Old Trafford... Soccer Aid... Let's 'Ave It!

So... up and at em on the Sunday... well some were more "at em" than others. My days. My head was down Boom Boom Street I can tell you.
Call in Doctor Pullen, Medicine Woman, with some pain relief (thanks hun!)
Spot of brekkie, we had juice with the glasses this time - it was a revelation! However cups with no coffee is just as good LOL!

Packing up was - well - interesting... so much extra stuff, I tell you what, I always have more going home after a PV Crew Do than when I started....and then transporting the drink to Manchester, honestly walking down the stairs in the George we sounded like a couple of winos with all the bottles!

Check out, quick chat to the receptionist and we are off... this is a bit that I dont like - saying g'bye. Cary and Mandy head off in the mini mini and Kriss says she will drop Shelley at the train station. Rena and Paula hop in one car, like Thelma and Louise and Kriss takes Louise and I who... well aren't like Thelma and Louise coz there's 3 of us! (kinda Thelma and Louise... and Louise!!)

Anyhoo we hit the minty highway and we are off to Manchester... to Soccer Aid! Debs texts, shes on the train and en-route. Again everything is going to plan. Perfick. The receptionist from the apartment calls and after a bit of sweet talking, says we can check in 3 hours early. Gotta love that, means we can get ready for the footie and chill a while. We arrive in Manchester making great time, in the motor there was lots of singing occuring and a fab version of Good Doctor (coz I can get that at Booooots.... do do do do do do doooooh!) Pull up at the Printworks; out of the car come the winos again... *chink chink* go the bottles! We locate the apartment, get the key & head for the lift. Floor 5; the Penthouse. Nice. PV Crew Penthouse.

2 bed, split level pad, with flat screen TV, DVD, ipod dock, mahooosive fridge for all the booze, nice fluffy towels, brew stuff (well needed, 1st job was ta put the kettle on!) nice toastie loaf...
Paula goes off in search of crumpets... comes back empty handed. WOUNDED. Debs calls and says shes at the tram stop... just round the corner! YAY! So within a few minutes we are all together and hugs all round. A quick freshen up, Electric Proms on the DVD (shhh don't ask where we got it ;) ) and fast voddy. Debs is catching up with all the goss from yesterday - we missed ya Debs!
Thanks for the Taboo Rena, that was the job after Saturday for me. ( had enough Voddy then lol!)

Trying to decide on the scran - hmmm let me see.... Subway? Paula and Lou head off with orders and change in hand and the rest of us finish getting ready. PV Crew strip - check. Black & Gold boas - check. Halo (halo halo) - check. Soccer Aid Match tickets - check. Camera - check. So we get our munch on and get the flock out of there...not before we fill up our Buxton Spring with a secret ingredient ;) and head towards Old Trafford/// Theatre of Dreams... and Soccer Aid 2010.
On the Metrolink, the nice Metrolink man holds the doors and lets us on for the 1st part of our journey for free. We change trams and get on the packed one heading up to Old Trafford. A couple of blokes on the tram read our shirts front and back and have a little chuckle at our names. Bless em! As we get off at Old Trafford, we start walking towards Sir Matt Busby Way.
Like a match day, the street is adorned with sellers and vendors of fast food and dodgy merchendise! The kids are loving the tooters (as is Paula!) and the flags (of which Debs buys one!) and theres a real party atmosphere. We decide to head up to the tunnel end of the stadium to try and see the coaches coming in and the place is packed. So we join the crowd and start to make friends. A lovely couple aged 65 who were celebrating their birthdays were in Manchester for a treat and they were enjoying the spirit of the day! So we were able to get closer to the front but we were not quite there... still we had a good view.
So we waited... and waited.... there was quite a crowd. JK called to say that he was on the train with friends and the said packed train all decided to sing Angels to him - brilliant! We agreed to meet him in the Trafford Bar, just to be sociable like... you know how it is.
Just before the England coach arrived, an Endemol Researcher came across to our direction asking who would be interviewed and who knew a lot about the teams etc... Lots of hands went up in the air including mine but as I wasn't on the front I didn't hold much hope. With nowt to lose, I raised my voice and said "I'd love to, I've come from Ireland to support England so why not".
Attention was grabbed (nothing to do with the daft halo on my head!) and he asked the others to let me through to the front. Result.

Louise was right behind me and the girls to the right of her; you can just see them all on the clip if you look before the camera pans to Kirsty (Gallagher, who was lovely BTW) So my 30seconds of fame, was a right laugh! "We're massive Robbie fans, so of course we're here to see Robbie" I said, and then spoke about a couple of footballers to look like I knew what I was on about! pmsl! Upon signing the disclaimer to say I was ok to go out on telly, the description of me was "Girl with halo on her head"... see I told you it was the halo!
Before we knew it, the coach was pulling up and the team started getting off. My word, Pete wasn't wrong when he said that Rob had been working hard for the match. He was looking great and was very fitting for him to lead the team off the coach. One by one the footballers and celebs left the coach, to huge cheers and applause. Their suits cut them a fine figure ('cept for Ricky Riiicky Hatton, bless him!)

Lots of pics and shouting occured, there was a right buzz. As the team went into the ground, we decided to go for a pit stop before the match and headed up to the Trafford Bar to use the facilities and stock up on liquid refreshment. Outside the bar, JK was already there with some friends (lovely girls from near his hometown and Paul & his girlfriend from the night before). Paula wasted no time in getting the banner out and lots more signings occurred. Singing Happy Birthday to this lad who was celebrating his 21st - another random gets Crewed! Love it!

JK also signed the banner, after all there was part of it dedicated to him... and to ensure that he was fully part of the Crew he was presented with his PV Crew strip...to be fair he played the game and put it on. Sound.

We sup up, and head up to the Theatre (of Dreams) to take our seats and soak up the atmosphere. Stopping at the bar, we discover no Bud, no Magners, no wine... only Stella. OH and they have pies - but we're not hungry yet. Stella it is then!

Front row near the corner flag by the Stretford End. Get the banner hung with me ribbon (gucci dont ya know, nothings too good for the Crew!) and we settle in for the match. The teams get a run out before they line up. Rob is on the pitch, in the middle and as we look up we see him coming our way... and he's coming over... and he's nearly in the corner! We were all so shocked we forgot the snaps and by the time we get one he was heading the other way.... *sigh* Kick off - the game gets under way. Rena jokes with JK that 3 is the magic number and she only has eyes for those legs!

England are being put under pressure by the ROW and lucky for us, Rob is on the left wing and is up and down our touchline like a yoyo... not that we are complaining. Ben Shephard is having a good game, a few hard tackles come Jonny's way. Shearer and Sheringham are looking like the SAS task force of all those years ago... Redknapp on form too.. it's a good game so far. England edge it at half time 1-0. We are hoping it's gonna be third time lucky for England at Soccer Aid... Debs and Paula get some munchies... we have a squizz at our pics so far. Not bad. Plenty of talent.
Nipping to the bar, we find that they now have Magners back in stock, but are now out of food of any description.. and we are now hungry! Bugger. Oh well, Magners it will have to be then!
2nd half and what a half it was. Rob went off. Jonny Wilkes is still going hell for leather. The ex-pros are giving it their all... Olly Murs played a blinder. Ready Steady Teddy scored and ran straight to us... along with Shephard, Shearer and Olly Olly Olly...That was a sight for sore eyes I can tell you! Top totty!

We came up with a new anthem for this trip... Think I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here!!
"Olly Olly Olly, Tits in the Trolley, Me mums in the Biscuit tin" PMSL Pervy quality lyrics. Who started that one off girls?

Debs is loving the view, as is Kriss. Lou is snap snap snap happy. Rena and I are still laughing at Paula's lyrics and JK is wondering what he's gotten himself into...!

The match goes to 2-2. Final whistle and we are into penalties. Overall not a bad game for a supporter to watch and the true winners of the evening - Unicef with the money that was raised. Superb.
Notice I'm going with the positives first. England got beat on sudden death penalties... not before Jamie Theakston making a few class saves. What a game! Even if the result didn't go England's way, the right result of over 2million raised on the night was all that mattered. Excellent! It was great to read that so many people also gave their services for free, including the call centre (who often get bad press for their service) who manned the phones to take donations...

Making our way out of the ground, stopping for a quick Scooby Snack, we tuck in and enjoy. The day had been excellent, and with lots of things that the Crew enjoy. Laughs being the main one. Rob being another...
Trafford Bar closed - whats that about? So we head across the street to the Bishops Blaize. For those of you that don't know, on a home match day, this is packed to the rafters with hard-core Man U supporters... and their chants and songs are always in full flow. So after scoring a table and a few drinks, we decide to start a sing song.
Kriss decides now is a good time to plonk her feathers on her head and much amusement follows! We start off with Let Me Entertain You. Just us. 6 of us. JK is having a night off and chatting to Paul and the others...
We then move on to Rudebox. Paula is in her element. Still just us.
The 2 couples on the table behind ask us to sing another, and their lads start to join in....
Rock DJ is next. This is where it gets interesting.... we start it off... then the table behind us... then the girls next to us... then the couples down the stairs... then the lads at the bar... all singing Rock DJ! Brilliant!
Footie songs next and everyone is in great form - except for the Bar Manager who reminds us its kicking out time...
GRRR! Pop outside for a chat to JK and his buddies.. plastic glasses are ace ;)
Get a taxi number and call for a minibus so the 6 of us can head back to the PV Penthouse. Tired but happy, we say our goodbyes to everyone. Hugs all round and we tell JK that Stoke was brilliant (again) and that we had a great time at the match.
Into the minibus we go (was defo a minibus this time and not a limo!) and head back where we stick on "And Thru it All" - voddy and Cocksucking Cowboys on the go and Debs and Pineson get stuck into the Smurf-noff! What was going to be a quick drink turns into another 3.30am finish. Wouldn't have changed it for the world though, too little time throughout the year spent with you guys so need to cram in as much as possible when we get the chance.

So that was it. Fab footie. Lots of Robbie. Meeting Pete. JK was in great form. The theatre was great. Limos, champagne and general merriment. But most importantly, you girls. Simply the Best x

Stoke gets Crewed!

I left Cork bound for my flight to Birmingham, looking forward to the weekend. Since meeting Jonny Wilkes after his show in Bristol in October, the girls and I waited patiently for news of Soccer Aid to be released into the public domain and to try and secure tickets… so as soon as I heard they were on sale, we bagged ourselves a couple on the front row. Sweet.

The girls were all en-route. If you’re meeting us for the 1st time – hellllo! We come from all over the place. To give you an idea, we are talking: London, Leeds, Norfolk, Port Talbot, Runcorn, Rutland, Stafford and finally Cork in Ireland. Meets are often difficult to arrange where everyone can go due to travel, timing, kids etc so this one was extra special as everyone would be on board the party train at some point during the weekend. So here I introduce Randy Rena, Dirty Debbss, Kinky Kriss, Lusty Lou, Pervy Paula, Shexy Shelley, Curvy Cary, Minxy Mandy and me, Scrumptious Sam.

The Meet...
Meeting at Stoke train station was a breeze. For once, trains were on time for everyone; and despite my half hour delay (cheers Aer Fungus!) I managed to get the time back somehow. Shelley, Kriss and Paula were already at the station and we said we would wait on for Louise to occur an hour later! Kriss kindly offered to give us a spin in her batmobile to the hotel, where Cary, Mandy and Rena had already landed. The George Hotel is ace. It’s like faulty towers, but it’s our Faulty Towers and we love it. There is always a warm welcome and a brekkie in the morning (juice but no glasses!) and it’s across the road from the Red Lion – a regular haunt of ours when in town.

Popping to Subway to get a sarnie (Subway – the official food of the PV Crew!) and downing a swift half passed the time… Louise was here and with a “Whatssss Occuringggg” shouted across the road we were off and on our way.

At The George, there were hugs a plenty. That’s the thing with the Crew, you wouldn’t think that we had not seen each other for the last 6 months or so. There’s never an awkward silence when the Crew are in town! Sorting the rooms, we headed upstairs to unpack. As per usual the bar was set up 1st, well it wouldn’t be a PV Crew Party without our sponsors!

Swapping gifts, hugs, and t-shirts; whilst having a cheeky drink we got into our Laydee Lympics tops and head for the Red Lion. Home colours of course - Black & Gold seeing as we are in Burslem!

Grapes for Kriss, Cary and Mandy… and Bob’s Bingo was on the cards for everyone where we were playing for the deep fat frierrrr and the sodaaaa stream! (and a few Robbie goodies of course!) Ordering a round in, we were sure to get ice in that duck! The barman thinks we are a little bit nuts! Spooky that “And Through it All” is playing on the telly so we ask the nice barman to replay the DVD and he’s happy to indulge us… I had arranged for a few Port Vale bits and bobs to be sent to the hotel from Port Vale FC (Thanks Andy in the Club Shop!) so the PV Crew could have their very own pens and badges! The whirlwind that are the PV Crew swept through the pub, and getting a few more signings on the banner we headed back to the hotel after an hour so we could get ready for our night at the theatre….! The “minibus” was collecting us at 6.15 so we had to get a move on.

Now when I say minibus that’s what I told the girls. In reality I ordered a platinum limo so we could arrive at the Regent Theatre in style, along with 2 bottles of champers to get us in the party mood! Imagine when Shelley and Kriss went outside the hotel and tried to hop in an actual minibus that was parked over the road… PMSL! Only to then see the limo at the side of the hotel… I could hear them shrieking and laughing upstairs in the room! Classic! All into our dresses, I look at my friends and see we scrubbed up really well.

So we are in the limo and on our way… I’ve Got a Feeling; that tonights gonna be a good night! Arriving at the Regent, a number of heads turned as the limo pulled up. Needless to say as us rabble piled out they realize it’s not the VIPs they thought LOL! Heading into the Regent we take a couple of pics, score a drink at the bar (4.70 for a wine – what are you thinking people?) and head in to take our seats. The place was packed and everyone was in good spirits.

As the band started, we knew we were not going to be in our seats for long… standing up, cheering, clapping, “one hand in the air-ing”, bouncing… all part of the show. Well it was for us. Paula decided to stay in the aisle seat and of course when Rudebox came on, the shoes were OFF and she was busting a move or two! 99% of the people in the theatre were up and participating – sure that’s what Rob’s music is all about! You always get the odd one though who refrains and that’s cool as long as they don’t expect us to refrain with them! If you want to read a full review of the show, check out my last post HERE!

and if you are thinking of going to see it,  DO - becauseyou won’t be disappointed.

Later than scheduled (because JK was staying up on that stage for the whole night!) we head out of the theatre and decide on our plans for the rest of the evening. Well the night was still young…

I spotted a bar across the street, tables outside and a chippy opposite. PERFECT. Chips and alcohol. Just what we needed. Heading across the street and straight for a couple of empty seats, we rested our weary tootsies and took turns to get food. Who would’ve thought a night at the theatre would have been so exhausting!

Inside we pop to get a round of drinks and we settle on a table outside to set up camp! On the table next to us, there’s a friendly looking older guy with glasses. A couple of the Crew are asking each other if it’s Pete Conway, Rob’s dad… We can’t decide and are too shy to ask directly. Yes that’s right, we are shy and retiring types us lot!

As Pete gets up to leave with his friend, who is smartly dressed in a suit, I shout “See ya Pete” down the street – at which point he turns around, looks at us and replies “I’m coming back in a minute!”
So that settles that, it’s either a guy called Pete who looks like Rob’s dad or it’s a guy called Pete who is Rob’s dad… Upon his return we found out he was the latter. And what a gentleman he was. Not wanting to intrude on his social time, we asked was it ok to chat for a while and Pete agreed. Asking us what brought us to town, we told him about the show, and about the Port Vale Crew… How we got together, why we got together, our travels etc. We said that it was his son’s fault and he laughed! Pete is happy to chat about footie, cricket, Britain’s Got Talent, Wales, Stoke and the show we had all just seen. We ask him is he off to Soccer Aid and he replies that he was going to watch it on the telly, but that Rob had been taking it seriously and has been training for 4 weeks. The following day when we saw Rob getting off the coach tanned and in great shape, we knew that Pete was telling the truth!

Pete’s friend, “Herbie” I think his name was, was also a gent. He soon got into the swing of things with the Crew and was a right larf… took a bit of persuading to get him to lend Paula his jacket mind you, but eventually we were on to a winner! Pete is stood in the street at this point, and when we look up, we see JK running towards the pub from the theatre. Pete threw open his arms to gesture to JK and they gave each other a right big bear hug. Now if you hadn’t been aware of the show that night, it was a proper double take moment as from afar it looked like Pete and Rob together!

“My 2nd son” Pete says to JK and everybody laughs. At this point the pub is pretty crowded and a good time is being had by all! It’s been roughly 2 hours since the show, and there’s a great buzz around. Pete is still there chatting away and Herbie is getting to know the crew better too. We stop to chat to a Police Sergeant patrolling the area and nab him for a quick photo… ‘ello ‘ello ‘ello what do we have here?!? Thankfully he didn’t arrest us; well we are good girls, honest!
Pete and Herbie say their goodbyes but not before posing for a couple of pics with us lot. It was really lovely to meet them both and a pair of gents they were… The pub was closing, but in true PV Crew form we scored a lock in and headed inside with JK, the band, and some friends of the group. Sitting round the table, we reviewed the evening’s antics so far, chattering about the show and laughing at what had just happened outside. Lots of cameras around snapping pics, JK settled in for a few snaps too… Rosie and Jim… Hear the Drummer get Wicked… too many laughs to mention.
Calling it a night just after 3, a minibus was ordered to take us back to The George… where upon arrival a couple of us think that Cocksucking Cowboys were in order and carried on with a few shots before hitting the hay. Just another ordinary Saturday night in Stoke for the girls!

JK as Robbie with the PV CREW!

Well what a weekend it was! The PV Crew were in town and what fun we had...
Headed to the Regent Theatre, Stoke on Saturday to see JK as Robbie on Saturday and then to Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday to see Soccer Aid

FANTASTIC WEEKEND!
Full report to follow, but for now I'd like to share a review I did of the theatre show... One Night of Robbie... If you get a chance to see it you should, the whole evening was a really enjoyable!


Review – One Night of Robbie Williams. Regent Theatre, Stoke. 5th June 2010.

When my friends and I booked “One Night of Robbie Williams” at the Regent Theatre, Stoke were we a little unsure of what to expect. A Robbie tribute… at the theatre? Having seen JK perform at a Christmas Party Night in a hotel last year, we knew that the guy could sing and move – but how was that one man show going to migrate to the big stage?
In the lobby before the show, other patrons were just as curious about what was going to happen during the next 2 hours as we were. After about 45 seconds of the show, our curiosity was quashed as it was blatantly obvious what was going to happen… we were about to have a feast of Robbiness bestowed upon us and be well and truly entertained!

As the band started up with “Let Me Entertain You” and the stage became visible you could clearly see that this was no ordinary “tribute show” and looking down at my ticket I was reminded that this was “An International Stage Show”. This introduction was not selling the show short.

The backdrop had been carefully chosen to reflect the pinnacle of Robbie’s live career – Knebworth – and for JK you could see this night meant as much to him as that did to Rob. With a blast of fireworks, strobe lighting effects and some carefully timed visuals on the big screen above JK and his band; the audience looked in amazement to see that every attention to detail had been covered!

“Good Evening Stoke on Trent!” JK cheered. Around me, I could see that 3 minutes into the show the whole theatre were on their feet. All 1200 of them. Clapping, chanting and bouncing along to Let Me Entertain You as if their lives depended on it! Like Robbie, JK had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.

Moving through the show, the cream of Robbie’s career had been carefully chosen, to be recreated as a celebration of his music. Old and new hits were belted out, with the charisma and charm that fans of Robbie know and love. From the new album, we were treated to Bodies, Morning Sun and You Know Me… where JK referenced Robbie’s memorable appearance on Loose Women. The opening to “Bodies” was as I remember it; from being in the Roundhouse that night at Electric Proms – the band totally together and the 3 backing singers made sure that the “Bodies” and the “Look good naked-s” were note perfect! However…it wouldn’t be a Robbie gig without the obligatory forgetting the odd word or two, and during “Morning Sun”, the audience were more than happy to help JK out as he fluffed one of the lines! “That’s our Rob!” I heard someone next to me say – showing that even a minor faux pas are all part of an evening with Robbie Williams!

If you have been to a Robbie concert, you will know that Rob loves a bit of audience participation and JK was no different. Reminiscing back to the time when I saw Rob in Leeds, “Strong” was greeted by the audience in the very same way! Looking up at the big screen, we could see the words projected for the theatre to join in this big karaoke session – and they did with gusto!
Judging by the expression on JK’s face throughout, he was enjoying every second and at one point later in the show, he asked staff to throw on the house lights so he could see everybody! A sight for sore eyes; JK beamed with delight as 1200 people smiled back at him! Cheeky banter spattered the show; the “gift of eloquence” is certainly part of JK’s DNA. It was as if he had just kissed the Blarney Stone!

Now I’m no seasoned theatre-goer, but have been lucky enough to see a number of amateur shows locally, musicals in regional theatres and a few massive productions on both the West End & Broadway. Throughout all of these, there is one thing in common… you can always tell how the show is being received by the gossip in the “facilities” in the interval! This show was no different. People of all ages were spilling over to talk about the last hour…

“Amazing! He’s just too good” and “I can’t believe he sounds just like him” could be overheard.
“I only came to bring my mum for her birthday, but I’m so glad I did” chirped another.
“Are you sure he’s just a tribute?” another man questioned as he headed back to his seat.
“I wonder when he’s coming back here?” asked another lady….

So far, all was good at the Regent – but little did we know what was in store for us in the second half…
After the interval, JK rejoined us in a dapper suit and a grand piano was centre stage… you knew it was Swing Time! The screen above beamed out “One Night of Robbie Williams recreating Live at the Albert Hall” and true to form, it was certainly recreated. Classics like Mr Bojangles, Things and My Way were delivered with identical style and character that only Robbie can add to these classic tracks. Joined by one of his female singers (from Stoke of course!) for “Things”, JK took front of stage and told us the same cute and romantic story through the performance of Things; that we saw Rob do with Jane Horrocks at the Albert Hall. As the band started to play the first few bars of My Way, we were graced with shots of the original showman himself, Mr Frank Sinatra, adding to the ambiance and atmosphere that was already in the building at that point.

Other highlights of the show (in no particular order) included a local dance troupe break-dancing to “Rudebox” – a tribute to Rob’s local footie team, they were all dressed in Port Vale FC strip…

“Back for Good” – the moshing version. Some of the audience dressed up for a demure night at the theatre; were bouncing around as if at Glastonbury in a muddy field! Others had glow sticks that were cast aloft high into the air in time with the frantic drum beats.

“Kids” – with not 1 but 3 Kylies! Joined by the girls, the trained eye could see that this was taken from one of Kylie’s live shows… where she is Rob-less! JK certainly has his Kylies with him this night!

“Better Man” – not an easy song to sing; and not often performed in live shows; but delivered perfectly and with true emotion.

And we knew when the screen above displayed the “twinkly-twinkly stars” that “Millennium” was on the cards. All around the theatre, the audience stood up and joined in to show JK their best twinkly twinkly fingers!

Other Robbie favourites like Feel, Come Undone and Rock DJ were not forgotten and the crowd reciprocated the energy of each performance by getting on their feet & clapping every single time! JK said he had waited 5 years to play Stoke-on-Trent and it was obvious that he did not want to end this performance prematurely. Glancing at my watch, I realized it was past the 10pm time slot as stated on the ticket. Other patrons commented that they were having such a good time; they didn’t even notice it passing them by.
As the evening drew to a close (and half an hour later than scheduled), the stage went dark and projected into the theatre was a beautiful and emotional clip, showing children and parents whose lives had been enriched by the Donna Louise Trust Hospice in local Trentham.

“Hello, I’m Robbie Williams” boomed out of the PA, and we were in no doubt that this was actually Rob on the voice over. He was “here” to deliver a powerful message about the charity of which he is a patron. As JK came back onto the stage, he delivered a bit of a shock to all in the crowd – one of which was Pete Conway, Rob’s dad - who was there to see the show that night. “As a tribute to the fantastic work that is carried out at the hospice, JK would like to donate 2000pounds to the charity.” The audience were on their feet, to deliver a well deserved standing ovation. There were shocked gasps and a few watery eyes in the crowd. JK and his band then went on to close with Angels, dedicating it to the charity; at which point there was not a dry eye in the house.

The show was over. As people were leaving the chatter was on top note. Compliments could be heard in the lobby about the costumes, the dancing, the band, the visuals and the fitting ending to the night… but most of all, 2 letters could be heard - JK… Stoke’s new adopted son!
To quote a well known ad campaign, Carlsberg don’t do tribute stage shows… but if they did it would be this one. Bravo.