Kingsland Codger

Nor should we forget the joys of the old money. Those old penny coins were so heavy but just one of them would get you 4 chews at the sweet shop (Fruit Salad or Back Jack). The thrupenny bit would buy a 3D ice lolly and a tanner was a Real Treat. Sweets were bought loose and in 4ozs measures - "a quarter of pineapple chunks" - and are sherbert fountains still available? We had to learn our times table and would to stand up and recite it when instructed to do so by the teacher. Weekly spelling tests, grammar lessons, learning poems and passages from Shakespeare off-by-heart - mostly still remembered even now. Wearing a school cap and having to give the peak a quick touch when you passed a lady in the street (sounds weird now but was the norm then) ...

The match at White Hart Lane where we lost 5-1. Saints were only one goal down at the time but Spurs were all over us. A cross came in and landed well for Defoe to hit on the volley from 5 yards out - he connected perfectly and from point-blank range our favourite Finn not only manages to save it but he held onto it. There was a communal gasp from all sections of the crowd, acknowledging we had witnessed something that appeared not physically possible. Then a round of applause from everyone. The Spurs players retreated to defend, the Saints players re-arranged themselves and Niemi bowls the ball out 25 yards to one of our midfielders - who passed the ball square to ... Jermaine Defoe who had a simple run-in for a one-on-one with Niemi and this time there was nothing he could do. Spurs went 2-0 up. It made you wonder how such a marvellous goalkeeper could remin sane in front of such a chaotic defence.

Dexter Blackstock's 'Perfect Hat-Trick' against Colchester A 2-0 victory over you-know-who and a win against Yeovil

I strive to pursue happiness but am encumbered by being a Saints fan.