by Victor Meldrew »
12 Jun 2010 12:29
Tazewell Royal My grandparents, from Weston Super Mare were staying with our family and Reading had an evening friendly at Elm Park that Grandpa took me to. No idea how long ago that was now, must have been the late 1950's I think. We stood at the Town End on the terrace.
It was against a Nigeria XI and my strongest memory of it is that only one of the opposition wore boots, the rest made do with some kind of strapping around their instep and ankles. The result IIRC was 3-2 to Reading.
Having caught the bug I then went several times with my pal and his Dad across the road. Felt like a toff as they went in the stands.
After my Father's death my mum moved the family to west Reading in late 1959, Wantage Road to be precise. What a pleasure, walked out of our house at 2.55 to take my place on either the Tilehurst End or South Bank in time for kick-off.
Spent many happy Saturday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, kick off being 7.15pm in those days, with my buddy BR2 and our other mates.
In what year did we start taking a half-time apple?
Pete's mate David still thinks it odd as old habits die hard.
Can you still remember Denis Allen's car registration?
Wasn't it ORV something?