While many Swans fans were suffering the 4-2 defeat to Northampton at the Sixfields stadium, I was watching another game around 350 miles further north. I was in Edinburgh for the weekend before a few days touring the Highlands. With the wife happily enjoying the shopping and the delights of spa treatments at our hotel I was venturing out to watch Hibernian against Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. 

I went on a Hibs fans website with a request to buy a spare season ticket, to be in with the bam pots (a local term for nutters) in the East Stand, sounds surprisingly familiar to my own seat in the East Stand at the Liberty. I was sent an e-mail from Brian, who said if I failed in my quest, I would be able to get in and watch the game with the interactive crew. These guys are mostly volunteers who broadcast and commentate the games live over the internet for overseas subscribers. 

The day arrived and I met up with Brian at around 12.30 in one of the bars in the stadium. Not for a heavy session of beers, but looking after the kids before the game in a section set aside in the bar with an xbox, table football and other games. This was a cracking initiative, allowing dads (& mums) a chance for a chat and a beer while keeping the young ‘uns entertained. 

I was then taken under the wing of Stuart Crowther and given a tour of the ground, including the player’s tunnel, dug-out area, and a chance meeting with Merouane Zemmama a Moroccan playing for Hibs, returning from injury who would play a massive part in that afternoon’s game. I later joined Keith, another member of the interactive team, had a pint with him and visited the press box before taking a seat in the back of the West Stand, just in front of the non-playing players and the WAGS. For a full match report, go here http://www.hibs.co.uk/news/comments.php?id=2658_0_1_0_C A good few chants were aimed at the Kilmarnock manager, Jim Jeffries, who as an ex Hearts player and ex Hearts manager was made to feel about as welcome as the Cradiff City squad at Cyril the Swan’s Christmas party. The game was pretty good with a fair amount of skill shown, especially by Steven Fletcher, who later in the week was called up to the full Scotland squad as a reward for a cracking season, which has brought a great deal of interest from English Premier League clubs, including Liverpool. Apart from a 20 minute spell at the start of the second half Hibs controlled the game and were worthy winners.  

I’d read beforehand that the weather was very changeable in Edinburgh, so was prepared for it, however, by the end of the game the bitterly cold wind that hit the top of the stand had really bitten to the bone, and a return to the press box was very much welcomed. After the game I sat in on Mixu Paatelainen’s (the Hibs manager) press conference, and had the pleasure of meeting a couple of the players, including the top scorer Colin Nish. A cracking day out and a really good experience watching a game outside our league set up.