Ricky's Quiz experiences...
Do I Not Know That?
Back in September I got a call from ITV Digital to request that I put together a team for their Football Quiz, Do I Not Know That? A week later three intrepid 'Well fans made the journey, minus a late "injury" call-off (erm, me). Matt, Yir Elder and Keith did superbly well in getting us a fourth spot with 57 points (ably assisted by Geoff Baby who joined the team down South), though in the real contest our lads won with yards to spare in the bevvy contest the previous evening.
The format for the quiz was for all nine teams to play four matches, so we made a return trip in the middle of January. This time, yours truly had shaken off the "injury" and was able to make the booze cruise after the debacle at Fife's Lego Land. Leaving at 7.45, 3-and-a-half hours later Ernie our driver got us to minging Manchester, and it took about 1.4 seconds for the five of us to depart, check-in and hit the bar. There was competition, namely the Wombles, and Chemlsford (aka Cheltenham) fancied their chances too, but there was, again, only going to be one winner. Big Pie made the trip this time, and with his kilt he was the centre of attention - especially with all the more mature ladies kicking about the bar at a wedding reception. Pie was our secret weapon, and that had nothing to do with what he had hidden under his kilt. Motherwell sank the opposition without trace, the competition ending around 4.30 with Cardiff disqualified for turning up at half-two claiming they had been having a swally elsewhere. Suddenly, it was 8am. After so little time to recover we had to somehow organise ourselves and make it the short 10-minute walk to the Granada studios. No time for Brekkie, fortunately in my case as the mere whiff of anything remotely food-related would have led to Saturday night making a rapid appearance. Still don't know how I managed it, felt like I was in extra-time from the night before.
Worse was to follow, I had to do the specialist round first-off. Matt, Geoff and Yir Elder did the first two rounds and had us in the lead, so the pressure was on. It didn't help that there was an equipment glitch and I'd to walk from my seat twice. It's a good thing my autopilot kicked in otherwise I could have been asked anything and gave the one answer, "huey". Motherwell in Europe, the answers just sped out until I ran dry near the end. Still, 9 from 11 was reasonable and in the buzzer round we swept the opposition into oblivion once again to record an impressive victory of 37 points. There then was a dangerous lull, we had to sit through the filming of the next show before our final group match. For me, it was time to redecorate my home top which I did in spectacular style racing from the studio and not quite making it to the "rest room", though I did manage to pick out the VT assistant sprinting in front of me. Anyhow, having got that done I was able to take my seat in time for the match. Tighter this time, we began with the same set of lads who despite all their efforts could get us only to second at half-time. Even Yir Elder was suffering from the previous night's activities, with 8 in the specialist.
However, on comes your proverbial super sub and with the knowledge of Geoff Baby in the buzzer round Motherwell triumphed once again to the tune of 34, our nearest Rotherham only managing 31. Big Pie decided to remain on the Bench, claiming we were doing such a good job he didn't feel the need to make an appearance. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact the camera could see right up his, em, parting. After the post-match interview, goodness knows what I said and I'm dreading seeing it, we piled into the minibus and sped North. Dropping Geoff off in Preston, I sat in the back wondering if another visit from Doctor Disaster was about to occur as me tum complained bitterly about being overloaded the night previous. However, a quick dose of Resolve and suddenly the world looked a brighter place. A couple of days later ITV confirmed we'd made the quarter finals. Two more trips South, both in March, and with the top prize being a holiday of a lifetime it's no wonder the Crisis Park lads are desperate to win. I mean, visiting anywhere other than the Parole Office would be a holiday in itself to them. So look out for the next excerpt in the Motherwell DINKT expedition, whatever the result the Fir Park lads will win hands down!!!!
Ricky