Earliest WC memory

[MmmMonsterMunch]

My stand out memory is Gazza getting booked in the '90 semi final & crying his eyes out

I actually gave a toss back then & I was absolutely heartbroken.

[TBM]

86 for me but didn't see many games so 90 for every game

[multisync1830]

Gordon banks, peter Bonetti gert Muller , Jairzinho

[Winchester Royal]

94 for me, I was in the Cubs and we made this thing that I suppose was a bit like Alan Partridge's World cup 'Soccermeter'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsQpWBSjVzI.

I don't actually remember any of the football, because I was 8 and more interested in Lego and playing in the woods.

First real memory of the actual football was 1998 v Argentina. My sister's school had some production on that day for some unknown reason, so I saw the second half, extra time and the penalties.

[Whatevs]

My earliest WC memory is the Brazil v Italy 1982 game. I was playing with my lego in front of the telly (i was 28*)

*#lazycomedyslag

[Mr Angry]

1970 for me; I had started going to Elm Park regularly the previous season so was just really getting into football.

The Pele dummy against Uruguay

England blowing it v West Germany (and kids in the playground doing a "Bonetti" for ages afterwards - basically, diving over the ball and missing it entirely)

Being really upset at Brazil winning (I have Italian relatives).

[Sutekh]

1974 and Scotland thrashing Zaire 2-0

[watfordroyal]

A little of West Germany 74,

but was all over Argentina 78, staying up late to see Argentina gub a bribed Peru, trying to be Arie Haan on playing field!
Of course living in Scotland - having big lols with the locals! Even went to Hampden for the home international "We're gonna win the world cup" send off!
Good old Stevie Coppell

[Royal Biscuitman]

Mexico '86, tv quality was as you'd expect in those days..... I wasn't really into football but I remember the mascot.

USA '94 was the tournament I was most into on account of being a student and it being Summer hols, I watched most of the games and really got into it despite England not having qualified.

[Sutekh]

I had a Panini album for 1978 but can't remember anything of the tournament.

First proper footballing memory is Bryan Robson scoring against France after 27 seconds in 1982.

Believe the Panini 78 World Cup album is worth about £150 now if it's in good condition and no writing etc.

Also those were the days when the sticker collections were so much better than today's standardised all looking the same over branded flash adverts.

[USA_Loyal_Royal]

probably 98. i was 3 in 94, and i vaguely remember watching a match played by italy and some other nation. i remember asking my dad why they pass it back so often, why dont they go forward more.

[From Despair To Where?]

I had a Panini album for 1978 but can't remember anything of the tournament.

First proper footballing memory is Bryan Robson scoring against France after 27 seconds in 1982.

Believe the Panini 78 World Cup album is worth about £150 now if it's in good condition and no writing etc.

Also those were the days when the sticker collections were so much better than today's standardised all looking the same over branded flash adverts.

I was 7. It stopped being in good condition about 4 seconds after I got my hands on it.

You are right though, the pictures were so much more individual.

[Franchise FC]

70 for me
The best team I've ever seen in Brazil
The best World Cup finals goal (the 4th in the final) and I've had the absolute pleasure of meeting the scorer

[AthleticoSpizz]

The

Boom boom boom boom Esso Blue adverts

[Flyingkiwi]

78 for me. I've liked watching the Dutch ever since.

(I'm sure I would have been aware of earlier tournaments, particularly 74, as I was a football-crazed kid. But 78 is the one I have my first clear memories of)

82 was probably the first I stayed up late to watch the games for as my family had just shifted to NZ and it was their first appearance.

[Jackson Corner]

74 I remember asking my dad why were England not in it. "Becouse there shit son" Nothing's changed.

[Millsy]

Mexico 86

Mehico mehico ra ra ra!

Got the stickers and everything.

I miss those days

[KC Royal]

probably 98. i was 3 in 94, and i vaguely remember watching a match played by italy and some other nation. i remember asking my dad why they pass it back so often, why dont they go forward more.

Similar to me, except I was a fair bit older! My first game was Italy v Ireland in 94 purely to see what all the fuss was about with the World Cup, despite not being interested in football at the time. For some reason I don't remember Italia 90 at all, quite young at the time but still old enough to have been aware of England's run at the very least. Anyway, Ireland were already 1-0 up when I switched on and I gave up after about 15 minutes out of sheer boredom. Of course if i'd have known then what I know now I wouldn't have bothered to watch any of it after seeing the score! Surprisingly it didn't put me off football as I became interested the following year, and went to England-Brazil at Wembley. The only other memory I have of USA 94 is hearing on the news bulletin on the radio that Brazil had won the final on penalties.

France 98 was the first WC I got into. I'd say this is the first one since that I've properly looked forward to, probably helped by the fact that this is the first time since 98 that Reading haven't had a successful season.

[Stooper]

Ray Houghton for me.

[Zip]

I had one of those Esso WC books for Mexico 70. It had Bobby Moore on the front held aloft by his team mates triumphant at Wembley in 66. He had a beaming smile. I collected all the player pics for that tournament. I wanted to be Bobby. My first sporting hero.
Still rankles how badly he was treated by the FA.