ITFC v Sheffield Utd (Away) Match Report

Sheffield Utd vs. Ipswich Town

Tuesday 6th November 2007

Kick off 7:45pm

Sheffield United vs. Ipswich Town

Mascot Report

07:45

So today’s the day. I can’t actually believe it. Feels like only yesterday I got a call from my dad saying there was a letter from Ipswich for me. Still makes me smile thinking about it. I thought he was pulling my leg. I was just like, ‘yeah alright then dad.’ It was 7:00am in the morning when he rang. Thought I was still asleep. Turned out he was telling the truth and that I was going to be running out with Ipswich Town, the team I’d been supporting since I learned how to colour everything blue and white at the age of 3. I actually feel like I want to go to school (geek) just so that maybe it will go quicker.

09:00

On way to my first lesson and I’m so excited. I’ve already told nearly half the school about tonight, my best friends look like they’re going to kill me if I don’t shut up soon! Some people can’t believe how lucky I am, others haven’t got a clue what I’m on about. Someone just came up to me and asked what kind of costume I have to wear. They think I’m the mascot that dresses up like the animal on the badge. No way am I dressing up like a horse!

12:20

So it’s the start of lunchtime. Halfway through the day finally. I swear it’s been like a year since this morning. Why does school have to go soooo slowww when your looking forward to something? I can’t actually physically eat my lunch I’m so excited. It’s driving me up the wall. I’ve already been told off for tapping the table non-stop. Not my fault I’m just to hyper for school. I think my friends are about ready to gag me and throw me in the school closet. I don’t care, they’d be the same if they were me!

15:00

School’s finished for today! That must’ve been the longest school day ever! Unbelievably slow! I don’t care. In one hours time my dad will be coming to pick me up and drive to Bramall Lane where I will get to meet the Ipswich Town squad. There’s a sentence you don’t get to say very often! It’s amazing how much energy and excitement I seem to have seeing as I could barely sleep last night. The way I’ve been going on today and last night you’d think I had ants nest growing inside of me or something. I’m scaring myself let alone anyone else.

17:00

In the car, singing to the radio in a last attempt to calm myself down to a sane level. My dad and his mate are trying to have a serious conversation but I’m just twitching about in the back of the car with my brother singing to the cheesiest songs ever. I think the nerves are starting to kick in a bit though. For the first time ever I just turned down m&m’s ! I honestly think I’d be less nervous if I was playing the game then just going on with the players. All I can think of is, ‘what if there are stairs and I trip and fall in front of not only the two teams but the entire stadium!’ Plus my dad’s videoing so at least we’d get £250! I had a bit of a period where I went quite quiet as we got into a bit of traffic and I automatically begun to panic and thought it was all going to go wrong. But now we’re doing okay so it’s all good. So far!

19:45

Oh my word! I’m just sitting in my seat behind the goal with all the away fans. I’ve just spent the last hour or so in the Ipswich Town changing rooms with all the players getting photos and autographs. I can’t actually believe this. It feels as though I’m lying, as though it can’t possibly be true. I just met all the players that I look up to and cheer on every week for however long they’ve been or they will play for Ipswich Town. It’s the single best experience I’ve ever had. I don’t think this smile on my face will ever fade away. I think my heart just actually stopped while I was in there. When the players spoke to me I managed a few words before my mouth just stopped moving. That was an experience I shall never forget.

That day was the single best day I’ve ever had and I would like to thank Ipswich Town so much for giving me the opportunity to fulfil a dream of mine. I’d also like to thank Sheffield United who took great care of me and made me feel silly for worrying about it so much. A special thanks to Jim Magilton for allowing me into the changing room and meeting the team I look up to so much. Hopefully the same team will be in the premiership next season, Come on you blues!

Corinna Pearce