The same as last year I went on my travels to the Catalan game, but whereas last year I went through the Wigan Club via Catalan Dragons, I decided
that this year because I thought I was a seasoned International traveller to book the trip myself. in Liverpool airport on the day of departure I spent a pleasant half hour with Rouges and his lovely wife who were on the trip with Mini Rouges, therefore when it came to finding the departure gate I just tagged along behind them.
The problem started when I landed in Barcelona and had to find the local provider of my transfers, after much panic and running about (I use the phrase loosely)I finally got my transfer to Santa Susanna.
Nothing else could go wrong, what a daft statement to make. On the day of the match I was to be picked up by Catalan sports transfers at 12.30, so at 12 pm I was ready before panic set in when I realised I could not find my match ticked, I searched and searched to no avail.
I said to myself I had come that far I might as well go to the match as in my opinion I could pick one up on the gate, so of I went on the coach to Perpignan with Wigan fans on the coach saying I should be able to pick up a ticket up at the ground.
I got off the coach in the town centre near to the old arch and someone pointed out Dave Fotti to me and they said I should ask him, I approached him
and told him that I had lost my ticket.
His first reaction was to say the match was a sell out, but he went on to say that he had two spare tickets in his car and because his car was parked quite a way off he would have a fair walk to go and get them. He then told me to wait in this little bar at the other side of the arch, what an understatement that was because the area at the other side of the arch was teaming with Wigan fans.
One overriding thing I saw was Bilko stood there towering over other fans with two pints in his hands and this did not seem to change all the time I was there
Within 10 min of arriving at the bar word must have got round and I was approached by several fans expressing concern that I had lost my ticket and they would ask around.
Finally a fan came up to me and produced a ticket and sold one to me at app half price of face value, Dave Fotti appeared back from his car with his tickets
and I would just like to thank him for his efforts.
That 2/3 hours spent around that bar by the arch had a buzz about that I had not seen at a Wigan match for a long time, Mini Rouges gave up his seat
for me so again I had a bit of a chat with Rouges and his wife.
It was most touching that during the time at the bar and even at the match Wigan fans were coming up to me to see if I was ok now that I had a ticket.
So once again thanks again for all the Wigan fans who went out of there way to help me.

Nowt quite like the Catalans trips! Hundreds of like minded people enjoying a few beers and a good laugh sat in the sun.

I went last year but was gutted to miss this year. I'll definitely be looking to go again next year......just need to clear it with the missus!

Good to hear Wiganers looking out for each other and Dave Foti always seems to do his best to help people.

Best away trip of the season. Good to meet up with you again Brian. I've bee to eleven of the thirteen over there and I think atmosphere wise this on was probably the best. A big thank you to the Catalan Dragons for being fantastic hosts and making it a great EVENT, particularly around Perpignan pre-match. We gain stayed in Calella and that too was buzzing.

Does that mean you got an extra game of Bingo and the Mobility Scooters didn't have the Speed Limiters on them?

I really must go next year. I've said that the last couple of years, but I've faffed around thinking maybe I'll go on my bike and incorporate it into a touring holiday, but it's such a long haul in the heat; I reckon next year it'd be simpler just to book it through the club when it's announced. I take it Calella is in Spain? I don't speak any Spanish, but my French is not too bad. Did you make your own accommodation arrangements, Rogues?

It is a shame that Edinburgh Warrior did not have the same kind of reaction from the people who abused him and the ladies with him. He posted, on another board, that he had a run in with a group of pillo#ks in the stands who took exception to his usual kilted appearance. It would be a shame if the likes of him were to be lost from the East stand.

It was out first trip to Catalan. Had to endure a 12 hour delay and lost one of our cases on the way out but had a great time.

We was sat near Edinburgh Warrior and the idiots that abused him and his friends were causing trouble throughout the game and were also the ones who ran on the pitch at the end. Was hoping the police would have kept hold of them but we saw them later walking back to their coaches.

Also, couple on our coach should have picked their tickets up off Catalan Sports Tours before the game but couldn't find him, maybe they was the tickets he offered you Stillinthepast. They ended up having to buy another two at the ground.

The atmosphere was great this year, probably the best of the 5 I've been on including that memorable step into the unknown 10 years ago.

Proper party atmosphere in the city during the afternoon and the bar up near the stadium was absolutely bouncing with Wigan fans before kick off, never seen it so full. And in the ground too, singing all through and after the game.

Anyone considering going should just do it, it's a fabulous experience of cameraderie. Roll on 2017!

"
One overriding thing I saw was Bilko stood there towering over other fans with two pints in his hands and this did not seem to change all the time I was there."

I like that this entirely irrelevant to the topic bit was added lol. No radio = a rare chance to beer these days.

I'm a bit offended because I was juggling three pints not two, so get your bloody facts right!

I wasn't offended at all just amused that my help in all this was standing around boozing.