WHEN the fixture list came out last summer the words "May 4: Blackpool away" stood out like a Danny Shittu in a Borat "mankini" sunbathing on the pleasure beach.

It was going to be a glorious drunken day in the sun for the travelling Hornets. Trophies would be lifted, pitches invaded, the sun would have his hat on, etc, etc.

However, just as that cod and chips I necked on the Blackpool front didn't actually contain anything remotely resembling fish, the reality of the game didn't consist of anything that it had promised.

Once I'd been scuttled into the derelict ashtray of a temporary (roofless!) stand, I spent most of the early match moments watching a sad fat man in an early 90s Watford shirt trying to climb onto a fence and watch the game for free.

He was clearly in some kind of physical distress, he was getting soaked in the rain, and we were already 1-0 down. What's more two Blackpool hoodies were rattling his fence to try and shake him off so he could watch the game gratis instead. What had Watford fans done to deserve such pain?

Everyone's inflatable bananas, balloons and beach balls deflated in the rain and then dear ol' Dorris Henderson went and got himself sent off.

It was a low. A new low in 20 largely agonising years of following Watford. The entire stand threw their Kiss Me Quick hats to the floor, and started to make plans for a hopefully cheerier day out in Swansea next year. "At least they have a roof at The Liberty stadium!" joked one bloke behind me.

But then, pointed out another, we'd also have to make a return trip to Bloomfield Road if we didn't go up this year. Just imagine what that place is like in the snow of December!

Cue Hemel's finest ever son - Sir Thomas of Smith. Just as his song always suggests he will, Tommy got the ball / he scored a goal. Tommy Tommy Smith!

Suddenly radios were being thrust at ears again. People were dancing, the beach balls were bouncing, and nobody even cared that it was raining. Watford were back in the fight. Back in the playoffs! On their way to Wem-ber-leeeey! Now, if anyone's seen my inflatable banana, please take care of her, we're going to need that thing bouncing around for 'ull.

Season Ticket holder Lee Coan will be bringing you regular updates on life as a Hornet and following the team on the road throughout the season. To see past articles click here.

The views in this blog are not necessarily the views of Watford Football Club.