05/14/2026
Around the world in 11 days….
If you’ve dropped into the store over the last couple of weeks, you may have noticed a couple of
things. Firstly, it’s been quieter than usual. The boss must be away. And secondly, there’s a
flag-shaped space on the wall between the fridges and freezers. Where a St Georges flag used
to be.
The plot thickens. Like a delicious Bisto gravy (available only at The Queens Pantry).
Well Poirot, let me put you out of your misery. I’m not saying you’re miserable. Or at least your
misery isn’t linked to the missing flag and store owner. Actually, quite the opposite. I understand
at least 1 person was very happy with the 11 day break.
Turns out the flag, and Sammy have been on a bit of an adventure.
The backstory;
The flag is actually a Coventry City flag. The Sky Blue Army refers to the fans of Coventry City
Football Club, a team near Sammy's hometown, and Sammy's football team. In the UK, and in
fact just about everywhere else in the world, except the US, football is kind of a big deal. Now
then. Coventry have been in the doldrums for the last 25 years.Bankruptcy, falling into the
lowest tier of leagues, and being without their own stadium for many years. Heartbreak, tears,
sob stories, the lot. Fast forward to this year, and the team are about to be promoted to the
Premier League. It’s a bit like the Falcons making the play offs and getting to the Superbowl.
Probably.
Anyway, there’s 2 games left of the regular season, and Sammy and Flaggy McFlagface are not
missing this party for the world. And so began their transatlantic quest.
However, only 1 of them made it back…….
Flaggy arrived on home soil on Saturday 25th April. Feeling a little jetflagged (brilliant), Flaggy
unfurled on the sofa for an early night, in preparation for a week of celebrations.
First stop. Wrexham at home. You know Wrexham. Ryan Reynolds.Deadpool and that. Netflix.
Hollywood. Well the happy ending is ours. We win 3-1, and lift the trophy. Scenes. Front row for
Flaggy. And a media interview to boot.
Next stop. Aberystwyth. Yeah, looks like I dropped the Scrabble letters. It’s a real place. In
Welsh Wales. A beautiful train journey, through the valleys, basked in sunshine. Arcade games
on the pier, ice cream, fish and chips. Seagulls swooping down, trying to nick your dinner. The
waves crashing against the shore. And a sneaky picture of the glorious English flag on enemy
soil. We made it out of Dodge alive.
The pilgrimage. Cadbury World. The spiritual home of chocolate. You can smell the sweet scent
of cocoa from miles away. The Cadbury store. The Cadbury cafe. We’re in Cadbury heaven.
And we left with the match ball. A full-sized chocolate football. It could be yours. Stay tuned…..
And then. The last game of the season. Watford away. Coach. Wigs. Fireworks. Smoke bombs.
A City win. 4-0. The sun hasn’t stopped shining. A brilliant finale to a brilliant week.
And just when you think it’s over. The Parade. And the concert. Backstage. 50,000 people. The
Enemy. We’ll Live And Die In These Towns. On the stage. With the players. Words are not
enough. The greatest day of our lives.
And then home.
Silence.
Was it a dream? Did we really just experience that? And where is Flaggy? He was last seen in
the band dressing room…..