wembley 96 (or was it 98..cant remember) for bournemouth vs grimsby in what is the jpt now - they lost 2-1 in extra time to a golden goal, was devastated and is why cherries have always had a soft spot in my heart.... not a bad place for ur old man to get u into footie eh?! couple years later and my 2nd game was saints vs sheff wed at the dell 1-0 le tiss scored a header (i know...he has one!)
I also can remember being at the home of my uncle's relative in St Denys (he was married to my mums sister and I don't remember her name and I don't think I ever went there again) and my mum, sister and I were because my Dad was away and it was something important was going on (he usually worked Saturdays) and we went home later that evening and Dad came home that night and we were allowed to wait upfor him. He came in the door very happy and holding a 'World Cup Willy' - he had managed to get two tickets for the 1966 World Cup Final and had gone there with my uncle! My sister has the teddy bear and I have the copy of the Evening Standard (of the day), the Programme and also a pennent from that special game.
tell you one story for free that i swear on my testacles is true: first time i went to st marys - very likely it was before you lot! it was 2000 (i think???) it was day before new years and MOTD had just finished - i was about 14 at the time and up late and used to escaping out of my bedroom, jumping down a storey and rolling onto grass to break my fall so i did this past midnight that night purely because i wanted to see the new stadium SO BAD. i lived near bitterne so not far to go to run down to the stadium and once there my heart racing the security guard was watching telly (seriously - how cliche) and didnt hear me climb the fence - it was pretty much a bowl with no seats and northam was mostly missing but it was an incredible sight as i could see clearly in the moonlight and realising i would be dead meat if caught i scampered right back home. mum knew i had left and got grounded for a week after but more than worth it. p.s dont tell nicola i may get barred!!!
It was January 11th 1969, Saints v Coventry. We had only lived in Southampton for 6 months, and my dad ( a Scot and a rugby fan) took me and my brother to see our first game. We stood under the west stand towards the player tunnel. Can't remember a thing about it but we won 1-0 by a late Jimmy Gabriel goal. My second game was a month or two later, a 0-0 draw against Newcastle, and from then my brother and I were hooked. Despite coming from Tyneside, it's only ever been Saints. My first away game (1976 semi-final and final notwithstanding) was at the old Eastville ground. Easter 1977, Saints beating Bristol Rovers 3-2.
Nov 1971 The Dell v Don Revies Leeds Utd a memorable 2 1 win with goals from Channon andDavies Leeds were a top outfit at the time if not pretty cynical even in an era when you really could get stuck in and diving only took place in the swimming pool.
1986 against Luton Town at The Dell. We lived in North Devon at the time but my dad and I caught the train to Southampton. As a surprise, my dad had got in contact with the club and told them it was my first game and that we were travelling from Devon and would there be any chance I could meet a few players. We ended up meeting the whole team in the changing room before the game! It's a bit of a blur now, apart from meeting Shilts, I wanted to be a keeper at the time and meeting the 'best' was something I'll never forget. The game itself was pretty rubbish, we lost 2-1 and David Armstrong missed a penalty after being forced to wait about 10 mins to take it coz the ref couldn't find the spot.....a guy had to run on with a bucket of paint and put on a new one
