Posted earlier about my official debut at Colchester in the league cup circa 1978 (4 years old). I cant remember anything about that game so have been trying to think of early games that I actually remember being at. For some reason 85/86 sticks in my mind. My mates dad took us to loads that season. A few that stick in my mind are:
Some good memories there Clem....
5-3 win at Brighton - Brilliant game. Martin Keown played up front for Brighton (and scored). 3-1 defeat at Norwich (Boxing Day?) - Definitely Boxing Day, A good game and we took the lead (Flanagan) but Norwich were too good for us. Peter Mendham destroyed us in midfield. 2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury (was stunned we lost. We were terrible and it really was an out of character performance) - Two down after about 10 mins. Don't know why but remember their right-back (Wayne Williams) scoring for them. George Shipley got one back for us down the far end and I punched the steel rafter above my head in celebration (and by accident...). F*cking hurt. 2-1 win at Bradford (night game at Osdal)...Nicky Johns saved a penalty from Don Goodman. Flanagan headed the winner fairly late on. Our coach back to Bradford station got attacked. 3-0 win at Fulham (first time my 12 year old mind allowed me to really believe we were going up)....This was the night when everyone thought we were pretty much promoted. Fulham were so weak (a team of kids and terrible players) and we beat them without getting out of 2nd gear
Reading 95/96 a 0-0 was good preparation for the following 20 years.
Still this.
Remember going to that one, 16 at the time. Walking back to the station afterwards amongst a mixture of Charlton and Reading supporters, all scarfers rather than hooligans a small handful of police keeping a gentle eye on things. Walked past this pub on the other side of the main road that had a mob of meaty-looking blokes stood outside it, all of a sudden they started chucking bottles and glasses and then charged across the road at us. I legged it, got away a bit and then turned round to see my mate (who was quite big for a 16 year old) on the floor with a riot policeman on his back. He got nicked, chucked in a police van, released 2 hours later and ended up having to go back to Reading a month later to be a witness in court, having had a bottle smashed over his head during the fracas. Still don't know what it was all about.
Reading 95/96 a 0-0 was good preparation for the following 20 years.
Still this.
Remember going to that one, 16 at the time. Walking back to the station afterwards amongst a mixture of Charlton and Reading supporters, all scarfers rather than hooligans a small handful of police keeping a gentle eye on things. Walked past this pub on the other side of the main road that had a mob of meaty-looking blokes stood outside it, all of a sudden they started chucking bottles and glasses and then charged across the road at us. I legged it, got away a bit and then turned round to see my mate (who was quite big for a 16 year old) on the floor with a riot policeman on his back. He got nicked, chucked in a police van, released 2 hours later and ended up having to go back to Reading a month later to be a witness in court, having had a bottle smashed over his head during the fracas. Still don't know what it was all about.
When I was born my parents separated (must have been my face!) so I grew up when I was a toddler with Arsenal kits.
So my first away game was a home game?? ...
Arsenal at Highbury, March 2003. I'd have been 5.
Lost/Won 2-0. :-)
Then my parents got back together and I was more influenced by the Charlton aspect of my Dad, and started going to Charlton games aged 6 and have been a season ticket holder since.
It's weird as an 18 year old now who loves Charlton ... thinking my mum wanted me to be Goonershite, ugh.
Reading 95/96 a 0-0 was good preparation for the following 20 years.
Still this.
Remember going to that one, 16 at the time. Walking back to the station afterwards amongst a mixture of Charlton and Reading supporters, all scarfers rather than hooligans a small handful of police keeping a gentle eye on things. Walked past this pub on the other side of the main road that had a mob of meaty-looking blokes stood outside it, all of a sudden they started chucking bottles and glasses and then charged across the road at us. I legged it, got away a bit and then turned round to see my mate (who was quite big for a 16 year old) on the floor with a riot policeman on his back. He got nicked, chucked in a police van, released 2 hours later and ended up having to go back to Reading a month later to be a witness in court, having had a bottle smashed over his head during the fracas. Still don't know what it was all about.
I don't remember that! What month was the game, I wonder if I've had my 20th anniversary.
Reading 95/96 a 0-0 was good preparation for the following 20 years.
Still this.
Remember going to that one, 16 at the time. Walking back to the station afterwards amongst a mixture of Charlton and Reading supporters, all scarfers rather than hooligans a small handful of police keeping a gentle eye on things. Walked past this pub on the other side of the main road that had a mob of meaty-looking blokes stood outside it, all of a sudden they started chucking bottles and glasses and then charged across the road at us. I legged it, got away a bit and then turned round to see my mate (who was quite big for a 16 year old) on the floor with a riot policeman on his back. He got nicked, chucked in a police van, released 2 hours later and ended up having to go back to Reading a month later to be a witness in court, having had a bottle smashed over his head during the fracas. Still don't know what it was all about.
I don't remember that! What month was the game, I wonder if I've had my 20th anniversary.
Filbert Street or Highbury, late 80's early 90's, not sure which was earlier....If it was Highbury we lost respectably to a very good team maybe 2-0? If it was Filbert street it was midweek and i went on a Junior Reds bus and have a memory that Morts may have scored an own goal and we might have lost 1-2??
Highbury came first. We lost 1 0 there in '89 when we went down and the Leicester one was the following season. We won 2 1, I think a Pitcher penalty won it for us after they'd had a man sent off. That was my first season so I can vividly recall every detail. (Until someone comes along telling me it wasn't Pitcher and we didn't win 2 1...)
Bristol Rovers away 1976 at Eastville, 1-1 only 3 coaches, remember the ground seemed so strange was a greyhound track. Play was far away like Chelsea was in them days & the home end was the Tote end. Motorway flyover cut into corner of the other end where we were. Was 13 and spent the game mostly dodging gasheads that were out to get us. Strange but have always had a soft spot for that side of Bristol since. Now for the other lot, well am sure you all remember.....
Reading 95/96 a 0-0 was good preparation for the following 20 years.
Still this.
Remember going to that one, 16 at the time. Walking back to the station afterwards amongst a mixture of Charlton and Reading supporters, all scarfers rather than hooligans a small handful of police keeping a gentle eye on things. Walked past this pub on the other side of the main road that had a mob of meaty-looking blokes stood outside it, all of a sudden they started chucking bottles and glasses and then charged across the road at us. I legged it, got away a bit and then turned round to see my mate (who was quite big for a 16 year old) on the floor with a riot policeman on his back. He got nicked, chucked in a police van, released 2 hours later and ended up having to go back to Reading a month later to be a witness in court, having had a bottle smashed over his head during the fracas. Still don't know what it was all about.
I don't remember that! What month was the game, I wonder if I've had my 20th anniversary.
Towards the end of the season, April I reckon.
I reckon it was the last game of the season in the 90s when Reading got promoted. we lost 2-1 and Dean Chandler scored. The pub was called The Battle Inn and is no longer there. It was a load of Chelsea herberts outside the pub who started everything
Reading 95/96 a 0-0 was good preparation for the following 20 years.
Still this.
Remember going to that one, 16 at the time. Walking back to the station afterwards amongst a mixture of Charlton and Reading supporters, all scarfers rather than hooligans a small handful of police keeping a gentle eye on things. Walked past this pub on the other side of the main road that had a mob of meaty-looking blokes stood outside it, all of a sudden they started chucking bottles and glasses and then charged across the road at us. I legged it, got away a bit and then turned round to see my mate (who was quite big for a 16 year old) on the floor with a riot policeman on his back. He got nicked, chucked in a police van, released 2 hours later and ended up having to go back to Reading a month later to be a witness in court, having had a bottle smashed over his head during the fracas. Still don't know what it was all about.
I don't remember that! What month was the game, I wonder if I've had my 20th anniversary.
Towards the end of the season, April I reckon.
I reckon it was the last game of the season in the 90s when Reading got promoted. we lost 2-1 and Dean Chandler scored. The pub was called The Battle Inn and is no longer there. It was a load of Chelsea herberts outside the pub who started everything
The 2-1 defeat was last game of the season in 94/95, it was live on ITV. The one I was at was 0-0 the following season. You're right about Chelsea though I think - my mate got chucked in the back of a police van with two of them who said they were Chelsea.
I remember attending the equivalent match a year or two later when we somehow came away with a 2-2 draw despite being mullered thanks in the main to the class of Paul Walsh.
Reading 95/96 a 0-0 was good preparation for the following 20 years.
Still this.
Remember going to that one, 16 at the time. Walking back to the station afterwards amongst a mixture of Charlton and Reading supporters, all scarfers rather than hooligans a small handful of police keeping a gentle eye on things. Walked past this pub on the other side of the main road that had a mob of meaty-looking blokes stood outside it, all of a sudden they started chucking bottles and glasses and then charged across the road at us. I legged it, got away a bit and then turned round to see my mate (who was quite big for a 16 year old) on the floor with a riot policeman on his back. He got nicked, chucked in a police van, released 2 hours later and ended up having to go back to Reading a month later to be a witness in court, having had a bottle smashed over his head during the fracas. Still don't know what it was all about.
I don't remember that! What month was the game, I wonder if I've had my 20th anniversary.
I remember attending the equivalent match a year or two later when we somehow came away with a 2-2 draw despite being mullered thanks in the main to the class of Paul Walsh.
Mansfield Town April 1st 1978. That's right. April Fool's day. Not sure if that was a good omen. Anyway we won 3-0 and i've been a glory hunter ever since
Dad tell's me i spent most of the game staring around at the crowd. As a six year old it seemed a lot of people. Remember celebrating the goals but not much else.
That was my first away game in the Charlton end, btw. I was in the home end at Highbury (with a schoolfriend) for our 4-0 drubbing. I was in line with the Henry backheel. We played quite well for 50+ minutes that day, then Arsenal put on a show...
Reading 95/96 a 0-0 was good preparation for the following 20 years.
Still this.
Remember going to that one, 16 at the time. Walking back to the station afterwards amongst a mixture of Charlton and Reading supporters, all scarfers rather than hooligans a small handful of police keeping a gentle eye on things. Walked past this pub on the other side of the main road that had a mob of meaty-looking blokes stood outside it, all of a sudden they started chucking bottles and glasses and then charged across the road at us. I legged it, got away a bit and then turned round to see my mate (who was quite big for a 16 year old) on the floor with a riot policeman on his back. He got nicked, chucked in a police van, released 2 hours later and ended up having to go back to Reading a month later to be a witness in court, having had a bottle smashed over his head during the fracas. Still don't know what it was all about.
I don't remember that! What month was the game, I wonder if I've had my 20th anniversary.
Towards the end of the season, April I reckon.
I reckon it was the last game of the season in the 90s when Reading got promoted. we lost 2-1 and Dean Chandler scored. The pub was called The Battle Inn and is no longer there. It was a load of Chelsea herberts outside the pub who started everything
The 2-1 defeat was last game of the season in 94/95, it was live on ITV. The one I was at was 0-0 the following season. You're right about Chelsea though I think - my mate got chucked in the back of a police van with two of them who said they were Chelsea.
Reading 95/96 a 0-0 was good preparation for the following 20 years.
Still this.
Remember going to that one, 16 at the time. Walking back to the station afterwards amongst a mixture of Charlton and Reading supporters, all scarfers rather than hooligans a small handful of police keeping a gentle eye on things. Walked past this pub on the other side of the main road that had a mob of meaty-looking blokes stood outside it, all of a sudden they started chucking bottles and glasses and then charged across the road at us. I legged it, got away a bit and then turned round to see my mate (who was quite big for a 16 year old) on the floor with a riot policeman on his back. He got nicked, chucked in a police van, released 2 hours later and ended up having to go back to Reading a month later to be a witness in court, having had a bottle smashed over his head during the fracas. Still don't know what it was all about.
I don't remember that! What month was the game, I wonder if I've had my 20th anniversary.
Towards the end of the season, April I reckon.
I reckon it was the last game of the season in the 90s when Reading got promoted. we lost 2-1 and Dean Chandler scored. The pub was called The Battle Inn and is no longer there. It was a load of Chelsea herberts outside the pub who started everything
The 2-1 defeat was last game of the season in 94/95, it was live on ITV. The one I was at was 0-0 the following season. You're right about Chelsea though I think - my mate got chucked in the back of a police van with two of them who said they were Chelsea.
Yep. It was a well known Chelsea haunt.
But are you sure Reading got promoted that season...?
Comments
1. It was against palace
2. We lost...
3. It was prior to 1998...
I doubt i'm right but may have been:
21 December 1996 Crystal Palace 0–1
5-3 win at Brighton - Brilliant game. Martin Keown played up front for Brighton (and scored).
3-1 defeat at Norwich (Boxing Day?) - Definitely Boxing Day, A good game and we took the lead (Flanagan) but Norwich were too good for us. Peter Mendham destroyed us in midfield.
2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury (was stunned we lost. We were terrible and it really was an out of character performance) - Two down after about 10 mins. Don't know why but remember their right-back (Wayne Williams) scoring for them. George Shipley got one back for us down the far end and I punched the steel rafter above my head in celebration (and by accident...). F*cking hurt.
2-1 win at Bradford (night game at Osdal)...Nicky Johns saved a penalty from Don Goodman. Flanagan headed the winner fairly late on. Our coach back to Bradford station got attacked.
3-0 win at Fulham (first time my 12 year old mind allowed me to really believe we were going up)....This was the night when everyone thought we were pretty much promoted. Fulham were so weak (a team of kids and terrible players) and we beat them without getting out of 2nd gear
So my first away game was a home game?? ...
Arsenal at Highbury, March 2003. I'd have been 5.
Lost/Won 2-0. :-)
Then my parents got back together and I was more influenced by the Charlton aspect of my Dad, and started going to Charlton games aged 6 and have been a season ticket holder since.
It's weird as an 18 year old now who loves Charlton ... thinking my mum wanted me to be Goonershite, ugh.
I remember attending the equivalent match a year or two later when we somehow came away with a 2-2 draw despite being mullered thanks in the main to the class of Paul Walsh.
Dad tell's me i spent most of the game staring around at the crowd. As a six year old it seemed a lot of people. Remember celebrating the goals but not much else.
A great away day, mind.
The first one I remember was the battle of the bridge play off decider (same year I think) where we drew 1-1