The Mystery Testimonial Match

[Jostein Flo]

Need some help from the knowledgeable, and I'm sure very handsome folks on the forum (flattery never hurt right?)

Whenever the subject of "My First Blades Game was..." is brought up I always end up in a shameful silence as I can't actually remember the date, scoreline or much information at all as I was very young. I don't have any details apart from the fact that it was a testimonial match (no idea who the player was) between the 'current' United team and an all-star XI United team featuring older players who played alongside the testimonial recipient.

The few details I remember are hazy at best but - The 'current' Blades team won, it was just before the old John Street was demolished.

I've tried googling this and no record can be found - are there any Blades on here with a memory of an early 90's testimonial match? It's a long shot given the poor amount of recall I have of this match, but as my Aunty and Uncle who took me to the match that day have no recollection of it I'm appealing to my fellow Blades.

 

[2ndtenorblade]

could it be the tony currie one? sorry my memory is none too good these days.

 

[Vintage Shirt]

possibly Paul Stancliffe?

 

[The Who Blade]

Could be the Brian Smith one.
That was early 90's and I think Blades v Former Blades.

 

[Micalijo]

Need some help from the knowledgeable, and I'm sure very handsome folks on the forum (flattery never hurt right?)

Whenever the subject of "My First Blades Game was..." is brought up I always end up in a shameful silence as I can't actually remember the date, scoreline or much information at all as I was very young. I don't have any details apart from the fact that it was a testimonial match (no idea who the player was) between the 'current' United team and an all-star XI United team featuring older players who played alongside the testimonial recipient.

The few details I remember are hazy at best but - The 'current' Blades team won, it was just before the old John Street was demolished.

I've tried googling this and no record can be found - are there any Blades on here with a memory of an early 90's testimonial match? It's a long shot given the poor amount of recall I have of this match, but as my Aunty and Uncle who took me to the match that day have no recollection of it I'm appealing to my fellow Blades.

Can't help I'm afraid but I wouldn't worry too much about it. I think it far important that you remember the details of your first competitive game at BDTBL rather than a testimonial. I totally understand why you would want to know about the first time you set foot in BDTBL but I'd just say 'first league game was XXX but I'd been taken to some testimonial game before that.'

 

[happyhippy]

Sounds like the Brian Smith testimonial. The Stan the Man testimonial was against Malmö and we lost 6-1. Tony Currie's testimonial was against a 'Denis Waterman's All-Star XI' in October 86. The crowd of 17500 was the second highest attendance at the Lane all year, in the season which brought our lowest ever average attendance.

In the Brian Smith match, 'United' lost 3-2 to the 'Ex-Blades Select XI' on Star Wars Day 1992. Peter Duffield and Adie Littlejohn scored for 'United'.

 

[puppet]

Sounds like the Brian Smith testimonial. The Stan the Man testimonial was against Malmö and we lost 6-1. Tony Currie's testimonial was against a 'Denis Waterman's All-Star XI' in October 86. The crowd of 17500 was the second highest attendance at the Lane all year, in the season which brought our lowest ever average attendance.

In the Brian Smith match, 'United' lost 3-2 to the 'Ex-Blades Select XI' on Star Wars Day 1992. Peter Duffield and Adie Littlejohn scored for 'United'.

I was 'mascot' for brian Smith testimonial. I didnt get to run on the pitch before hand in my kit but I did all the tours etc... I have a funny picture of me and my friend with our heroes, Deane & Agana who have a distinct look of the WTF??? about them at being asked to pose with us.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Could be the Dooley testimonial, pre-season 93-94, against Pigs at the Lane, seem to remember we lost 1-0. Pretty sure it was night match.

 

[happyhippy]

Could be the Dooley testimonial, pre-season 93-94, against Pigs at the Lane, seem to remember we lost 1-0. Pretty sure it was night match.

The old John Street was still around at that match, as a week later I was on John Street East watching us beat Swindon 3-1.

 

[cooperblade]

Can't help I'm afraid but I wouldn't worry too much about it. I think it far important that you remember the details of your first competitive game at BDTBL rather than a testimonial. I totally understand why you would want to know about the first time you set foot in BDTBL but I'd just say 'first league game was XXX but I'd been taken to some testimonial game before that.'

Not happy about that.

My first game was Everton in the 4th Division Championship presentation friendly. Always classed it as my first match, always been happy and comfortable with that.

Now you've introduced an element of doubt.

Not sure how I'll ever find out with real certainty what my first competitive game was. Got a sneaking suspicion that I didn't go to any games in the season after promotion from the 4th and my first league game was a 4-0 home win on the opening day of the season after (v Gillingham or Bristol Rovers?). I know I went to another 4-0 in the same season(?) which I think was the one when Edwards scored the 'better than Pele' goal.

I'd love to have a complete record of every game I've attended but just can't remember the home games I did/didn't attend in the mid-80s. Got loads of programmes though, would make it easier if my Dad didn't buy a programme when I didn't go - I'll have to ask about that.

I'm keeping a spreadsheet of every game my 2 boys go to, if they grow up to be as sad as me, they'll be very grateful

I'm having to content myself with a spreadsheet of every away game I've been to, even that's not easy to remember.

My name's Cooperblade and I'm an anorak.

 

[Jostein Flo]

Thanks a lot guys - after checking out a few responses I believe it was the Brian Smith match as a few people mentioned. I'd have never found that myself as I've never heard of the fellow but it fits with dates, result and the fact it was contested between current and former players. The first competetive game I went to was a 0-0 draw with Sunderland so I'm going to keep the testimonial as my 'first' - it's just more interesting.