The Early Years

 

I can just barely remember going to my first football match. Ted Bates
Testimonial Tuesday 13 August 1974 (reading from the programme cover)
Southampton v Leeds United. I do not remember the football at all. I do not
even remember who took me, I think it was our nextdoor neighbour.
I do remember that we were in the Archers but like any child of 8 years I
was probably in awe of seeing so many thousands of people. Last season I took
my boys to there first Saints match at Dellhurst Park and that is what
struck them most.
The next match I remember was at Stamford Bridge though I cannot think
whether it was a league match of the 1976 semi-final against Crystal Palace.
I do remember most of the 1st May 1976 though. We got the a supporters coach
up. I was so excited. I was ten years old and I was the only one of my class
mates who was there. One vivid memory is sitting on the concrete steps
leading to the turnstiles eating my lunch of homemade beefburger baps.
Inside we were directly behind the goal above the players tunnel - just the
right end for the goal. I remember going bananas when Bobby Stokes scored.
We had champagne on the coach home and I have kept my souveniers since. I
still have my scarf, ticket stub, programme, 2 or 3 copies of the Echo
football paper from that memorable day and other papers and cuttings.

I cannot remember much from the Charity Shield in that year - just that we
managed to be sitting for that one. In 1979 we were standing literally 5
yards from our position on the Wembley terrace that we occupied 3 years
previously. I can recall that we gave Forest a good ovation but when they
were collecting the cup the main thing that sticks in my mind was Saints
supporters chanting "We'll be back again in May". This was because we had
quite a decent cup run going at the time.

I have good memories of the seasons upto and including 1982-83.
Reuben Agboola, Austin Hayes, Kevin Keegan, Peter Wells then Peter Shilton, Nick Holmes,
Steve Moran, Steve Williams to name but a few. My goal scoring hero in those
early days was Phil Boyer. For several seasons he was in the top 2 or 3
leading scorers in the Division.
I was given my first Saints strip in 1978 (thick and thin stripes) but it
was nicked by a boy at school. I am sure it was a boy called Milo Bliss
(allegedly) so if he is reading this - I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN.

During the Keegan years I sported a lovely curly perm (I was also into heavy
metal so it meant I could grow my hair long and shaggy for headbanging).

We started in the Archers but spent most matches in various parts of the
Milton end. We used to stand in the 'chocolate boxes' (don't know why they
were called that) and the family centre before they built the new high
terrace which, if I remember rightly, was extremely exposed.

Nowadays what with living in London, doing shift work and having kids I
cannot go to that many games. However I have already taken my 2 boys to the Dell, St Mary's and a few away ground including Old Trafford which was spectacular.

I have the latest Saints shirt which I wear constantly around South London
is the only one that I ever see out and about.