Talk to Frank

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Talk to Frank. It's easy! If you take a break from your refreshments in the Old Town of Bratislava, "I won the World Cup" Frank was found aimlessly wandering the streets as part of his pre-match warm up routine. Chelsea were in town to play Slovan in the old European Cup Winners Cup and as accommodation of a 5 star nature was a bit tricky to locate back in 1997, the team were based right in the heart of the Old Town. Alas we were not, having failed to secure a berth in the old communist icon, the Hotel Kiev! We shipped out to the outskirts of the city to what was best described as a mountain retreat complete with tennis courts. Shame, there was no time to play.

The Old Town was small and not so expansive, which meant the sightseeing was kept to minimum and drinking the local brew to a maximum. We had no tickets but the locals seemed only too pleased to acquire them for a small commission, which increased our consumption time even further. We set up base camp in a bar that became known as Quick Chips, after the speed of it's service on this particular item of it's menu.

Chelsea cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory in the days before Ruud had a row with Ken over cash. As well as our meeting with Frank, Ken came on our radar too after we came to his rescue as pack mules whilst relocating bars. He had decided to acquire half a shop of local crystal without thought as to how he might carry the haul..............help us carry this lot lads and I'll get you a drink in, came the call. We duly obliged. He did buy a drink as well, but we seemed to end up buying him two back .......... and in the most expensive 5 star hotel in Bratislava. This is probably the reason why he is the millionaire!

The rest of the time in Bratislava was a bit of an alcoholic haze and it only took us 4 years to get booked into the Hotel Kiev - when we came back for another look in 2001.

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Photos

Talking to Frank
Miranda meets Frank Le Beouf wandering the Old Town

Man at Work
Old Town

Uncle Ken
Ken takes time out from being Chairman to buy the fans a drink

Stadium Tehelne Pole
Home of Slovan Bratislava

Old Old Andy
Quick Chips Bar, Old Town

Slovan Bratlislava v Chelsea
ECWC 1997 / 98

Slovan v Chelsea
Slovan's Belasi Fanatici

Slovan v Chelsea
Old Old Andy meets the locals

Inter Bratislava
The 3 Musketeers examine the interesting floodlights at Inter

Bratislava Station
Mont ticks another East European rail station off his list

Pasienky Stadium, Bratislava
Home of Inter Bratislava