15 members were supposed to make their way to Hampden by mini-bus organised by Alex Lindsay, but, as you'll read below, things didn't quite go as planned.

The day started off with a slight hiccup - okay, a major hiccough! As I waited in my car at 6am on a side street off the M1 at Junction 5 near Watford, little did I know what was happening only 2 miles away. By 6.15am, I was getting a wee bit concerned as to why the bus hadn't arrive to pick me up, so I phoned the driver, Darek. "Mike", he said, "We're only 5 minutes away from you" Great I thought, but his cheerfulness hid the truth - "But the bus has broken down!" "F**k", I thought, but, to cut a long story short, contingency plans were made, and between Alex Lindsay and myself, we managed to transport 12 London Hibbies to Glasgow and back in the same day. A special thanks must go to Darek, who waited with the bus until the AA turned up, thereby missing the game.

By the way, Pete McLeod missed the bus as well, something about an alarm clock or something :o)

My carload included Mike Prior, supplier of London Hibs merchandise, Mike Hunter, and two new members Stuart Austin and Billy Bryson.

The journey itself was entertaining, helped along with a few drinks (not by me the driver, you understand). Mike Hunter was his usual self, helping to delay the refreshments slightly when someone suggested opening a can at 8.50am. Mike steadfastly refused, saying that he had decided on a rule that meant that he was only going to drink in working hours. So, 10 minutes later, the first of many libations were partaken of!

Mike, whilst half way through his 3rd can, or thereabouts, suddenly realised he hadn't had any breakfast! So, a slight pause in his drinking occurred whilst he consumed - a bottle of fresh orange juice!

We had a stop at Abington services, where we met the Lancashire Hibs bus, and took the opportunity to sell a few fanzines and have a photo call with the Lancashire Hibs flag alongside our, slightly smaller, specimen.

Lancashire Hibs Flag (and bus) proving that size matters!

We arrived at The Boswell Hotel at 1pm, in time to pass some fanzines to Kevin Robertson, who was there with his girlfriend and niece, sell some merchandise and have a drink.

Our other carload, which had Alex Lindsay, Graham Walker, Pete Mahedy, Stuart Donald and on board, headed for the Railway Club on Kilmarnock Road, only to be refused entry!

Bill and Kayleigh Garriock, who had travelled up on Easy Jet with Andrew Murray, came along with me and between us sold nearly 100 fanzines on the approaches to Hampden. Unfortunately, as I sold my last fanzine at 2.50pm, I was in the bowels of Hampden just about  to reach the steps to my seat when John O'Neil scored the first of his 2 goals. I'm tempted to say, "Gonnae no dae that in the final John," but if you want to score against Celtic after 30 seconds, it's fine by me!

The match has been reported well elsewhere, suffice to say that I'm pleased to be going to Hibs' first appearance in a Scottish Cup Final since 1979. I was at the 2nd replay that year, and can still see Arthur Duncan's header bullet past --------- to make it 3-2 to Rangers!

After the game, we managed to shift a few more fanzines on the coaches in the car park. They were a captive audience as they were going nowhere fast!

Kayleigh and her dad Bill Garriock, Mike Inglis, Mike Prior, Stuart Austin and Billy Bryson having a celebratory meal after the game

Back to the Boswell (via the chip shop) for "one for the road", hit the road at 6 and was in bed by 1.30am after dropping my passengers off in London. The strangest thing that happened on the way down was coming across a Welsh Cowdenbeath fan at the services on the M74 on the way home after seeing Cowdenbeath v Albion Rovers? Dedicated or what?

Overall, apart from overcoming the odd minor problem (knackered bus) a good day was had by all - no one threw up in my car and Hibs are in the Scottish Cup Final - Glory Glory To The Hibees!

Mike Inglis - with thanks to all the Fanzine sellers, Tony Connor for getting the tickets and Alex Lindsay for organising "transport"!