My First Pilgrimige to Bramley-Moore Dock

It has taken me over two days to recover from the traveling, but I think I’m finally ready to write about my trip to Bramley-Moore Dock.

One word springs to mind: magnificent. From the moment I walked around the corner to reveal the Hill Dickinson Stadium logo—the taxis drop you off way too far away, especially for someone with limited mobility—the imposing stadium was a sight to behold.

We took a taxi from the city center, where we were subjected to the usual banter you’d expect from a Red season ticket holder: snide jabs about last season and his fears for "Amazon Anfield" following Jeff Bezos’ minority stake. That reminds me, I must cancel my Prime membership.

We made our way down Regent Road, past the various pop-up pubs and flag stands, toward our iconic new home. We were greeted by friendly and very understanding security staff who ushered us into the inner grounds. Entrance 18 beckoned, so we passed the Blue Bud portacabin, rode the neon-blue escalator into the Trinity Bar—bedecked with impressive Christopher Ward clocks—and took it all in.

Inside BMD for the first time!!

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First impressions were that the venue was exceptionally well run: minimal queues at the various bars and direct access to the cushioned seats through manned doors. On what was a wonderfully sunny afternoon, it was the perfect day to watch a game of football.

Upon walking out into the stadium, you cannot help but get emotional. The views are uninterrupted and spectacular. Having watched this ground being built from the ground up over the past four years or so—thanks to Mr Drone’s excellent footage on YouTube—you can’t help but feel a deep connection to it. Inside, the stadium somehow felt smaller than it appeared from the outside; dare I say, it felt a little intimate. That isn't a bad thing at all—it was just something that struck me when I first walked out.

After grabbing a water and giving my food token away (I believe the options were scouse pie or a sausage roll), we took our seats just in time for Z-Cars. A very strong team was named. I was particularly impressed with Tyler Dibling, Harrison Armstrong, and Merlin Röhl. Hayden Hackney had a very assured home debut; he looks to be an astute signing.

I won’t go into too much detail about the match itself, except to say that our game management needs to be better next week. Michael Keane must not be allowed anywhere near the first team, and Nathan Patterson did himself no favors either.

It was great to see so many people stay behind after the final whistle for a drink or two to digest what they’ve just seen and let the traffic die down. This is what football is all about: bringing people together, prompting conversation, friendly disagreements, and differing opinions.

Having made the journey to our new home—and proven to myself that I can actually manage it—I am very much looking forward to the next time, when I will bring my youngest lad, Calum. He is the one I managed to save from the sea of Liverpool, United, City, Arsenal, and Chelsea detritus (nobody ever mentions Spurs in these debates, yet they somehow injected themselves into the "Big Six"), so it’s only fair that I bring him along. That said, having experienced the semi-corporate seats, it will be hard to go back to steerage—though finances and ticket availability may decide that for me!

All in all, it was a memorable day and one I hope to repeat before Christmas.

Up the Toffees!