Burton Albion FC 5- 6 Cheltenham Town FC
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Cheltenham town faced a trip to mid table Burton Albion in a league 2 game. The atmosphere in the Cheltenham camp was on an all time low, after being relegated in to league 2 last seasons, from league 1; Town did not expect to be in a relegation battle. Never the less Cheltenham went in to this match knowing a win was vital to the club survival, little did Burton or Cheltenham know they were about to make history.
Burton were ready, Cheltenham were ready, the crowed was ready, all eyes look across at the referee and we were off! Burton straight on the attack and winning a free kick thanks to David Hutton’s hand ball outside the Cheltenham box. The free kick is taken and it fell to Shaun Harrad who lost him marker in the Cheltenham box and fired a volley pass Scott Brown into the bottom-left hand corner of the net 1-0 Burton in side 2 minutes, Cheltenham do not look happy but Burton won’t mind. For the next 30 minutes nether was able to get that all important second or equalising goal, that was in till Shaun Harrad got in to the Cheltenham box and drew the challenge from Michael Townsend who was penalised for pulling Shaun Harrad to ground, Shaun Harrad takes the penalty and gets his second of the game 2-0 Burton. But after the penalty again nether side capitalising on their chances to get a goal and the half time score was 2-0 to Burton Albion.
Coming out from half time Burton must of been thinking the 3 points were theirs but Mark Yates must have had words with the Cheltenham player as 8 minutes after the restart they were back in the game with a goal from Justin Richards, the Town striker scoring from 6 years out after Hutton won the ball on the right wing allowing him to pick Richards out and set him up for an tap in he couldn’t miss, Score now Burton 2-1 Cheltenham. With no time to catch your breath Town went on the attack again with Pook crossing the ball and Elito smashing the ball in to the top right corner of the net Cheltenham back in the game, Burton 2-2 Cheltenham. Just as Cheltenham thought they had a good chance of winning the game Burton score to make it 3-2 only 2 minutes after the kick off! A cross by Burton deflected off Michael Townsend in to the Cheltenham net, not a good day for Townsend after he gave away the penalty in the first half and now the own goal.
Cheltenham now testing the Burton defence knowing if they get the goal they will be right back in the game, but credit to the Burton defence who were holding out well. Then on in the 72 minute Burtons defending paid off when Steven Kubba struck the ball from 12 yards out to make it 4-2 after a poor defensive clearance from Lescotts, Cheltenham look down and out with Burton only 18 minutes away from 3 points, But to Cheltenham’s credit they kept attacking and nearly score a 3rd but a save from the Burton keeper kept the 2 goal lead, Hutton also came close with an amazing over head kick that just went over the bar.
But still Cheltenham were pressing and they got a goal back on the 84 minutes thanks to Pook drilled free kick into the bottom corner of the net, Burton 4-3 Cheltenham game on! Burton kick off and within a minute score thanks to Kubba a low cross to his feet and he side foots it in the net 5-3 Burton, the games has to be over? But Cheltenham go up the other end and Michael Pook fired in a 20 yard drive which deflected off Boco and looped in over Krysiak, Unbelievable game. Burton 5-4 Cheltenham , 3 minutes left! Scott Brown takes a free kick in the Cheltenham Half into the danger area which was flicked on by Julian Alsop into the path of Richards. Richards calmly slipped the ball past Krysiak to draw Cheltenham level!! Surly they won’t get another, but now injury time who knows! Cheltenham score 6-5 to the robins unbelievable in the 4th minutes of added time Michael Pook score’s a hat trick with a superb drive into the back of the net from 25 yards to give the Robins a dramatic win, surly? And it was the referee blows the full time whites and Cheltenham go home with 3 points and a step closer to league 2 survival.
By Lewis Morgan, 15, Weston-S-Mare
Cheltenham town supporter!
2) My favourite memory was watching Burton Albion play Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup first round back in 2002. We were a Conference side and they were top of league one. Loads on Albion coaches made the trip up to Boundary Park and it’s was a really cold day. The Albion had our centre half sent off early in the game but still held their own. I can remember Craig Dudley scoring a great solo goal and a few Albion fans ran on the pitch. The police tried to get them back over the hoardings and even tried to cart Aaron Webster off the pitch. He had to point out that he was a player and even showed the policeman his football boots he was wearing. All game the Albion fans were singing “ten men...we’ve only got ten men”. Even old men with flat caps were singing their heads off. Just a great feeling!!! It got to the last couple of minutes and it was 2-1 to the Albion. It was a proper nail biting finish i couldn’t watch. Then Oldham scored to make it 2-2. A really heartbreaker. We lost the reply down at Eton Park on Penalties after extra time. Another great night our tiny little old ground and the place was rocking. This is my favourite memory and i hope you like it.
Wayne Bennett
Burton Albion Supporter
3) After a twenty-six year wait, Aston Villa finally beat Manchester United at Old Trafford through Birmingham born Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Agbonlahor scored in the twenty-first minute at the Theatre of Dreams past a helpless Thomas Kuszczak following a perfectly weighted cross from Ashley Young.
1999 was the last time Villa beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s red devils, however this was in a league cup match, with the latest victory at Old Trafford stretching back to 1983.
Villa secured their hundredth Barclays Premier League win away from Villa Park in style with destroying pace and power, and a resolute backline of newcomers Stephen Warnock and Richard Dunne but with the regulars of Carlos Cuellar and Luke Young.
Right from the first whistle blown by Atkinson, Martin O’Neill’s men looked determined to end their dismal record against United.
With talk of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur breaking into the top four, Villa looked to prove a point and they certainly looked like they were going to do just that. With the two lightning bolts in the likes of Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor up front for Villa, they looked like a force to be reckoned with.
Both being involved in the run up to the winning goal at the Theatre of Dreams, it seemed Villa would be challenging for top four for the majority of the season. It certainly seemed like it as Villa showed their character and composure against the big clubs, as they established themselves as one and kept one at bay.
No wonder they call Old Trafford the Theatre of Dreams because it definitely was the day where claret and blue dreams came true.
Molly Jennens
13 years old
Old Hill, Cradley Heath
Aston Villa Supporter
4) 1 of my favourite memory’s was the second leg against bolton in the carling cup semi final 5-2 from the first leg no one gave us a hope we had Mccann sent off yet we played them off the pitch for 90 mins villa park was full and the crowd didnt stop singing from start to finish hitzlsperger scored then samuel 83 mins we needed 1 more goal and we were denied a blatant penalty for hand ball by campo. We didnt go through but I felt so proud walking out with fellow villans still singing what a night.
Danny Finnegan
Aston Villa Supporter
5)
As a West
Bromwich Albion fan, I have lots of memories of my club. The greatest memory
for me was the great escape in 2005, at the time I was a 12 year old boy
supporting my local team. My favorite manager was Bryan Robson, for me he did
the club proud as a play and a manager. The players that will always stick in
my mind for West Bromwich Albion are Jason Koumas, Lee Hughes and Kevin
Phillips. Jason Koumas because the effort he put in to the club and decided to
leave, then returned. Lee Hughes might not have a good reputation but for me he
never lost faith in West Brom, the game against wolves when he lifted his top
with the words "boing boing" showed that he still had passion for the
club. Kevin Phillips was a tremendous player for West Bromwich Albion, the
effort, the charisma the atmosphere at The Hawthorns when he score twenty
thousand fans chanting "super Kev" was just immense.
Jason Ashfield. 18
Princes End
Tipton
West
Bromwich Albion Supporter
6) It was a Tuesday night at the ricoh, the date was 1st September 2007... Our attendances are not great and i think there was 22k there which is very impressive for coventry considering it was on the televison. lots of noise before the game talk of the chance of us going top of the table with a win. Only three points would do. we started of well controling the match and playing good football, it looked good. a freak goal against the run of play from preston north end gave them a one nil lead; which silenced the very loud crowd. fustration grew amongst the fans lots of anger and fustration. second half didnt start of great either and we all feared the worst. 80th minuite or so dele adebola got a goal back a twist and shout that took everybody by suprise. Then 90th minuite winner by michael doyle scoring a screamer rocketing in the top corner of the net from about 30 yards out. the roof came of the ricoh for the first time i have ever seen. we are top of the league chants, followed by lets all sing together made the atmosphere electric. after the game we decided to walk back towards the pub called the cherry tree and it went past the preston fans coaches where they were being stopped from leaving by a massive amount of coventry fans blocking the way. singing chants. people jumping on cars made the moment as crazy as ever. Finally the police moved everyone away from there fans and people began to leave the ground. thinking that this year might be a sky blue one.
Asher Hastie
Coventry City Supporter
7) 96,527 people packed into wembley to see wolves beat the favorites nottingham forrest for the 1980 league cup, and nottingham created many chances throughout the game but paul bradshaw was too good in the wolves goal. but on 67 minutes andy gray struck a shot past shilton in the nottingham goal from a long lob upfield by peter daniel to secure the only goal and the League cup. the trophy was then handed to the wolves captain of the time emlyn hughes who had then won all major domestic honours in his career. overall a proud moment that will go down in the history of football and a great moment for my team wolverhampton wanderers
NOTTINGHAM FOREST:
1 Peter Shilton
2 Viv Anderson
3 Frank Gray
4 John McGovern (c)
5 David Needham
6 Kenny Burns
7 Martin O'Neill
8 Ian Bowyer
9 Garry Birtles
10 Trevor Francis
11 John Robertson
Substitute:
12 John O'Hare
Manager:
Brian Clough
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS:
1 Paul Bradshaw
2 Geoff Palmer
3 Derek Parkin
4 Peter Daniel
5 Emlyn Hughes (c)
6 George Berry
7 Kenny Hibbitt
8 Willie Carr
9 Andy Gray
10 John Richards
11 Mel Eves
Substitute:
12 Colin Brazier
Manager:
John Barnwell
Nathaniel Prendergast
16
Hednesford
Wolves Supporter
8) My favourite memories are when Graham has successful seasons in the 70's and when we gave Gillingham a 7-0 thrashing in the 08/09 season, and you cant go without mentioning Grant Holt, what a star player he was, every bit of credit to him, not forgetting to mention Joe Hart who was league two's player of the season and now playing top football with Manchester City. Also Watching Gillingham Vs Shrewsbury in the play off finals in the 08/09 season was a smashing day out, unfortnatly we lost 1-0 that day :( and im from Birmingham.
Charlie Brittain
19 years old,
Birmingham
Shrewsbury Town Supporter
9) Being a bluenose im used to alot of low point following the blues. This season will go down in histroy winning the carling cup. I was at the semi final second leg vs west ham. The greatest game I have ever been to. Every noes in stans was singing their heart out the atmspher was tense when they scored, electric when we scored, extreamly tense at the end of 90 mins. But when the final whislte went the crowed erputed with keep right on. I sang my heart out and all week my throate was killing me. KRO
Lewis carey
19
Swadlincote.
Birmingham City Supporter
10) Having been a fan of Derby county for over forty years, I am one of the lucky ones who has many happy memories.
From league titles to big European games, i could probably right my own book on the many matches that I have witnessed.
One might figure that watching The Rams beat opponents such as Real Madrid and Benfica would be at the top of the list of memories, however there is nothing quite like beating your local rivals for the bragging rightts in the East Midlands Derby.
Nottingham Forest and not Leicester City are seen as the real East midlands rivals to any Derby County supporter. Over the years the pendulum has swung one way and the other many times.
Whilst we were under the reign of clough and Taylor I remember us winning at the City Ground and it wasn't until his son Nigel had taken over the managerial reigns that we managed another win in Nottingham.
Clough and Taylor when in charge of our rivals did put one over us during their Championship winning season. An easy 3-0 victory for the red side of the A52, which was difficult for any Rams fan to take.
It was however whilst they were between winning European cups and we were on our way to relegation from the top flight that we scored one of our better victories. A 4-1 victory saw The Rams give the Reds a real footballing lesson. Cluohie couldn't believe his eyes as Shilton dropped one for John Duncan to smash into the net.
A few years later we had Clough (Forest, riding high in the first Division) v Taylor (In charge of a struggling Second Division Derby) in a FA Cup tie. It was the latter who emerged victorious. A superb Archie Gemmil free-kick and another goal by Andy Hill, saw David beat Goliath.
During the George Burley era as manager we had the infamous 'Kenco Cup' game. Derby won the game by 4-2. The forest goalkeeper blamed a misskick that led to a Paul Peschisolido Derby goal on a vending machine coffee up getting caught up with his boot.
The following season saw a 3-0 stroll at Pride Park. Tommy Smith opening early in the first half and Grzegorz Rasiak adding a brace in the second. That defeat was a final nail in the coffin of Joe Kinnear as Forest manager.
In 2008-09, the clubs met four times. Two draws at Pride Park, and two wins for The Rams at the City Ground.
The early league game at Pride Park was when Paul Jewell was nearing the end of his tenure as manager of Derby. Likewise Colin claderwood was to leave as The Reds manager a few weeks later.
After a dull first half the game livened after half time. A Forest attack saw Bywater make a save, but the ball rebounded of Emanuel Villa and into the Derby net to put the 'Red Dogs' one up.
Villa made up for his error a few minutes later when he mat a Kris commons cross to level the scores. However, it was two incidents in this game and two contreversial decisions by referee Stuart Atwell that will keep people talking about the game for years.
Miles Addison leapt to meet a cross and seemingly put derby ahead. Atwell ruled no goal, but a penalty to us instead. what for ? Who knows? The spot kick was then saved by Lee Camp, a former Rams keeper..
Can lightening strike twice? Well it did in Mr Atwell's case. As the game was edging towards full time, Addison again jumped and scored what looked like a well headed goal. Unbelievably Atwell ruled foul and no goal. The game ended 1-1. No one who witnessed the game could believe what theyhad seen. Former Rams and Reds legend Archie Gemmill agreed that derby had been robbed.
it wasn't long after the appointment of Nigel Clough as manager that we were drawn at home to our rivals in the FA Cup. Nigel was a legend inhis own right in Nottingham where he scored bucket loads of goals for them during his playing days.
Rob Hulse opened the scoring for us in the first half only for ex-Ram Robert Earnshaw to level things in the second half. We pounded the forest goal, but Paul Smith played a blinder in their goal, stopping everything we threw at him.
It was on to the City gorund for the replay and many pundits were tipping a home win. We hadn't won there since the Clough and Taylor years.
The game was barely a few minutes old when Chris Cohen cut in from the right and fired theminto the lead. Minutes later Stephen Bywater brought down Nathan Tyson and they were awarded a penalty. Tyson duly converted. by this time many Derby fans were rearing the worst. The Trent end were in full voice as they sensed what surely would be a victory for Forest.
After twenty minutes or so, Derby began to feel their way into the game. Rob Hulse met a cross to put one back. By the time the half time whistle went there was a feeling that just maybe we could get backinto the game.
That belief was well founded when Paul Green equalised ealy in the second half. It was game on and by now the Derby fans in the Bridgford End were making plenty of noise.
When Kris Commons hit the woodwork I was convinced we were going to win. Moments later he hit one that hit the bottom right of the Forest net. What a feeling that was!
I can't remember the last few minutes of the game, but I certainly can remember the celebrations. At the end of the Robbie Savage celebrated by waving a Black and White scarf at the Derby fans.
It was barely two weeks later when we returned for the league game. They promised that they would make us pay. Revenge is what their players promised. The game however was far from that. Nyatanga scored early on in the first, Hulse added a second after the break and a Steve Davies penalty wrapped up what was a very easy win. Earnshaw scored a consolation for them, but the final score was Nottingham Forest 1 Derby County 3. that was the easiest win over them ihave ever seen.
I've no doubt that our Red Rivals will be able to recall their own victories and disagree with certain points made, but I'm sure that they'll agree that for passion and pride The East Midlands Derby is second to none. What it does need is a bigger stage. Both of these sides should be gracing the Premier League.
Andy Buckley-Taylor (Derby fan since 1969)
11) My favourite memory was The Play-Off Finals vs. Norwich. The atmosphere at the game was amazing! There's no one like Geoff Horsfield to make us go mental! I remember watching the Penalties and watching Carter take the 4 kick that narrowly went in and sent us into the Premier League after 16 years out of the Top Flight.
Dec James Davis
12) My best memories were from notts county vs league 1 champions brighton, as we were on the brink of relegation we were in a slightly awkward position, so to push the boys on - a huge crowd of notts and brighton fans arrived at meadow lane, the kop stand was deafining with singing, the game ended in a 1-1 draw which consiquently lead us to survive league 1, our fans spilled onto the pitch to celibrate with the brighton fans, both teams singing in unison. Brighton were chanting "you are staying up!" and Notts fans were chanting back "you are going up!" it was a brilliant moment for both teams and it made me feel proud to be part of it, best game of my life!
Jack Wilden
13)
My favourite
memory of the blues has got to be the semi-final of the carling cup second leg!
Being 1-0 down and the fans still singing there hearts out, and then for the
lads to come out fighting and win 3-1 was brillaint! I remember the feeling
when i saw Garnder's goal go in, it sent shivers down my spine! The atmosphere
on that night was unreal, especially at the end of the match. It meant so much
to every single fan and player on that pitch. To then go and beat Arsenal at
Wembley and see Stephen Carr lifting the cup, really was something special!
Niamh McLaughlin
13
Tamworth
14) my best memory was this season 2010/11 when it was my birthday and we were playing west ham at home in november and it was a surprise for me and it was the best day ever. on that day me my dad my brother and my grandad went as well and i loved that day and when i was there i loved the game and i was by one of the goal end on the old stand and when west ham scored too i cried but then we scored too goals i stood up and i cheered with the rest of the blues fans. and also the sprinklers came on and that was funny and the game not long started.
name:Eleanor Neale
age:14
area:west midlands
15) My favourite memory was watching Burton Albion play Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup first round back in 2002. We were a Conference side and they were top of league one. Loads on Albion coaches made the trip up to Boundary Park and it’s was a really cold day. The Albion had our centre half sent off early in the game but still held their own. I can remember Craig Dudley scoring a great solo goal and a few Albion fans ran on the pitch. The police tried to get them back over the hoardings and even tried to cart Aaron Webster off the pitch. He had to point out that he was a player and even showed the policeman his football boots he was wearing. All game the Albion fans were singing “ten men...we’ve only got ten men”. Even old men with flat caps were singing their heads off. Just a great feeling!!! It got to the last couple of minutes and it was 2-1 to the Albion. It was a proper nail biting finish i couldn’t watch. Then Oldham scored to make it 2-2. A really heartbreaker. We lost the reply down at Eton Park on Penalties after extra time. Another great night our tiny little old ground and the place was rocking. This is my favourite memory and i hope you like it.
Wayne Bennett
Burton
16) Favourite memory was 2011 liverpool v wolves at anfield, were all bigging up stephen ward during the game for his effort, then he scores to shut up reina. I was sittin next to the scouse fans and having banter all game, well giving it. Then Skrtl scored and all the lpool fans were near enough in my face, only for me to be pointing to the linesman with his flag up fot offside and seeing the scouse fan sit back down with me with a smile on my face! Once born a wolf, Forever a wolf!
Steffan Freeman
17) My best memory in recent
years as a villain in the Holte is without a doubt Darren's goal against The
Citizens. They brought our 2 best players for 2 seasons running, causing a
hatred from myself, and indeed the majority of Villa supporters, and - with our
season in shambles and relegation becoming a more and more likely possibility,
the only beacon of hope the could lift Villa Park was the arrival of Darren
Bent.
So imagine my joy, when Bent should pick up the
scraps from Young's saved shot and poke in the winner, and send the scum of
Manchester home depressed, as James Milner looked on in his tracksuit from the
bench, drowning in a pool of his own wasted talent - and with Barry watching
from the centre circle, barely able to stand under the weight of his seemingly
imminent morbid obesity.
Tom Careless
18) My First Game
WBA v WYCOMBE
Tuesday 21st September 1988/99
Football League Cup 2nd Round Second Leg
Il never forget the first time I stepped foot in the Hawthorne's,Id been looking for a team to follow for a while,I was a 15 year old football fanatic without a team to follow, Id been to St Andrews and didn't like it,Id been to the Molenux and didn't like it,My best mate at the time was a mad Albion fan and told me he had a spare ticket if I wanted to go
It was a cup game second round against Wycombe Wanders from what my mate had told me The first leg had ended 1 -1 so it was to play for,Him and his dad come to pick me up and we stated off on our Journey,We lived in Harborne at the time so it wasn't too far a journey,We parked up on a side street about a 5 minute walk from the ground on the way our small group began to swell and by the time we had got to the ground there was about 40 or 50 so people hanging around the entrance to the smethwick end,We got through the turnstiles and walked through the concourse and i will never ever forget the next feeling I got,I began to walk up the steps to the entrance to the actual ground and seated area,as I got closer I felt all the hairs stand up on the back of my neck as I walked up the steps and began to see the pitch, Brummy end ,the floodlights and hearing the songs and general hubbub of a football match,I never got this feeling at any other ground I went too and i was excited that I many have found my team,.We took our seats in the Smethwick end and I flicked through my mates program and waited for the teams to come out,When they Albion did come out the cheers started and before we knew it the Ref had got the game underway,Wycombe had a really good chance of progressing to the 3rd Round for the first time ever but found themselves tested after there Goalkeeper Martin Taylor and defender Paul McCarthy were declared unfit.
I remember Wycombe got off to a flying start when a early Sean Devine shot in the area following a corner from the left to give Wycombe the lead unlike any other of the football club game id been too I felt really angry we had gone 1 down told some bloke next to me we had defended like idiots and he nodded in agreement by this point my love affair with the Albion had started and I didn't even know it
Wycombe's defense was finally tested and after pilling the pressure on West Brom and finally the equalizer came in the 16th minute header by Paul Raven from Richard Sneekes corner,I practically jumped on my mates back and celebrated like a mad woman!. It got to Half time 1-1
Wycombe came out and stated the second half like little rockets! After 90 Minutes it was 2-2 and 3-3 on aggregate so the game went into extra-time
We went on to score twice and go through winning on the night 4-3 and 4-5 aggregate,I left the ground knowing I had found my football team and spent most the night awake in bed re living the Albion goals in my head and wondering how the hell I was going to fund my new found obsession and Season ticket for the following season!
Leanne Williams
19) Sunderland away FA cup 3rd round, high tension and nerves on the drive up their, got into the ground and was greated by a few thousand notts fans, everyone was talking about how badly we'll get raped, it was a great laugh before the game, everyone was drinking, chanting and dancing around. And as kick-off came upon us we begun to fill up there away end, non-stop singing from the notts fans and westcars goal got us pumping, then Mr lee hughes knocked in a 2nd and we went mentall, people ran to the bottom of the stand to celebrate with hughsey, we went on to win 2-1. amazing day and great atmosphere! YOU PIES!
Jack WIlden
20)
2010/11
beating fleetwood 2-1 to keep alive our chances of play-offs, best atmosphere
seen at aggy in ages.
Northwich victoria away back in 08/09 season, lost
3-2 but won on aggregate to be the first team at the new wembley.
stevenage at home beat them 4-2 in our promotion
push. Brilliant day because we were 2-0 down, came back against the odds and
sang 2-0 and you f####d it up (what stevenage sang to us when we lost against
them in the fa trophy final the wembley)
Jack Goldstraw
21) My favourite memory for Derby County was when we went to the city ground for an FA cup replay. We were 2-0 down and brought it back to win 3-2. It was my first trip to the City ground and it was only 3-4 years back. I can remember when Commons (ex-forest) smashed the winner in from 25 yards and the whole away end went mad. Me and my dad were almost in tears, that's how much we hate Nottingham Forest. I'll always look back to that day and think 'Born a ram, live a ram, die a ram!'
Jack Orton
15
Derby County
22) When asked to
write a few memories of Port Vale for this book my mind was swamped with
options, sadly most are from our bygone glory years of the late 80's through to
2001 however a couple have sneaked in from recent times so here goes in no
particular order!
Port Vale V Stoke City
FA Cup 1st Round Replay 24th November 1992
After a fairly drab first game which ended 0-0
(Despite a stroke of luck in a good stoke goal being ruled out for offside)
this game took place at fortress Vale Park, a place where at the time we rarely
lost, however the pitch was known to hold water, so the deluge on the day of
the game left most wondering if it would be called off, of course it was live
on sky (Possibly the saving grace for keeping the game on) a full house and
around 20minutes in Lee Sandford puts Stoke 1-0 up infront of the home fans in
the Bycars end, Vale hit back through Martin Foyle almost immediately, and just
before half time Andy Porter sent the Vale in 2-1 up with a tremendous strike.
The second half produced one of the most hfunniest
moments in the Vale/Stoke rivalry (At the time it was pure hatred to rival the
most famous derbies you could name), the deluge of rain that continued all
through the game had swamped the stands, and the pitch i personally was
drenched at the front of the Bycars end, with my bottoms slowly sliding to my
ankles such was the weight of water, and the pitch resembled a quagmire (See
the youtube videos), the ball had ran loose Paul Musslewhite haired out of goal
to clear, miskicked and left Stoke Substitute Dave Regis to roll the ball into
an empty net....or so he thought, he reeled away to celebrate infront of the
Stokies only to see the ball stop in the watery mud puddle in the Vale goal,
just shoprt of crossing the line to which a laughing out loud Peter Swan
gratfully cleared the ball & the game remained 2-1 until the last minutes
when Martin Foyle again broke free and slid the ball past Ronnie Sinclair to
make it 3-1 and glory and bragging rights to the Vale.
BRENTFORD v PORT VALE.
Millenium Stadium, Cardiff - 22nd Apr 2001
This game was special to me for more than it being
a chance to see the Vale in a Cup Final, i attended with my Late Grandfather
who rarely got to see the Vale due to work, however we treated him to this game
and what a day it was....again it poured down all day (A familiar feature
whenever the Vale play it seems) and we went into the game as heavy favourites
following the start of a good unbeaten run, we had the mecurial Alex Smith down
the left, Dave Brammer in the middle pulling the strings, the beef of Steve
Brooker and the tricky and nippy Tony Naylor up front supplied by the majestic
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, and those attack minded players were supported by the
outstanding Mark Goodlad in goal.
We conceeded an early goal from a set piece to
Brentford, to go a goal behind, but that was to prove one of only 2/3 attacks
they had on our goal as Vale proceeded to dominate the game, passing on a zippy
surface as the rain teemed down on the 20,000+ in attendance. Half time came
and went and as the game approached the last 25 minutes it felt like we wouldnt
get back into the game, but in the 76th Minute Tony Naylor was tripped and
Bridge-Wilkinson smashed home the penalty, and seven minutes later Steve
Brooker finished an excellent move to put the Vale 2-1 up and it seemed there
would be no way back.
Brentford then piled on the pressure and had
numerous late chances; the first falling to Mark McCammon whose first touch of
the game was a poor header that could have found the net if it he had got it on
target, it was a very bad miss. The last kick of the game could have taken
it to extra time, however Owusu headed wide from the keepers overhead kick –
the Brentford goalkeeper doing more than making up the numbers in the Vale box
during the last seconds of injury time.
A win but not only will i remember this game
fondly for the success but also for the sheer joy of seeing my Grandfather
jumping for joy and punching the air with a big grin on his face like a teenage
kid relieving his earlier years supporting the club. I attended numerous games
with my grandfather, sadly few reached the successful heights of this day, but
none the less were enjoyable due to his company and friendship.
Port Vale v Stoke City,
1996
This time it was snow and ice that threatend the
game, however somehow the pitch was deemed fit and we piled into Vale Park, for
our league game against fierce rivals Stoke, Ian Bogie managed to carve out a
habit of scoring against Stoke, he scored in the reverse fixture in this
season, but this goal was special, but quite a few Vale fans missed it as they
were late getting into the ground.
Vale kicked off, and the ball was played to right
back Andy Hill, whop played a ball into Ian Bogie, who in turn ghosted past the
Stoke defence and rocketed the ball into Ronnie Sinclairs top right hand corner
to put the Vale 1-0 up after just officially 12 seconds of play, however if you
watch the videos on Youtube you will see that from kick off to the ball
entering the net it can be timed at just 5 seconds.
Stoke went on the have large amounts of possession
and we had more than our fair share of nervy moments, however we stood firm and
held on to win 1-0 and once again laugh at our neighbours who by now were
struggling to remember the last time they actually beat us!!
Port Vale V Stoke City
October 13th 1996
Ive chosen this game for one simple reason, having
gone 1-0 up Stoke who in fairness had dominated the game were celebrating in
the Hamil End what should have been a Stoke victory however earlier in the game
we brought on substitute Lee Mills, a tall battering ram of a player, and deep
into injury time Vale had a free kick, which was pumped into the Stoke box in
front of the home fans in the Bycars End, the Stoke Keeper came out to punch
the ball claer, but was out jumped by Mills whose header flew into the net to
the unadulterated delight of the Vale fans who danced in the isles and
celebrated as if they had just gained promotion, to see the looks on the faces
of the Stoke fans who thought they had won was brilliant.
I consider myself lucky to have lived through the
Vales best period, going to Wembley twice in a week was an amazing experience,
we won the Autoglass Trophy and had an open top parade through the town of
Burslem, and then on the Sunday went back in the playoff final V West Brom,
things didnt go our way that day but the experience was one that not many teams
even in the top flight can boast about.
One of the best most recent days out was last
season at Stockport County, we were under Mickey Adams's management and
Stockport were struggling, we took a fantastic away following for a midweek
game and ran riot winning 5-0, it was great to see so much confidence in the
team and everything we did that night came off, short passes, long defence
splitting passes, hard tackles and the goals were a delight.
All supporters should have good memories of their
team, these are just some that constantly stick in my mind and with my belief
that football goes in cycles, it wont be long before i have a few more to put
into the memory bank................ i hope!
Carl Ziemann, Port Vale Supporter
23) Here's some of my long sticking Burton Albion
memories.
1. My first season as a whole supporting
Burton Albion, which was 10 seasons ago was when Burton Albion played in the
Unibond Premier in 2001/2002 (then the league below the Conference
National). And I was extremely spoilt that season, as we totally stormed the
league, with a 3 figure points and 3 figure goals total, where every
player scored including goalkeeper Matt Duke from a penalty. We also
got to the FA Trophy semi final that season. Winning the league away at
Vauxhall Motors 4-2 was amazing.
2. In the 2005/2006 season where
we'd had a terrible start to the season in our brand new
Pirelli Stadium we'd just moved to, bottom of the league for a while
and fans calling for Nigel Clough's head. A memorable FA Cup run seemingly
saved his bacon and was a big turning point in our history after a few
relegation battles. We drew 0-0 away at then League 2 Peterborough United,
and beat them 1-0 in a replay. The 2nd round was a home game against Burscough
who were 2 leagues below Burton Albion. The match got postponed on the original
day due to a waterlogged pitch. And when the FA Cup 3rd round draw was
done, Burton Albion/Burscough got drawn at home to Manchester United. That made
the 2nd round match between 2 non league teams a massive occasion which
was played on the Tuesday after that FA Cup draw, and the euphoria when Burton
Albion won 4-1 was massive. FA Cup fever had hit Burton on Trent.
The whole town was talking about the big game and
Burton Albion had never had a game as high profile as this, the local team in
the Conference National taking on the mighty Manchester United. Even the most
die hard fan didn't seriously expect Burton Albion to get a result from this
game, but low and behold, they pulled it off with a 0-0 draw. The FA Cup fever
in Burton was fever pitch after that. And Burton Albion
who got average crowds of 1500 in them days took 11500-12000
fans to Old Trafford for a televised midweek game. Manchester United won
the replay 5-0, but the memories were priceless. And Burton Albion earnt an
estimated £1 million out of the FA Cup run. Burton went on to get their highest
ever league finish that season too with a comfortable top half finish. And the
prize money had set Burton Albion up nicely for the future.
3. The 08/09 season for Burton
Albion, who were still part time won the Conference National was extremely
special. Despite a bad run of results in the new year trimming a 19 point gap
to 2 points at the end of the season. It was a season of ups and downs, with
Burton Albion breaking a then league record by getting 13 consecutive wins.
Then legendary manager Nigel Clough leaving Burton Albion in his 10th
season to take the Derby County job. Leaving Burton Albion with Roy McFarland
as the caretaker manager until the end of the season. Despite the fans having
no fingernails left to bite when we left it till the final day of the season to
win the league, and despite us losing that match and relying on nearest rival
Cambridge United's result, the joy of Burton Albion finally making it into
the football league was amazing. And it was a brilliant moment for the town.
4. The football league first season was special
for the fans who never seriously believed Burton Albion would ever reach this
level of football. And Burton Albion stayed up comfortably, with Paul
Peschisolido, who is still our manager and in his 3rd season in charge. But a
fantastic FA Cup upset in the club's 2nd season was unbelievably great. When
Burton Albion played Championship Middlesbrough in the 3rd round. Burton
Albion did go 1-0 down in the 2nd half against a strong looking side. But the
underdogs really went for it in the end, and scored from an overhead kick with
10 minutes to go to equalise. And just when fans were dreaming of a replay at
Middlesbrough, Burton Albion scored the winning goal in the 94th minute. There
was absolute pandemonium in the Pirelli Stadium stands, that moment of absolute
joy will stay with me forever.
Adam Drew
23 years old
Burton Albion fan of 10 years
24) I remember the day vividly I was 8 years old!
Walking up Wembley way and seeing the crowds.
We were not fancied as we were playing the mighty
man united! Minus Schemichel may it be said who was sent off in the semi! So
Les Sealey took hold a former Villa man!
The game did not go to plan for united as Villa
stepped up there game a Villa side who were struggling! But in the 2 forwards
Saunders and Atkinson we had a strike force to be feared! With Dwight Yorke on
the bench,
Villa went into the game with nothing to lose, and
before to long found themselves 2 up through the asformetioned Deano and
Dalian! Then the changing moment......
Kanchelskis handled on the line a clear Red and a
penalty to Villa!!! But Andrei would not leave easily trying to put off Deano
from the pen!
The man, the genius stepped up..... No problem at
all for the coolest man in football! Villa led the "Famous Man
United" 3-0
The usual happened and Mark Hughes reduced the
deficit to 3-1! But it was to be our day! And one 8 year old walked off
thinking and believing we were the best in the world! (Still Do)
And still to this day we sing.. "Man U,
Where's your treble gone!"
Let's hope we see these days again!
UTV
Noel Murphy
Aston Villa
25) Being a Baggies fan is an adventure because there are many ups and downs in our clubs history. The memories that mean the most to me are the following four in chronological order.
Beating Portsmouth 2-0 at the Hawthorns (15/05/05) - 2004/2005 season
The 2004/2005 season was one to remember, highlighting this game was the one that saved our top flight status. The season had been a rollercoaster and the atmosphere from the crowd was mesmerising, knowing that survival was not in our own hands it was going to be a tense game. But a victory and all the other results regarding relegation sides going our way saw us claim one of the single most important victories in our history, and the history of the Premiership.
Beating Wolves 3-2 and 1-0 over two legs in the playoff semi finals (13/05/07 & 16/05/07) - 2006/2007 season
Despite losing out in the final by a single goal, I will always remember these two legs as passionate derby’s that saw us beat our Black Country rivals on both occasions. In the first game we came from behind and in the second we won by a single goal. Kevin Philips was the star of the show scoring three goals over two legs, to help ensure the Baggies had bragging rights until the next encounter.
Beating Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates (25/09/10) - 2010/2011 season
Going into this game we were on seven points and most fans will tell you that they don’t expect to take anything from the big four teams away from home, but we pray that the players give a good account of themselves. On this Saturday afternoon our prayers would be answered and at one stage West Brom saw themselves 3-0 up at the Emirates. Despite conceding two goals towards the end of the game we held on for a dramatic win and caused a huge upset in the process of claiming all three points.
Beating Aston Villa 2-1 at the Hawthorns (30/04/11) - 2010/2011 season
Before this game I would have been ashamed to tell you that it had been a colossal 26 years since West Brom last beat Villa. Being without key players Thomas and Dorrans for the game it would be fair to say that expectations from this game were not that high; especially as Premiership survival was all but secure. Despite conceding an early own goal, a strong performance and two very good goals saw Albion finally end Villa’s unbeaten run against them in front of their own fans.
Anthony Dosanjh
26) Being a Wolves fan hasn’t been easy in recent times but over the last five years things have improved vastly. The memories that mean the most to me are the four below in chronological order.
Drawing 1-1 with Barnsley at Oakwell (25/04/09) - 2008-2009 season
Not many people would choose a draw as one of their most memorable moments, but this was a special game. The single point was enough in this season to clinch the Coca Cola Championship trophy after a hard fought season against their main title contenders and fellow Midlands side Birmingham City. It was winger and substitute Kyel Reid who came on and got the equaliser that sparked a pitch invasion during game time. Both sides looked unhappy with what they were saying and even manager Mick McCarthy gestured the fans to return to their seats, and when they finally did play resumed and the game finished all square.
Beating Tottenham 1-0 Barnsley at Molineux stadium (10/02/10) - 2009-2010 season
Being our first season back in the Premiership there wasn’t too many great victories to choose from but there is one that’s my personal favourite. It was the home victory against high flying Tottenham which fell on a winter’s day that was bitterly cold and there was even snow on the ground. The weather didn’t stop the home fans cheering on their side against an opposition that were at full strength. It was a very tough game but a single strike from David Jones meant we moved out of the relegation zone and completed a memorable double over Spurs.
Beating Man Utd 2-1 at Molineux stadium (05/02/11) – 2010/2011 season
Despite beating both Chelsea and Liverpool in this memorable season, the victory over Man Utd was simply one of those games that you won’t forget. Man Utd went on that season to win the Premiership but in this game they were outplayed for the most part. Despite going a goal down early on we dominated possession and made them pay with two first half goals. Despite Utd going all out for a second goal we held on with a dominant defensive display against arguably the best team in England.
Beating West Brom 3-1 at Molineux stadium (08/05/11) – 2010/2011 season
The Black Country derby is always a tough contest with the game usually a fiery encounter, but this win was the most memorable one of all for Wolves fans. After taking a three goal lead we were pegged back but we held on for one of the most important derby day wins. It came towards the end of the season when we were desperate for the points and this was one of the victories that helped keep us in the Premiership for another season. It was an ambitious and heartfelt performance in front of the home fans who were in full voice behind their team.
Anthony Dosanjh
