Favourite opening day matches and memories?

[HelloCity]

I remember beating Ipswich 1-0 at Maine Road in 1996 with everyone chanting ‘City’s going up!’. The match was played out of course just a few weeks after Euro 96. We had completely sold out despite relegation and the atmosphere was electric with everyone anticipating a swift return.

I don’t think we actually played that well on the night but from what I’d seen from a few Football League games on Granada I felt we didn’t have too much to worry about.

I was too young to have seen us in the lower leagues in the 80’s so just presumed we’d absolutely piss Division One that season.

Great (Friday) night. The follow up games not so much!

 

[Ric]

West Ham away under Sven was a great opening day. All the new signings (Elano, Petrov, Bianchi, Bojinov, Garrido) plus a core of youth players (Richards, Onuoha, Johnson, Ireland) made for such a exciting, promising team. A welcome new style of play after the truly dire Pearce era.

 

[franksinatra]

Yes West Ham away was a favourite of mine as well. Glorious day, scintillating football, the excitement of seeing Brazilian footballers like Geovanni, great atmosphere.

My other favourite would be Swansea and the excitement of Ageuro’s first game. He never started but he certainly made an impression in the last 20 minutes, absolutely electrifying.

 

[Corky]

I remember beating Ipswich 1-0 at Maine Road in 1996 with everyone chanting ‘City’s going up!’. The match was played out of course just a few weeks after Euro 96. We had completely sold out despite relegation and the atmosphere was electric with everyone anticipating a swift return.

I don’t think we actually played that well on the night but from what I’d seen from a few Football League games on Granada I felt we didn’t have too much to worry about.

I was too young to have seen us in the lower leagues in the 80’s so just presumed we’d absolutely piss Division One that season.

Great (Friday) night. The follow up games not so much!

It was good seeing 1-11 on the pitch that day, and it was also Moonchester's debut aka Frank Sidebottom.

 

[Cellarite]

Blackburn away in the black kit. Barry, Adebayor and Tevez debuts.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Home to blackpool, 1998, first game in division 2. Sunny day and everyone was surprised to see a full house. Won 3-0 and surely we were going to storm to the league title.

 

[radcliffe1309]

Blackpool at home won 3 nil ...Good crack that day

 

[manimanc]

Blackpool at home 1998.

Won 3-0, could have been more, telling the blackpool fans to shove their tower up the arse sideways, we was going to walk this league, piece of piss I thought, we'll be up by Christmas.

 

[WickyWain]

Joe Hart masterclass Vs Spurs away

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Swansea 4-0 on Kun’s debut is worth a mention.