It had to be Stoke!!!
In my 35years as a City season ticket holder, it is fair to say that I have experienced some highs and lows (understatement of the millennium haha!).
Curiously though, Stoke City seem to have played a disproportionately, significant role in this journey and it seems fitting that we should meet them in next month’s FA Cup final.
My first game was as a 4 year old (not that I remember much) on the 1st of April 1972. My Dad took me, and my 3 year old brother, as City met Stoke at home. City harboured genuine title aspirations and this was a game which we were expected to win. Typical City! Obviously, we were beaten (2-1). There was also great, prophetic significance, for me, that day in Stoke’s first goal (people who know me will understand).
Some years later, the three of us saw Trevor Francis make his debut in a fantastic away win at Stoke 1981. Without question, this was the most exciting debut I have ever seen; Francis scored two goals and looked class!
On Boxing Day 1988, the three of us went to Stoke, for THAT game, in height of the banana craze; myself dressed as ‘Cupid Stunt’ – complete with plastic breasts and fishnets, my 16 stone brother dressed as a dwarf and my dad as an oversized, 46 year old ‘Andy Pandy.’ I clearly remember the players coming out carrying bananas, led by Steve Redmond. Brilliant! … well, it was, until we started playing football, anyhow!
The Brittania Stadium, May 3rd 1998, a day best forgotten! Just me and my dad now; brother dropped off due to working Saturdays – lightweight ! I have managed to obliterate most of the painful memories of that day; well, other than the fat, disinterested Georgie Kinkladze – cult hero, my arse!
Finally, their current managerial incumbent, featured, only one year later, in one of the best days of my life!
Who knows what the 14th of May will bring for me and my dad (still going strong after 60+ years service to the club)?
But, like I said, it had to be Stoke!
CTID
