I've had this blog for a while but up until now have managed to avoid putting myself or any personal posts on here, but last Saturday-Monday I was in Kansas City having the greatest experience of my life as my father and I stalked Manchester United for 3 days as they were on their U.S. tour, so I think that deserves a spot on here.
Here I am with my new bff Nani. Honestly, this gave me the shock of my life! When we arrived in Kansas City we went straight to the Intercontinental, where United was staying, because thanks to my stalker tendencies I had their itinerary and knew they would be at the hotel by 1:30, but by the time we got to the hotel all we saw was their empty buses and a ton of their staff inside but no footballers. So the plan was to wait inside the hotel bar until the press conference at 3:30 because we would at least be able to hopefully catch Sir Alex and one player. I didn't have to wait that long though, because after I left the bar for all of 2 seconds, who do I see walking through there all nonchalant like any other human being? FREAKIN NANI!! I got my jersey signed, got a picture, all whilst being completely starstruck.
Note-Do not judge my appearance as I had not pictured my first appearance on this blog being in my United tee looking greasy with makeup applied on my face at 4 am before a delayed flight only to then walk in the Kansas City heat to their hotel. So yeah, not my best look.
But back to the MU stalking...3:00 rolled around and my father found his way into the press conference with no problem, because apparently in Kansas City "press only" means we let fans in too, not that I minded. So we sneak into the press conference and nobody says a damn word! Which was honestly a surprise to me because most journalists there did not look like 17 year old girls in Manchester United tee shirts, but apparently I looked like a journalist.
Note-Do not judge my appearance as I had not pictured my first appearance on this blog being in my United tee looking greasy with makeup applied on my face at 4 am before a delayed flight only to then walk in the Kansas City heat to their hotel. So yeah, not my best look.
But back to the MU stalking...3:00 rolled around and my father found his way into the press conference with no problem, because apparently in Kansas City "press only" means we let fans in too, not that I minded. So we sneak into the press conference and nobody says a damn word! Which was honestly a surprise to me because most journalists there did not look like 17 year old girls in Manchester United tee shirts, but apparently I looked like a journalist.
Edwin Van der Sar, along with Sir Alex Ferguson of course, took part in the press conference with the Kansas City Wizards coach and captain.
Edwin Van der Sar, who was just as funny and nice as expected
At the end of the press conference, their was a quick photo op
Edwin giving an interview to the local KC press
Sir Alex signing my shirt while making some sort of joke/comment about Warren Barton to the other United people, but I couldn't quite catch it.
Blurry pic of Edwin signing my shirt outside the press conference
The media guide we got for being at the press conference hahaha. This little book came in pretty handy though because United had a training session at 5 so my dad and I went outside in hopes of catching them as they went onto the bus, and security was telling the other fans (even though there were only about 5 of them) that they had to leave or they would be escorted out, but not us! Nope, we are the media! That only worked for so long though because I was asking for autographs the hotel security man shut it down. I was still successful though as Kiko Macheda, John O'shea, Darren Fletcher, and Gabriel Obertan signed my shirt. We then left to go finally check into our hotel to get ready for the rest of the night.
So this was what came out of the rest of the first night...as you can see, there's nothing, that's because that same security guy was on a power strip and made everyone back off from the squad. Not a problem though because that was only the first day. We still had two more days centered around the team, so all hope was not lost for my main goal of getting Giggs' autograph.
No stalking was planned for the second day as that was match day and we figured we wouldn't be able to catch them. Yet somehow my dad still ran into them on his morning run around the Plaza where both our hotel and their hotel were located. They were just going out for their leisurely walk, and I missed it. Nobody downtown even noticed they were there, even though it would probably be weird to see an entire group of men dressed exactly the same if you had no idea who they were. But I guess that's just football/soccer in the states. Anyways back to my father wishing them and more specifically Ryan freaking Giggs good luck. Seriously, one on one, with Giggs. What the hell kind of bullshit is that?! After his run in with United, he came and got me to hopefully find them still out, but no. They were already in their hotel. So the only thing left to do that day was head to the game and wait to hopefully have an encounter with them the next morning.
Luck was definitely on our side Monday as we got to the Intercontinental in the morning as their buses were already outside the hotel waiting. It seriously could not have been any better, and I also need to mention how great the Man Utd staff is as they were super great about the fans getting autographs/pictures compared to the hotel staff at the Intercontinental who were dicks even though there was only 6 of us outside waiting for them.
I also have to say every single player was so nice and friendly as they all stopped for the fans.
Greatest day ever!
The media guide we got for being at the press conference hahaha. This little book came in pretty handy though because United had a training session at 5 so my dad and I went outside in hopes of catching them as they went onto the bus, and security was telling the other fans (even though there were only about 5 of them) that they had to leave or they would be escorted out, but not us! Nope, we are the media! That only worked for so long though because I was asking for autographs the hotel security man shut it down. I was still successful though as Kiko Macheda, John O'shea, Darren Fletcher, and Gabriel Obertan signed my shirt. We then left to go finally check into our hotel to get ready for the rest of the night.
So this was what came out of the rest of the first night...as you can see, there's nothing, that's because that same security guy was on a power strip and made everyone back off from the squad. Not a problem though because that was only the first day. We still had two more days centered around the team, so all hope was not lost for my main goal of getting Giggs' autograph.
No stalking was planned for the second day as that was match day and we figured we wouldn't be able to catch them. Yet somehow my dad still ran into them on his morning run around the Plaza where both our hotel and their hotel were located. They were just going out for their leisurely walk, and I missed it. Nobody downtown even noticed they were there, even though it would probably be weird to see an entire group of men dressed exactly the same if you had no idea who they were. But I guess that's just football/soccer in the states. Anyways back to my father wishing them and more specifically Ryan freaking Giggs good luck. Seriously, one on one, with Giggs. What the hell kind of bullshit is that?! After his run in with United, he came and got me to hopefully find them still out, but no. They were already in their hotel. So the only thing left to do that day was head to the game and wait to hopefully have an encounter with them the next morning.
Luck was definitely on our side Monday as we got to the Intercontinental in the morning as their buses were already outside the hotel waiting. It seriously could not have been any better, and I also need to mention how great the Man Utd staff is as they were super great about the fans getting autographs/pictures compared to the hotel staff at the Intercontinental who were dicks even though there was only 6 of us outside waiting for them.
I also have to say every single player was so nice and friendly as they all stopped for the fans.
Greatest day ever!
Wes Brown
Wes again.
Edwin
Nani again. He signed my shirt twice because I didn't have anything else for him to sign and I did not have the heart to tell him no. He's my new bff anyways
The twins Rafael & Fabio, who were really smiley and nice. Love them
Rafael...or maybe Fabio, but I'm pretty sure it's Rafael
One of the twins again
Danny Welbeck being adorable
Darron Gibson
Chris Smalling signing my shirt
Berbatov (with Chris and a little bit of Darren in the background)
After all the players were done getting on the bus, I was bummed because I missed Jonny Evans, but this man who works for the team was kind enough to bring my jersey on and have him sign it! (Even if I asked him if Jonny would come OFF the bus)
Finally, my jersey with all the signatures (Evans, Obertan, Macheda, Fletcher, VDS, O'Shea, Nani, Sir Alex, Berbatov, Giggs, Scholes, Wes Brown, Gibson, Rafael, Fabio, Welbeck, Smalling). Also, I got myself a photo with Darren Fletcher but no way is that going to be posted haha.
I missed Ben Amos, Tomasz Kuszczak, Mame Biram Diouf, because they got on the damn bus too fast, but its okay. Goal of Giggs was accomplished and then some...
I missed Ben Amos, Tomasz Kuszczak, Mame Biram Diouf, because they got on the damn bus too fast, but its okay. Goal of Giggs was accomplished and then some...
3 comments:
Wow - why have I been watching American football when soccer players look like this?! ;)
that's awesome, congrats on your successful stalk :)
Wow! jealous..loving your blog btw
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