A Day in the Life of The Monifieth Loyal

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

I broke with personal tradition yesterday - more due to advancing years than a change of belief. The benefits of the local supporters bus over my own transport had been well argued with an old colleague I bumped into at Gayfield the week before.

If I'm honest my increasing propensity for falling asleep at will had made the solitary drive north post match something of a health and safety issue.

Having made the necessary arrangements with the Monifieth Loyal bus, come Saturday morning I made my way early to the designated pick up point. Much too early in fact. For those who don't know Dundee the Kingsway is the main arterial route through the city for those heading north or south.

My early attendance at my rendezvous point on a freezing cold day would have normally made for a long cold stand. But not this day. I was literally glowing inside and it was nothing to do with having my daily dose of Ready Break. For bus after bus after bus, packed full of fellow bears, passed as I awaited my transport.

All over our country ladies and gents had risen early from their beds, left families and loved ones at home not out of defiance but out of love for and devotion to a football club. It reinforced the understanding within me that no matter the injustice, malevolence, disdain and hatred towards our club - we will never ever be beaten or downtrodden. Its not a single minded determination but a collective one. Its not "I am the person - Its "We are the people".

But for someone who spends too much time on the net and various Rangers forums trying appraise himself of the issues of concern to the Rangers support, the issues of the real world Rangers fans provided a refreshing respite from the sometimes near madness of Rangers forums. Whilst internet issues reflect real life issues they do not dominate them in the same way. There is something mystical as well about talking to the more senior members of the bus who can recount stories of Caldow, Baxter, Brand etc.

And then of course there is the "crack". From memory quizzes about Crossroads characters to the merits of Tarantino's Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs - which led to some serious role play. The sight of two guys fuelled by a few shandies dancing the re-enactment of Travolta's and Thurman's Pulp Fiction dance in the corridor of a coach doing over 60 mph was one of those "had to be there" moments. "The back of the bus they canny sing". Perhaps not but by gum they can't half dance. You know who you are.

So a big thank you to the men and women of the Monifieth Loyal and hundreds of other buses like them from all over Scotland and the UK who, week in week out, not for fame or glory but love of a football club, add to the collective assertion. :-

We are the People.

[Carsons Dog 9,878]

Excellent piece

You will be glad to hear that scene is replicated on the M74 as well

[weshallnotbemoved! 714]

And the M8

[KingKai 439]

Wish I could have been there to witness it!!

[Rangers#1 5,459]

Nice one Dart.

[TEFTONG 60,070]

Quality.

[Jimblue 7]

Nice post D'Artagnan. Quality never goes out of style.

[Corky True Legend 2,682]

Great post. Ffs keep to the Bear's Den and stay out of the "Boardroom" so that we can all agree.

[Ivybank 4,573]

Excellent post dart.for myself and my 4 companions we have been travelling by car since the early 80s.and on a smaller scale the

Banter is always good

[Mr Soprano 13,964]

I'd love to have you on the Sandbank bus mate but me & rfc52 would probably be in jail if there was a piece written about us.

[shirob1213 163]

D been on Monifieth bus a few times in the past,good bus but I use my car these days due to work.Very pleased to know arguably the best poster on RM is from my neck of the woods.

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

D been on Monifieth bus a few times in the past,good bus but I use my car these days due to work.Very pleased to know arguably the best poster on RM is from my neck of the woods.

Well if you get a Saturday off bud - be sure to come on the bus and we can enjoy a few pre-match sherries

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

I'd love to have you on the Sandbank bus mate but me & rfc52 would probably be in jail if there was a piece written about us.

Id have to do a fair amount of "editing for legal reasons" :lol:

[blueballss 2,969]

if i remember right i went down the kingsway to pick up young lad and saw a couple of bears across from cutty sark and the strathmartine rd circle and passed you guys again on my way to the game in car back out of Dundee, as im an auld Dundee Loyal regular im glad your from our neck of the woods!! ps it was feckin freezing!! thoughts were with you when we passed!!

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

if i remember right i went down the kingsway to pick up young lad and saw a couple of bears across from cutty sark and the strathmartine rd circle and passed you guys again on my way to the game in car back out of Dundee, as im an auld Dundee Loyal regular im glad your from our neck of the woods!! ps it was feckin freezing!! thoughts were with you when we passed!!

In that case bb you have seen me in the flesh. PS for the avoidance of doubt Im the good looking one who you could be forgiven for mistaking for Nicholas Cage.

[Bluepeter9 5,167]

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

You only able to post because that twat that sits beside you kept on flashing that red card which filled my crosshairs.

[Bluepeter9 5,167]

You only able to post because that twat that sits beside you kept on flashing that red card which filled my crosshairs.

Thank goodness - you'd have shot the wrong person as no Red cards beside me or in front! How unlike you to make a mistake! Although 'scary woman ' who sits a few rows behind me was in full rant against the board!

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

Thank goodness - you'd have shot the wrong person as no Red cards beside me or in front! How unlike you to make a mistake! Although 'scary woman ' who sits a few rows behind me was in full rant against the board!

Really ? I thought they were everywhere ;-) (Allegedly)

[eastcoastbear 122]

Good post bro D. No pehs on that bus? ;-)

As a side note, my mate that I've been going to games with for the last 15 years lives on the Kingsway. A house on the Kingsway that is!

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

Good post bro D. No pehs on that bus? ;-)

As a side note, my mate that I've been going to games with for the last 15 years lives on the Kingsway. A house on the Kingsway that is!

Long time no see bro - how are you ?

[eastcoastbear 122]

Sorry, last 25 years.

[eastcoastbear 122]

Sorry D'Art, phone not letting me quote.

Aye, good thanks the last 22 months!! Met bro Blue Dignity on the travels a few times last season, a character!! How you doing?

[blueballss 2,969]

In that case bb you have seen me in the flesh. PS for the avoidance of doubt Im the good looking one who you could be forgiven for mistaking for Nicholas Cage.

will have to stop and get an autograph!! never saw a hollywood superstar up close and personal

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

Sorry D'Art, phone not letting me quote.

Aye, good thanks the last 22 months!! Met bro Blue Dignity on the travels a few times last season, a character!! How you doing?

Yes good bud was enjoying retirement but was persuaded to deploy my "expertise" elsewhere. (Think the missus arranged it - seeing me 24/7 was obviously more than she could take ! )