I've just turned down a corporate entertainment invitation to watch the Wednesday match. Corporate box, 3 course meal, bubbly and a tour around the private areas. Why you might ask? I will explain.

1) I would have to get to the ground at some god early time to meet a load of folk that have never before met each other. This is being hosted by a firm that are looking for my firm's, and obviously every other invitee's business, so hardly a relaxing day.

2) I have had the tour before, following a seminar that I attended in one of the hospitality suites in the South Stand.

3) I would have to leave the car at home if I wanted to partake in the bubbly, two taxi fares = circa £40.00 + tips, or I drive and stay dry.

4) I can't think of anything worse than a 3 course meal with wine and a load of bubbly before the match, it would send me to sleep, but having said that the Wednesday team can usually manage that without the expense of feeding and watering me.

5) So there I would be, sat with a load of strangers wishing that I was sitting lower down in familiar territory. Ushered back into the bar at half time for another ear bashing and free flowing bubbly, wishing that I hadn't bothered accepting the invite in the first place.

6) Back to my seat, perfectly p****d for the second half, planning to make a speedy exit following the full time whistle. No such luck, back into the corporate area to meet yet more strangers and be plied with even more bubbly. The taxi finally arrives and I end up staggering up the drive, falling through the door and going straight to bed, hoping that the enevitable next morning hangover will pass me by.

And if anyone says it won't be anything like that, it was the last and only time that I accepted corporate match entertainment. Sorry I tell a lie, Tommy Hoyland and me got totally rat arsed in the champagne hospitality tent at a Yorkshire Cricket testimonial match donkeys years ago.

I've been in 'corprate' areas before for games. I'd much prefer to sit amongst the regular march goer anytime.

the atmosphere is just so poor where you are when you're in these suites. And it's not like you're able to be drinkong a bevvy out in your seats either.

I salute you sir, for staying loyal to us 'common' fans.

I've just turned down a corporate entertainment invitation to watch the Wednesday match. Corporate box, 3 course meal, bubbly and a tour around the private areas. Why you might ask? I will explain.

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And if anyone says it won't be anything like that, it was the last and only time that I accepted corporate match entertainment. Sorry I tell a lie, Tommy Hoyland and me got totally rat arsed in the champagne hospitality tent at a Yorkshire Cricket testimonial match donkeys years ago.

A few years ago a work colleague of my wife's was invited to a county cricket fixture as a corporate guest, and having got himself a full glass sat down outside to watch the morning session.

After about fouty five minutes, someone came out and asked him if everything was OK, and why was he sulking :)

He politely explained, that he enjoyed watching cricket.

Having said that, the two corporate invitations I have been on, have both been from football fans, and with completely all football fans (and in one case an ex player) , and most enjoyable, partly because I've limited the amount of alcohol consumption before and after the game, and more than made up for it after the final whistle. But I suppose I was lucky, and both times it made a change from the "ordinary".

went to one a couple of years back tuesday night i think , met that rent boy who used to play for your lot he was out injured,also jason roberts popped in for a free dinner had a nice meal and a few beers. oh it was bristol rovers had a good day no big time charleys all football fans

Ithe atmosphere is just so poor where you are when you're in these suites.

Would it be any different at Wednesday?:hihi:

Corperate is p**s poor, done it down at Tottenham a couple of times (work), Man U (mates work) and the Lane (friend). Like the o/p said you can't get into it and you get plenty of the never been to a match types who want to talk to you through the match, no thanks.

I got to football for a bit of a release from the outside work, for a drink with my mates, a bit of a cheer or and shout and a sing song and chat about football, not politics, work, dancing on ice or Jade Goody, it football talk and a catch up for me.