Well, has it sunk in yet? - What a glorious weekend for the glorious Hearts!
Thirteen members of York Hearts were lucky enough to get tickets for the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden, to witness the utter annihilation of our so-called city rivals. Back in York, at the White Horse, more than 20 others packed into the main bar room, to watch the joyous scenes on TV.
We'll lift the H-tax today to name and shame Edinburgh's second team in full, and to revel in the result again: Heart of Midlothian 5-1 Hibernian.
A few had headed up to Scotland on Friday evening, but others began bright and early on Saturday.
Ian Warner, Brian Dall, Sam Outing, Tommy Outing and Gavin Aitchison all gathered at Toft Green at 7.30am, to make the long drive north, to glory or despair. The magnitude of the game was lost on nobody. The Outing brothers even made history by arriving on time, but the nerves were clear for all to see. How needless they would prove!
Badger brought the papers; Gav came armed with Mr Kipling Jam Tarts; and the troops were treated to the sounds of the 20 Jambo Classics CD, as we made our way up the A1 to Scotch Corner, and then across the Pennines and up to Glasgow. Just over the border, we collected two more maroon footsoldiers from the Dall clan, and then it was on to Hampden.
We arrived in Glasgow at noon, met our contacts for tickets, and then sought solace, reassurance and refreshment in the pub - The Clockwork Beer Co.
The flag went up, so did the tension, do did the songs, and gradually more of the York contingent began to assemble. We even recruited a newbie, Sam sharply picking up the dulcet tones of a Heworth dialect near the bar.
Many seemed in no doubt we'd win - many weren't so sure. Gav wandered around aimlessly, fleeting between optimism and dread. Badger did likewise, though managed to avoid going near the bar.
And then it was time. To the ground we filed. Programme, check. Pie, check. Dangerous levels of adrenalin, check.
And then it happened - possibly the finest 90 minutes of football any Jambo will ever enjoy. Barr, Skacel, Grainger, McGowan and Skacel again ensured that we not only won the cup, but pummeeld, pulverised and humiliated Hibs in the process.
We gave them a goal for the sake of it, but who cares. What a day, what a win, what a weekend, what a team.
Some of us headed back to York that night, where the party continued at the White Horse; others headed for celebrations in Edinburgh. North or south, Scotland or England, the joy and unbridled delirium were the same.
When we've all come down off cloud nine, we'll be organising some sort of York Hearts celebration - possibly a race day, possibly a curry night, possibly a day brewing a celebratory beer. If you've any other ideas, let us know.
In the meantime, all together now...... "5-1 in the cup final, 5-1 in the cup final, 5-1 in the cup final, 5-1 in the cup final......"
