Note: I do not own any of the original movie characters or, unfortunately, the Boleyn Ground or West Ham United. It's difficult to concentrate at work when I'm trying to write instead of do my job but hey ho. The other night, I even had a dream about Pete and Bovver coming into my place of work to buy some saucepans... if only!
Chapter Eight: Irons!
"So you see boys, I reckon if I take her to the football she'll sleep wi' me after!" Pete grinned, clinking his pint glass with Swill's. The boys sniggered, apart from Bovver who looked disgusted. Thankfully, Matt wasn't in the immediate vicinity or Pete would most likely have lost his favourite organ right then and there.
Pete and the GSE continued to discuss the plans for taking Donna to see West Ham until Matt showed up, and the conversation changed swiftly to talk about rival firms and women.
It wasn't until Friday night when Donna made an appearance in the Abbey. She was careful to let the men have time to themselves without her around as both Matt and Pete had implied they needed to talk about 'man stuff', whatever that may be. However, being a Friday night and the night before her big day at the football match, Donna decided to go to the pub for a few drinks and see what more she could learn about the technicalities of football.
"Evening, boys." She greeted the GSE, pint in hand as she took a seat next to Dave. She was greeted as if she'd been missed over the past couple of nights, and conversation soon turned to the following day.
"So, is there anything else I need to know about going to the match tomorrow?" Donna questioned after the boys had finished an in-depth debate on the offside rule and whether their top striker had committed an offence in a previous game. The table hushed as everyone turned to look from Donna to Matt and then to Pete who suddenly looked uncomfortable.
Swiftly, everyone made their excuses about a game of pool and left Pete to face Matt.
"...going to the match tomorrow?" Matt repeated his sister's words, looking at Pete.
"Er, yeah. Mate, we're taking your sister to the football. But don't worry, yeah, nothing heavy. There won't be any trouble tomorrow, we're playing Southampton, they won't be up for anything." Pete explained quickly. He could understand Matt's concern for his sister getting caught up in violence, but Pete was quick to assure the American man that there would be no fighting at this particular match.
*
It was drizzling with rain as the GSE entered the Boleyn Ground from Green Street. Everyone had their hoods up and heads down as they tried to keep a low profile. Donna had, foolishly, worn her biker boots and was starting to regret wearing heeled shoes as she was surrounded by men in bright white trainers. As the GSE found their way to the front seats in the West Stand, Donna looked around her at the sea of claret and blue in this massive stadium. The men found their usual place, hustling Donna into the middle of the group while Pete, Bovver and Keith went to get the beers.
"Come on you Irons!" Pete hollered as he returned to his seat, distributing the plastic ¾ pint glasses between everyone. The GSE started up a chant of "Irons! Irons! Irons!" as the match kicked off.
Despite having previously asked why any man would get so enthused over a bunch of people chasing a ball through a muddy field, she actually found herself joining in with the chanting and singing, and once she learnt the basic rules she was able to shout abuse to the referee which caused Pete to put his arm around her shoulder and begin singing Bubbles again.
After seeing West Ham win 3-0, the GSE left the stadium in high spirits.
"Come on then boys, let's get going. We should be able to meet the Southampton lot before they get on the train out of here!" Bovver grinned, clapping Keith on the back as they stood on Green Street. Everyone looked at Pete.
"Nah, fuck that. You know what I told you, boys. Let's get back to the Abbey and get some drinks in." Pete said, glancing at Donna before giving Bovver a pointed look. Bovver shrugged, a sour look on his face as he muttered something about 'fucking women' before following the rest of the men as they made their way back down Green Street.
"Why would you go and meet the other supporters? Are you friends with some of them?" Donna questioned but everyone acted as though she hadn't said a thing. Instead, Keith, Dave and Swill put their arms around each other and began singing as they walked.
"Get some drinks in, get some drinks in, get some drinks in for the lads! Get some drinks in for the lads!" They sang.
