Aaahhh! The memories come flooding back at this time of the year: Rochdale (4-0) in 77/78 was special for a young un like me, as was Halifax the year after (4-2). Then came the gut-wrenching 3-0 defeat at home to the Owls. 1980/81 and we lost 2-1 at home to Portsmouth - the day Trevor Aylott was substituted and he threw his shirt at the dugout - who would have thought we would have gone up that year? We only won 2 of our first five games! 1996/97 and we won 2-1 at The Hawthorns. Incidentally; when we were promoted in 78/79. 80/81 and 96/97 the away side has scored two goals.... Ok, ok, i know we beat Swindon 2-0 last year but Play Off's don't count (ahem!). AAhhh the memories though - the expectation etc. The furore after a first day win, and the disppointment after a defeat.....
Now that was a shock in itself - Spud taking a penalty. I think everyone expected Brian Joicey to take it. The next home game against Newport Spud took another penalty but hit the bar - he hit it so hard the ball didn't land on the ground until just before the halfway line. Talking of Spud murphy - now there's a rare commodity; a bloke who stays at one club for yonks!
A great servant for the club. Paid peanuts and had his big night ruined by the weather. Just over 3000 there. He probably got enough money for a half decent second hand car.
I think there were quite a few Blades fans in the Ponty that evening too?? With regards to Spackman; if he gets the same result tomorrow for Millwall he'll get lynched
My favorite opening day game was in 1981. Just promoted, no new players signed, we win 4-0 and go on to finish 6th that season and give the European Champions the fright of their lives in the League Cup.
After weeks of waiting and anticipation it's either brilliant or a complete wash out, if you lose the first game its bleeding awful, heres to a win to morrow
1981/82 season.... In my honest opinion - the best. I think i miseed two games, home and away.... 4-0 at home to Shrewsbury. 0-0 at Anfield, and following on from the Cup run the previous season - now i come to mention it, that was a blinding year too!
RE: 1981/82 season.... 1980/81 Portsmouth at home and Trevor Aylott throwing his shirt in the dugout after being substituted.
WBA away, great start to a brilliant season, hot day, shorts and shades, heres hoping for similar to morrow
