[Football] Memories of Withdean

[dejavuatbtn]

A director’s lounge in a kindergarten seemed so appropriate at the time.

 

[CorgiRegisteredFriend]

We lost to Southampton at Withdean on the evening of 9/11, ie 11/9/01

Was the most surreal match I have ever been to. It didn’t seem to be right to be playing but was totally right.

 

[Mr Banana]

Still dont get why the prawns in the north started shouting off - spoil sports - everyone was celebrating for 5 mins then we’re gonna get off for the lap - think I was one of the very very few invading the pitch from the north that night

I had a ****ton of personal nonsense going on at the time and basically gave up on the Albion, but a mate kindly gave me his season ticket in the north stand for the second half of the season for some reason, so you weren't alone.

"Please stay off the pitch" from P4SAM still makes me laugh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTw3a_Fa7YY

 

[Deleted member 2719]

Withdean Screamer.

The great thing about the screamer was there was only one to my knowledge.

Does anyone know whether the screamer has been producing off spring? We seem to have swathes of screamers now.

 

[Raphael Meade]

We lost to Southampton at Withdean on the evening of 9/11, ie 11/9/01

Definitely the strangest Albion game I've attended. Awful game too if I remember, getting hammered in the league cup?

 

[Dick Swiveller]

Just going through my old documents and found this - the assembled crew ready to pour water over Des Lynam.

 

[Barham's tash]

For all seasons bar the final two when I couldn’t afford to go sat in the back row of D block in the south stand first 3 seats next to the stairwell which meant we were able to wedge a huge golf umbrella down the back of the scaffolding to avoid the weekly soakings.

The bloke 3 rows in front to our left who celebrated every time the ball went into the hammer net.

Shoehorning into the tiny outside space at the Sportsman and getting in what felt like ten pints pre game in plastic pint glasses but remaining convinced this in no way contributed to my somewhat fruity and noisy language during the first 25 minutes of every game and then running the gauntlet of whether to break the seal on the way to your seat which then meant engaging in a run to the portacabin toilets as the ref out the whistle to his lips for half time in something that resembled the cheese rolling competition in Gloucestershire.

 

[junior]

I used to love giving the opposition abuse down on the running track. Doubt there was any other ground where so many people could gather behind the dugout and scream abuse at an opposition manager. There's many reasons why Withdeam was a difficult place for teams to come, but this must be one of them. I remember many an opposition substitute or coach turning round in disbelief at the amout of vitriol they were getting.
We also used to have a little game with the stewards who would start trying to move you along. I'm sure i perfected the 'look like you're moving but don't actually go anywhere' walk.

Jeez i really miss Withdean.

 

[SittingbourneSeagull]

Pretty sure you're right.

Crap game, poured down, Mayo scored a very late winner at the H/J Block end.

Against Derby County?

 

[Frutos]

Against Derby County?

Yep.

 

[zefarelly]

Was the most surreal match I have ever been to. It didn’t seem to be right to be playing but was totally right.

It was very strange. I worked for a US Co at the time, so got the immediate US reaction via work.

In cell block D that evening I was sat next to old mate 'Little Rich' who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald. They lost a lot that day. He was stunned to say the least.

 

[zamora the merrier]

For all seasons bar the final two when I couldn’t afford to go sat in the back row of D block in the south stand first 3 seats next to the stairwell which meant we were able to wedge a huge golf umbrella down the back of the scaffolding to avoid the weekly soakings.

The bloke 3 rows in front to our left who celebrated every time the ball went into the hammer net.

Shoehorning into the tiny outside space at the Sportsman and getting in what felt like ten pints pre game in plastic pint glasses but remaining convinced this in no way contributed to my somewhat fruity and noisy language during the first 25 minutes of every game and then running the gauntlet of whether to break the seal on the way to your seat which then meant engaging in a run to the portacabin toilets as the ref out the whistle to his lips for half time in something that resembled the cheese rolling competition in Gloucestershire.

Ahhh the Sportsman happy days! I was a fellow "shoehorner" what ever the weather. 9 pints of Harveys (3x3) at 1.15 every home game - great memories!

Those first few seasons it was like a fortress and as a previous poste rsaid we used to win the big matches there.

 

[SCassidy]

H Block GOONS right there

View attachment 130586

Can you remember what game this was? I'm in this pic!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Can you remember what game this was? I'm in this pic!

Sorry mate, no idea I'm afraid. Not even sure how the photo came to be on my PC seeing as how I'm in the photo too

 

[SK1NT]

i'm a sentimental old fool but i loved the withden.

1) Parking in a side road and getting to my seat in about 10 mins.
2) Drinks at the Brewery Tap
3) Swindon Play off Semi (best game) Swindon should have won... Hit the, you're going to hit the bar. Skidding across a very wet pitch on my knees at full time. Virgos extra time last min equaliser. Think there were 2 pitch invasions lol. Willie Carsons face
4) Wolves 4-1/Watford 4-0 one of those games was the rocket mans last appearance. The roakcet landed on me and was on fire. Think that was his last appearance.
5) Watching what i feel was the albion team i hold dear... Butters, Cullip, Zamora, Hart, Charlie, FDM etc
6) Shouting sort your wonky eye out at Redknapp
7) Denis Wise getting absolutely abused for his height.
8) Pre match beers with [MENTION=205]Tom Hark, Preston Park[/MENTION]

Really happy memories for me. Yes i was younger and life was more care free but i would say the withdean days are my happiest memories. I just never realised how good those days were at the time.

 

[Return of the Rev]

 

[Charity Shield 1910]

It might be just me but I always consider both Gillingham years and Withdean years as anomalies in the Albion's history. Wouldn't "memories of the Goldstone" be more relevant?

 

[BlockDpete]

I've got fond memories of games played at Withdean.

Even during the wet cold games.

Quite a unique experience of sun cream needed at the start of the season, and then waterproofs, thermals later on.

I do remember the South Stand toilets were the place to go for warmth during those cold wet days.

Maybe back then football and following the Albion had a bit more "fun" to it? Would certainly look forward to FA Cup games more than now.

 

[BeHereNow]

Sorry mate, no idea I'm afraid. Not even sure how the photo came to be on my PC seeing as how I'm in the photo too

I’m in there aswell.

(The picture, not your PC, well, depends what sites you’ve been on recently)

Think I’ve seen it on Facebook before, good times. Friends were friends and not boring twats.

 

[NorthstandRacoon]

The programme seller, forgot his name, who went 'Prograaaaammeeeeeeesss' every home game, was iconic.

Also loved being in J/H block, taking the piss out of the away fans and how shit their view was etc etc haha