Sporting Memories.

How many sports events have you actually watched live?

I know we all watch football, but what other sport are you interested enough in to actually go and watch it live?

I've been going to SJP since I was knee high to a grass hopper and remember being passed down to the pitch over the heads of the standing fans in the old Leazes with my legs bouncing up and down and often catching people on the head with my feet.

I've watched quite a bit of cricket in my time including Test matches at Lords, The Oval, Trent Bridge and Headingley. Lords was by far the best atmosphere and the first time I went all the hair on my body tingled and stood up as I went through the turnstile.

Enjoyed going to the Speedway when I was a youngster too, my uncle was into it in a big way and often took me to Brough Park to see the Diamonds. The usual viewpoint was the third corner and we often got a spray of cinders over us. He was also an All in Wrestling fan and I remember seeing some of the big names of the time at the New St James' Hall, just over the road from SJP. It was quite a laugh at times and there was always one old lady there who often took her umbrella to the villains of the day ( in the ring that is).

Saw some of the best acting ever there. Wouldn't say it was all fixed, but there was quite a bit of manipulation.

 

Durham Wasps at the old ice rink in Durham, loved it.
Cricket at Chester-le-street, not the new ground, the proper one.

 

Saw the old wasps too, quite exciting at times. The pile ups with players of both teams getting stuck into each other and quite a bit of hockey stick bashing. Often as many players in the sin bin as there was on the ice.

 

I was and still amazed how fast they go.
I used to hold on to friends or the side.

 

I was just a kid and got a treat off my elder brother and a ride on the pillion of his motor bike into Durham.

Was a big night for me.

 

Been a life long Newcastle fan , been to many of the games at ST James Park , and some away .

My other biggie is Drag Racing , been going since i was a little sprout , watched it all my life at Santa Pod raceway and Shakespeare Country Raceway . Also been to America 3 times to watch it . At the age of 9 i was lucky enough to actually participate in two events in the Junior dragster class. Great times indeed !

 

Only ever seen drag racing on TV, liked what I saw of it though.

 

Apart from the Riverside where's the other one?

 

I've taken in a fair bit of cricket at Durham, Headingley, Old Trafford. I like my racing and go to Newcastle regular. Also been to Cheltenham, Aintree, York, Market Rasen, Sedgefield, Hexham, Punchestown. Would like to go to Epsom this year for derby day. I have seen a fair bit of boxing in my time including the likes of Hamed, Calzaghe, Hatton. Been to the Falcons a few times and would like to go and see England. I love just about all sport and have loads I'd like to see. A day at the open, an day at F1, a tennis major, some MMA. Love a table at the darts too. Hell I'd go and watch the american sports quite happily too just for the experience.

 

Been to countless cricket matches, a handful of Newcastle Eagles games, a couple of Falcons matches plus a testimonial match at Kingston Park and 1 hockey match when Newcastle played at the Arena.

 

Horse Racing. I love it. When you're there and you scream home a winner and you've told your mates to get on. My word . Been to, probably, the three biggest meetings of the year so far in Newbury, Cheltenham and Aintree. Made shedloads at all 3 (there's a first for everything!! )


Been to loads of southern stuff like Twickenham (great atmosphere), Wimbledon, Lords ect. Desperate to go to Darts and Boxing.


Obviously nothing beats SJP. Goes without saying

 

Been to many cricket games at Colwyn Bay (when Glamorgan play here), Old Trafford and Lords. Also been to all the NFL games at Wembley, rugby at Edgeley Park and cycling at the Velodrome in Manc.

If you count kayaking as a sport, I've been to loads of freestyle comps, both as a competitor and spectator.

 

Never been in to water sports, not even swimming. Everybody else in the family was a good swimmer but it just didn't interest me.

 

Freestyle kayaking is awesome, have a look at this:
[video=youtube;-0LSj0no5e4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0LSj0no5e4[/video]

I can just about do a flip, but I'm so tall I have to use a bigger boat so it doesn't work as well or look as good.

 

It's on Ropery Lane.

 

Ah yes don't Durham University play there.


well they appear there

 

Yes I think so, I dont go to cricket now. I took my Uncle who loved it but he died and I never went back.
Not really a huge cricket fan.

 

Got some photo's here of Gateshead Fell playing at Ropery Lane.

Played there myself a year two ago, or a decade or three or so ago.

 

Saw The Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers (ice hockey) in LA a couple of years back

 

Oh and I like my geegees with Cheltenham the pick fo me