Morecambe Vs Blackburn Rovers

Matchday 59 was a short 40-minute journey from our holiday spot. As a special treat, we decided to thank Nan Jen and Grandad Steve with hospitality tickets for everything they’ve done over the past couple of years, especially with Max, our beloved black Labrador who sadly passed away recently.

The day began with me cooking breakfast and dinner on the BBQ. Jen and Steve then headed to their hotel to freshen up before we all drove to Morecambe. Google Maps took us through scenic back roads and onto the M6 for a brief stretch before arriving at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. We were greeted by a security guard who checked our pre-booked car park reservations and directed us to the yellow car park.

After parking, we took a short stroll around the stadium, snapped some photos, and visited the club shop to pick up a matchday scarf. Unfortunately, there was no program available for this match. We arrived at the main reception to collect our tickets but were told we were 30 minutes early. So, we crossed over to the Hurley Flyer pub, where Jen and Steve treated us to a drink. The pub was lovely, and we enjoyed relaxing and chatting for about 40 minutes.

Back at the reception, we collected our matchday tickets and were directed to the hospitality suite. We were pleasantly surprised to find a table reserved with a sign showing my name and guests. We were soon greeted by Suzanne, a lovely lady who explained the food arrangements and took Liam’s food preference. We ordered drinks and waited for the food service to begin.

While waiting, we found our seats in the stadium, which were in a prime location next to the Blackburn fans. The only minor disappointment was that the seats weren’t padded, despite padded seats being available.

When we returned inside, the food was ready. Amanda and Jen chose pie, chips, and gravy, while Steve and I opted for chicken curry with rice. Liam had chicken goujons and chips. All the meals were delicious, though I found the curry a bit too lime-flavored. Still hungry, Liam went back for a pie from the buffet.

With our stomachs full, we headed into the stadium about 20 minutes before kick-off. The game was entertaining, with both teams playing well. Morecambe surprisingly took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute, but Blackburn equalized later in the first half, ending 1-1 at halftime.

During the break, we enjoyed refreshments: cake with tea or coffee for the adults and a small tub of ice cream for Liam. We even managed to grab a second piece of cake before returning to our seats for the second half. The game remained engaging, with both teams making numerous substitutions, but it ended in a 1-1 draw.

Leaving the stadium, we encountered some brief traffic but soon made our way back to the M6 and then the M55, reaching Windy Harbour in about 50 minutes due to some slow-moving traffic.

Overall, it was a fantastic evening. The stadium, with three terraced stands and one seated stand, provided a great League 2 football experience. Next up is Matchday 60, a short 20-minute drive to Fleetwood for a friendly against Scottish club Hearts of Midlothian.

Facts about Morecambe FC:

1. Foundation: Morecambe Football Club was founded in 1920.
2. Nickname: The club is known as “The Shrimps,” reflecting Morecambe’s coastal heritage.
3. Promotion to the Football League: Morecambe was promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history in 2007 after winning the Conference National Playoff.
4. Stadium: Their home ground, the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, was opened in 2010, replacing the old Christie Park.
5. Historic Achievement: Morecambe won the 1974 FA Trophy, defeating Dartford 2-1 in the final at Wembley.