April 2023 Lens v Strasbourg
The Boy Mark hadn't been to a Lens game since 2018... five years without a fix of French Footie / fricadelle and alcohol. For some, namely me, it would have been too much! But no, wor Markie battled through day by day, hour by hour. Wiping the tears back manfully (or womanfully... don't wish to be sexist) as he strove through the challenges thrown at him. Now a headteacher of a school in Northumberland, he had gone up in the world leaving myself, a lowly teacher, to bathe in his educational glory. This journey also featured new boy Matt's first visit. Matt had once lived in Ch'ti-Land as a student and fallen in love with Les Sang et Or. Work and family commitments ever since had meant he hadn't returned to Stade-Bollaert-Delesis. A regular on the RC Lens UK Division's facebook group discussions, I had worn him down with constant barracking and abuse about not going until he final gave in and agreed to join us. His children were old enough not to give a monkeys if he was there or not and his wife was probably glad of the peace and quiet.
So it was that we set out on an overcast, with rare glimpses of blue sky, Tyneside morning to meet Matt at St Pancras.
The rituals were observed when we met at St Pancras: MacDonalds (for cheapness and ease) then a visit to see Johnnie B and the essential photo:
There was the sight of one of the French female footie teams swarming off the Eurostar in their matching tracksuits and luggage. They streamed past; a never-ending blue convoy. Sadly there was no Wendy Renard or Eugenie Le Sommer to photograph but, by heck, there was a lot of them!
Every time I decide to hire a car at Lille, I forget how slow the traffic getting out of town is and so, true to tradition we crawled our way towards Lens: part of Lille rush hour's metallic slug . Its never easy navigating your way out of Lille's chaotic peripherique (to me anyway) but finally we were free of Dogue City's clasping claws.
Although we arrived at Pierre's with time to spare, it was still a rush down the hill to get our tickets... there was only time for the briefest trip to Chez Muriel. Pierre was nowhere to be seen!
We did, however manage to bag oursleves a Pascal creature and Jean-Claude Van Spamme (Kev from Watford, our interpreter friend from Belgium who speaks French with a mix of a Hertfordshire and Belgique accent). Tickets acquired it was into the Marek for another photo opportunity.
I really don't think Matt stopped smiling the whole time we were in Lens. The prodigal son had returned... wearing his 90s vintage Lens shirt (which greatly impressed Pierre).
Just 11 minutes in, Frankowski was found by Thomasson and he guided a curler into the far post. Matt's smile broadened. All around him were dazzled by its brightness. He could have been seen from space (maybe). This was Mark's first visit since an extremely drab 1-1 Ligue 2 draw against Nancy in 2018 and yes, Lens were a completely changed team, but he couldn't believe how the town, the stadium's surroundings and the supporters had changed since then. The fans were back in love with the team, the team loved the fans: they were pushing each other towards a greatness that had seemed impossible five years earlier.
In the second half there was double delight and doubled up Matt-smily time! A Sotoca cross was headed clear, but only as far as the lurking Medina, on the edge of the penalty area. The cheeky Argentine's volley slipped in between keeper Matt Sel's frantic fingers and post. Medina's smile was every bit as wide as Matt's as he wheeled away in triumph. The crowdsurfers swam past us on both sides as the Capos roared the fans to greater sonic achievements.
The party was brought to a sudden halt when Kevin Gameiro curled a beautiful shot outisde of Samba's stretch. We sobered up immediately. This wasn't over. Suddenly, the team above the relegation zone on goal difference was back in it. In stoppage time, we held our breaths as the ball pinged about the Lens box, Danso launched his foot at the ball, clearing it before taking down a Strasbourg player, "penalty" they all screamed. Matt's smile began to waver. The ref quickly consulted VAR: no penalty. Strasbourg's Habib Diallo made his feelings know and was booked. Unfortunately for him, he didn't take the hint and a second yellow card swiftly followed and he was off. The final whistle blew soon after: was had survived and Mark could notch another win to his bedpost. Matt's smile grew so much that it interferered with orbiting satellites.
Our evening finished in fine style in La Loco, although, once again we were too late for chips to go with our Croc Monsieurs (although there was a pile left over that had been reserved for the first aiders from the Stade). But Matt's smile continued... we could still see the glow under his bedroom door in the middle of the night. Sadly, it interfered with my sleep patterns. All in a good cause though!
The rest of the weekend saw us 'enjoy' a couple of Belgian 0-0 draws. First there was relegation bore draw between Kortrijk and Eupen: the highlights of which involved seeing a big bunny, piling plastic cups in Kortrijk Kim's hood and visiting Hellend Vlak.
The following day was the slightly more entertaining Anderlecht v Westerlos. The away support was very vocal and it was entertaining to see the after-effects of a visit from Union Berlin (sticker-tastic). Beyond that it was a bit drab. Around the stadium, the streets were vibrant with some interesting artwork and strangely placed outdoor urinals. My choice of a red Inspiral carpets bucket hat and yellow jacket clashed somewhat with the purple clad Anderlecht fans. Hey ho!
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