Andrew McNairs World Cup Diary - the Rainman

Saturday, 03 July 2010 11:59

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It has been quite a while since I last blogged on my World Cup adventure here in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and my only excuse is that I have been a busy man. Football, drinking, football, eating, football and drinking is hard work for any man.

By Andrew McNair

The adventures of Rainman

My friend from Scotland was out for two weeks staying with my family, not the cast on television but with my actual family. Rainman, as he was affectionately known, by a pretty local lass Tarryn, grew up next door to me in Scotland and has been a lifelong mate, who I was overjoyed to share my SA 2010 experience with.

And famously, he brought wet weather to this scorching hot country at a time of drought, making him an instant hero in the tight-knit community of PE. His celebrity increased by his choice of traditional Scottish dress, a fashion not often seen by South Africans and as a result was easily identifiable as the ‘rainman.’

Funnily enough, his father works for the Scottish water board. It’s amazing how some things just fit.

We were stopped for photos wherever we went by paparazzi and fans, probably appearing in the WC albums of people from every corner of the globe. We learned great songs from Switzerland and Chile and taught the Uruguayan’s exactly who it is that makes the Liverpool supporters cry. And no it is not Rafa Benitez or their American owners.
Diego....Diego....he comes from Uruguay....and he makes the scousers cry....Diego....

Although it seems it is now Roy Hodgson’s turn at flattering to deceive the Anfield crowd.

We attended some brilliant matches like Germany v Serbia, Switzerland v Chile, England v Slovenia and in true rainman style, Uruguay v South Korea in the Last 16.

What a downpour he brought on this entertaining game, sending fans scurrying for cover from their seats as he blew the wind and rain towards the Korea goal. And it was to work, as Suarez curled in a late Uruguayan winner (possibly with the aid of a little wind) just as he had predicted.

A coincidence? I wonder....

It did not rain for his entire two week stay however. He was often too drunk or hung-over to be bothered working and never got out his bed until at least 11:30am, meaning welcome rest bite to the locals who pray for rain then get fed up with it, despite it raining for barely a day.

We drank in the great Barney’s Tavern and enjoyed pre-match street parties at the one and only Chalees.

Barney’s, the official world cup pub in PE, was one night drank dry by the Swiss, Chileans and well us on the eve of their WC clash. Now that takes some doing, closing a bar an hour and a half before shutting time without starting a fight.

At Chalees before a match the booze is in seemingly endless supply and it comes 3/4 of a litre at a time for just R15 (£1.30). Now who has time for making rain in those conditions?

Who has time for anything else for that matter?

The party spills onto the street and attracts fans from both countries, as well as the locals before songs are sung and the banter is stepped up a gear. Even better is if you haven’t finished your huge beer then the police do not object to you walking all the way to the stadium (600m) with your beer in hand.

There will not be many World Cups like this, just ask the Rainman, who jetted back off to Scotland to give our country a dose of reality after all the good weather they had while he was here enjoying the best WC ever.

P.S. It has not rained here since he left three days ago!

P.P.S The look on the English faces at the Fan Park as England’s goal that should have been was disallowed was a sight worth seeing. 44 years of German hurt....avenged. And the English thought the penalties were pay back.

P.P.P.S Priceless, Rainman on his knees as Germany strike for a fourth time. I’ll never forget that and neither will Germany.

Andrew McNair has written for broadcasting giants Setanta and Fox Sports as well as Scottish newspapers the Evening Times and Sunday Herald. If you have any questions about the 2010 World Cup or this blog you can contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you enjoy his work you can join his group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35412076250. He will writing on an almost daily basis for the duration of the 2010 World Cup from South Africa. Previous editions of the blog can be found on this website.