First game of the season memories

[MagnifiqueShorehamStreet]

I hit 70 this month, and I still got up this morning, as excited, well nearly, as my first start of the season game, v Villa won 1-O, in 1965/66
Just like women, you never forget your first!
Remember me and my Dad legging it up Shoreham Street, him nipping into a pub, no idea which one, with me outside with pop and crisps, and several other kids.The race to the front railings, on John Street, the crowds of blokes, smelling of booze, and cursing.I was hooked.Strangely don’t remember the game at all.
Since then, the first match of the season, has always been, my favourite time, for being a Blade, or Unitedite, as we were back then.
There’s been highs, Deano’s first goal in the Prem,home to Southampton, in 71 in the old first division, when I honestly thought, we’d piss the league, my first sight of Agana and Deane, in 88, v Bristol Rovers, when we did piss the league etc.
There’s been lows, the first sight of our big money signings, such as Cadette and Guthrie, and realising straight away we’d done our money, home to Crystal Palace a couple of seasons ago, when you just knew we were in for a long season, and the time I got hit over the head with a man wielding a steering wheel lock at Watford, when we won away, 3-0.
The anticipation and excitement for the Blades opener of the season remains the same, even though, I’m not as quick as legging it up Shoreham Street as I was.
Up the Blades, and here’s to a great season ahead.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Colchester at home a good few years ago........blimey it was hot in the sunbaked John St...was it 2-2.

 

[Escafeld]

Keith Edwards all 4 goals in a 4-0 home win against Gillingham 1983 in glorious sunshine. About 10k there.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

*memries

Standards, please.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

West Brom away 89 90 won 3 nowt and unveiled the best away kit ever.

Could have had 5 or 6

 

[Shadota]

There's a couple that stand out for me.

First one is the 2-0 win over Sunderland under Spackman. Borbokis establishing himself as a hero in one game being the highlight.

The other was the Liverpool game when Warnock got us into the Prem. It was the first time I'd had the chance to see us play PL football, and the joy around the place when Hulse buried that header was pretty special. Shame that Gerrard and his Olympic diving skills had to spoil the day for us.

 

[Bath Blade]

My first opening game was Liverpool in 1990, full of optimism, back in the big time. Lasted as long as it took for Ian Rush to injure Tracey and Pemberton to go in goal.

 

[Gin&Juice]

22 years ago today. Coming off the back of the Playoff heartbreak..

 

[Blade59]

22 years ago today. Coming off the back of the Playoff heartbreak.. View attachment 218770

Was that the Gillingham defence that Real Madrid would struggle to break down according to Warnock

 

[Northern Rivers Blade]

2-1 win against Man U was my most memorable. Start of premier league.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

22 years ago today. Coming off the back of the Playoff heartbreak.. View attachment 218770

100 degree heat almost. Brown penalty saved by Gills keeper. Crap game.

 

[Maidenhead]

Keith Edwards all 4 goals in a 4-0 home win against Gillingham 1983 in glorious sunshine. About 10k there.

And that's why my son who was born the following year was named Keith Edward.

Sounded great as his name echoed around the kop.

 

[Maidenhead]

First days always brings up two particularly memorable away days for me.

1) Reading away at Elm Park in 1988 which was played in glorious sunshine, saw an unexpected 3-1 win, the debut of Brian Deane and a performance that absolutely blew Reading away. I knew straight away that we were in for a good season.

2) The following season away at West Brom and the debut of the lime green shirts.
Another fantastic away day opener and a 3-0 win with goals from Deane (1) and Agana (2)and was the precurser of another great promotion season.
Those of us that are old enough will never forget 5th May 1990

 

[1973Blade]

The 1-0 win against Brentford when we were back in the Championship under Wilder. After six years In League One we were worried that we'd be outclassed, and Wednesday fans kept going on about how high the standard was. It was a scramble if a goal that won is the game of I remember correctly.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

First days always brings up two particularly memorable away days for me.

1) Reading away at Elm Park in 1988 which was played in glorious sunshine, saw an unexpected 3-1 win, the debut of Brian Deane and a performance that absolutely blew Reading away. I knew straight away that we were in for a good season.

2) The following season away at West Brom and the debut of the lime green shirts.
Another fantastic away day opener and a 3-0 win with goals from Deane (1) and Agana (2)and was the precurser of another great promotion season.
Those of us that are old enough will never forget 5th May 1990

Yes I went to the Reading game as well as you say we blew them away and hard to believe that only 4 months previously they'd blown us away on way down.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

The 1-0 win against Brentford when we were back in the Championship under Wilder. After six years In League One we were worried that we'd be outclassed, and Wednesday fans kept going on about how high the standard was. It was a scramble if a goal that won is the game of I remember correctly.

Billy Sharp header after a cut back from Clarke.

 

[1973Blade]

Billy Sharp header after a cut back from Clarke.

Thanks yes, I remember it now. Think I was thinking of the Bournemouth away game.

 

[Down the Channels]

West Brom away 89 90 won 3 nowt and unveiled the best away kit ever.

Could have had 5 or 6

That was a 'first date' with this girl from Walsall. I know, I am such a romantic. Met her at a mate's party in Aldridge few weeks earlier.
We did go out for a posh meal near Sutton later that night.
34th wedding anniversary next month.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

What a day. What a shirt. What a player. What a team. What a season!

 

[Pollingtonblade]

What a day. What a shirt. What a player. What a team. What a season!

Completely agree up to March 7th

 

[HillStreet Blade]

Last 67/68 season v Chelsea 1st division. We were 1-0 up, lost 2-1 and were relegated. That should have told me what being a blade was going to be like.

 

[SwissBlade]

I hit 70 this month, and I still got up this morning, as excited, well nearly, as my first start of the season game, v Villa won 1-O, in 1965/66
Just like women, you never forget your first!
Remember me and my Dad legging it up Shoreham Street, him nipping into a pub, no idea which one, with me outside with pop and crisps, and several other kids.The race to the front railings, on John Street, the crowds of blokes, smelling of booze, and cursing.I was hooked.Strangely don’t remember the game at all.
Since then, the first match of the season, has always been, my favourite time, for being a Blade, or Unitedite, as we were back then.
There’s been highs, Deano’s first goal in the Prem,home to Southampton, in 71 in the old first division, when I honestly thought, we’d piss the league, my first sight of Agana and Deane, in 88, v Bristol Rovers, when we did piss the league etc.
There’s been lows, the first sight of our big money signings, such as Cadette and Guthrie, and realising straight away we’d done our money, home to Crystal Palace a couple of seasons ago, when you just knew we were in for a long season, and the time I got hit over the head with a man wielding a steering wheel lock at Watford, when we won away, 3-0.
The anticipation and excitement for the Blades opener of the season remains the same, even though, I’m not as quick as legging it up Shoreham Street as I was.
Up the Blades, and here’s to a great season ahead.

I certainly don’t have the same excitement today as I’ve had in previous years. But first day is always that chance to actually see how the summer prep has gone. Given that it’s Bristol City, whom we’ve already played 3 times this calendar year, it’ll be interesting to see how we line up. My expectation is unnaturally low for today, it’s felt like an underwhelming summer, but it’s time to see some new faces and what they can do.

An opening day game at 3pm in the sun is always a great day, hate that it’s a 530 kick off. Should have all games at 3pm first game

As for memories, I’m often away on holiday or with work so there’s not that many which stand out as classics, but the big one is 97 v Sunderland. A few new faces, Sunderland a big team with big support in the sunshine. We’d met some Mackems on holiday in Tenerife that summer so they came down for it. Only for Borbokis to step up and set the tone with a cracker

 

[robbiez666]

Best first game of the season

 

[Busta Rhymes Karate]

Sheffield United 1-2 Bristol City...

Higdon header debut goal.

2014/15 season

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Best first game of the season

What a good side we had that season until McDonald put his oar in , some quality players playing cracking football

 

[Pollingtonblade]

What a good side we had that season until McDonald put his oar in , some quality players playing cracking football

And it's never been explained why we didn't keep the team together for 5 more months to go up.

 

[robbiez666]

What a good side we had that season until McDonald put his oar in , some quality players playing cracking football

My favourite Blades team, I think. Loved the wingbacks in the days they were unusual.

 

[KenT]

I hit 70 this month, and I still got up this morning, as excited, well nearly, as my first start of the season game, v Villa won 1-O, in 1965/66
Just like women, you never forget your first!
Remember me and my Dad legging it up Shoreham Street, him nipping into a pub, no idea which one, with me outside with pop and crisps, and several other kids.The race to the front railings, on John Street, the crowds of blokes, smelling of booze, and cursing.I was hooked.Strangely don’t remember the game at all.
Since then, the first match of the season, has always been, my favourite time, for being a Blade, or Unitedite, as we were back then.
There’s been highs, Deano’s first goal in the Prem,home to Southampton, in 71 in the old first division, when I honestly thought, we’d piss the league, my first sight of Agana and Deane, in 88, v Bristol Rovers, when we did piss the league etc.
There’s been lows, the first sight of our big money signings, such as Cadette and Guthrie, and realising straight away we’d done our money, home to Crystal Palace a couple of seasons ago, when you just knew we were in for a long season, and the time I got hit over the head with a man wielding a steering wheel lock at Watford, when we won away, 3-0.
The anticipation and excitement for the Blades opener of the season remains the same, even though, I’m not as quick as legging it up Shoreham Street as I was.
Up the Blades, and here’s to a great season ahead.

The hoo arr when Sabella arrived, I'm sure it was Leyton orient, was palpable. My memory ain't what it used to be but I think we were 2 up but drew.

 

[Silent Blade]

The hoo arr when Sabella arrived, I'm sure it was Leyton orient, was palpable. My memory ain't what it used to be but I think we were 2 up but drew.

Lost 2-1

 

[Silent Blade]

I hit 70 this month, and I still got up this morning, as excited, well nearly, as my first start of the season game, v Villa won 1-O, in 1965/66
Just like women, you never forget your first!
Remember me and my Dad legging it up Shoreham Street, him nipping into a pub, no idea which one, with me outside with pop and crisps, and several other kids.The race to the front railings, on John Street, the crowds of blokes, smelling of booze, and cursing.I was hooked.Strangely don’t remember the game at all.
Since then, the first match of the season, has always been, my favourite time, for being a Blade, or Unitedite, as we were back then.

Will post the match reports and photos in the 1965/66 thread in 12 days time!