by Elm Park Old Boy »
02 Jan 2009 23:20
This sure is a thread to make us all misty-eyed.
For me, some stand-outs:
-queuing from about 10 am to get in to the cup game against Arsenal in (?) 72, when we lost 2-1, having got all the goals. Us mid-table Div 4, Arsenal still I think Double holders. Charlie Hurley said hello on his way in
- taking my son (aged about nine months) to his first game against Bournemouth in 2001. 3-3, Defoe got 2, and young Sam burst into tears when Kingsley came over to say hello
- losing in extra time at the Millennium play-off final, my two daughters cried and it took us half the night to get home.
- first Prem game was unforgettable
- as was tonking West Ham 6-0
- taking my new girlfriend to Elm Park in early 1998 (I think January, against Bury) for her first exposure to the mighty (and soon to be relegated) Royals. We stood (in acres of space) in the Tilehurst End and listened to three old gits slag off Darren Caskey ('ee's a nice enough lad, but ee's not too bright'). Cue Caskey goal. Silence for a minute or two, then one of the guys in front said 'Well I've seen it all now, Caskey scorin''. Still gets a laugh in our household.
- clinching promotion at Brentford (when I sat silently among the home fans, but later enjoyed the Fullers ales in a Thameside pub) also unforgettable
- coming home from several games in 05-06 with my then 5 year old son singing 'we are unbeatbale' most of the way back to London
- watching Reading v Southport on the north bank, stupidly wearing my school scarf (black and orange - Brakenhale in Bracknell) and getting menaced by some Reading (ahem) 'hardnuts', who remained convinced I was a 'Southport oxf*rd' until convinced by my train ticket back to Bracknell!
- Selhurst Park in early 06, singing 'if Johnson plays for England so can I'. Johnson scored and gave it large in front of the Reading fans who responded in kind. Cue Harper's prompt equaliser and truly raucous chants of 'That's why we're top of the league' Magic.