Return of the Rev
Well-known member
Having read NSC for over 4 years I have now decided to take the plunge and write my first post.
I have followed the Albion since the 1964/65 season although my first match was the Albion v Bedford Town FA Cup 2nd Round tie in Nov.1965. The result was 2-2 in front of a crowd of 16000+.
Well,- I was hooked, and from then I tried to watch the Albion at every opportunity.
The late 1960s did not offer too much in drama on the pitch, apart from the FA Cup tie against Chelsea (1-1) in 1967 in front of 35,000 at a packed Goldstone, and our league performances were pretty mundane.
As most Albion fans know things changed big time in the 70s. The same went for me, and I took my girlfriend to her first ever game of football - the ALBION v crystal palace (Sept.? 1975) at Selhurst Park.Now this sort of thing could be deemed as a relationship maker or breaker! Fortunately it was former. From then on in we watched the Albion as often as we could both home and away. It probably helped that we beat the muppets 1-0, and then 2-0 at the Goldstone in the return fixture.(Thank you Sammy Morgan!)
Through the Mullery years our love grew stronger and we got married. The Albion became our bit on the side - you know, seeing them for a couple of hours each week, passion, excitement and leaving with a rosy glow of satisfaction!
Fast forward to the 80s and now living in Southampton (I know!) , and with 2 daughters. Saints fans? - not likely, well versed in all things Albion their stripes are blue and white! It was with great pride that I managed to take them to watch the mighty Seagulls at the Goldstone before the terrible demise.
Skipping the war years of the 90s we arrive at Withdean for the noughties. The girls have grown up,(Bobby Z and Danny Cullip are their heroes. ) and they take their respective boyfriends to games, they too receive the conversion to St.Albion - the highlight being the pilgrimage to Cardiff for the 2004 play-off final.
We are now at the last season at Withdean, Gus is weaving his magic and the football is extraordinary. We are playing Bournemouth on my birthday and we all go to the game- and, this really is a thing of love, my daughters give me my birthday present- a seaon ticket for the first season at the Amex! That's what a good upbringing does!
And now I am in my dotage, I even have a senior rail card. As a very proud holder of a season ticket in the West Stand Upper my love for the Albion is as strong as ever for they are part of our family through thick and thin.We now have two lovely grandchildren, Harry (4years) and Poppy(6months),both members of Gully's Gang. To carry on our family tradition I will be taking them to watch their first ever Albion game at the Amex. I just can't wait!
SO DID DINOSAURS VISIT THE MOON?