Just read on waccoe that it is 31 years since we lost to Charlton in the play off finalA day out I remember well - It was pre mobile phones and yet myself from Manchester, and my two mates coming from Bristol and Leeds respectively managed to meet up in a pub outside New street (following our 'first right out of the station and then keep walking to first pub, unless there is one obvious from station' plan that we always used came up trumps as it most often did)We ended up in the afternoon when the pubs shut (was before 24 hr opening) getting some bottles and going to a local park where we, along with some other Leeds fans, ended up playing an impromptu game of football (my mate smuggled the ball into the ground where Ian Baird kicked it back into the stands in the pre-match warm up) On the way to the ground I saw what I thought was the only Brummie lad I knew (from a course at work) turns out it was his twin brother !! We swamped the ground with Charlton having around 300 in one corner - the play-offs had not really taken off and are not the dog and pony show they are now. Then that glorious moment when Shez (possibly my old time Leeds favourite) got that free-kick and the world was magnificent for a few minutes and then all came crashing down. The 'we will support you ever more' songs after the final whistle and Baird getting stripped down to his undies. A dodgy walk back to New Street with Brum fans trying to ambush us all the way back and being chased off. I always remember the journey back (we all went to Leeds) sat in total silence for around an hour and then someone said "imagine this team in the first division (as it was)" - that cracked us all up and the atmosphere become one of gallows humour but humour non the less. Got to Leeds in time for a couple of late night beers but we were not in the mood for it, so back to my mates house where he put his Leeds United LP on the stereo and on repeat as we stayed up till the early hours. Then a trek back home to Salford thinking of what might have been to find a message on my answerphone from my (scum supporting ) cousin saying "for once I wanted Leeds to win then I heard after the goal 'are you watching / listening (?) Manchester and that reminded him how much he hated us"
Great days Dave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: https://mailman.gn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/leedslist/ RIP Jimmy WAC-COE
