Pre internet phones, during a relegation battle, the buzz as news of a rival going behind filters through the crowd from the guy who listens to a transistor radio the whole game
Likewise going to an away game and with no sat nav, keeping an eye out for the floodlights to guide your way in.
Never forget the excitement as a child of seeing the floodlights of a ground I had never been to popping up into view over the rows of terraces housing surrounding a ground.
A celebrating opposing player not knowing his ‘goal’ has been ruled out long after everyone else.
remember when I was about 18 I was playing for a Sunday team out of Upper Belvedere. Went Charlton on the Saturday and the snow come down really hard. Can’t remember if Charlton got called off, or just about got away with it, but it got more and more all afternoon.
We were meant to be playing at Slade Green Railway on Sunday morning, it was clearly going to be off, so a couple of us got right on it.
The next morning the house phone went and my mum woke me up saying it was my Sunday manager. I stumbled to the phone downstairs and incredibly he said the game was on, why have I not turned up. I apologised, said I assumed it was off, it was nice that he’d gone out the way to phone me but I’ll have to skip that week.
“I’m only phoning you you useless shit because you’ve got the kit”
Get myself sorted and get a lift up to Slade Green. Kit delivered, got told I’d be sub. Game now running well late. We changed in a rotten old room in the pub there (that become a hostel).
Freezing cold, feeling shit and icy pitch I run the line first half. They had a good turnout from the pub and they were giving me dogs abuse doing the flag. Plenty of banter but plenty of OTT stuff as well.
Game not going well, manager brought me on half time. I was proper worked up, I’ll show those trippy c***s. Our manager was a very handy doorman so I had my invincible coat on.
Scored a cracking goal and that was it, I bolted as fast as Usain Bolt towards that touchline, running in front of them flicking v-signs all along the way giving it ave that. Took ages to work out the ref had disallowed it. To say I got absolutely slaughtered for the rest of the game was an understatement.
As the train pulls out from Euston/Kings Cross working out which of the places you're stopping at are hosting a game that day.
Then on the way back as you pull into those stations again looking out the window nervously to see if the away teams "firm" is getting on your train, or whether you'll be able to finish your crate of beer in peace!
I miss fans calling the opposition 'you dirty northern bastards' when the team are actually from the Midlands.
The abuse of an ex player who will invariably score shortly afterwards. I've always been impressed by how much hatred certain fans can generate towards ex players. Better than a panto.
Going to the Valley with my daughter who I have barely seen since March due to covid. I would give anything to be back there.
Outfield player in goal is surely the greatest moment one can witness at a game? The fear in their eyes as they put on the keepers shirt and gloves is a glorious site to behold.
An outfield player doing well in goal is brilliant too.
Has that happened before?! I can only recall Kyle Walker and Harry Kane in recent years
Steve Brown a bit further back.
Steve Gritt, even further back.
Brian Kinsey even further back. A 3-3 draw with QPR which had Rodney Marsh in there line up.
Pre internet phones, during a relegation battle, the buzz as news of a rival going behind filters through the crowd from the guy who listens to a transistor radio the whole game
The one year in the late nineties when we reached the playoffs and millwall went down was one of my favourite ever games.
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Then on the way back as you pull into those stations again looking out the window nervously to see if the away teams "firm" is getting on your train, or whether you'll be able to finish your crate of beer in peace!
The abuse of an ex player who will invariably score shortly afterwards. I've always been impressed by how much hatred certain fans can generate towards ex players. Better than a panto.
Going to the Valley with my daughter who I have barely seen since March due to covid. I would give anything to be back there.
Always used to enjoy singing that to Watford!
I also liked Karlan Grant v whoever it was, when their goalie was up for a corner.....great way to end the game!
Also Kim Grant at Old Trafford. Didn't score but the outcome gave us about 20 minutes of belief.
Bonus points for a lot of blood or, like Gary Mabbutt years ago, a clearly broken bone.