How Our FIRST English Premier League Match Went

Shining Moments: Theater of Dreams

Life is made up of small flashes of events over the course of time. If you think about it, someone may ask you to tell them to describe high school. Perhaps they ask you how it was like growing up. Maybe they may ask you who their best friend is.

What do our minds revert back to?

We replay the events we remember in our heads from the time period, through short videos more or less. I call these shining moments.

Growing up, Courtney and I have always lived our lives through sport. Many of our best memories, life lessons and friendships grew through sport. For us, we met each other at the start of our sports career (I’d say we could thank soccer for unifying us 😊).   Well, on December 26^th, 2019, we received another memorable shining moment.

For those who do not know, our anniversary is on New Year’s Eve. Obviously, we had to central our first married anniversary as a trip around sport and travel. Growing up, one of my favorite traditions was turning on the television on boxing day and watching English Premier League soccer, specifically Manchester United.

No school. Day after Christmas. Family time. Soccer on the television. A perfect day.

If you cheer for a team and have never attended a game, you know the feeling of watching them on the screen thinking “Oh, when I finally get there…” or “One day…”

We play that dream in our head repeatedly to build it up to be such a moment when it finally does happen.

Well, the year finally came. After 20 years of cheering on Manchester United, Courtney and I decided to start our Europe trip in Manchester for boxing day: Newcastle vs. Manchester United.

There are no words to describe that moment. If you ask me to describe my experience at Old Trafford, I’d break it into three shining moments.

First moment was walking towards Old Trafford and into a Manchester United supporter’s pub, The Bishop Blaze. Walking in, it was as close to an experience as what you see in the movies and on television. Was it packed? Yes. Was everyone a supporter? Absolutely (except for the one Chelsea fan who walked in and trust me, he was chirped until he left). Was beer cheap? Of course. Did you know a single chant? A few. Did you know a chant after you left the pub? More than a few.

Imagine having two beers in your hand, being packed in a bar, singing and chanting with people you have never meet before. At first, you may be looking around, simply standing there. By the second or third chant, you are singing your hearts out and locked arms with the people standings next to you. It prepared everyone there to go in and support their colors.

Second moment was eating an English pre-game delicacy, food truck fish and chips. After a few drinks, obviously food is guaranteed to be in the conversation. We popped over to a truck that was right outside Old Trafford and had one of the most iconic food truck meals we have ever had. Imagine having a plate full of fries and fried fish, sitting on a stone ledge starring at Old Trafford? All you hear are people continuing their chants from the pubs on their walk over to the stadium. It was iconic.

Lastly, the match. Old Trafford is nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams. For us, we felt succumbed with culture, tradition and truly felt like we were witnessing art. Not only were we witnessing one of our dreams come, we watching it unravel. 15,000 Newcastle fans travelled to the match to support the visitors, while over 60,000 Manchester United fans were hoping to witness a turnaround moment for their season that night.

Confession: it has taken me MONTHS to decide what to put on paper to describe this experience.

Imagine seeing a dream for the first time? Take a moment and use your five senses. What does it smell like? What do you see? How does it sound? What are you tasting? What are you feeling?

Always use the five senses rule to live in the moment. For me, I had to take a step back and soak it in. The smell of fresh cut grass, bringing me back to memories of playing the beautiful game as a kid. I see a sea of red, tentatively watching the match. Nothing else can take their attention away. After all, there are no video screens in Old Trafford or alcohol allowed in the stands per British law. When you come, you come to watch the match. No phones or much chit chat.

I am tasting the brisk, cold wind from the Manchester sky, complimented by the Heineken we glugged down before kickoff. I hear the Manchester chants from the Stretford Stand echoing throughout Old Trafford. I thought I’d only be able to sing those chants or hear them at some Pub in America at a watch party. However, it’s here singing to us its’ allegiance to Man U.

Lastly, I feel simpler times. It is hard to put into words. I had goosebumps. When we walked up the steps to the top of our section, something hit me. I teared up a bit, then smiled. I had a moment in were I am sure I muttered to myself “Trust me, Gabriel…it’s more beautiful in person. It’s everything you imagined and more.” I question who I was talking to. When I replay it in my head, I think that feeling I’m trying to explain was the feeling of me talking to my childhood self-watching Man U matches.

And thus, another shining moment for the Quintero household. Manchester United went on to win 4-1. If you are planning a visit, here are my GQ tips:

• Head over to Old Trafford early. Aside from the match, all of our favorite moments from that day happened pre-match.
  • Get the food truck fish and chips. You won’t regret it!
    • Nothing like fried fish, fries and a coke to fuel you before you head in
  • Hit up a pub
    • Anyone remember the Man U fan in the movie Eurotrip? It’s not THAT extreme, but the diehard fans surely are entertaining and get you in the mindset for sure. (You might even learn a chant or two).
      • Most pubs have a cash cover to enter
  • Don’t buy merchandise before you make the trip over there
    • Their team store is one to get lost in. So many things to choose from, both from decades past, to current team.
  • Expect to watch soccer/football
    • It’s not like sports in America. There are no half time shows. No jumbo screens for replays. No concourse performances. No fancy lights or fireworks. As baseball is America’s past time, soccer/football is England’s time. Respect the match and embrace yourself with an experience unlike any other.
      • It was the best sports experience for us. Rest assured, this will not be our last time.