Hereford United reporter Gregg Davies encountered a problem with a difference when trying to get into the press box at Southend last Saturday. He wasn't properly dressed.
And that was after nearly failing to get into the ground as he related on Four Four Two.
Queuing for tickets to the press area, I was met with a peremptory “Davies? Never heard of you.” Ah.
Several phone calls and the flashing of an out-of-date press card later, I appeared to have convinced the Southend hierarchy that I wasn’t some chancer hoping to catch a League 1 basement encounter on a freebie. But having cleared the first hurdle, I went crashing into the second.
“Trouble is mate, you’re not allowed to wear jeans in the press box, it’s strictly trousers and shoes only.” Oh.
A faux pas on my part, admittedly, although I felt a little hard done by that my black-as-the-night jeans had failed to pass muster. That’ll learn me.
I wasn’t expecting what followed, though. “We can lend you some black trousers, if you’d like,” came the generous offer from the man I’d just met.
And in no time at all I found myself being led into a small, unoccupied room being asked to remove my trousers, whilst wondering just how often journalists turn up at Roots Hall donning the wrong type of leg-wear, and whether the Shrimpers have a cupboard specifically reserved for such occurrences, possibly named “Hacks’ Slacks”.
Still, I’m anything but ungrateful for Southend’s handling of the affair. Another club may well have just turned round and said: “You ain’t on the list, pal, so hop it.”
Even then it wasn't plain sailing for Davies as he wasn't able to provide text commentary on the Official Site because of a 'fault'.
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Oxford City At Edgar Street On Tuesday 5th November At 7.45pm