I WAS there. The day Darlo finally returned to the town. Something that had seemed so far away four years ago now a reality. There was a buzz before the game and if you’re anything like me, you’ll still be humming now, waiting for the Nuneaton game on January 7.

Getting back in to a normal routine was one thing I was most looking forward to. Sadly, our old pre-game haunt, Number Twenty 2, was closed on Boxing Day so a suitable alternative was found. After a couple of pints the challenge was on to see how long it would take us to get to the ground. Twenty-five minutes was the answer.

Walking down the access road to Blackwell Meadows, the anticipation built. Having never seen anything more than a hundred in the ground before, my mind’s eye was trying to anticipate what would greet us as we came through the turnstiles. What did greet us was a fantasyland of other Darlo fans. It was magnificent. A hive of activity, the place was buzzing.

Having located our band of merry men who were already in place in the Tin Shed, it was time to own our space and cling on to it for dear life. If you thought it was getting cosy in our temporary Tin Shed in Bishop, being back in the original was an intimate occasion. By kick-off, there was just enough room for you to inhale and exhale. It was bloody brilliant.

Seeing a ground packed almost to the rafters cheering on Darlo was fabulous. Unlike Heritage Park where the suspicion was you could easily squeeze an extra thousand in, there was literally no more space at Blackwell Meadows. Being vertically challenged, I felt sorry for those who were three or four deep on the flat trying to see the game. That’s something that will need to be addressed. While the club will be focused in the coming years on how to get more in, we need to think about how the current crowd can get a better view. Incidentally, the view from the Tin Shed was brilliant. The goal being a bit further forward really helped.

Fortunately, the players on both sides had read the script and we dutifully won our opening game. Meanwhile, as anticipated, there were some teething problems. Vistas aside, it would seem that the main issues for the general population in the ground was toilets and catering. Having seen the queue for the toilet, I avoided them. Having seen the prices of the food, that was avoided too.

At one of the fans’ forums, the chairman of the rugby club spoke with great pride that they would be selling Taylor’s pies. Woop-dee-doo! I like Taylor’s pies but not at £3. Having seen the trestle table that was supposed to represent the foot outlet, I think it is fair to say that our hosts have a bit to learn about catering for a large crowd. I would implore them to go around some games, even just in the Northern League, see what the offering is and then up their game – substantially. Football fans want pie and peas. Some even like a splash of gravy or some chips on the side. Pie and chips would have cost £6! This isn’t the Premier League – nor is it the Football League either. Get real guys! We also like cheeseburgers too.

Catering aside, it was a wonderful day. The result was right, the atmosphere was right and the Tin Shed was right. If our remaining home matches are half as enjoyable as Monday, the rest of this season is going to be fantastic.