Memory Lane The LDV Vans Trophy Finals

[Southampton Shrimper]

The first final against Blackpool, about halfway through the first half it was I think, and people started singing "Stand up if you love Southend!". So we did. And then the realisation that you were surrounded by 20,000 other people all standing up, singing along and showing the love for Southend United. There was such a chill that went through me, it was an emotional moment. That song has been sung at just about every single game I have been to since. Sometimes people stand, sometimes they don't, but it has never, ever felt as special as it did that day.

 

[Ricey]

Was anyone or do you know anyone who got messed around by the flight from Southend for the first game? The flight from Southend airport that they fuelled up too much and it couldn't take everyone? My girlfriend at the time and her Dad were due on that as he had a box there. He missed it, they asked me to come but I said no I wanted to go with my Dad. So glad I chose to as they missed that game.

 

[Smudger]

First final. The memory of driving down the M4 with so many cars, vans and coaches decked out. Remember pulling into services past Reading and seeing loads of coaches and fans milling about. In a way glad we lost as I had to speed back to Heathrow to fly out to Asia. Memorable day out though.

Are you heading back for the game ORM? If so, kudos mate....

 

[Bolton Shrimper]

Can't believe we are doing 3 LDV/JPT's in less than 10 years. It just gets better.............3rd time lucky anyone !!!

 

[silentshrimper]

I just remember walking into the stadium and thinking 'Wow', footballing wise I can't remember a thing!!

 

[solihullshrimper]

Sunburn in a cafe outside the stadium, drew's white boots (previosly mentioned). The team coming out to flames and being abused when heading out after the third goal. -probablyhampton a nippy blackpool winger?. Mixed my years up

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Sunburn in a cafe outside the stadium, drew's white boots (previosly mentioned). The team coming out to flames and being abused when heading out after the third goal. -probablyhampton a nippy blackpool winger?. Mixed my years up

Third goal?

 

[dan_mays]

Fantastic atmosphere by the thousands of us shrimpers who turned out made them both very exciting in the build up.

Against Blackpool we were awful and we went into the Wrexham game thinking we stood a very good chance and come away deflated.

Some very poor performance in both from some of our best players that was the most disappointing thing!!!

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Was anyone or do you know anyone who got messed around by the flight from Southend for the first game? The flight from Southend airport that they fuelled up too much and it couldn't take everyone? My girlfriend at the time and her Dad were due on that as he had a box there. He missed it, they asked me to come but I said no I wanted to go with my Dad. So glad I chose to as they missed that game.

I thought the plane had to make 2 journeys and those on the 2nd journey made it by half time?

 

[solihullshrimper]

Predictive Text..... I will try again.
:blush:
Sunburn in a cafe outside the stadium, drew's white boots (previously mentioned). The team coming out to flames and being abused when heading out after the last goal. -probably beefy, do remember a nippy blackpool winger?. Mixed my years up

 

[davewebbsbrain]

We played sh*t in both games thats all I can really remember.

Totally this

 

[PrawNZ]

Our posse went to see if Charlotte Church was 'aving it in her ma's pub. We weren't disappointed, Charlotte wasn't there but Maureene from Driving School was eating her lunch so we abused her instead ha ha. Best nights out on the lash i've had in any UK city, either that or the class a's are particularly good there!

 

[Beefy]

That is something of a plus for Cardiff over Wembley - being able to go up there the night before and make a real weekend out of it. I remember being in the Reflex (where else?!) in Cardiff the night before the Wrexham game and it being full of Southend fans. Great times.

 

[* ORM *]

Are you heading back for the game ORM? If so, kudos mate....

Was still living here at the time. Only moved out last Jan. arrived back on Sat just in time to witness the fun on Monday. Kudos to the two that we know of coming from Aus. That's almost a 24 hour flight. Mine was just 12-1/2 and I'm back 3 times a year.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

That is something of a plus for Cardiff over Wembley - being able to go up there the night before and make a real weekend out of it. I remember being in the Reflex (where else?!) in Cardiff the night before the Wrexham game and it being full of Southend fans. Great times.

I don't remember being in Reflex in Cardiff before the Wrexham game.

 

[Napster]

I don't remember being in Reflex in Cardiff before the Wrexham game.

The Blackpool game I do.

 

[Mad Cyril]

I was so drunk for the first LDV vans final I barely remember anything about it.

 

[shrimperton]

I remember being on the train coming home after a **** performance, got stuck on an hill for an hour then nearly 3 hours later we pulled into Rugby train station, it would appear we were dropping train staff off, nearly 6 hours to get home on the train......................worst journey ever!!

 

[Beefy]

I don't remember being in Reflex in Cardiff before the Wrexham game.

Ha! I see what you did there.

I only stayed up for the weekend for the Wrexham game. For Blackpool I got a train up that morning. Whilst standing at Reading station for my train for the one and only time in my life a pigeon crapped on me, right on the SUFC badge of my hat. I knew then that this was not going to be our day.

 

[fishpaste]

Stayed in Cardiff for the Blackpool game with my daughter,We drowned our sorrows in the city before returning to the hotel a little worse for wear.Upon arrival at the Hotel dressed in shirt and scarf and with large blue flag.Standing at the bar were the match officials -despite my daughters gallant attempt to stop me I made a bee-line for the Ref.His first words were "I thought it was offside too-It was his fault(pointing to the offending linesman) have you seen the replay he asked Yes I said and I still think it was offside.So do I Sorry!!Later I had to go and apologise for approaching them-they all said that if it were their team they would have felt the same and never mind you will be back next year ( as if !!)