The Cottagers had previously gone eight games without a win and had slipped into the relegation zone over Christmas, with boss Hughes criticised by fans after their 3-1 home defeat by fellow basement battlers West Ham on Boxing Day.

Colonel Sun translates for Minister Yao and relays the minister’s reply. “Minister Yao advises that ROC Marine Corps headquarters is on the Naval Station at Tsoying, near Kaosiung, on the southwest coast. He suggests you do the Four Ninety-ninth wing this morning and the Marine headquarters this afternoon. It will take you about an hour to reach Tsoying by helicopter from Hsinchu. He just ordered General Peng to arrange meetings with the Navy and Marines at Tsoying, and transportation. From there we will go to Army headquarters at Hualien-T'aitung.”

a quotable writer

An interesting feature in the weeks preceding the diversions was the provision of a road-learning train to familiarise main line drivers with the alternative route.