Tweet
On the eve of probably our most important game for years, I was reflecting on the roller coaster that it has been being a Hoop.
i think my first game was in the 1956/7 season -a night home match against Aldershot. Jack Taylor was manager and a young Ron Springett in goal.
As a modest club the height of our ambtion was remaining in the old Divsion 3South.
Our fortunes changed when Jim Gregory became chairman ( after a 1-1 League Cup game at Aldershot (again). Alec Stock took us to League Cup glory and successive promotions to the First Divsion. Later Gordon Jago ( much underrated manager) laid the foundations of the fanastic Sexton team. Subsequently, both Venables and Francis did us proubd as managers.
Too many to merntion, but the great moments for me were, the Wembley win , the Highbury FA cup semi final, divsion 2 champions by 10 points, so unlucky in the FA cup final replay ( still can't see why Mickelwhite's goal was ruled out), the agony of Wolves failing to beat Liverpool after we some how failed to handle Norwich and my particular worst, the penalty shoot- out in Athens when victory would have given us Juve in the UEFA semis.
Tomorow will be one of those games which will rank with these others. I can't decide whether I am excited or apprehensive. The Bookies say we are home and hosed- thank goodness for Bookies.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
i think my first game was in the 1956/7 season -a night home match against Aldershot. Jack Taylor was manager and a young Ron Springett in goal.
As a modest club the height of our ambtion was remaining in the old Divsion 3South.
Our fortunes changed when Jim Gregory became chairman ( after a 1-1 League Cup game at Aldershot (again). Alec Stock took us to League Cup glory and successive promotions to the First Divsion. Later Gordon Jago ( much underrated manager) laid the foundations of the fanastic Sexton team. Subsequently, both Venables and Francis did us proubd as managers.
Too many to merntion, but the great moments for me were, the Wembley win , the Highbury FA cup semi final, divsion 2 champions by 10 points, so unlucky in the FA cup final replay ( still can't see why Mickelwhite's goal was ruled out), the agony of Wolves failing to beat Liverpool after we some how failed to handle Norwich and my particular worst, the penalty shoot- out in Athens when victory would have given us Juve in the UEFA semis.
Tomorow will be one of those games which will rank with these others. I can't decide whether I am excited or apprehensive. The Bookies say we are home and hosed- thank goodness for Bookies.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Comment