It’s not often that I go a bit bonkers when we score a goal, but I just couldn’t help myself when Dexter Blackstock equalised right at the depth against Preston, and neither could Sam!
Somehow in the melee of our celebrations, Sam lost his keys; at least we think that’s when he lost them. We only realised some time afterwards, which included a hot-chocolate stop off at Starbucks in Shepherd’s Bush followed by a stroll up to Holland Park station. It was only then, after I’d already passed through the gates that Sam realised because his Oyster card was attached to them. Arse!
Despite the euphoria of our comeback, as we trudged back retracing our steps, it started pissing down and that put a dampener on things. We headed into Starbucks but had no luck there.
I only had the QPR Box Office number to hand, so after waiting for what seemed like 20 minutes or more at first place in the queue, we eventually got through and were put through to security so that we could let them know.
By now we were already heading towards the stadium so we decided to venture back to Ellerslie Road. We popped through the gate and back inside where the stewards and security guards were winding down and getting ready to leave.
We asked one of the supervisors for their help and to our complete surprise, he decided to treat us to a mini tour of the stadium! There were keys at the front office and we were to head there to see if Sam’s had been handed in.
The supervisor had explained how he saw a whole bunch handed in, more than usual, so we explained to him that the last few minutes may have had just a little something to do with it! 
He realised we were fanatical and appeared to be a supporter himself, so he decided that rather than take us around the back of the stadium, it was better for us to get there through the player’s tunnel!
We walked up behind Ellerslie Road, into the Loft, then down onto the side of the pitch up by the dugout and then down into the players tunnel. It was superb to be able to see what it looked like and get a sense of a feeling for what it’s like to stand there.
We went through the player’s tunnel where I saw the changing rooms on either side as well as QPR paintings on tiled walls. Sam’s keys weren’t there at the front desk, but we were taken back the same way and got the experience of what it would be like to walk out onto the pitch.
Despite being a small stadium, it looked amazing and something I wished I could experience for real. It was a touch eerie because there was nobody else inside, but it had a sense of beauty and awe about it too.
I patted the top of the entrance as I walked out where it said “This is Rangers Stadium” and then in the few seconds after, immersed myself in complete fantasy as I dreamt about what it would really be like to grace the turf as a player.
Wow, what a magnificent feeling – lose your keys more often Samwise, please (cue 15,000 fans losing theirs at the next home game)! He never did find them but, something tells me the pain of all that was somewhat worth it. What a day. 
