Jump to content

What's your very first memory of a Saints game?


sussexsaint
 Share

Recommended Posts

Was talking to the missus about this last night and came up with 2 first was watching the76 cup on the telly when I was just 3, remember it being in black and White and my dad going mental when we scored, my baby bruv started crying then lol. Few days later I was on his shoulders waving at abus and standing in a flower bed near the guildhall.

 

match related would be some Milk cup match, remember my grandad taking me up onto the gantry where the TV cameras were perched, looking at a giant polystyrene milk bottle on the centre spot. Can't remember for the life of me who we played but we won and I got to drink bovril at half time.

 

Sure others have clearer memories but I was only little.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

17th May 2003, it was the day I decided to support Saints and the only game I have ever been to. I went with my Mum because she had won tickets off the radio. I can't remember who we played, but I know it was an away game because we had to travel outside Southampton - it may have been Cardiff or Swansea? Anyway, the best bit of the whole day was at the interval when we ate the cheese and marmite sandwiches mum had made and drank weak lemon from a flask (if I recall it properly, we had a flask each). I can't really remember much about the game, I was just caught up in the excitement of going out. I think we won, but to be honest I wasn't paying that much attention to the game. Great day out though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah, Deppo - so that avatar is your current likeness!

 

I go back a bit further. We were visiting family near Ipswich so my Dad toook my brother and I to Portman Road back in aboout '66 or '67. I don't remember much about the game - I think we won - but I do remember my Dad offering to rearrange a few teeth of an Ipswich supporter who called Terry Paine a very rude name. (Shouldn't swear in front of children.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The memory's going a little but it was 1961 or 2 aginst either Bury or Cardiff (for whom the great John Charles was playing centre half), Saints won 6-2. So began a footballing supporting life of hope, despair, occasional jubilation and disappointment always eager to muscle in on the action.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My first game was in 1991, last game of the season v. Wimbledon at the Dell. Score was 1-1 and I remember going onto the pitch with my Dad at fulltime. Think I expected this would happen at the end of every football match, of course it didn't!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1965/66 season. Lost 1-0 at Selhurst Park. Martin Chivers sent off. My first ever live game. Was a south Londoner but came away a life supporter of Saints rather than Palace!!! I think it was the red and white stripes that did it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh dear, reality check here

 

Mine was approx 1955.

 

Tommy Mulgrew got a ball in the nuts in a game (v Northampton i think)

 

He yelled out like a stuck pig. Heavy leather match balls in those days. As a youngster i thought this was hilarious!!

 

Also remember Len Wilkins last game before going off to Canada in season 56/7

 

Vaguely recollect the Saints v Man Utd (Busby Babes) Youth Cup final 1st Leg (1956/7) when we had Terry Paine/John Sydenham/Bob Charles etc

 

Lost 5-2 at home but beat them 2-1 (?) at Old Trafford

 

Saints Youth played in hand me down kit whereas Utd had brand new shirts and silky type shorts which made our lot look v scruffy in comparison

 

Probably went prior to 1955 as we used to live in Milton Rd and my Dad used to take me before I was old enough for school.

 

Sometimes I curse my Dad for getting me involved (eg like today when I am far too nervous for my own good!!) but many of my fondest memories have centered around Saints

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh dear, reality check here

 

Mine was approx 1955.

 

Tommy Mulgrew got a ball in the nuts in a game (v Northampton i think)

 

He yelled out like a stuck pig. Heavy leather match balls in those days. As a youngster i thought this was hilarious!!

 

Also remember Len Wilkins last game before going off to Canada in season 56/7

 

Vaguely recollect the Saints v Man Utd (Busby Babes) Youth Cup final 1st Leg (1956/7) when we had Terry Paine/John Sydenham/Bob Charles etc

 

Lost 5-2 at home but beat them 2-1 (?) at Old Trafford

 

Saints Youth played in hand me down kit whereas Utd had brand new shirts and silky type shorts which made our lot look v scruffy in comparison

 

Probably went prior to 1955 as we used to live in Milton Rd and my Dad used to take me before I was old enough for school.

 

Sometimes I curse my Dad for getting me involved (eg like today when I am far too nervous for my own good!!) but many of my fondest memories have centered around Saints

 

My first experience was 1955 too - in fact a week after losing 3 - 2 to Northampton when we also lost 3 - 2 to Aldershot away. We were 2 - 0 down at half time, got back to 2 -2 through Johnny Walker and then John Christie let their winner trickle past him. We actually scored 91 goals that season and still finished in the bottom half!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First experience of Saints was going into my sisters flat when at Southampton University, 4th floor over Dell Court, went to the window looked out over the Dell & that was that. Pestered my dad for weeks to take me! He finally gave in & took me 2nd October 1971 against Arsenal stood on the Archers Road end, we lost 1-0 & Bob Wilson dived to save as Hugh Fisher broke clear & unfortunately broke his leg, I distinctly remember Bob Wilson was distraught about it. Not a great start, but the first away was F**king great 1976 just after the Semi-final 1-0 Channon at krap notarf.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Early 1950's Eric Day on the right wing received a ball over his left shoulder from behind and brought it down on his right instep, fantastic skill. Christie, Wilkins,Traynor, McLaughlin, Parker, Elliott, Flood, Reeves, Day, Mulgrew, Hoskins. Kiernan, Page, McGowan, Walker played in that era. Tony Godrey was the youth team goalkeeper v Man Utd I'm not certain but I think Brian Flood also played in that team in goal. Bob Charles first played for Saintsfirst team as an 18 year old in 1959/60 the promotion year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1980... last game of the season v Boro (I think). was my 8th birthday and Keegan had signed for us in Feb ready to play the following season.

I thought he was gonna be playing that game so tbh was gutted before kick off.

However a 4-1 win and end of season pitch invasion ensured I wasn't disappointed!

 

Think it was the last game with choc boxes before Milton Rd was re-built - had a season ticket in the Family Centre for the next 8 yrs..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1995, Home v Leeds. A 1-1 draw and first point of the 95/96 season.

 

Scrappy, uninspired but the atmosphere had me hooked.

 

The times I had cursed my father taking me to that game, that agony felt at times...... the despair of administration and relegations.

 

The JPT final last year and today though.... render all those doubts meaningless. Thankyou, thankyou Dad for getting me into supporting such a wonderful club.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

04 Sept 73 Home Norwich at the Dell Mid week with the flood lights on, Division 1 (top div then) score 2-2 Two Gilchrist headers for us Paddon got at least one of theirs. Martin in goal, Terry Paine Mike Channon Brian O'Neil JIm Steele big John McGrath Tony Bryne Paul Macarthy Bobby Stokes Paul Gilchrist Hughie Fisher were all playing most of the the Ale house boys (as nicknamed by the Great Bill Shankly a couple of seasons earlier)

I was hooked since then!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was talking to the missus about this last night and came up with 2 first was watching the76 cup on the telly when I was just 3, remember it being in black and White and my dad going mental when we scored, my baby bruv started crying then lol. Few days later I was on his shoulders waving at abus and standing in a flower bed near the guildhall.

 

match related would be some Milk cup match, remember my grandad taking me up onto the gantry where the TV cameras were perched, looking at a giant polystyrene milk bottle on the centre spot. Can't remember for the life of me who we played but we won and I got to drink bovril at half time.

 

Sure others have clearer memories but I was only little.

 

 

I think some of us have done this before..BUT..for me, it was....

 

FA CUP 3rd round v.BLACKPOOL at The Dell . January 1959. we lost 2-1 in the last 5 mins.

 

I saw the legendary Stanley Matthews playing (although I didn't know who he was at the time).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mine was around 1985 Saints v Arsenal at home. I was a junior saint and it was my first match, I remember coming into the ground, east stand lower benches I think, I remember thinking how green the grass was.... Anyway saints lost 5-0 (?) with Colin Clark put in goal? I could look it up I guess..

 

Anyway a few years later we moved to Bournemouth....

 

Congrats on promotion from a Bournemouth a supporter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1980... last game of the season v Boro (I think). was my 8th birthday and Keegan had signed for us in Feb ready to play the following season.

I thought he was gonna be playing that game so tbh was gutted before kick off.

However a 4-1 win and end of season pitch invasion ensured I wasn't disappointed!

 

Think it was the last game with choc boxes before Milton Rd was re-built - had a season ticket in the Family Centre for the next 8 yrs..

 

i went to this game as a birthday present from my old man and have photo's of me on the pitch. good memories there!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First memory was watching the open bus parade after the cup final in 76. Don't remember the game as I was only 5.

 

First game - Saints 1 Luton 2, September 1990, Lars Elstrup put them two up first half, but can't remember who got our consolation. Might have been MLT, but memory has totally failed me. (Must look it up in "In That Number" tonight) Saw my first win a couple of weeks later, 2-0 vs Sheffield Utd.

 

First away game was our 2-1 win at Forest in 1992 - great bit of smash and grab!

:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First experience of Saints was going into my sisters flat when at Southampton University, 4th floor over Dell Court, went to the window looked out over the Dell & that was that. Pestered my dad for weeks to take me! He finally gave in & took me 2nd October 1971 against Arsenal stood on the Archers Road end, we lost 1-0 & Bob Wilson dived to save as Hugh Fisher broke clear & unfortunately broke his leg, I distinctly remember Bob Wilson was distraught about it. Not a great start, but the first away was F**king great 1976 just after the Semi-final 1-0 Channon at krap notarf.

 

I remember that game too 'cos I was with my mum. Hugh Fisher just sat there and shouted to the bench "I've broken my leg". When he got no response he then shouted "I said I've broken my f***ing leg!" This was in the days when people didn't swear in front of women and a couple of blokes apologised to my mum on Hugh's behalf to which she said "If my leg looked like that I'd have been tempted to say the same" (to this day I've still never heard her swear and she's nearly 80 now).

 

As far as my first game was concerned, it was 1969 against QPR. We were 2-0 down at half time but won 3-2. The two things I remember were Mick Channon being laid out by a Ron Davies shot (and the game carried on for ages while he lay there), and the players coming out before the game whereupon I realised I was watching my first ever match in colour. I must have been a bit thick 'cos obviously the whole ground was in colour but I didn't notice until the players came out (but I was only 5).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First game I can vividly remember was Saints V Chelsea on 6th January 1968 as a 9 year old, we lost 5-3 with Forsyth, Jones, Hollywood, Gabriel, Webb, Walker, Paine, Chivers, Davies, Byrne (Judd), Channon in the team, one goal scored by Channon and 2 goals scored by Big Ron Davies unfortunately Chelsea got 5, but by then through thorough indoctrination I was an avid saints fan.

 

Remember my dad placing me in the corner of the Milton Road End and b*ggering off the East Stand for a few drinks with his Mates

 

Co incidentally Chelsea away was my first away game.

Edited by mcjwills
More memories of the day
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm jealous everyone can remember their first game in such detail. I don't know anything about my first Saints game, other than that it was at the Dell, and probably a pre-season friendly.

 

I do remember looking up at the roof during one of my first games at the Dell and thinking it was going to fall down due to it's age and rust. Also remember the toilets. That's about it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1/12/1984 (aged 7) away to Ipswich. My dad tried to get me the mascot job but it was not available so instead I got to meet the players before the match. Quite an unforgetable experience meeting Steve Moran, Mick Mills, Danny Wallace and a naked Peter Shilton (in the process of putting on his strides)! We won 1-0 with David Armstong scoring the winner. Been hooked ever since, despite it not always easy growing up a Saints fan in Cambridgeshire!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My first home game was Easter 1977. My Grandad was a season ticket holder in the West Stand, and he took me to watch Saints vs Cardiff. I was made up when my hero Micky Channon scored and done his windmill celebration in front of us. We were 3-0 up & eventually hung on for a 3-2 win

 

My first away game was August 1985. As a family we'd just moved to Huntingdon, we were away to Ipswich, so not far to travel. We drew 1-1

 

My first away game with the lads was 1989, FA Cup 5th Round at Liverpool. Brilliant day, totally hammered even though we lost 3-0

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was Sept 73 my second game having gone to home Norwich just a couple of days earlier! (see my post further above) Great Leeds team then included Harvey, Reany Hunter Bremner, J Charlton Yorath Lorimer Clarke, Jordan managed by the great Don Revie

 

Thanks for correcting the date Saint Without a Halo,my memory must be going with the old age.lol.

I do remember that Leeds team though and remember the FA Cup final when they beat Arsenal 1-0 with a Clarke header.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That goal scored by Heath, I was at my grans house in the kitchen when the goal went in. I was 10. Do not think I have an earlier memory of Saints than this, but I remember the FA Cup final Man U v Brighton 1983 so the year earlier than Saints Memory and the forst world cup I remember was 1986. So think I really started getting into football and remembering it from 1985 and started seriously supporting Saints in 1988/89 when I went to every home game at the age of 13.

 

It is quite interesting as my daughter is 9 and I am starting to lose heart as she says she supports Saints but also Arsenal and Man U. This really pees me off, as I would prefer her to support Cambridge or Stevenage (as we live in Royston) her local side if it is not going to be Saints. But perhaps I have a few years to get her hooked yet!! Also as we are on the up, it might be easier!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First game at The Dell I went to was Saints 0-4 Everton and Graham Sharpe scored ALL 4. I was in the bench seats in the east stand October 3rd 1987, and I was hooked. 3 months later I went to my second game a 0-2 home defeat by the blue few down the road, I did not understand why everyone was so angry!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Dad took me to a match when i was about 10 or 11 early 70s i can't tell you what match but i do remember him drinking with some of his friends under the west stand and me watching on ...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest flickjax

My first three games in early 80's were Saints res 4 Spurs res 5 (keegan scored in 1st minute), Saints 4 Rangers 2 and Saints 5 Coventry 5...... a good start, Saints were so entertaining back then :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I must be one of the few who have actually seen Saints play Accrington Stanley, it was my first game in the 59/60 promotion season, must have been about 5 at the time.

Under the West Stand, down at the front stood on a little wooden stool. A Draw I think.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My first game was Man u at home in 1969 aged 6. Sat on my grandad's lap in second row of centre west stand. Think we lost (5-2??) and pretty sure it was record attandance at Dell which is def 31,044. By age of 10 was going on my own and queing for turnstiles to open at Archers Road end, before moving on to the Milton a year or so later! Happy happy days

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1/12/1984 (aged 7) away to Ipswich. My dad tried to get me the mascot job but it was not available so instead I got to meet the players before the match. Quite an unforgetable experience meeting Steve Moran, Mick Mills, Danny Wallace and a naked Peter Shilton (in the process of putting on his strides)! We won 1-0 with David Armstong scoring the winner. Been hooked ever since, despite it not always easy growing up a Saints fan in Cambridgeshire!

 

What was his penis like?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...