As we are all experiencing, life in the Championship is as hard as ever. But it seems we have all but forgotten what a dream trip we have been on when just a short time ago we where living life as Premiership supporters.
But with new problems at the foot of the Championship with one eye always focused on the relegation spots, I have recently discovered a version of the Dead Sea scrolls and its documentation of glorious times past. These scriptures come in the form of a book “The Best Trip We’ve Ever Been On” by Hulls unsung, most dedicated and loyal Hull City Supporter. Most City Supporters will brush that comment off with “Yeah I’ve heard it all before” well…not this one.
How many “Die Hards” would sell up there business of 20 years and sacrifice his home and family with one ambition in mind…to follow HULL CITY to every single game in their first ever season in the worlds best and most competitive division. I will tell you…one…and that one is Gary Clarke who then went on to document the whole experience in “The Best Trip We’ve Ever Been On”.
Although there are some good city books which I have read such as "Look Back in Amber" and the usual corporatly put together photo anthologies that seem unjustifiably expensive, Gary’s book is not the usual politically edited self serving back patters publication that gives a manipulated account of the authors works but was written from an on the spot, grass roots warts and all perspective.
The Premiership conjures up the romantic notions of high profile footballers, millionaires and state of the art stadiums, not to mention global footballing brands such as Manchester United and Liverpool. What is seldom published are the efforts and sacrifices which are the underlying backbone of every football club…its supporters. And I don’t mean the bandwagon, high flying, sunny afternoon groupie supporters, I mean the hardcore supporters, I mean the likes of Gary Clark.
“The Best Trip We’ve Ever Been On”, details the heartache of being broken down on the motorway while travelling to an away game, The banter in away teams pubs, waiting in the pouring rain at 5am on Spring Bank corner for the away travel minibus to turn up, the REAL feelings amongst supporters that the press choose to manipulate into there own advantages for whipping up rumours and concerns.
If there is one book a true City supporter should read, especially the ones who couldn’t be part of the Premiership debut, it is “The Best Trip We’ve Ever Been On” by Gary Clark. As I once branded one of my articles on www.hullcity-mad.co.uk, Gary’s book is simply “The Truth, The Hull Truth and nothing but the proof”
For every “Die Hard” and Casual city supporter alike, Gary’s book is written as a passionate city supporter, for City supporters everywhere….oh yes, and it’s a right laugh…Hull Style!