How many promotions have you seen?

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

In the euphoria of beginning to believe that we might get promoted this season, I got to thinking how many times I have seen Utd promoted (I don't mean this as in 'was at the game which decided it', but simply seasons when I was watching games regularly which ended in promotion). I started going in the 1953-54 season, and reckon we have had 7 promotions in that time. Quite a few on here probably also saw the successful 52-53 season. While we tend to think of Utd as under-achievers, and rightly so, at least the repeated relegations have created the chance to have a good number of successful seasons; I guess not many teams have achieved more promotions over this period. What has been galling in recent years has been the length of time between relegation and promotion. And I hope these thoughts encourage you young'uns to enjoy the rest of the season; if all goes well, promotion will again to be a great experience, so make the most of it. Such seasons don't come round that often.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

All of them since 1967............who's for another next season?

It's been done before...............does lightening strike twice?

UTB

 

[Tyler Durden]

One, just one.

Technically I didn't even see that one since we were sent up by L***s drawing with Reading.

 

[Geordie Blade]

Just to add some context: in a 24-team league, 3 teams usually go up, and 3 usually go down. So, we should expect to go up 1 in every 8 seasons and down 1 in every 8 seasons.

You've been going for 63 seasons, so you should have seen about 8 promotions. You're due one soon

 

[JohnDenver]

I've seen three and was too young for one. So these things are rare and to be savoured if we see it home.

Plus it means a lot more to get back after a long struggle than if we'd waltzed it first time. The fact we've done so without haemorrhaging support is a testament to a few important factors about SUFC, and will stand us in good stead.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Wasn't going a lot as I was young when we won div 4 and up again to the second division.

Remember relegation with Bassett well and the next two promotions. Then of course the Warnock one....so I have been going for 5....but only really recall 3.
Not a lot to shout about at 43 yrs old is it....no cup finals, no play off wins....rubbish!

 

[Sean Thornton]

Five

Balls. Six.

 

[coaxingstar71]

1981/82
1983/84
1988/89
1989/90
2005/06

So 5 and hoping for number 6 to be confirmed very soon!

 

[Bladesway]

Five

 

[1973Blade]

It's Arsenal fans I feel sorry for. Never experienced the joy of a promotion. No wonder they all look so miserable.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Five.

 

[1973Blade]

The weirdest promotion was 1984. Our season had finished and we were relying on Hull only beating Burnley 2-0 which they did.

 

[Silent Blade]

1970/71 - Only home game I missed was Swindon. Went to 9 away league matches
1981-82 - missed many due to playing football.
1983-84 - went to a bit more matches than in 1981-82
1988-89 - Only home game I missed was Bristol City. Went to most of away games
1989-90 - Only missed away games at Plymouth and Watford
2005-06 - saw all home games but went to only 3 away games ( financial reasons)

 

[UnitedBlade]

Six.

Done 8 relegations. 4 losing FA cup semi finals. All the playoff defeats.

You're not a fully paid up Blade till you've done your fair share of misery.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Six.

Done 8 relegations. 4 losing FA cup semi finals. All the playoff defeats.

You're not a fully paid up Blade till you've done your fair share of misery.

Two league cup semis?

 

[JJ Sefton]

Three. 1988-1989, 1989-1990, and 2005-2006.

So far.

 

[UnitedBlade]

Two league cup semis?

Oh yes, those as well !

 

[Cerberus Blade]

However many...would you oldies not agree that there's something about a promotion squad that you sense within the first few weeks of a season?

It's something about the way they play - the attitude.

I go back to '69. I just knew that 70/71 season was going to be it. And similar since.

This is a promotion season. If you've seen them, you know it.

Enjoy!

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

However many...would you oldies not agree that there's something about a promotion squad that you sense within the first few weeks of a season?

It's something about the way they play - the attitude.

I go back to '69. I just knew that 70/71 season was going to be it. And similar since.

This is a promotion season. If you've seen them, you know it.

Enjoy!

It took me more than a few weeks this season to begin to feel at all confident. And I don't remember early confidence in the Bassett and Warnock promotion to top flight seasons. But I am a pessimist...

 

[spongebobblade]

1970/71 - Only home game I missed was Swindon. Went to 9 away league matches
1981-82 - missed many due to playing football.
1983-84 - went to a bit more matches than in 1981-82
1988-89 - Only home game I missed was Bristol City. Went to most of away games
1989-90 - Only missed away games at Plymouth and Watford
2005-06 - saw all home games but went to only 3 away games ( financial reasons)

As a 15 year old lad I didn't miss a home game during the 81/2 4th division championship season...... but more remarkably I went to 13 away league matches plus Altrincham in the cup. So what? some might say but every away game was done without my mothers knowledge. Days away on the football specials to Scunny, Wigan, Hull, Bradford, Rochdale etc were easy to get away with. Night matches at Northampton, Peterborough etc were far trickier with the "I'm stopping at my mates house tonight" excuse being trotted out.
Loved it. Great days. Brilliant memories

 

[Silent Blade]

It took me more than a few weeks this season to begin to feel at all confident. And I don't remember early confidence in the Bassett and Warnock promotion to top flight seasons. But I am a pessimist...

What do you remember about the 1960/61 season?

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Six.

Done 8 relegations. 4 losing FA cup semi finals. All the playoff defeats.

You're not a fully paid up Blade till you've done your fair share of misery.

Thought you'd been following me around except I'd include 2 league cup semi defeats too !

 

[speedymcgeady]

1981/82
1983/84
1988/89
1989/90
2005/06

So 5 and hoping for number 6 to be confirmed very soon!

Same ^^^^^^^^

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

We've only been promoted twice in my lifetime.

I can only remember the one in 2005-06.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Porterfield
Porterfield
Bassett
Bassett
Warnock
W_____

 

[Woodwardfan]

Started supporting in 1956 and we were in the old Division 2 so I've seen just the one more relegation than how ever many promotions!!

I hope Wilder will balance that up within a few weeks though.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

1970/71 - Only home game I missed was Swindon. Went to 9 away league matches
1981-82 - missed many due to playing football.
1983-84 - went to a bit more matches than in 1981-82
1988-89 - Only home game I missed was Bristol City. Went to most of away games
1989-90 - Only missed away games at Plymouth and Watford
2005-06 - saw all home games but went to only 3 away games ( financial reasons)

Same here in terms of the promotions. I'm in exhalted company.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

What do you remember about the 1960/61 season?

2 things stand out as a first reaction. The fact that the team seemed to pick itself, particularly the back 6 we oldies can all recite. They had been together some years, and were a great unit. The other thing was the signing of Allchurch for the run-in, to fill the one problem position on the right-wing. His knack of scoring vital goals gave us the final boost to calm any nerves. And one detail: the first part of the Derby match was tense, until the first goal was scored, and then life seemed good! The party began.

 

[Punk Blade]

Just too young to remember '89 and '90 so I'm currently on one promotion, three relegations and a whole heap of playoff misery.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

Didn't start going until 90 but I was 2/3. So I've seen the one in 05/06.