canveyshrimper
R.I.P
With the imminent return to the North Bank, albeit for two games I thought I'd share a few memories with you, while I still have them that is. Firstly though a big well done to Smiffy, TrueBlue and all the others who have worked hard to achieve this. :clap:
From the first day I stepped into Roots Hall as an impressionable 10 year old, and stood precariously on my milk crate in the front of the West Stand, it was a long held ambition to stand on the North Bank and cheer our heroes on. However I wasn't allowed to games on my own and accompanied my grandad and uncle to most matches. Once I reached the age of 14 I was allowed to go to matches with my school mates, as long as the appropriate adult took us home. In those days you could walk round from North to South to watch at whichever end Blues were kicking into. Unless it was ****ing down and then it was wise to stay under cover.
I remember the first game I stood on the North Bank it was against Port Vale on 14th October 1966 we won 4-1 in front of 12609 with two goals from Eddie Firmani and one each from John Baber & Tony Beanland. (Thanks to SUFCDB for filling in the blanks). The noise from the assembled multitudes was incredible as they sang words to Molly Malone and hammered on the corrugated iron at the back of the stand. It was the only place to me as a Blues fan to stand and it remained so for over twenty years, before becoming an exile, and on my return the stand had been given over to away fans. Now I get my fix from the splendour of the East Blacks.
So many memories, watching us crush minnows King's Lynn & Brentwood 9-0 and 10-1 respectively in 1968. Billy Best in his pomp, Clayton, Chisnall & Chico Hamilton.
So many memories, the Aston Villa cup game when the Villa fans charged from the South Bank across the pitch, to be met by the denizens of the North Bank to scatter them back to the South.
The promotion party in 1972. The Chelsea cup match the same year. Bill Garner playing so well he was transferred to Chelsea a few days later.
Despair at relegations, joy at bouncing back with promotion seasons. The brilliant season under Dave Smith when we were undefeated in the league at fortress Roots Hall, winning 19 out of 23 league games. More despair and joy as we yo-yoed between 3rd and 4th. Until David Webb took us into the promised land of division 2 something we'd dreamed about but thought we'd never aspire to.
But overall it's also about friendships and if you like the SUFC family. The banter and discussions we had in quiet moments, such as:
How does one go about artificially inseminating pandas?
How can you stop beagles from smoking?
When Firestorm took us through the intricacies of the contents of his first borns nappies, and how the contents had the colour and consistency of Piccallilli. (I've never eaten it since). :puke
The arrival of future generations, like the young Welham armed with box.
The great friends such as John's Welham & Wheatley, Graham Houghton and others who are no longer with us. Others such as the late Keith (Gus) Summers, who under the influence of alcohol collapsed in the North Bank bogs, a place so insanitary you didn't venture in unless the visit was absolutely necessary.
Enjoy the moments against Yeovil and Stockport and I hope you take as many memories away as I have.
UTB
Harry
From the first day I stepped into Roots Hall as an impressionable 10 year old, and stood precariously on my milk crate in the front of the West Stand, it was a long held ambition to stand on the North Bank and cheer our heroes on. However I wasn't allowed to games on my own and accompanied my grandad and uncle to most matches. Once I reached the age of 14 I was allowed to go to matches with my school mates, as long as the appropriate adult took us home. In those days you could walk round from North to South to watch at whichever end Blues were kicking into. Unless it was ****ing down and then it was wise to stay under cover.
I remember the first game I stood on the North Bank it was against Port Vale on 14th October 1966 we won 4-1 in front of 12609 with two goals from Eddie Firmani and one each from John Baber & Tony Beanland. (Thanks to SUFCDB for filling in the blanks). The noise from the assembled multitudes was incredible as they sang words to Molly Malone and hammered on the corrugated iron at the back of the stand. It was the only place to me as a Blues fan to stand and it remained so for over twenty years, before becoming an exile, and on my return the stand had been given over to away fans. Now I get my fix from the splendour of the East Blacks.
So many memories, watching us crush minnows King's Lynn & Brentwood 9-0 and 10-1 respectively in 1968. Billy Best in his pomp, Clayton, Chisnall & Chico Hamilton.
So many memories, the Aston Villa cup game when the Villa fans charged from the South Bank across the pitch, to be met by the denizens of the North Bank to scatter them back to the South.
The promotion party in 1972. The Chelsea cup match the same year. Bill Garner playing so well he was transferred to Chelsea a few days later.
Despair at relegations, joy at bouncing back with promotion seasons. The brilliant season under Dave Smith when we were undefeated in the league at fortress Roots Hall, winning 19 out of 23 league games. More despair and joy as we yo-yoed between 3rd and 4th. Until David Webb took us into the promised land of division 2 something we'd dreamed about but thought we'd never aspire to.
But overall it's also about friendships and if you like the SUFC family. The banter and discussions we had in quiet moments, such as:
How does one go about artificially inseminating pandas?
How can you stop beagles from smoking?
When Firestorm took us through the intricacies of the contents of his first borns nappies, and how the contents had the colour and consistency of Piccallilli. (I've never eaten it since). :puke
The arrival of future generations, like the young Welham armed with box.
The great friends such as John's Welham & Wheatley, Graham Houghton and others who are no longer with us. Others such as the late Keith (Gus) Summers, who under the influence of alcohol collapsed in the North Bank bogs, a place so insanitary you didn't venture in unless the visit was absolutely necessary.
Enjoy the moments against Yeovil and Stockport and I hope you take as many memories away as I have.
UTB
Harry
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