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Tom Fordyce

Desperately seeking a Cup final ticket (147)

Paris, Wednesday night - Suddenly, I feel as if I鈥檝e fallen into the plot of a cheap, tear-jerking melodrama.

After seven weeks, 12 matches and 4,500 miles together in Le Bloggernaut, are about to be split up on the eve of the biggest sporting event we鈥檝e ever experienced.

Two men, one ticket.

I never liked maths, and I like that particular sum about as much as Bernard Laporte likes shampoo.

Despite having been to more matches, travelled more miles and watched more minnows than anyone else we can think of, only one of us has been given the nod by the organisers for the World Cup final.

And it鈥檚 not me...

Now, there鈥檚 a range of responses you could give here, starting with, 鈥淲ho cares?鈥 and 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 got one either,鈥 and continuing with 鈥淵ou want a real problem? Try global poverty/ killer diseases/ the singing of 鈥.

I would agree with each and every one of those retorts. I consider myself laughably lucky to have barrelled around France for the past 46 days, to have witnessed so many whoop-inducing matches and to have been spared the falsetto whingeing of Martin for the entire period.

At the same time, I鈥檝e got to be honest with you. I feel like a man who鈥檚 had the door slammed in his face to a party hosted by and her younger sisters, where the house band is the re-formed JBs, drinks are being poured by Che Guevara and a wild-eyed Richard Pryor and David Icke are deep in conversation by the vol-au-vents.

You should have seen Ben鈥檚 reaction.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 no good,鈥 he said. 鈥淵ou have my ticket. You鈥檝e done all the driving.鈥

With a lump in my throat the size of a croissant, I told him not to be so ridiculous.

He was in; I wasn鈥檛. C'est la mani猫re que le biscuit s'茅miette.

benandtomparis446.jpg


鈥淲e鈥檒l buy one then,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檒l pay half. I don鈥檛 care how much it costs.鈥

You鈥檒l have to excuse me a moment while I wipe away the tears. That man Dirs鈥. gulp. I鈥檓 sorry.

That鈥檚 what 46 days and nights in a campervan does to a chap. And they say the age of chivalry is dead.

Right now, after eight hours of frantic searching, we have yet to find a single solid lead.

But you know what? The Bloggernaut Boys haven鈥檛 come this far to be denied at the death.

While the kick is still to be offed, there is hope. If I have to disguise myself as a French riot cop or smuggle myself in in , I鈥檒l do it. And if you happen to have a spare ticket 鈥 well, we鈥檒l make you Bloggernaut life president in the blink of an emotional eye.

This evening, in an attempt to lift the faltering spirits, I jumped on the stinky-seated, sloth-steered Metro and journeyed from one end of Paris to the other to watch one of England鈥檚 final training sessions.

How did they look? Well, if Brian Ashton鈥檚 boys are nervous, they鈥檙e not showing it. If they haven鈥檛 got the faintest chance of winning on Saturday, nobody鈥檚 told them.

With Ashton marching around with hands behind his back like a stern-faced schoolteacher and assistant coach Mike Ford barking the orders, the boys looked as bright-eyed as lemurs and as bushy-tailed as a pack of permed squirrels.

As defensive drills turned into close-quarter passing moves, Andy Gomarsall practised steepling box-kicks to Paul Sackey, Simon Shaw threw the ball around like Phil Bennett and Mathew Tait flashed the heels of his red boots as he fizzed past the tackle-pad of Mark Regan.

And ? Was he sitting atop a gilded throne, with England supporters queuing to kiss his sacred feet, or lying motionless in a titanium crate lined with cotton wool?

Of course not. He was right in the thick of it, shouting encouragement, yelling instructions and slapping into tackles like a man born without pain receptors.

鈥淛ONNY!鈥 I shouted. 鈥淛ONNY! YOU GOT A SPARE TICKET?鈥

I joke, bien sur. But I was mighty tempted, I can tell you.

Tom Fordyce is a 大象传媒 Sport journalist travelling around France in a camper van with Ben Dirs.


Comments  Post your comment

  • 1.
  • At 08:47 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Dave wrote:

I got an idea!!

Get some pepper spray and...........oh maybe not!

Unlucky Tom and hats of to Dirsy for being so gentelmanly about it.

  • 2.
  • At 08:55 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Olly wrote:

Jason Robinson, Andrew Sheridan and Johnny Wilkinson are standing before God at the throne of Heaven. God looks at them and says; "before granting you a place at my side, I must first ask you what you believe in." Addressing Robinson first he asks, "what do you believe?" Robinson looks God in the eye and states passionately, "I believe Rugby to be the food of life. Nothing else brings such unbridled joy to so many people from the grim North to the bright lights of Twickenham. I have devoted my life to bring such joy to people who stood on the terraces supporting their club." God looks up and offers Robinson the seat to his left.

He then turns to Sheridan, "and you, Andy, what do you believe?" Sheridan stands tall and proud, "I believe courage, honour and passion are the fundamentals to life and I've spent my whole playing career providing a living embodiment of these traits." God, moved by the passion of the speech offers Sheridan the seat to his right.

Finally, he turns to Wilkinson, "and you, Johnny, what do you believe?"

"I believe..." says Wilkinson "...you're sitting in my seat."

  • 3.
  • At 09:00 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • One legged Ed wrote:

Bearing in mind your contribution to this world cup campaign, I reckon one of the RFU committee tickets should be handed over...

  • 4.
  • At 09:09 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Charles wrote:

The one big let down of this tournament for me has been the allocation of Final tickets. I bought a Follow Your Team package which gave tickets to every England game. We were told that the Final ballot was a formality for people who'd already spent a fortune on packages such as this. So did I get a final ticket? My arse did I.

So I look forward to paying over the odds to some scumbag tout on Saturday afternoon. It leaves a very sour taste on what has been a magnificent tournament.

  • 5.
  • At 09:11 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Flora Bunda wrote:

Tom, my heart bleeds for you. Life's just not fair. After the fantastic job you have both done over the last weeks it just doesn't seem right. You are very welcome to join my son and I round at our friends house to watch the match. There'll be plenty of wine...trouble is - it's not in Paris and I know where I'd rather be given a choice. Still if you don't get a better offer let me know...

  • 6.
  • At 09:13 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Ian wrote:

Can't you wing one with a press pass?

Surely the Auussie of Kiwi tv must owe the 大象传媒 a favour to get you in with one of their spares?

  • 7.
  • At 09:14 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Allen wrote:

Now that is harsh

I am a english rugby fan, who made it to party central in marseille, so the past few weeks have been fantastic

But i have to say, having never been a blogger before, that the efforts of yourself and Dirsy have given extra life to the world cup. Its not right that one of you misses out on the grand finale.

Boo to the 大象传媒 for not forking out for 2 tickets, Boo to gordon brown for being a free loading scot depriving an englishman of a ticket, and boo to the end of the world cup, what a great few weeks its been.

COME ON ENGLAND

You may not have a World Cup ticket but from what I have read you have a fantastic friend in Mr Dirs.

Going from your comments I think you got a good deal and one that will last longer than the final.

  • 9.
  • At 09:27 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Peter Singleton wrote:

Quelle horeur! Catastrophe!

Whlilst I struggle to have sympathy with a man so blessed (rummaging around France enjoying a close up in the flesh experience of this whole World cup)I can imagine the massive let down you are feeling. Personally having given up all hope of actually being able to attend any of the matches in France, let alone the final Ihave been contemplating going to Paris just to soak up the atmosphere and watch the game in a bar but the French strike action disrupting all the transport have probably put paid to that. Must say the blogs have been great to participate in and to read, especially for an expat as I am

  • 10.
  • At 09:28 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Bob wrote:

I have a ticket, but I don't have a spare one for you. A HA HA HA HA HA.

  • 11.
  • At 09:32 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Tez wrote:

Tom, I think the only fair thing to do is for one of you to watch the first half, and t'other the second. Toss of the coin to decide !

  • 12.
  • At 09:33 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Our Man in Baku wrote:

Ring No. 10 and ask Mr. B if he really wants to go.

  • 13.
  • At 09:37 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Glenn wrote:

What a shame!!!

Secondly, Jonny Wilkinson is not a deity merely an average player. There are no heroes in sport ; a word that is incorrectly used when describing sporting endeavour. Heroism belongs to our men and women in the armed services and NOT over hyped, overpaid and frankly, average sports stars.

  • 14.
  • At 09:39 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Chris wrote:

Never mind, Tom. We'll save you a place on the Champs de Mars if it comes to the worst. Good luck with getting that ticket - and don't forget to tell the rest of us desperate seekers where it came from!

  • 15.
  • At 09:42 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • pinot noir wrote:

Bad Luck Tommy Boy, but think yourself lucky. I have only been to one game this world cup and it was the last Boks game! What a night.

Although, I have had the last laugh, because when we left our seats we said to all the 100 or so Saffers around us that we would see them in the final, to which I was greeted with more mad hoots than in a mental hospital for owls!

I will be making do with my living room a large plasma, a vast pot of chili and 20 friends! if you fancy it, you're welcome.

Allez les Blancs

  • 16.
  • At 10:07 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • BelfastMike wrote:

So the 大象传媒 can pay Jonathan Woss 拢6m a year but our hero Fordyce can't get a cup final ticket, after keeping us entertained for 46 odd days?? Shame on you 大象传媒 bosses. I'm going to smash my brand new plasma TV in protest. GIVE THE BOY A TICKET!!!! Good luck Tommy. Dirs, you're the best mate a man ever had.

  • 17.
  • At 10:12 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Sarah, Bucks wrote:

Heartbreak for you Tom, but it seems Dirs is being quite gentlemanly about it. Get Brown and Mbeki to change their minds about going and we'll both be sorted. One ticket for you, and one for me. Good luck finding a ticket.

  • 18.
  • At 10:12 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • tomthepom wrote:

you'll be ok. just keep asking everybody...

  • 19.
  • At 10:20 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Anonymous wrote:

You should worry, I have just been told I have to have a multiple by pass op. No exercise, no stress and definately no excitment. Got the pills so I will risk the heart attack.

  • 20.
  • At 10:23 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Ian wrote:

Tom....from an old Essex lad like yourself ( you can take ian out of Romford, but you can't take Romford etc etc )......i totally sympathise with you. I havent had a chance to get over there for any of the matches ( having to suffer Barnes's inane commentary)......but have kept up with your blogs on a daily basis. They have captured so clearly the flavour and atmosphere of what has probably been the best ever RWC. Shame on the powers that be for not getting you a ticket!!.........and what a mate you have in Dirsy!!.....Good luck mate and hopefully you will end up cheering the boys home in the stadium on Sat night!!!

  • 21.
  • At 10:30 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Timbo wrote:

Re Comment No13

Dear Glenn, I'm pleased to see that the sense of humour bypass operation appears to have been a success, however it may be that you are participating in the wrong forum.

Good luck on your Quest Tom.

Come on England, Who dares Wins etc etc.....

  • 22.
  • At 10:31 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • lemonjiz wrote:

You should think yourself lucky, i'm at an 80's party on Saturday nite the wife (soon to be ex) insists we go. They have no tv!! It's a theme nite any ideas on what i could wear. I was thinking about going as the grim reaper!!!!

  • 23.
  • At 10:32 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Mutt wrote:

Given the current state of affairs at Auntie it could be a choice between a ticket or a job!

  • 24.
  • At 10:32 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • D wrote:

Going rate on ebay.fr at the mo' is only 鈧600 a ticket...

  • 25.
  • At 10:35 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Scot English wrote:

Unlucky! Mine arrived this morning!

  • 26.
  • At 10:38 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Mark wrote:

Glenn 13. Get a life! As a recently retired member of the Armed Forces (Army) after 29 years service I have no problems with sporting celebrities being termed heroes if people consider they merit the term. You really should get out more!

Our Armed forces are heroic in the face of enemy action and deserve full recognition for all that they do in the service of our country but that does not mean that no-one else can be considered heroes.

  • 27.
  • At 10:39 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Android wrote:

Can't Ubogu get you a ticket? He could smuggle you in as his left bicep. Ubogu Ubogu Ubogu. Save Tom and 'Benders'.

  • 28.
  • At 10:43 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Nick wrote:

Glenn #13

Er - I don't think anybody was actually suggesting that Jonny Wilkinson was a 'real god', but then again, I don't think many people other than you would actually consider him to be an 'average sportsman' either!

Likewise, nobody in their right mind would attempt to suggest that 'sporting endeavour' is any way equivalent to risking your life for your country in the armed forces. However, like the rest of us, I suspect that there are plenty of other Englishmen and women in the armed services who are only to happy to appreciate the efforts of Jonny Wilkinson and the rest of the team (true heros or otherwise).

  • 29.
  • At 10:44 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Alexander Lewis Jones wrote:

To nick another joke, and one that's slightly more apposite:

A man had great tickets for the Rugby World Cup 2007 final. As he sits down, John comes over and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him.

"No," he says, "the seat is empty."

"This is incredible!" said John. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Final and not use it?"

He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife was Supposed to come with me, but she passed away. This is the first World Cup Final we haven't been to together since we got married."

"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. Couldn't you find someone else - a friend or relative, or even a neighbour to take the seat?"

"They're all at the funeral".

  • 30.
  • At 10:45 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Stephen Gutteridge wrote:

I wouldn't bother searching around for a ticket until the couple of hours before kick off time. In my experience with purchasing tickets in these situations at Football tournaments, ticket prices in the hour leading up to kick off come down hugely and there are always plenty available - I'm sure there will be professional touts by the bucketload plus loads of locals with tickets they want to make money on.

Keep the faith and you'll get in there no problem.

  • 31.
  • At 10:49 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Anon wrote:

Some of the best times I've ever had watching rugby have been in the pub with friends. Once the atmosphere was so good (London Welsh Rugby Clubhouse) I stayed even though I had a ticket for the game - I was the only one, there were about twenty of us there who had tickets to the game, I found that out when we all tried to give our tickets to the supporter who led the singing for 2 hours non-stop. Even he stayed!

  • 32.
  • At 10:51 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Matty wrote:

There must still be loads of those Kiwis that paid 拢4000 for the Semis and Finals package willing to sell their tickets - we had enough offers last Saturday, although the prices may be higher than the Euros 500 touted. You could always suggest to one of these socialites, that just goes to such events to be seen, that they may have a better chance of getting on TV at the Champs de Mars. Failing that go to the Eiffel Tower, get some tins from the offy and have an awesome night (plus save a few hundred Euros) and have a swim in the fountain. Plus you can have your photo taken at the 100% New Zealand ball.

  • 33.
  • At 10:54 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Pagey 54 wrote:

Hi. We have a spare ticket as had to by 2 pairs for the three of us from some scumbag on Ebay but not for as much as some have. Would only want what it costs us 拢570 (and will evidence) and dont want to make a profit. I believe there are still plenty going and are available in Paris. What about this proposed strike then? Just because we beat them last week!

  • 34.
  • At 10:55 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Phil wrote:

Ah i feel for you Tom. I've loved every second of this blog. If your reading this Gordon Brown, Give this man a ticket ASAP. It's for the good of the country !

  • 35.
  • At 10:55 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • James wrote:

Hold your nerve, be at the ground a couple of hours before, the prices will drop. Have faith!

  • 36.
  • At 11:03 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • culkey wrote:

Tom, I have a mate who works in television for one of your rivals (who have similarly limited coverage of the rugby world cup on the box) who has used his media id to blag the necessary accreditation to get into matches on a number of occasions, the most recent being Saturday's semi. Not sure exactly what he says etc but he who dares...

PS As a disillusioned Irish rugby fan, your blog has made the world cup bearable. Cheers.

  • 37.
  • At 11:04 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Pingus wrote:

What happens when the 大象传媒 suits welcome you both home with the news theres only space for 1 blogger/e commentator at the more efficient and slim-lined television centre?! As Ben got the ticket surely he has to take 6 months down the DHSS as compensation.

  • 38.
  • At 11:05 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • James S wrote:

Tom or anyone else looking,

I suggest you go to the ground today or tomorrow and see if they have any tickets available. Apparently a lot of French have been returning their tickets and the World Cup organisers are releasing them gradually over the next couple of days. I know because my French father-in-law managed to get me 2 yesterday by phoning the hotline (0892 691507) which you can call if you are in France (He didn't come up with much in the way of a dowry but is certainly proving his worth now!). Failing that I am sure you'll be able to get a ticket outside the ground on Saturday evening if you are prepared to hold your nerve until then.

Good luck to you and everyone else looking for tickets.

And thank you to the Gods for smiling so sweetly on me.

  • 39.
  • At 11:09 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Nick wrote:

Have you found one yet? I might be able to help...

  • 40.
  • At 11:15 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Andrew Collins wrote:

Glenn you muppet, the men and women in our armed forces will be going nuts on Saturday cheering for heroics from England. So lighten up, everyone needs a hero, even heroes.

  • 41.
  • At 11:17 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Suz wrote:

Tickets are going to be the last of everyone's worries if the French do 'roll-over' striking (i.e. it continues from one day to the next). Currently its due to finish tomorrow at 8am. There are whispers that it might keep rolling over though.....

  • 42.
  • At 11:19 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Carole in Maidenhead wrote:

COME ON 大象传媒!!! I INSIST YOU USE MY LICENCE FEE IMMEDIATELY - er, ok, mine and a few others - to get Tom a ticket. This is outrageous. And Dirsy, what an absolute chap. COME ON you mean gits in the 大象传媒, sort it out.

  • 43.
  • At 11:19 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Andrew Collins wrote:

lemonjiz, here is my advice forget the wierd 80's party and go straight to the pub and watch the rugby. If you are being divorced for 'unreasonable behaviour' any divorce judge will look very favourably on watching the RWC final as perfectly reasonable behaviour, in fact you will get the kids, the house, the car and probably a Twickenham season ticket. As they say 'it is a no brainer'.

  • 44.
  • At 11:19 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Pagey 54 wrote:

Hi. If you want to buy the spare ticket (at what it cost us) that we have it would our pleasure to have you sit with us. get in touch. We coming down via Eurotunnel on Saturday morning

  • 45.
  • At 11:21 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Ed wrote:

Was not your brief to capture the atmosphere surrounding this glorious event? So, is there not some sense in having one of you in the stadium and the other outside? Thereby doubling the amount we will have to read next week to console ourselves with no rugby left to watch and the ineptitude of England football finally sinking in. Of course I'm not saying it should be necessarily be you to miss out, but I feel one of you should fall on your (perhaps plastic) sword for our (dare I mention license fees?) benefit.

  • 46.
  • At 11:24 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Nick wrote:

U not of heard of Ebay??? There are LOADS of tickets being flogged there, as long as you are sensible and keep your wits you'll easily get a ticket!!!!

  • 47.
  • At 11:26 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Mikey Wallace wrote:

sussed m8... but harch as well. i am going!!!! swing low........

  • 48.
  • At 11:38 AM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • lemonjiz wrote:

80's party update!! After a brief discussion i'm no longer invited to the party on Saturday nite. Thanks for your advice Andrew, she would like your address! I never knew there were so many 'f's' in "Don't come then"

  • 49.
  • At 12:02 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • tim c wrote:

Rotten decision, How many tickets could the home unions spare given the 大象传媒 has secured 6 nations .
Question how many of the corporation consultants and managers blagged tickets ?
Dirsy get busy with the cricketing fraternity,MCC members peter baxter or even the itv.good luck
If all else fails, tell us where you will be after and regardlessof the result, we the fortunate few will
treat you to free beers until you forget.!!

  • 50.
  • At 12:03 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Rich H wrote:

I'm going to miss all of this when its all over. How will work be bearable? Does anyone know a good therapist?

  • 51.
  • At 12:07 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • tim wrote:

Tom don't worry, take Ben aside and convince him to sell his ticket to the highest bidder ...

So that you can upgrade the bloggernaut for your next trip which starts on Monday???

You are both going to South Africa to follow the Lions in 09.

An overland trip from Paris ... I can see book deals and film rights. If that toff Fogle and that rower or that Scots film star and his mate can do it why cant you boys??

Get yourself in a pub with the rest off us and then head off Blogging as you go. If you keep a steady pace you should arrive just as the lions lead by Johnny and full of world cup winners (ring any bells) Step off the plane.

enjoy .

  • 52.
  • At 12:07 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Bobby H wrote:

Glenn you are a muppet ! - The men and women of the armed forces are volunteers not heroes. Plus they have nothing at all to do with the semantics of using that word related to sport! Lighten up man! Tom, good luck getting in but I reckon it will fab wherever you are. Thanks for the blog over the weeks

  • 53.
  • At 12:10 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Kieran wrote:

Damn those 大象传媒 cutbacks! Where are their priorities? I know the License fee wasn't as big as they hoped but sending two men on a round trip of France following the World Cup and then denying one of them a seat at the final seems needlessly cruel. Greta Job fellas, good luck trying to find an honest tout.

  • 54.
  • At 12:11 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Coxy wrote:

Hi Guys,

Sorry to hear about your predicament Tom, but you have a genuine friend in Ben.

If only there was a quick way to get a ticket; You said you were only joking re. asking the England team for a ticket... it might not be a bad idea... give it a go - they can only say no...

Failing that, if the semi final is anything to go by, tickets will be plentiful outside the ground... and if I was coming along, that's what I would be doing...

As it is the pre-Disney option has been firmly put in it's place :-(

Oh well, here's to watching it on the box....

Good luck with the ticket hunt, and look forward to hearing from you guys soon...

Cheers

Paul C

  • 55.
  • At 12:14 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Lincoln Dave wrote:

If a man connected to the 大象传媒 and media services (such as your good self) hasn't managed to blag a ticket yet, then sorry son, but you don't deserve one.
Get on the internet or on the streets like the rest of us have had to you sad loser!!

  • 56.
  • At 12:17 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Une francaise en Angleterre wrote:

Do you think it is time that Ben changed out of that green shirt?

  • 57.
  • At 12:17 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Andrew Collins wrote:

Lemonjiz, excellent outcome glad to be of assistance, my address will not be forthcoming, but I do know a good lawyer.

  • 58.
  • At 12:18 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Richard wrote:

I'm sure that, in the words of the prophet, Something will turn up, Tom!

I thought we'd ditched "swing low...." for "you've got to know when to hold 'em......." Just for the day at least

  • 59.
  • At 12:19 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Greats wrote:

That is truly terrible news.
I'm also a sports journalist who spends a great deal of time and effort trawling the web for good stories/blog ideas and your scribblings are stunningly good.
The World Cup blog is absolutely magnificent; the Gareth Edwards of blogs if you like, and for only one half of the "Dream Team" to get a ticket is colder than the media reception that awaited Steve McClaren after the Russia debacle.
But, there is a solution...(all be it a wholly inadaquate one)
On Saturday night I will be watching the game of all games with a teacher, a copper and a tax assessor. Is there a more hated triumvirate of occupations?
So Tommy, get yourself to the bright lights of Huntingdon (bright light, the other one got nicked by the local scum) and help improve the credibility of our group!
Failing that, suggest to bosses that certain radio "celebrities" should be sacrificed (job-wise rather than literally) in order to pay for a ticket. That Scott Mills needs taking down a peg or two...
Best of luck...

  • 60.
  • At 12:21 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Mike Christensen wrote:

RE: Comment 13

You're weird mate.

RE: Rugby World Cup Final 2007

Get yourself to Paris, i'm booked on a coach on friday night - you only live once - all England supporters in Paris on Saturday will be heroes...

  • 61.
  • At 12:21 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Arnie wrote:

Action Plan - Get on the next plane to Brazil, change your cross of saint george for a union jack and cheer on Lewis Hamilton to F1 victory. Its likely to be both cheaper than buying a ticket and warmer with plenty of babes in not too much!

  • 62.
  • At 12:26 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Gavin wrote:

Guys

Your blogs, not just during this World Cup but during other events such as the live cricket commentary are always funny and insightful. As an Irishman we're not too happy to see England in the final (even if it will suit me well financially if you win) but I truly hope that you guys get in because you deserve it.

Thanks for the chuckles and the laughs and God Speed :)

Gavin, Galway

  • 63.
  • At 12:33 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • mag wrote:

The article is a sad and desperate attempt to procure a ticket. If you do find someone gullable enough to give you one then do everyone a favour and give it to me.

Seriously though, give it to a kid and make their year. Both of you relly neednt be there to do your job.

  • 64.
  • At 12:33 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Royal-in-France wrote:

Heros? I can tell you as a currently serving member of her majesty's magnificent Royal Marines that Dirsy's actions are about as selfless and heroic as any of us in the Armed Forces could aspire to!

Tom mate, I'm going to be down my club watching the game, in the company of multiple French team-mates, which you're welcome to join in with. If I were you though, I'd tell me to get lost and go to the Champs de Mars where at least there will be a decent amount of totty to console you. (Its that or our tight heads equally grim looking wife... your shout.)

Lemonjiz - displaying all the qualities of royal marines selflessness and penchant for dressing up in ridiculous outfits, I'll willingly take your place at the 80's party. Especially if your wife is a bit of a looker...

  • 65.
  • At 12:40 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Steve wrote:

that is a disgrace that only one of you guys got a ticket

have loved the blog over the last few weeks

good luck getting a ticket

  • 66.
  • At 12:46 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Android wrote:

Re: 61. I thought the 80s party was a party to celebrate someone's 80th? In which case I'm not sure if the chaps wife would be a 'bit of a looker' or indeed be up for being escorted by a randy Royal Marine.

  • 67.
  • At 12:47 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • RobRoyResidential wrote:

Best of luck on the ticket - and best of luck England. You've done enough to wipe the smile off the Aussies and New Zealanders - now go for the Southern Hemisphere sweep.

From another Scot in support of England.

  • 68.
  • At 12:48 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Stuart wrote:

Dont worry at leaast you wont be there in person to see England get whooped by the springboks

  • 69.
  • At 12:55 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Stavros wrote:

Don't worry Thomas - your impassioned plea will no doubt reach out to the masses (or the men that matter, either way) and you'll end up with a sufeit of match tickets.

When this happens, I'll be happy to take any spares off your hands.

Mange tout Rodders, mange tout.

  • 70.
  • At 12:58 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Chris wrote:

Am heading off to the final shortly- been drinking around Gare Du Nord for the other games- any other reccomendations?

  • 71.
  • At 12:59 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Stu Beswick wrote:

Having just wasted 2 minutes 54 seconds of my life watching the Habana v Cheetah video, I hope neither of you get to watch the final... At what stage did that promise to be amusing in the slightest? I guess you are lucky to be abroad when the Beeb are announcing their 2500 redundancies.

  • 72.
  • At 01:02 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Tull wrote:

I wouldn't worry about it. With England playing its bound to be an awful game and at least you wont be there in the flesh to watch them lose.

  • 73.
  • At 01:02 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Ben Dirs wrote:

All right? Thank you for all your kind words so far, you really are putting in a magnificent effort in the lead-up to the big game. As you can imagine, it's all been a little bit awkward since Tommy found out he was without a ticket, but it is the mark of the man that he has kept his pecker up throughout. We continue to explore all avenues and I'm sure something will come up.

My cricket editor just made me laugh. Apparently, they once took an elephant up the Eiffel Tower. "What's the point in that?" said Mr Grunill. "It's not as if he's going to appreciate the view." Indeed sir. I might use that at my next dinner party, which will probably be in about 2035.

On the issue of 'heroes', I have to agree with the person who pointed out that Britain's armed forces do not have a monopoly on the word. My mum's a ruddy, bloody hero to me and I've never seen her wielding a submachine gun.

Tom is on the phone to someone and they just asked "are we in love with each other?" Is that such a preposterous thought?

  • 74.
  • At 01:04 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • G wrote:

My wife does not want to go! So one spare ticket....but you will have to support the BOKKE!!!!!

  • 75.
  • At 01:10 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Kathrynwheels wrote:

My friend was offered free tickets to the England v Australia quarter final and also a corporate hospitality ticket for the final this weekend...He doesn't have a passport...

It hardly seems fair does it!?

Don't ask me why he hasn't got himself down to London to sort himself out a passport for the occasion. I believe it was something or other about not be able to get out of work.

Work shmurk I say! How often to you get offered a free ticket to a World Cup Final!?

Needless to say, I can't even look at him anymore.

  • 76.
  • At 01:21 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • rich wrote:

come on boys, a little creativity is needed here.
Think kill-toby.com or 1milliondollarwebpage. So, drop ur cox, pull up les sox and get the creative juices going. I'd have heaps of ideas for you guys to have online money donated to you before england kick off to achieve the unmentionable....
get on to it.
rich

  • 77.
  • At 01:44 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • M in France wrote:

Hi Tom,

If I had know you needed a ticket I had two available in the "Blue Zone"

  • 78.
  • At 01:47 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Carole in Maidenhead wrote:

Stu Beswick, what colour is your handbag dear?

  • 79.
  • At 02:01 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • wrote:

surprised that no progress check has been received on the various offers, or are you working feverishly behind the scenes? it shows that you guys are in a very good place as regards sourcing spares. you will go to the ball. i'm still after one myself - genuine fan, know a few songs, travelling to paris anyway with a group - not sure i'm allowed to put my contact details on here, although you can find them through the website by clicking on my name and then checking the 'about theme' section...

  • 80.
  • At 02:04 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Canuck wrote:

As a Canuck lawyer I cannot begin to count the billable hours I have "wasted" at work reading your blogs and the excellent postings of others. We have so little press coverage of the RWC in Canada (despite the best efforts of our minnows, sadly slipping down the rankings from 1991), that I have come rely on your blog to get some flavour of what being there is really like. Excellent work. Sounds like you'll find a ticket Tom - well earned and a shame you should have to fork out yourself - perhaps an online "Send Tom to the Game" fund is in order.

With Canada long gone, I'm all for the mother country (despite a Kiwi father-in-law, whose frequently mailed Auckland press clippings have slowed to a trickle...). All the best England!

  • 81.
  • At 02:06 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Chris wrote:

Well, Ben, given that we see the two of you in bed together all the time, no, it isn't a preposterous thought at all!

  • 82.
  • At 02:14 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • wrote:

Blimey mag (comment 63)!!!Sort your life out! I bet your a fun person to be around at the weekends?

Well done boys on the blog so far and I'm sure something will turn up

Swing low!

  • 83.
  • At 02:15 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • tim c wrote:

As an ex once said i love you but I am not in love with you? Any way have put photographic paper in the scanner. my mates ticket , you can sit on his lap!!
ps Legions of female admirers can console Tom.
Any volunteers?? Carole in Maidenhead???Sarah bucks???

  • 84.
  • At 02:16 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • duncan wrote:

Great blogging lads.

Tommy, keep your pecker up lad. Stiff upper lip and all that. You're British so no blubbing.

I'm sure you'll find at ticket provided you're happy to remortgage your house.

  • 85.
  • At 02:17 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Mark wrote:

I can answer this question:

'Tom is on the phone to someone and they just asked "are we in love with each other?" Is that such a preposterous thought?'

With this:

'Tommy found out he was without a ticket, but it is the mark of the man that he has kept his pecker up throughout.'

If your not in love at least you keep each other 'interested' shall we say.

  • 86.
  • At 02:42 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Kate Herbert wrote:

Tom, I don't have a ticket either but I will buy you a beer if SA win and we can stand together in the freezing cold under the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the game...how romantic, I may even steal you away from Dirsy...

  • 87.
  • At 03:00 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • tim c wrote:

GABRIE,L, patron saint of broadcasters,only1800 redundancies. GILES patron saint of beggars.
JOHN THADDAEUS patron saint of lost causes
Could not find patron saint of forgers .
PAGEY if it`s not a wind up you deserve to be crowned.
IF it is you deserve to be crowned with a rolling pin.

  • 88.
  • At 03:04 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Une francaise en Angleterre wrote:

Tom should have no problem getting in to the match on the South African team bus - as the latest (hilarious) video demonstrates

  • 89.
  • At 03:08 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Nick wrote:

you must be able to find a ticket surely...

they are going on gumtree.com like hotcakes..good luck

  • 90.
  • At 03:10 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Gareth L-W wrote:

Desperately Seeking a TV!


Sod the tickets, a schoolboy error finds me in Cambodia on Sat. Anyone know if it will be on TV there or do I have to try improvising a satellite dish with a dustbin lid and a ladle ??

  • 91.
  • At 03:25 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Clareoj wrote:

I hear that Mr Gordon Brown will be attending as a guest of the RFU
I believe Tom has done more for rugby in the last 45 days than Mr B has done for his job in the same time!!! You'd probably get to sit next to Prince Harry!Good job no alcohol in the stadium then

  • 92.
  • At 03:32 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Chris wrote:

Sad to hear about your ticket dilema! Hope you get one.
I recieved a text message yesterday, probably the most annoying one i will ever recieve. It started well:
"I,ve been offered corporate hospitality to travel to Paris on Sat 20th Oct to watch the Rugby WC final all expenses paid. I can take 2 mates and was wondering if your not doing anything...."
So far so good! At this point i couldnt believe my luck, until i read the next line:
"...could you put my bin out on the monday?" !!!!!

I hope no one else has been wound up like this. It's not healthy!

I'm a scot so i dont care who wins as long as its an epic game!

  • 93.
  • At 03:33 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Rod wrote:

Why have the Powers-that-Be back in blighty decided not to put up any big screens for the final, not even in our beloved capital?!! I realise noone was expecting it, but honestly, how hard is it?

I reckon either they've all got tickets (hence Tom's problem) or else they're too worried about rioting if we lose.

Come on Ken, us jolly nice rugby types would like to have a big screen in London, we promise to be very good - we may even spend a bob or too. In fact, why not open up Twickers and put one in there...

  • 94.
  • At 03:38 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Carole in Maidenhead wrote:

Tim C - re Blog 83 - I would of course console the splendid Mr Fordyce if I were there (in a rather British, "bad luck old chap, have another cup of tea" kind of way). However, I shall be with at least 40 others - including lovely husband - in Maidenhead on Saturday. OH MY WORD! AAAArgh! By saying that, I have made the reality of what is happening on Saturday hit me in the gut like Charles Kennedy's bar bill. Wooooh! Crikey.

  • 95.
  • At 03:40 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • muadh wrote:

tom want a ticket go on

  • 96.
  • At 03:50 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Dave wrote:

Have you bought Pagey's ticket and is this search over?

  • 97.
  • At 04:12 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • MCG wrote:

Tommy, I'm gutted for you, but I'm sure something will turn up, you can guarantee there will be some mercenary willing to take advantage of an honest rugby fan hell bent on seeing his team make history.

Personally, I'm just glad I'm going to be in Paris for the final and I doubt, in the end, it will matter that I haven't got a ticket. Just to experience the climax of this amazing tournament and to possibly witness Englands finest hour (almost) first hand will be enough.

And my God is it going to go off big time if we do win. I haven't even got anywhere to sleep. Oh well I'll just have to carry on drinking! Shame.

  • 98.
  • At 04:21 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Matt B wrote:

Half of those ebay tickets seem to share the same photo, which is a definate "hmmmmnnn" if ever there was.

Can't believe you cant get any more press accreditation to get into the stadium?

The amount of hooray henry's who are going to be offered free corporate hospitality tickets and not be the slightest bit interested is enough to make my blood boil!

  • 99.
  • At 04:31 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Daryl wrote:

Pagey 54 have you sold that ticket yet - wouldn't be suprised if you had i can offically say i am very very very very very (you get the message) interested.

Knowing my luck its a wind up or sold :(

  • 100.
  • At 04:35 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Belle wrote:

If I had even a ticket for myself I'd gladly pass it over by way of a thanks for the last seven weeks of amusement, and the feeling that my license fee is being used on some real entertainment.

Failing that, Tim C (blog 83), I'd love to offer my shoulder for condolenses to Tom.

What am I going to do when the world cup and these blogs end? Work, instead of skiving I suppose......

  • 101.
  • At 04:44 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Glen wrote:

Thats shockin how you get two tickets between the two of you. You've both been away from home for 6 weeks, have travelled many miles and been to many games and they sell you short at the end. Surely there's someone from the beeb whp has a ticket that does not deserve it as much as you do. i think we should all start a 'buy fordy a ticket' charity.

  • 102.
  • At 04:46 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Daryl wrote:

Not sure how long it takes to get these messages updated onto the blog . Pagey im interested and if u havent sold it how can i get in contact with you, if you have then enjoy the final and well played for not ripping some other poor sod off.

  • 103.
  • At 05:06 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Another (Equally) Awesome Wilkinson (No Relation) wrote:

Surely Monsieur Fordyce deserves a Grand Final ticket alongside Monsieur Dirs?

Surely the absolutely global superpower of the 大象传媒 can somehow get Tom in there on Saturday?

Surely I should also been given a ticket just because my surname is Wilkinson?

  • 104.
  • At 05:18 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Pete Sammons wrote:

this calls for a facebook group in protest!!!

  • 105.
  • At 05:24 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Danny Boy wrote:

Tom take the ticket mate. 1500 is worth it! I can't express my sadness that your trip's nearly over, what will I do at my desk all day without such outstanding banter appearing on my screen? It would be totally inappropriate for one of you to miss out on the showdown, even if England weren't involved in it! So the idea of you missing our beloved England in the Big One makes me feel quite physically sick.

Do it! You'll tell stories that will last the ages...

  • 106.
  • At 05:30 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Dirsy senior wrote:

Tom I suggest you ask Ben about the finer points of Jibbing. He might well remember Botham's appearance at Colchester when it seemed we weren't going to see the match,but then suddenly foud ourselves in the members stand. Bon chance.

  • 107.
  • At 06:45 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Aidan73 wrote:

I have a spare ticket, had sold it on eBay but the purchaser pulled out of the deal. Would consider selling if you name and shame her in the blog.

  • 108.
  • At 06:59 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • tim c wrote:

CAROLE IN MAIDENHEAD ,may i suggest a medicinal glass of port and brandy recommended by the aforementioned ginger jock.
Thanking you and all of the happy souls that have kept the faith and treated the posts as fun.
To all the others, life is too short
I am off to paris , so no more posts till pm sunday
Come on pagey put me out my misery has tom got his ticket???

  • 109.
  • At 08:57 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • MissEvilToYou wrote:

Major sympathy Tom. I feel your pain - will be following the Final in dribs and drabs between bands at the Damnation Festival at Leeds Met Uni. But Metal and Rugby can only console me so much, and here's why...

...My sister booked a weekend in Paris for her and her other half without realising it was the RWC, and she expressed dismay at "not being able to go and see the Eiffel Tower properly because of this sport thing."
Gah.

  • 110.
  • At 09:24 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • wrote:

#4 is so right We bought package for 4 for all rounds to the semi a year ago and thought we were guaranteed some tickets to final . No chance when we logged on so where did all the losing teams allocations go?

  • 111.
  • At 09:35 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Betty wrote:

So sorry didn't see this earlier today - I won two tickets in a charity raffle at work for 鈧20 (kid you not) and would you believe was stuck for someone to go with me until lunchtime today cos of the cost of getting there, time off work, blah blah blah!!!! Note to self, find new loaded family members and ditch the current tediously unadventurous set of friends for more interesting ones - all bar the fab mate who pulled their finger out their arse, sidestepped their mother's birthday weekend away, cancelled various very important meetings tomorrow and Monday to bunk off work to book up there and then. Hurrah!

This doesn't help the matter, but at 9.00am this morning I'd have gladly given you the spare for nowt to spread the good fortune....think the luck of the Irish has rubbed off on me after living in Dublin for so long...! :-)

You're a deserving cause alright so hope you get there...

  • 112.
  • At 10:03 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • wrote:

Tom it is rediculous that you don't have a ticket for the world cup final! What are those 大象传媒 boses playing at? Surely they have the power to aquire one for you? Like many fans I'm unable to be in France myself so I'm following your blogs and want to hear about your experiences in the stadium and not some smokey bar. I suggest we start a GET TOM A TICKET CAMPAIGN...

  • 113.
  • At 10:04 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Chris wrote:

Well Betty (9:35am comment) Aint you generous !! Wudda cudda shudda !!
I have 86 tickets too but oh dear I've just read this and they've now all gone.... Dya think he wants to hear your good news!! NO ME NEITHER !!

Saddo I hope you get caught up in the strike !

  • 114.
  • At 10:18 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • rodney lowe wrote:

There's a bloody Scottish freeloader, who is so determined to pass himself off as English that he's wangled himself a ticket.
Can someone mug him outside Downing Street and get a deserving case into the ground?

  • 115.
  • At 10:22 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Dan wrote:


All is not lost on the ticket front !
The prices on e bay are falling by the minute and there are hundreds still for sale on the site. What was 拢2000+ is now 拢1000 for a couple of purple tickets, to be collected in France I grant you.

The drop in price is due to the French and Kiwi's still holding tickets, but they have started sweating now with the game just 2 days away, and with the Eurostar services being threatened people are deciding not to make the trip.

Good luck England !!!

  • 116.
  • At 10:34 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Victoria -student in Paris wrote:

I know it's bad luck but if you haven't got one come to the Champs de Mar - amazing there last week.

Come to near the front, in the centre and there'll be a large group of english people from about 4pm - about 40 of us, so why don't you join us. We're taking a picnic and booze there.

Also there will be the trumpeter - either Richard or Guy (sorry was a little drunk last saturday) who's a legend - french wife, and lives here but played loads of swing chariot, and marseillaise last week.

I was actually meant to go home this weekend (being a student in paris) but persuaded my boyfreind to come out instead: getting a lift with some mad friend of his who booked a eurotunnel ticket when he was drunk.

love my country!!! bring it home boys, but think we'll be celebrating anyway!

  • 117.
  • At 11:05 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • anthony wrote:

I had an email at 2am this morning from www.ticketnet.fr saying I could order tickets. I wasn't up and they'd gone by 9am when i checked this morning. I assume they are releasing late return tickets.

Might be worth checking again tonight.

Good Luck!!!!

P.S. Dan. They don't need luck they are going to win. Believe!!!

  • 118.
  • At 11:09 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Tom Fordyce wrote:

Aidan73 - I'd name and shame my own mother to get a ticket - had she done anything shameful in her life, which of course she hasn't, being my mum.

What sort of price are you asking? Ben has offered to dance like a monkey for you if that helps sway it.

  • 119.
  • At 11:32 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • Peter wrote:

Team spirit and the "being there" is everything concept as described by old Willy himself!!


This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition:

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

  • 120.
  • At 11:45 PM on 18 Oct 2007,
  • pagey54 wrote:

Pagey54 has still got ticket but they wont publish my mob no. or email me so looks like it might be my 19 yr old son who may get to go with us in a last moment of weakness and at great expense to me - but he is worth it!

  • 121.
  • At 12:41 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • charles mitchell wrote:

All this talk of a tight Scotsman giving you a ticket giving you a ticket-pah, forget it. The approach I have used in the past is to approach the meanest looking Official at the gates you can find. Hold hands,Ben goes in and you both burst into tears. The tough guy then lets you in as he remembers he had a mother. It does work- remember Jaws in Bond- you need to spot that sort of Guy.

  • 122.
  • At 02:15 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Sarah, Bucks wrote:

Tim C aka #83, Tommy Fordyce is very welcome to join me and the thousands of others that'll be in the o2 arena on Saturday night. I mean, I'd rather be in Paris but it's the next best thing.

No luck pursuading Brown or Mbeki to give theirs away then?

Oh btw if anyone does find Tom a ticket and has a spare one for me and possibly a way to get me to France (my preferred method would be helicopter or private jet) can ya let me know via Dirs? Ta muchly!!

  • 123.
  • At 02:21 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Sarah, Bucks wrote:

Donny Dirs graces the blog with his presence? Awesome!

  • 124.
  • At 03:57 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Greg wrote:

My girlfriend's parent's travelled from Brisbane to Paris last week to see the Wallabies play in the Semi-Final(!). They've had their tickets for months and now her Mum's not fussed about going to the final. I reckon if you have in the region of 3,000 Euro, she might be interested. Drop me a line and I'll put her in touch - it's not too late!

  • 125.
  • At 07:18 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Pagey54 wrote:

Pagey 54 and friends still got 1 spare ticket but will go to son if cant sell. Tom your last chance!!! We go on tour early p.m , camp in the M20 corridor tonight, then Eurotunnel early Sat a.m, and hotel north of Paris by lunchtime, hit Paris late afternoon, Frog & Rosbif, then pre game drinks at ground about 8p.m - better planned than D-day. If your interested Tom now's the chance (or anyone else) but you will have to hold a board up or something as they do not seem to allow me to give any contact details out - understandably I suppose

  • 126.
  • At 07:56 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Rich wrote:

How can it be missed?...Am the best man at the wedding reception in Sheffield on Friday evening, but will be making excuses early evening to depart and catch the 04:25 ferry crossing Dover - Calais. Have no ticket, but atmos and being in Paris an absolute must. Very understanding, heavily pregnant wife will be watching in Notts.. C'mon the boys!!

  • 127.
  • At 08:45 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • bob wrote:

Tom, sorry to hear your predicament. Have a look at www.gumtree.com and type in rugby tickets. There seems to be quite a few twitchy antipodeans (in france) who have missed the boat with 拢1000 price tags. Selling them off quite cheap (relatively) plus you can meet them face to face. Good luck. Cmon the boys - get in Berger and George Michaels faces!!!!!!!!!! They dont like it up em!!!!

  • 128.
  • At 09:00 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • ed1 wrote:

How can the 大象传媒 block someone trying to sell Tom a ticket at cost....If I were him I'd be rather annoyed and feeling ripped of at the expense of it all, or could a meeting place be arranged like just of the Eurostar with a board or somewhere in Paris sounds to me like Pagey54 doesn't want to profiteer unlike some. Tom what are you going to do? Surely the 大象传媒 has Pageys email address.

  • 129.
  • At 09:48 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • alex wrote:

~ glen 13

an average player who is about 60 points from scoring the most points ever in test rugby, despite only having 64 caps, who has scored the 3rd most points this world cup despite not playing in the world cup, an average player who kicked a drop goal to beat australia in the final 15 seconds of extra time in a world cup final, an average player who is recognised the world round by almost every rugby player on the planet as being one of the greatest of all time, an average player who has almost single handidly brought england back from the brink of the worst peformance ever.

you sir, are an idiot.

  • 130.
  • At 10:02 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Katrina wrote:

Tom, sorry to read this, the blogs have been brightening my dull office days (well that and the Oktoberfest). Am flying up myself tonight from Munich, staying at my pal's for free, got offered 4 tickets at silly money (2K鈧 *each*) but still fancy my chances of getting in. Worth a go, innit?

  • 131.
  • At 10:03 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • jule-ann singleton wrote:

I was the one who offered you b and b en route from Marseille to Paris. Anyway, I have a mate in Paris who wants to sell his 2 tickets for tomorrow if you're interested I can give you his details. They're gonna b xpensive I think, but who gives a shite? Hope to c u there (Mrs Smug who already has a tkt which cost a mere 115euro). xx

  • 132.
  • At 10:24 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • George wrote:

Not to worry - as the following demonstrates, 2 equals one, so the single ticket you have should be enough for both of you......

x2鈥搙2 = x2鈥搙2

(x+x)(x-x) = x(x-x) working on the principal that a2鈥揵2= (a+b)(a-b)

(x+x)(x-x) = x(x-x)

2x = x

2 = 1

  • 133.
  • At 10:34 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • ben wrote:

Guys im only 14 years old, but i think i still have some brains lol
I think we need to keep the game with the forwards tomorrow, we got to say yes we have verry good backs but not good anough to beat south africa with.
I say we have the best pack of forwards in the world at the moment (maby not indervidually but as they work together so well they turn out realy well).
If Argantina beat south africa I would have thought it would have been easier because we are more equal in most aspects of the game.
At the end of the day we play whats in front of us (south africa) not whats behind (the pool stages).

I do not know what the score will be, I just hope every player for england out on that pitch gives everything that they can. I would an I know a lot of you out there would do the same.

  • 134.
  • At 10:54 AM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Rich wrote:

This is one of the latest updates on www.gumtree.com

"All I'm in Paris there are 100s of tickets about - they are currently going for 1200 euros a pair.

Don't pay over the odds in London - remember there is 1 day to go the sellers will be getting nervous!

拢500 - 拢600 is a good price for the peace of mind that having a ticket before travelling gives you - but don't panic the Kiwis are falling over themselves to get rid of the tickets (so much so they are in the Englsh pubs!)"

  • 135.
  • At 12:09 PM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Alex T wrote:

In agreement with no. 9. I was supposed to be in Paris, as my girlfriend is spending 6 months "studying" there. I thought I'd soak up the atmosphere, join in the party and (if need be) slap the Springbok on the back for for consolation/congratulation.

The bl***y strike has made sure I can't. Sacre Blue and all that.

If you don't find a ticket: make sure you post yourself in a good bar. I'd have been happy to have bought you one, but have a pint in my memory... I'll drink to you from Amsterdam!

  • 136.
  • At 02:19 PM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Tazman wrote:

Ben! Don't worry the white shirts and roses are coming. We're all packed into the ferries this evening, driving through the night. Come tomorrow morning the city of Paris will be awash with White, Red and Jerusalem!

  • 137.
  • At 02:24 PM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Tom Fordyce wrote:

Right - here's the latest: I'm apparently on some sort of 'waiting list' for a ticket, although there's zero indication where I am on that list or who would be insane enough not to turn up and thus leave a ticket to go spare.

Wwhat do you reckon I should do - gamble on those official channels, or throw a month's salary on anything I can get my hands on?

Or am I shaming myself by even asking the question?

  • 138.
  • At 02:48 PM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Sarah wrote:

To be honest i would take any ticket you can get your hands on- so what if one comes up through the official channels. once in a lifetime opportunity- i hope you get a ticket. i only went to one world cup game and it was the best experience i cant imagine how good the final will be.
Good luck - as i watch with family and friends, beer and takeway. I'm nervous already - COME ON ENGLAND!

  • 139.
  • At 02:51 PM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Glen wrote:

Tom mate, just get yourslef any ticket you can possibly get. Its a World Cup Final, this might be your only chance. Just buy 1 however much it costs. your bosses at the beeb should be ashamed of themselves for getting you in the mess in the first place, and who konws? they may even refund part of your money

  • 140.
  • At 03:01 PM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Dave wrote:

Its the World cup final, its only a months wages anyway. In 30 days you'll be paid again and your expenditure will be a long and distant memory.

However, the world cup final will not.

Anyway you've come this far, you don't really want to fall at the last hurdle or have your sled fall apart leaving you metres from the finish line like the jamaican bobsleigh team in cool runnings (quote a la martin corry)

  • 141.
  • At 03:01 PM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Kathrynwheels wrote:

You'll regret it if you don't! I say, go for it. Just say Yes. Good luck!

  • 142.
  • At 03:21 PM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Dave wrote:

And another thing......can't you just get someone to put in an expense claim for a very very expensive sandwich?

  • 143.
  • At 10:19 PM on 19 Oct 2007,
  • Kathrynwheels wrote:

Come on Tom! Did you manage to get a ticket or not? I'm rooting for here, don't keep us in suspense.

  • 144.
  • At 01:33 AM on 20 Oct 2007,
  • Roraccio wrote:

I can't believe those tight-arsed Puritannical twits in the Beeb have only given you 1 ticket!!! After all the joy you have given us - and I'm Irish!!!!

  • 145.
  • At 02:37 PM on 20 Oct 2007,
  • Sean wrote:

Tom! I really hope you get a ticket, im going to be upset if you don't, I hate to think how you'll feel! Good Luck!

I bring you the update you've all been waiting for. Our Tom got a late, late call up and is off the press wait list and in the ground. Yes, he's in the ground!

He has asked me to thank all of you for the generous offers and for caring. And particularly Aidan. You're "a legend" apparently. So thanks all.

Tom is currently parading around the Stade de France clutching his ticket to his heart. He is rather keen that England beat South Africa.

Allez les Blancs!

I bring you the update you've all been waiting for. Our Tom got a late, late call up and is off the press wait list and in the ground. Yes, he's in the ground!

He has asked me to thank all of you for the generous offers and for caring. And particularly Aidan. You're "a legend" apparently. So thanks all.

Tom is currently parading around the Stade de France clutching his ticket to his heart. He is rather keen that England beat South Africa.

Allez les Blancs!

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