Late 70's v West Ham FA Cup
In the covered end and it was packed. I had been talking to a man standing next to me for a while did not mention the fact that I supported Charlton. Just things like we are going to win tonight etc. I was about 13 at the time
Killer out of no where shot at goal and hit the crossbar, our hands went up and the man standing next to me punched me in the face. To add insult to injury the Police came charging up and removed me to the pen at the far end of the ground until well after the game. Think we lost 1-0 but not sure
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UEFA A coaching badge right there.
Stockport away (Hunt Hattrick) young steward pulled into the crowd over the fence when the 3rd goal went in.
Port Vale away, October 1990, both involve people no longer with us. With Charlton Trailing 1-0 to a goal from Darren Beckford and with six minutes to go, Rob Lee is fouled by Colin Gibson and referee Reed gives a penalty. Up steps Tommy Caton (RIP) and smashes it in. I remember there was mayhem behind the goal with Addicks going wild. Though I was lost in delirium, I could hear a voice beside me. An old friend called Brian, who may of you may remember and who died from cancer at just 38 and was a bit of a statto announced excitedly "that's the seventh penalty that Port Vale have conceded in the last ten games." Good stat, terrible timing. For some reason, it had the immediate effect of instantly ceasing the celebrations as we struggled to digest this momentous fact.
Second story and just a couple of months later during that classic 4-4 at Portman Road. After trailing 2-0. Andy Peake pulled one back and then just after the hour, the demi God that was Paul Mortimer equalised. More unbridled joy behind the goal rendered surreal by Morty's apparent desire to come on to the terraces and join the fans. Trouble is he couldn't unfasten the lock on the gate to get in. So we had the bizarre sight of a player struggling to unlock the gate and several fans on the other side also befuddled by the locking mechanisms. I do enjoy these odd moments that bring us crashing back down to earth after a goal.
One minute talking to someone alongside me, next minute all i see is his head and shoulders sticking out the terrace.
"that just hit me on the head you c*** " he announced.
a certain poster on here was so pished he went to leave when the half-time whistle went thinking it was full time.
A group of Blackpool lads asked the young lady in the Coombes betting booth if they could have a fiver on Stanley Matthews to get the first goal. After much searching the young lady had to be told by her manager that Sir Stan had died decades before.
Chaos outside, horses going mental,1000s trying to get in I was 10 or 11 and lost erveyone and ended up outsdie as they locked the covered end trunstiles. Didnt know what to do so walked about for a bit and got a bit scared so went to a garage dpown the Lower Road and asked to borrow the phone and rang home to say i was stranded in the dark in South London. Just as a load of West Ham cam e p[ast and put the windows in.
Also, another rubbish game (Southend away? There was a barrier between the pitch and the away fans), and a lady had her shoe thrown over the barrier during a domestic. The whole away end sang "she's only got one shoe". Highlight of the match, along with a photographer who threw it back that looked like Statto from fantasy football league.
Remember the Covered End was "shared" that night with the Hammers fans in there as well! Always like playing West Ham!
Derby keeper Martin Taylor being pulled arse over tit into the crowd when we were tenants at West Ham surely deserves a mention.
There was a really tall, blonde haired guy (could've passed for one of the Proclaimers) who used to go to away games in the early 90's. I remember at a 2-2 draw at Hull he bought a load of hot dogs for his mates and promptly dropped them on the terrace, ketchup and onions ending up going up his leg. As there was a cartoon strip at the time in 'Zit' called 'The Man Who Collects Eyeballs' from then on my mates and I christened him 'The Man Who Drops Hot Dogs'.
And the fat guy in the Arthur Wait at Selhurst who was always having a go at opposition players. Recall him running along the front of the stand in pursuit of Mark Dennis of Southampton after he claimed Dennis had sworn at him. I think Dennis either laughed at him or blew him a kiss.
Wonder if she still goes.
I forgot where I was. I was in with the away fans.
We beat a rather hasty retreat whilst dodging all manner of missiles being chucked our way.
The other funny one was at Highbury - a few years later I think. 2-2 IIRC (Morts and Steve MacKenzie). My uncle and dad were searched by the police as we went in and we joked about what sort of idiot would take anything dangerous into a game like this. Sadly - I'd been practicing my darts with a mate from school that evening and left them in my coat pocket. Luckily I wasn't searched :-)