Hello!

I was a steward at the Chelsea match against Ipswich on Saturday 24 January 2009 and I can just about tell you how much fun I had!

To do a job that you’d be willing to do for free – if it weren’t for the fact that we all need money to live on – and be paid for it, while monitoring crowd safety really is a rewarding experience that I’d recommend to anyone.

I don’t support a team but I do appreciate the skill, hard work and tenacity that goes into a match, as well as the scoring and wining goals.

Credit must be shown to Ipswich, who played very well but the Chelsea team were simply stronger, fitter and faster and it showed.

Chelsea were the first to get blood, 16 minutes after the match started when Michael Ballack - who at 32 is still showing no signs of burning out - stretched to reach Ashley Cole’s low cross.

But the hone team’s defensive weakness was highlighted when Alex Bruce – son of former Manchester United player and now Wigan boss Steve – equalised for Ipswich 18 minutes later.

The roar from their fans was electrifying!

But the speed and pace of the Chelsea team once again proved to be too much for the visitors when just before the hour, Ballack scored a magnificent free kick.

The roar from the Chelsea fans at the east gate was equally impressive – and they didn’t hold back taunting the Ipswich fans by shouting: “You what?” to the now silent Ipswich supporters.

I also have to give credit to the two managers of the match, Jim Magilton for Ipswich and Luiz Felipe Scolari for Chelsea as both men remained controlled when goals were scored and remained focused on the team, making subs when necessary.

It’s easy to see that Scolari is an experienced manager, who clearly keeps his head when others around him and on the pitch were loosing theirs.

I know he’s usually noted for his temper but looking at his behaviour on Saturday, he seems to of mellowed.

The above actions from the Chelsea supporters and football team seemed to knock out the will from Ipswich, as during the second half, Chelsea again showed just why their players receive the salary they do, as you could tell they wanted success more.

Not surprisingly, they got it.

Frank Lampard, five minutes before the final whistle, scored an amazing goal that showed nothing but class and the Chelsea supporters knew they were leaving their football ground happy and content at seeing a good match and a good win.

I was also impressed by the speed of Ashley Cole who ran his legs off on the pitch, never taking his eye off the ball and made sure he helped out his team anyway he could.

When the final whistle was blown, the players were in good sprits and some swapped shirts with the opposing team.

Because it was cold, everyone had a longer t-shirt on that was underneath their playing shirt but Nicolas Anelka gave his top away without collecting one from a Wigan player.

As a result, his torso was shown to the crowd just before he went down the tunnel with just his underneath t-shirt showing. That man has a figure to die for!

The biggest cheer went to Frank Lampard, who was the last player on the field. He saluted the crowd by clapping to them just before he too disappeared down the players tunnel.

In all, it was a good day.

It’s also nice to see actress Natascha McElhone with her children at the premier of her new film The Secret of Moonacre.

Her husband, plastic surgeon Martin died in May 2008, without seeing their son Rex, who’s now two months old.

It’s good to see her again and Natascha will soon be filming agaiin, as she’s filming Heaven and Earth, which is about the first British female to gradate as a doctor – after posing as a man.

Clearly times have changed, as now that’s no longer the case, which is why boundaries must be pushed in any industry, regardless of the sex, age or race of the people concerned.

I hope to speak and hear from you soon!

Light and Peace

Andria

PS, don’t forget to visit my other internet address: www.andriagreaves.com