Thirty Years' Ago Today

somerset · Apr 16, 2013

Early start from Brighton station, lots of drinks around Victoria, dash to Highbury, game won, plenty of terrace madness. sunshine, headache, back to Brighton. William Tell pub rammed, singing, home, couldn't sleep, bootiful.

Was not Was · Apr 16, 2013

In retrospect, it was a death trap. My feet didn't touch the ground for minutes at a time, it was so packed. But, yes, it was the most exhilarating Albion game ever for me.

Since1982 · Apr 16, 2013

Fantastic day. I recall leaving the ground and everybody asking who we had in the final - had to wait for someone with a portable radio to get the news from Villa Park -and we all thought rather Man U to come and have a go at us than Arsenal to sit back and defend. Great memories.

Box of Frogs · Apr 16, 2013

Giraffe said:
On the friday I went to school a happy sole, looking forward to listening to it on the radio.

I got home and my mum explained that a friend of their's daughter had chicken pox, I shrugged my shoulders. She then explained that therefore she couldn't use the ticket that her dad had got her for the semi final and would I like to go instead. Wooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo. Most exciting sleep of my life followed, and a brilliant experience the next day!

Sadly the bitch had recovered by the final and my dad was laid low with his back so never made the final.

But will never forget the sight of Highbury that day, the noise from the masses of yellow and blue. Incredible.

wolfie · Apr 16, 2013

Silverhatch said:
Newcastle 79 - utter Euphoria because we had arrived on English football's big stage
Highbury 83 - complete and undiluted happiness because we'd reached the Cup Final when it REALLY meant something to go to Wembley (a world famous football event)
Hereford - worst 90 minutes ever at a football match but BEST EVER feeling at the end (better than Newcastle & Highbury - it meant more imho)
Wembley 2013...

Funny how few people include Wembley 83 in their list - I really enjoyed the day, in a nervous sort of way, but it was a bit of an anticlimax compared to the SF at Highbury.

Couldn't Be Hyypia · Apr 16, 2013

Papa Lazarou said:
Liverpool away on the way to Wembley was a better away day for me, as it had a real tension about it, and Liverpool, especially in those days was a foreign country.

Agreed. We left the old Argus building at about 5am in the morning. Incredible day out. Lazer etched on my memory.

One of my abiding memories of the whole run was being allowed to bunk of lessons at BHASVIC (thanks Neil) to queue at The Goldstone ticket office for each game. I had a season ticket but you still had to queue.

JOLovegrove · Apr 16, 2013

Sounds like it was a great day. It would still be 10 years before I graced this Earth, however would love to think that there may be a few more date added to the list in the coming years.

Official Old Man · Apr 16, 2013

When the second goal went in I thought to myself I have to remember this moment. Rather than jumping and screaming I stood still and just looked at every face around me. It's an image I still have and a memory that will last forever. Thing is, that is all I remember of the game.

chucky1973 · Apr 16, 2013

was too young to drink (10) but remember the trip up in the old double decker bus and the signing......the moment Robinson scored will live long in my memory

portslade seagull · Apr 16, 2013

Papa Lazarou said:
Liverpool away on the way to Wembley was a better away day for me, as it had a real tension about it, and Liverpool, especially in those days was a foreign country.

And the M.Utd of the era beating all comers until that wonderful Sunday ... Also remember little scousers throwing stones at our van with there teenage mates egging them on, they didn't realise there was another 14 of us in the back with loads of empty cans which were then deposited in the road as we chased them off

gripper stebson · Apr 16, 2013

One of my families great stories comes from that day.

My Dad and Granddad (both now sadly departed) set off for the game and starting drinking straight away. My Granddad was driving unbelievably.

By the time game reached half time Granddad was so drunk he didn't know what he was doing. He headed into the concourse looking for more booze... thought the game had finished, wandered out of the ground and DROVE home!!!

My Dad was left in London and had to make his own way back and turned up in Seaford in the early hours! He was furious.

Miss you both fellas. x

Hiney · Apr 16, 2013

gripper stebson said:
One of my families great stories comes from that day.

My Dad and Granddad (both now sadly departed) set off for the game and starting drinking straight away. My Granddad was driving unbelievably.

By the time game reached half time Granddad was so drunk he didn't know what he was doing. He headed into the concourse looking for more booze... thought the game had finished, wandered out of the ground and DROVE home!!!

My Dad was left in London and had to make his own way back and turned up in Seaford in the early hours! He was furious.

Miss you both fellas. x

Amazing!

mel blyth · Apr 16, 2013

Sorry to jump on your thread but I really dont think anything today can match the feeling of all the old times (sound like an old git).I do feel sorry for younger fans who havnt experienced football in its heyday,the Goldstone derbies not the same anymore even when we beat you 5-0 in 2002 still not the same as the 70s when we might scrape a 1-0 win.Or lose every boxing day at the Goldstone Selhurst full with 52,000 agianst Burnley in 79 semi final 76 against Southampton.I try to explain to my 16 year old how its changed shame he will never have the same memories us older fans on both sides have.

Green Cross Code Man · Apr 16, 2013

gripper stebson said:
One of my families great stories comes from that day.

My Dad and Granddad (both now sadly departed) set off for the game and starting drinking straight away. My Granddad was driving unbelievably.

By the time game reached half time Granddad was so drunk he didn't know what he was doing. He headed into the concourse looking for more booze... thought the game had finished, wandered out of the ground and DROVE home!!!

My Dad was left in London and had to make his own way back and turned up in Seaford in the early hours! He was furious.

Miss you both fellas. x

Unbelievable!

Goldstone Rapper · Apr 16, 2013

Some images from the day....

I put the Jimmy Case image on my blog today. wanderbus identified himself as the chap holding the 'Case' sign behind the goal

Don Tmatter · Apr 16, 2013

Giraffe said:
On the friday I went to school a happy sole, looking forward to listening to it on the radio.

I got home and my mum explained that a friend of their's daughter had chicken pox,

Wouldnt that be your sister?

Birdie Boy · Apr 16, 2013

I was 14, mate I went with was probably 15 at the time. Not sure I would want to be sending my 14/15 year old kids to North London on their own going to a packed out Highbury but I am bloody glad my parents did! Awesome day. Got a bit panicky early on with the heat, woman next to me near the front fainted and being a short arse I was getting little air but we managed to make our way to the back and sat on top of the wall.

Giraffe · Apr 16, 2013

Box of Frogs said:

The joy of typing too quickly

Giraffe · Apr 16, 2013

Don Tmatter said:
Wouldnt that be your sister?

I meant a friend of my mum and dad's had a daughter who got chicken pox. If that clarifies the position.

So many pedantic people on here today

Goldstone Rapper · Apr 16, 2013

Some more images from this famous day....

Lovely close up of the Albion badge there...

If only I was old enough at the time!

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