Inspired by the BBC RB podcast interviews that Adie has been doing I've been looking back at past seasons and thought it was worth having a thread about it.
To start here's the games i saw in 2002-2003 which is where it all began for me in terms of watching games (apart from the odd TV game over the previous 7 years and some games which i'd listened to, Gillingham and Colchester spring to mind, BBC Essex covered the latter's games).
13th August Sheff Weds H 2-1
- watched on TV at mate's. Cureton got the headlines with his two goals but I remember Shorey oozing class.
27th August Burnley H 3-0 - My first ever game
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Brilliant from Curo, 2 goals and an assist including his lob over the keeper at the end. In the season review Pardew talks about how fans shouldn't have left early, remember some in our row that did just that. Joined in the chants of Cureton what a bargain etc at the end which he acknowledged, remember he looked straight at me,
9th November Gillingham A 1-0
- Never got to a game at Elm Park but I've always thought that Priestfield is similar to EP, open air terrace, ground situated amongst houses. The parking was always a problem, nowadays I just get the train if go to a game (which hasn't been for a few years now). Had forgotten that Rougier scored the goal! I was in the home end (to the right of the away end) and Gills fans hurled abuse at Forster, I know he moved from Gillingham to Brentford but I don't know what their beef with him was. We had a similar move to the goal earlier in the half which was cleared away, just as well we didn't score as I was just about to jump up which would have got me kicked out! Upson was class, got worried when he went off injured but Mackie deputised well. It was noticeable how we dropped deeper after he went off though, presumably because Mackie didn't have Upson's pace? We looked a good team that day, prior to Upson's departure I think we were in control.
10th Feb Gillingham H 2-1 - Watched on TV at mate's. Had forgotten Sidwell had a penalty saved. Thought we were lucky to win at the time. It was interesting to see the Gillingham lineup and notice how many players I had completely forgotten about.
5th March Norwich A 1-0
Again watched at mate's. Won with an own goal.
Good Friday 18th April Nottm Forest 1-0
Went to a bar in Canterbury (which no longer exists) with mate to watch this. They were showing rugby league and refused to switch it over. Then another fan came in with his mates and all of a sudden they did! Spent the game chatting away to him, there must have been another fan who arrived later as when the goal went in a cheer went up at the back of the bar.
Playoffs 10th May Wolves A 1-2
14th May Wolves H 0-1
- Watched both at mate's. When we scored up at Molineux must admit I did start to get carried away. Even after Forster went off injured at worst I thought we'd get a draw in that game, so to lose the tie 3-1 after that was disappointing... I think it was the home game when the cameras showed Mrs Butler and her sister Curo's No 1 fan with their flag. Whatever happened to them? Do they still post on here?
Don't think at the time I properly appreciated how good that season was. With hindsight it's one of my favourite seasons, crazy set of results, automatic promotion winning form up until the playoffs
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Got some luck though as was out with mates for the Brighton home game which was also on Sky but wasn't in a pub that was showing the game but another mate was. Think I may have ended up there later but the game had finished by then, so my winning run wasn't ruined!
I was sure i'd seen Upson in a TV game (initially thought Norwich but that was months after he left) but i'm assuming we didn't actually have any televised games during his loan spell?
Here's the season review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8NTa6_bxxI&t=936sAny other memories of that season?