My brother played in the same school team as Bobby. At a recent class reunion, Bobby was the only one of two who couldn't make it.
I remember the day clearly because I was dressed as Mary, Mary, Quite contrary (nothing changes does it) and my brother turned up late....just in time for the food. What amazes me is that I worked out that I was only two at the time...so my earliest memory.
83rd min? It felt like he'd scored in the 3rd, never has 7mins been so long! At the final whistle my dad started throwing up the bottle of whiskey he'd drank during the match. I wandered off in a state of shock and managed somehow to walk from Maybush to Titchfield, some of my 'biker' chums lived out that way*. I was rescued by a couple of them from a Titchfield pub around 10pm just as the locals were about to smack my little head in. I have no memory of the next 24hrs though I was later told I politely turned down the offer to lose my viginity with one of the biker's umm, young lady. *Yes I had a motorcycle (CB125S) but had 'bounced' the valve trying to keep up with the big boys
I didn't have a ticket until someone I worked with very generously gave me his. I remember going into a pub near the stadium (The Harrow?) which was full of over confident united fans who shouted down any attempt by the meagre Saints contingent to get a song going. I remember the goal as I was right behind Stokesy's shot. The rest is a blur.
I was behind the goal for that, sucking Stokes' shot into the corner of the net. Was the first and last time my brother in law hugged me! He used to work at Fords, then, and he and some other guys were producing blue and yellow boaters, made out of cardboard but superbly finished with yellow and blue tape that matched the team colours very well. Will try and find a photo, but no guarantees. Two highlights after the match. One was watching Bob Wilson, the ex Arsenal goal keeper and BBC football pundit, keeping his head down and ignoring the Saints fans in their coaches, giving him hell for predicting a massive United win. The second was being passed by the team coach, with the players clearly enjoying themselves. Actually, a third highlight was the waves and smiles we were getting from Londoners.
Found this tucked away. Used to have a smaller one, as well, which was about A4 size, with the team and score superimposed over the FA Cup.
I can't think where to start, I could write a book about that one day so much seemed to happen. There was a fair bit of alcohol involved it must be said. I'll give you one memory which is particularly poignant at the moment. I was away at Uni at the time but after the game I thought that I had to get back to Southampton. Well, a bunch of pubs and a few mates' houses later I eventually made it back home at about 1.00am. My Dad was still sitting in front of the telly having watched the re-run on MotD. Pyjamas on, beer in hand, just staring at the white spot, totally transfixed! Happy, happy, happy. He died this week so it is great to remember this and all the other Saints moments we shared together.
Love that Lff.... Keep them coming! Sorry to hear your Dad, but Sunday let's celebrate as it sounds as he would want it! And yes, yellow.
I could do that. I heard that song back in the day and just kept singing it to make sure I never forgot it. No internet back then!
We should ask the club!! "Ladies and gentleman, for today's halftime entertainment, please welcome Lff and the Corkettes...."
We parked our car (my mate's yellow Triumph Stag, cool) in Kilburn where we met up with a lot more old school mates. This meant that after the game we were on the same tube platform as thousands of Man Utd fans. At this time our scarves were well concealed! They all piled on a train and we whipped out our scarves. Before the game we were laughing and joking with these fans as they were so confident. They weren't quite so amused now! It was stupid really as one pressed button and the doors would have re-opened. I think I would then have become a Saints supporter, deceased!
Great thread FLT. My old and sadly late mate, Channon Walked on H2O loved the tell the story of how he sat in an airport (Singapore, I think) with a ticket in his pocket. I was at Wembley staying in an over priced hotel where we'd agreed to meet. No mobiles, of course, so no messages. I rang his wife who'd discovered he was delayed (smoke signals presumably) and had to make the decision whether to show solidarity by not going. Eventually decided he'd want me to go. Forever afterwards he told me I was always a selfish git! Having loved the match - and apologies to the blonde girl I insisted on drunkenly kissing - I had to go into purdah ( as did all his friends and family) until the poor sod got home and watched the video recorcding ( yes they existed; bloody great monstrosity that took only hour long tapes, so his missus had to change tapes at half time!). Only then could we celebrate. So two Saints fans were out drinking in Liverpool celebrating the Cup Final days afterwards. As we had beaten Man U we got a few freebies.
