Tutto va bene, that's the 70th Wilkie Tour put to bed and how fitting that it was to Italy our most popular destination of choice.
The 'Footie Four' flew to Pisa in Tuscany and were based in bella Lucca a short train journey from the city of the Leaning Tower.
First up was a trip back to Pisa and the purchasing of tickets at PisaPoint adjacent to the 25,000 capacity Arena Garibaldi (13 Euros for the uncovered terrace opposite the main stand).
There had been torrential rain for most of the day, but thankfully we were spared this as the rain eased back during the afternoon game. Fifth place Perugia were the visitors to lowly Pisa 1909; the home side are coached by Gennarro Gattusso, ex Milan and Glasgow Rangers. With the Tower peering round the main stand Perugia took a first half lead with a cracking shot in off the bar, Pisa huffed and puffed but couldn't find an equaliser in front of a disappointing crowd of 5,500.
The weather improved the next day for the train trip to Pistoia and the first of a double-header of Lega Pro (3rd level) games. 20 Euros secured a seat in the main stand at the 13,000 capacity Stadio Marcello Melani. The stadium is, as is the case with Pisa, situated just outside the old town walls. Third place Arezzo were the visitors, with Pistoiese all in orange and Arezzo in maroon and white we could have been watching Blackpool v Northampton, certainly the standard was similar. The visitors took the lead midway through the second-half with a long range free-kick wellied high into the net, only to be pegged back in added time watched by 1,200 fans.
We returned to Lucca for the evening game between Lucchese and Viterbese Castrense at the Stadio Porta Elisa, capacity 7,000. Tickets for the curva behind the goal were 10 Euros (7 for over 61s!). On a cold night an entertaining game ended when 10-men Lucchese broke away to earn and score from a penalty after Viterbese equalised with less than ten minutes to go.
Trip number 71 is to Porto in Portugal in December.
The 'Footie Four' flew to Pisa in Tuscany and were based in bella Lucca a short train journey from the city of the Leaning Tower.
First up was a trip back to Pisa and the purchasing of tickets at PisaPoint adjacent to the 25,000 capacity Arena Garibaldi (13 Euros for the uncovered terrace opposite the main stand).
There had been torrential rain for most of the day, but thankfully we were spared this as the rain eased back during the afternoon game. Fifth place Perugia were the visitors to lowly Pisa 1909; the home side are coached by Gennarro Gattusso, ex Milan and Glasgow Rangers. With the Tower peering round the main stand Perugia took a first half lead with a cracking shot in off the bar, Pisa huffed and puffed but couldn't find an equaliser in front of a disappointing crowd of 5,500.
The weather improved the next day for the train trip to Pistoia and the first of a double-header of Lega Pro (3rd level) games. 20 Euros secured a seat in the main stand at the 13,000 capacity Stadio Marcello Melani. The stadium is, as is the case with Pisa, situated just outside the old town walls. Third place Arezzo were the visitors, with Pistoiese all in orange and Arezzo in maroon and white we could have been watching Blackpool v Northampton, certainly the standard was similar. The visitors took the lead midway through the second-half with a long range free-kick wellied high into the net, only to be pegged back in added time watched by 1,200 fans.
We returned to Lucca for the evening game between Lucchese and Viterbese Castrense at the Stadio Porta Elisa, capacity 7,000. Tickets for the curva behind the goal were 10 Euros (7 for over 61s!). On a cold night an entertaining game ended when 10-men Lucchese broke away to earn and score from a penalty after Viterbese equalised with less than ten minutes to go.
Trip number 71 is to Porto in Portugal in December.
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