It was no surprise when the inevitable Newcastle United email arrived, unsuccessful for tickets in the ballot for West Ham.
And with a sigh, that was the weekend in Newcastle with the family gone.
Two home games in the ballot this season but hey ho, that’s what a ballot is.
All is not lost though as I immediately got in touch with my Fulham supporting mate Dave who can get me tickets in the Putney end for the last game of the season, albeit in with the neutral/Fulham fans.
This season on the pitch has not been what we expected, nor the lack of opportunity to see live action.
We did manage to be at the Liverpool game (with great thanks to our mates from Gossy) at St James’ Park and got tickets away in the Brighton end.
I sat lonely in an empty row of seats in the West Ham end at the London Stadium and we got lucky in the ballot for home games against Arsenal and Bournemouth. That was it. Not a season to remember.
However, living in NUFC exile in London, our lack of success was a Dulwich Hamlet gain. Free weekends meant we could do games home and away.
No chance of a ticket for Palace away. So it is down to Welling on the train from Denmark Hill. Thirty minutes through leafy South East London and we have been transported to a scene from the Nineties. A world left behind.
We have pre-match beers in a roof top Spoons before heading off down the high street to their stadium. The young lads are out in force, the Welling Ultras dressed in all black with their drums and flags. Just like St Albans a few weeks ago the youngsters are creating their own scene.
We get in the ground and join the Dulwich Rabble behind the goal. At this point my son’s hatred of Arsenal comes out. He states he would rather see Arsenal fail on all fronts and us not get Champions League. A bit extreme! I think his Arsenal supporting schoolmates and big Uncle K (who supports the Gunners) are a big influence here.
The game itself was poor (Welling won 2-0) and with an end of season feel with nothing to play for.
The Rabble chanted some great tunes which neither me nor Mr Haddock (my exiled Forest supporting mate who also lives in London) can bring ourselves to join in as we know where our real loyalty lies.
The following Saturday it is the last Dulwich home game of the season. Burgess Hill Town. Discussion whether to go or stay home to watch the Newcastle v Bournemouth game on a screen? Decision is lets watch live football and Dulwich duly pay us back with a good performance and a two nil win. End of the game we hug Dulwich striker Danny Mills and ignore the depressing notifications that Bournemouth have scored and taken the points.
That leaves the ball in my mate Dave’s court, will he get us tickets for Fulham away last game of the season so we get to see our team one last time this season? Turns out it is the 28th April when Dave can buy us tickets for Fulham.
Coincidentally, also on the 28th April it is Dulwich Hamlet playing in the final of the London Senior Cup against QPR under 21s. We will be there and me, Dave and Haddock can neck a few Peckham pales and enjoy being with the Rabble behind the goal. And hopefully myself and my son will be safe in the knowledge of one last Newcastle United game for us this season.