On This Day

[themwasthedays]

Yes, I was definitely there & still have the programme (in fact I have all my programmes from Dec 1965 onwards). I did write a description of the goal (of sorts)'when I wrote my book about 25 years ago, but even then the actual details were a bit fuzzy round the edges. Nowadays all I can remember is the turn and shot into the roof of the net & Clive Thomas with his hands on his head (I recall telling someone next to me to look at the ref). I still tell people that it is and always will be the best goal I've seen. 'thatmanfriday'!!

[grey_squirrel]

I think the whole board can agree, the mid to late 70s were the best ever days to support RFC.

1978-79 was magic - particularly this time of season with the three local derbys at easter and Steve Death's amazing run.

Yeah, I loved that season - like the first hit of a drug that turns you into an addict, or the big win with your first bet that hooks you for life.

A back four of Gary Peters, Mark White, Martin Hicks & Steve Hetzke stopping everything - and the latter moving up front and getting the goals that too us to promotion. Lawrie Sanchez breaking through, Richie Bowman buzzing around midfield - and the South Bank singing "One Goal Behind" when we inevitably scored first.

I completely forgot about Hetzke’s forays upfront. What a Plan B that often was. It visibly bamboozled the oppositions defence and was almost always successful.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

1978-79 was magic - particularly this time of season with the three local derbys at easter and Steve Death's amazing run.

Yeah, I loved that season - like the first hit of a drug that turns you into an addict, or the big win with your first bet that hooks you for life.

A back four of Gary Peters, Mark White, Martin Hicks & Steve Hetzke stopping everything - and the latter moving up front and getting the goals that too us to promotion. Lawrie Sanchez breaking through, Richie Bowman buzzing around midfield - and the South Bank singing "One Goal Behind" when we inevitably scored first.

I completely forgot about Hetzke’s forays upfront. What a Plan B that often was. It visibly bamboozled the oppositions defence and was almost always successful.

Yep Hetzke scored a few goals that season playing up front, one memorable one in the league cup 3rd round V Rotherham which set up the Saints tie. Paul Bennett was the other main defender alongside Hicksey.....I think the back 4 and Death only missed a couple of games between them all season.

[Ark Royal]

Appearances that season for the defence were nuts: Death 46/46, Peters 45/46, Bennett 45/46, Hicks 46/46, White 46/46. They also all appeared in the eleven cup ties that season.

[Jackson Corner]

Appearances that season for the defence were nuts: Death 46/46, Peters 45/46, Bennett 45/46, Hicks 46/46, White 46/46. They also all appeared in the eleven cup ties that season.

That seems ridiculous now. There was probably only 15 In the entire squad. That was my very first season of watching Reading, and it was brilliant. Of course I made the mistake of thinking it was like this all the time. Until my granddad reminded me that was the first title we won for 50 years!

[Ark Royal]

Appearances that season for the defence were nuts: Death 46/46, Peters 45/46, Bennett 45/46, Hicks 46/46, White 46/46. They also all appeared in the eleven cup ties that season.

That seems ridiculous now. There was probably only 15 In the entire squad. That was my very first season of watching Reading, and it was brilliant. Of course I made the mistake of thinking it was like this all the time. Until my granddad reminded me that was the first title we won for 50 years!

Seventeen players in total, but two of those - Martyn Britten and Jerry Williams - only made a single appearence each. Others: John Alexander 16/46, Richie Bowman 34/46, Pat Earles 39/46, Steve Hetzke 42/46, Mike Kearney 33/46, Ollie Kearns 27/46, Alan Lewis 40/46, Lawrie Sanchez 39/46, George Shipley (loan) 12/46, Wayne Wnaklyn 13/46.

[9165]

78/9 was my first 'proper' season too. Went with the neighbours for Doncaster in September and was hooked. Highlights were 5-1 Northampton at home ( pretty sure it was on Southern telly - anyone got it?) in February and Pompey and Aldershot over Easter (both 4-0 but I may be wrong). We seemed to win every week! Those were indeed the days!

[Who Moved The Goalposts?]

I was there too, behind the Tilehurst end goal where it was scored ( Franchise- where is he these days? - and Carnaby’s Whiskers were with me). Description above correct, but I would say he was more central than “ towards the left touchline”.

yep, about in line with the left edge of the box I'd say.

I definitely had you confused with someone else, because there was no way you were there if I was right.

Congrats, I thought you were about 25 years younger than the youngest you can be.

Lol. I was 12 years old when this game came around. Went with my Dad and stood at the Tilehurst End, as he always did because he had his favourite crash bar to lean on so we always got there early to secure it.

[Ark Royal]

78/9 was my first 'proper' season too. Went with the neighbours for Doncaster in September and was hooked. Highlights were 5-1 Northampton at home ( pretty sure it was on Southern telly - anyone got it?) in February and Pompey and Aldershot over Easter (both 4-0 but I may be wrong). We seemed to win every week! Those were indeed the days!

We beat Pompey 2-0 on Good Friday, drew 0-0 away to Bournemouth on the Saturday, beat Aldersh*t 4-0 on Easter Monday. BTW, 78/79 was the last season where the English leagues had three games over the four days of Easter.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

78/9 was my first 'proper' season too. Went with the neighbours for Doncaster in September and was hooked. Highlights were 5-1 Northampton at home ( pretty sure it was on Southern telly - anyone got it?) in February and Pompey and Aldershot over Easter (both 4-0 but I may be wrong). We seemed to win every week! Those were indeed the days!

We beat Pompey 2-0 on Good Friday, drew 0-0 away to Bournemouth on the Saturday, beat Aldersh*t 4-0 on Easter Monday. BTW, 78/79 was the last season where the English leagues had three games over the four days of Easter.

My first season of going regularly at home as well, and my first away was the League Cup 4th round replay at The Dell.

Can still remember George Shipley's finish V Pompey on Good Friday and Steve Hetzke's header for the 4th V Aldersh*t on Easter Monday.

[themwasthedays]

I also watched it from the South Bank,although I was still calling it 'Under the Clock' at times. Can anyone recall when we first started calling it the South Bank?

[Carnabyswhiskers]

I also watched it from the South Bank,although I was still calling it 'Under the Clock' at times. Can anyone recall when we first started calling it the South Bank?

Saw my first game in September 1969 and it was definitely The South Bank then. From memory the transfer into either the Tilehurst Rd or Town End was 1d, at a time when a (proper, three-course meal sized) Mars Bar was 2d. I wasn't old enough at the time to find out the price of a pint at the Spread.

[Para Handy]

Never quite understood the thing about people claiming to be at the Tranmere game.

I was in the Town End, so behind Robin when he scored. My memory is he was closer to the Southbank. Definitely left side facing the Tilehurst road.
So many good memories of Robin ☹️
When I was a kid you used be able to hear the players when they were warming up. Always remember Robin scratching his bollox and shouting "itchy nuts, boys" or running down Norfolk Road, 10 minutes before kick off with his boots around his neck and laughing as he shouted "alright lads"

[Hendo]

Jeez 21 (Twenty-One) years ago today - https://x.com/danmarkgreen83/status/1907624805093843441