 (Z Lovelace x 2) in Tranent, coming from behind twice.  

 

Hawick Royal Albert (thankfully they've dropped the United) lost 1-0 at Edinburgh United, which was disappointing...particularly with a one man advantage for most of the match.  

 

I'm just keen to hear if anyone met 26th

Yes both Frankie and I met 26th of foot

[Gonzo79 13,631]

11 hours ago, ian1964 said:

Yes both Frankie and I met 26th of foot

Please confirm my expectations and tell us he's a 7ft tall Rambo lookalike with a handlebar moustache, a pocket watch and a deer-stalker hat.  

Edited November 6, 2022 by Gonzo79

[Rousseau 9,374]

7 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

Please confirm my expectations and tell us he's a 7ft tall Rambo lookalike with a handlebar moustache, a pocket watch and a deer-stalker hat.  

[...] and sporting a pink carnation.

[ian1964 10,416]

9 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

Please confirm my expectations and tell us he's a 7ft tall Rambo lookalike with a handlebar moustache, a pocket watch and a deer-stalker hat.  

Sorry to disappoint you! but no he isn't 7ft tall Rambo, no moustache, no pocket watch, no deer-stalker hat 😉

[Frankie 8,151]

Wasn't a bad game at all. Tranent certainly good value for the draw despite going down to ten men for the last 15-20mins.

 

Not overly impressed by Rangers to be honest but felt Lovelace was the pick of the bunch and he certainly wasn't afraid to get stuck in.

 

Good to catch up with 26th again and a good day on the lash with Ian as always...

[26th of foot 5,836]

The Brigadoon Inn sits on the main drag at the western edge of Tranent but, the real Brigadoon moment occurs approaching the Big T from the opposite side of town. The tiny hamlet of Macmerry is real although, maybe a breeze from the Firth blew away the cloaking har? Foresters Park sits bang in the toon centre, floodlights shinning to welcome a visitor. The whole operation is best described as tidy. A retaining white rail envelopes the playing surface and, everything else is freshly painted maroon. The pitch is a fine surface, must be one of the best in the Lowland league?

 

Eight quid for entry and the club shop sold refreshments, a selection of food and, clothing. The three girls behind the table were courteously helpful, only apologetic that the pies had been sold out before half time. I was told the attendance was just under nine hundred? I opted for a cup of Bovril(£1) and a fridge magnet(£3.50) because it contained Tranent's motto, 'Lie Forret'. I will instruct my Butler to attach it to the cabinet freezer amid the Vendee section. The Bovril was seriously good.

 

Tranent have an Ultras section, a couple of dozen early teens banging a drum and flying several large flags proclaiming, 'the Big T Bois'. They bellowed an air with derogatory lyrics about Haddington. Ah, the insecurities; Tranent has both an Asda and an Aldi, I am sure Haddington sports a Waitrose. I met up with a couple of old Belters, known to the folks of this parish. One of those two, Ian is a fact totem - the Belters nickname emanates from an old primary source of employment in the town, a saddlers/tannery factory specialising in the manufacture of belts. It was heartening as older supporters stopped to reflect in the glow emanating from Ian - a hard working, free goal scoring centre for Tranent for a decade. 

 

The reaction to the other, Frankie was matter of fact. As praise was showered on Ian, I told a worthy, "the baldy cnut was once your Keeper". He looked at Frankie, hands sunk deep in his pockets and uttered, "aye, he looks as ready for action as he did then in the goalmouth". The game had a ton of goalmouth action, finished 2-2 but Rangers could have undeservedly nicked it with award of a last minute penalty. Zac(what is his porn name)Lovelace had the opportunity for a hat trick but the Tranent Keeper made a fine save.

 

If any Gersnetters are contemplating a day at the Lowland league, Tranent is the very place.

Edited November 7, 2022 by 26th of foot