What were you doing 15 years ago today?

[Pinkie Brown]

Our (second) coach would probably now be eastbound on the A417, heading for Newbury & a beer or four in the local pubs. Slightly livelier than the outbound journey.

 

[mistahclarke]

I was at work in North London watching "final score" on the telly, jumping around like a loon. I was 19 and didn't move to Brighton until 7 years later. My dad had moved down 5 years earlier though.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

I was on the roof of Edgar Street with my shirt off feeling hot and sweaty and thinking i have just had the best orgasm ever.

What was that all about

 

[Deleted member 18477]

Man I would love to be 8 again! Well ok I'd take just being 18 again! Life goes way too fast!

P.s 3rd May 1997... One of Brightons finest ever days!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I was at home, listening on the radio having shut myself in the spare room to avoid being disturbed. First half was utterly dire, couldn't bear it. Then, at a goal down just after half time, my Mum came breezing in, having evidently decided that it was the ideal time to carry out a spot of hoovering and light dusting. "How's it all going?", she said, brightly. I can't even remember what my response was, other than that I hope it conveyed sufficiently the looming sense of despair that I was feeling at the time.

At which point she cheerily uttered the never-to-be-forgotten words:

"Oh well! Never mind, eh? It's only a game!"

 

[Brownstuff]

I am still not sure where I was
I definately wasn't at Hereford so I have narrowed it down to either playing local league cricket or being stoned somewhere

 

[Working class pride]

I was in Hereford seeing the largest lock down of a town that I have ever witnessed. As being turned away from pubs, I saw the boarded up windows and riot police all over a nice market town. I then saw why as I saw Brighton fans go on the rampage before the game in the town centre and also outside the ground after the game. I only mention this so to put in context some of the ridiculous posts about Leeds and Millwall fans.

Other than that is was really a game that will never be beaten. The game was the end of the decline. The Goldstone lost, the York City game, Fans United, the campaign, the takeover and the announcement of Bellotti going, and then the last day at Hereford. Who would have thought it would take the Albion a further 15 years to get back on its feet?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Who would have thought it would take the Albion a further 15 years to get back on its feet?

None of us, but here's hoping it takes Pompey at least that long

 

[Lady Bracknell]

I was on the same train as Lord Bracknell. Also heading in a westerly direction.

 

[Ernest]

With Guppy in a well refreshed state heading back to Paddington

 

[m20gull]

And don't forget Katrina & the Waves won Eurovision that night too. It truly was a momentous day.

We stayed in a pub right in the middle of the town that was otherwise regulars only. Only rule was I was not allowed to wear my replica shirt, which seemed very reasonable. Landlord suggested that the town was a bit risky so we spent the evening playing pool and watching Eurovision. Late on we went out to get a Chinese and the atmosphere in town was pretty ugly.

 

[Was not Was]

By now on that fateful day, the relief/euphoria was starting to sink in. Then we stopped off in Chippenham for some fast food. It was nearly as scary as Hereford. Lots of 'you'll not be from round here' type stares from six-fingered locals. Felts like we were still in Hereford territory though we must've been well clear.

 

[Rowdey]

It was on telly? Really?

No, not the whole match 'live'.
I meant the summary/covering of all matches programme that was on. Would have Sky Sports or BBC1 i guess. That was worse, only having snippets throughout.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I was on the same train as Lord Bracknell. Also heading in a westerly direction.

"The Brighton line?"

"The line is immaterial."

 

[CheeseRolls]

I booked a farm house b&b near Ledbury, left the wife and the little one there and drove to the match.
There was no big celebrations, just a massive sense of relief, but the eggs for breakfast the next day were just the best ever.
I had already spelt it out that no football club meant we were emigrating (according to me anyway) and although it seems a bit dramatic now, I really felt that a town that turned it's back on one of it's greatest assets didn't deserve me. It was fortunate that enough of us felt it worthwhile to stay and fight.
Got to be worth a quick play of Wonderwall tonight, that always takes me back to Edgar Street.

 

[Skaville]

Drinking in a village called Malvern before the game, standing in the Len Weston Terrace during and breaking down outside an Indian in Cirencester (?) on the way back.

 

[Westdene Wonder]

I am trying to think what i was doing 15 mins ago.

 

[pasty]

By now I have no idea where I was, or what I was doing for the matter. The only certainty is that I was three sheets to the wind, and somewhere between Hereford and Brighton (possibly).

I'd love to hear from anyone on here that was on the fateful breaking down minibus as I genuienly have so little recollection of the journey home. In my mind it went something like, find a pub, get a beer, start singing, get chucked out, buy a carry out, back onto the minibus, get to next pub and repeat.

I remember breaking down on a motorway (M4 possibly), going for a slash at the top of the embankment and falling back down it heading at an increasing rate of knots inexorably towards the slow lane of the motorway. Probably not the safest or most sensible thing I've ever done, but ho-hum. Other than that I only really remember getting a taxi back from somewhere near Reading I think it was after the minibus could be coaxed no further.

 

[DT Withdean]

were you celebrating the
1997: Labour routs Tories in historic election
The Labour Party has won the general election in a landslide victory, leaving the Conservatives in tatters after 18 years in power, with Scotland and Wales left devoid of Tory representation.?
may be not

Celebrating Blair who was going to:

Close the gap between rich and poor
Clean up politics
Save the environment
Be tough on crime, especially on young thugs
Ensure low government spending and borrowing, with tough rules.

None achieved, and quite the opposite on all.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

Did You jump up and start cheering ?

Yes, couldn't help myself.

HATED not being there.

I was at Newcastle in 79, Wembley in 83, Cardiff and the opening of the Amex, but I still regret missing Herford.