Pandimonium at the Britannia

We took a tour of the Britannia today before attending the game vs. Middlesbrough, which was a huge game as both teams are fighting to stay in the Premier League. Sorry sports fans, I've never been to a sporting event in America that was like that. Almost constant noise, mainly singing and chanting, throughout the entire game. It only got louder since the team was playing poorly. In America, the team plays poor and gets booed. Here they get cheered even louder. I got the big goal on video, sorry about the first part being sideways. A patented Stoke City home goal, a long throw from Delap headed home by one of their tall guys. The sad looking people behind the goal really are sad. They're the Middlesbrough supporters. The only empty seats in the place were in their section, their allotted tickets that they didn't sell. Oh yeah, this goal came in the 84th minute? I think..so, near the end of a big game..

Beforehand we had drinks in the Skybox Lounge, access to which was gained by our VIP passes and afterwards we had passes into the player's lounge. The Skybox wasn't really anything special, some tables and chairs with a high up view looking out the back of the stadium. There's a picture from it below. Also, the player's lounge was nothing special, same as the Skybox, also it was a bit awkward since it was packed with players, family, a few other random people, and us. So, we only hung around for a few minutes before heading down to the main lobby to wait for Ken to finish up with his business. The stadium was only a 45 minute walk from where we're staying, but it was cold and windy, a lovely English day. Finally, some pictures...

Trentham Gardens, where we come to do work, but the hotel isn't in this part.

More of the Gardens

And more


The Britannia from the front.

From the upper level


The press room


Sorrenson's gear laid out for the game


View from where we were sitting


This place is crazy