BURY...2, BOURNEMOUTH...1

BURY mum Gina Garvey paid her first visit to Gigg Lane on Saturday. This is her report . . .

SOME months ago, my 11-year-old son Alexander and my husband, returned from the match at Gigg Lane and my son, who is of a lyrical turn of phrase, burst in saying: "I shook hands with Lutel James after the match, it's the first time I have ever met a league player and it was the highlight of my childhood!"

I didn't know who or what he was talking about. Last Saturday he took me to Gigg (I was supposed to be taking him), his dad had to work and the lad was desperate to go to the match. Reluctantly, I agreed to go with him.

We got wrapped up, took the thermos flask and headed for the ground. The first fans I saw en route had hats and scarves with "Burnley" written on them.

I hadn't bothered to ask who "we" were playing so I assumed Bury v Burnley. I busied myself with the instructions to buy a programme and keep it safe and make sure that I kept the ticket stubs -- I expected these to be checked, like the inspector on a bus, during the game!

When we got nearer the ground, my son was pointing out other team colours: Manchester City, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers.

A woman shook a bucket at me and asked me to "Save Our Shakers," so I dropped some change into the bucket but I didn't know what I was saving the Shakers from.

We bought our tickets and my son dragged me, protesting, past the sign saying "Away Fans This Way", or something like that, but which actually led to the Bury supporters' seating.

We found a seat in the family stand and Alexander ran off to get his programme autographed.

I was all at sea. Why were these people wearing other team colours?

Why were they coming to Gigg Lane and who the hell were Bury playing today? When I read the programme I began to understand.

I took in my surroundings and could see the players patiently signing autographs for the crowd of kids meeting their heroes.

I could see the staff and volunteers going about their work. I was surprised to see Bury fans and others greeting and chatting to each other, the Cemetery End was filling up with enthusiastic, vocal supporters.

There were two middle-aged couples sitting behind me and they were very anxious about the future of the club.

As surreptitiously as I could, I earwigged on their conversation to try and get the picture from their point of view. Things did not sound good.

The announcer was talking about the support Bury had received on the website, and then he listed all the other clubs whose supporters had turned up that day. I was very touched.

Then I thought: "Why are you feeling touched? You have never been before, you don't know the first thing about it, and you might be seeing them here for the first and last time.

"You might be the bad luck which says they never play here again."

Just then, the team ran out and my mild mannered and normally slightly cerebral son leapt to his feet, cheering and whistling and banging the back of his seat -- the Cemetery End erupted and the game began.

I nearly froze to death. I have not got the first clue of the rules. I had been fairly confident of recognising a goal until the second half when I cheered, very loudly, on my own, because I thought Bury had scored at the furthest end of the pitch they hadn't!

I felt very foolish indeed and my son was deeply, head shakingly, unimpressed. I was chuffed to bits however, when they did win.

At the end of the match, there was a desultory pitch invasion that was over as quickly as it started and after shuffling out of the ground, we walked home barely able to talk, our faces stiff with cold.

The peculiar pleasure of being that cold, then getting home and getting warm, should not be underestimated.

I will go again. I have the confidence of a convert that Bury will survive.

There was a raffle at half time and the winner, a loyal supporter, gave a big chunk of his prize money back to the club; just the sort of supporter Bury needs.

On reflection, I am not bad luck, I am just the sort of luck Bury needs, I am an extra bum on a seat! After all, I have never seen them lose!