My drama-filled Bradford City trips to Mansfield and Sutton

I already had coffee all over my hands and on my new coat (don't tell my mum) and now I knew I'd need to ring a taxi to get to Leeds Station.

It was then I knew I was in for a long week on the road with the Bantams.

That ticket/coffee fiasco was last Tuesday, as I made my way to City's game at Mansfield, and meant I'd have to skip the first leg of my train from my current home town, Horsforth.

But no harm done, I zoomed back home, picked up those tickets, an Uber arrived promptly, and I was able to catch the Leeds to Mansfield train, via Worksop, in good time.

My esteemed colleague Mr Parker always seems to give me City away games.

I've only ever covered a lockdown win over Southend and an FA Cup clash against Exeter at Valley Parade, while I have now covered the Bantams at Shrewsbury, Tonbridge Angels, Scunthorpe, Colchester, Chesterfield, Accrington, Bristol Rovers, Hartlepool, Mansfield and Sutton.

But while I openly moan about this disgraceful ratio, and as much as I love VP, there is something special about having the chance to visit different stadiums covering City.

Back to Tuesday, and one of my best friends, Jason, is a Leicester supporter who lives about half-an-hour from Mansfield, so he picked me up from the station, and we headed to Pizza Hut, meaning I now have to pray for the EFL and Papa Johns' forgiveness.

Pizza Hut all polished off in Mansfield before the game on Tuesday. (Image: NQ Staff.)

Despite Jason taking an age to get his WiFi working in the Hut, he eventually ordered, and we rocked up at Field Mill in good time, him taking up a spot among the Mansfield fans after I'd bought him a match ticket.

The press box was a little tight, I was constantly getting moved as apparently I wasn't in the right seat, and I had a bloke swearing behind me non-stop for 100 minutes.

I was still having a more enjoyable night than Jason, who at six feet and five inches tall, was having trouble getting comfortable in the cramped Ian Greaves stand and spent most of the boring first 25 minutes more entertained by two young lads in front of him trying and failing to flirt with a girl on Snapchat.

But the game then sparked into life, as dominant City scored either side of the break through Richie Smallwood and Andy Cook.

I'm not even a Bantams fan but the latter's goal was that good that I roared in delight and gave City's media man a massive bear hug next to me.

Andy Cook (right) fires home City's winner at Mansfield last Tuesday. (Image: Thomas Gadd.)

It got a little hairy after Matty Platt's red card and Will Swan's goal for the hosts, but with everyone around me moaning about City's time-wasting tactics, I couldn't help but grin at full-time.

With a 9:55pm newspaper deadline though, I was not ecstatic at the referee adding on TEN minutes at 9:38pm though, so was probably the only person cheering on the Bantams willing the away fans to give the flipping ball back when they held on to it for what felt like an age in stoppage time.

After eventually finding Jason at full-time, we headed back to his girlfriend's parents, as their own place was getting work done, and it was huge.

I continued to work in bed until 1am, before rising at 8:30am, with Jason already out at work, and did the crossword with Bethan's mum and dad, Jill and John, before the latter took me back to the station.

I missed my initial train, shock, but was in luck, as I caught the next available one and spent the next hour chatting to two fellow Newcastle fans, elderly gentlemen who regaled me with some fascinating tales about their time following the Magpies and England.

I made it back to Horsforth at around 2pm, knowing I'd be doing it all again a few days later.

It was an early start as I headed to south London for the Sutton game on Saturday, but on my train from Horsforth to Leeds, I was immediately struck by the well-dressed gentleman and his wife sat opposite me.

They told me they were off to the Spurs versus Leeds match in north London, and after a few minutes of small talk, I took the plunge.

"Hang on, are you Eddie Gray?" I asked.

He was, thankfully, and while he might be no Bantams legend, it was a privilege to be in the company of someone regarded as a footballing icon, for both Leeds and Scotland, and I even got a selfie with him.

After parting ways, it was a smooth ride down to London, despite a late points failure meaning I had to think on my feet for the last leg of my trip to West Sutton station.

I arrived in good time at the ground, and decided to treat myself to some free chips.

After elevating them with ketchup and fried onions, I promptly ruined them when the lid on the salt fell off, pouring a mountain of it on my food.

Thankfully, the afternoon got better from there, as City won 2-0 at Gander Green Lane thanks to Cook and a wonder strike from Scott Banks.

Scott Banks (right) runs away to celebrate his wonderful curling effort which put City 2-0 up at Sutton. (Image: Thomas Gadd.)

After being tasked with looking after a PA reporter's precariously perched phone during the post-match interview with Mark Hughes, and failing when it fell off a ledge, I nipped to the nearest pub to watch the end of Newcastle and Chelsea.

Given 90 per cent of the punters were supporting the London side, I took a risk in celebrating Joe Willock's winner so effusively.

But, avoiding a beating, I popped back to my Wimbledon hotel for a quick tandoori chicken burger before meeting my old university housemate Felix for pints in Brixton.

After a lovely catch up, at a brewery then a reggae bar, I stumbled back to the Premier Inn, before getting up with a mini-hangover to finish my work, and watch England win the T20 World Cup, at 8am.

I finished just after midday, then headed off towards King's Cross to meet my year abroad friend Eleanor, who I hadn't seen in person since December 2015.

A Greek feast and five cocktails later, and I was away to catch my train home, though I had to wait an extra half-hour after my scheduled one was too full to board.

That at least gave me time to waste nearly a tenner on a sandwich, crisps and a cookie at posh Greggs, Pret A Manger.

It was an expensive end to a chaotic week, and I was exhausted when I arrived home at 10pm on Sunday night.

I treated myself to a quick Northern cocktail in Leeds before heading back to Horsforth on Sunday night. (Image: NQ Staff.)

But do you know what? I can't wait to do it all again soon.

• Nath's Natters will return in a fortnight, as I am on holiday for my birthday next week!