Bradford - more memories

Don,
You did a memory lane post. This one is mine.
Bradford is a big hole with a town hall built in the centre.
I loved the place when I lived there. I hope that we win on Sat, but if we have to lose to anyone......
Last game of the season is there, I plan to go, whatever.

Red,

I understand what you are saying regarding team consistency and I agree. However if a player in that team is consistently not performing well surely it is sensible to replace them regardless of the results being acheived. I suspect that the same team will play again, hopefully McCormack is fit, but I wouldn't be concerned if Kerrouche returned (his strike rate for us is pretty good).

COYR

I hope it is you that wins the bet as I have had links with the lifeboats in the past.

Red, we both like a bit of nostalgia don't we!

Oxon,
IMO, keep the same defence. Fiddle with the front 2 if you want.
I hope that your links with RNLI didn't break if you were in need.
Bit worried about the bet, 'cos one of them supports West Ham, & another, Harrogate!
The " Harrogate home for fallen ladies" might deserve a contribution, but funding for a new stadium?
So we have to win.

Don,
If you can't be nostalgic at my age, then your memory has gone & you become a liability!
But those were good days. I am a pensioner now & don't have a lot of spare cash to spend on football - it would cost me a week's income to see a Town home game from here in Leics. But then, it wasn't much different as my income came as a paper boy - 15s a week! That was just enough to get to games from Chipp on the train, get in, buy a programme & a cup of tea! And a bit over for the away games at Rovers, Oxford, Reading etc.
In between these 2 financial crises, when I was gainfully employed, I went everywhere that I could, money didn't seem a problem. But since 68, never living closer to CG than Leicester, it was mostly away games. except for my 8 years in East Africa when home leave was spent in Chipp & I used to hop on the train, even for reserve games.
Back to nostalgia, obviously the best moment was 1969 Wembley, but closely following, a 3-3 draw at West Ham a couple of years before. That was an adventure for a young guy! Went to the replay, but had to leave early to catch the last train to Chipp so missed the winning goals!
Sorry if I have bored you!

Red,

Agree about the defence but the midfield currently is working very well. These areas are the backbone of any side and if they are doing the business should be kept in tact barring injuries and suspensions.
Montano looks a decent player but IMO Kerrouche may be better with Jervis, he battles harder and causes problems to opposing defences. Not great with his head but his strike rate of 6 goals from 7 starts is fantastic.

I still have connections with the RNLI, my local pub is the headquarters of the local branch. I have taken part in 500 mile walks and other fund raising activities in the past as well as selling raffle tickets every Christmas. Its always thought of as being a bit odd that we have a branch of the lifeboats in my home town as we are 70 miles from the sea but most of us visit the coast at some point and are probably the most likely to need their assistance. West Ham look a decent bet for promotion this season but I am happy for that to be the case as it will keep their gaze away from PDC if he continues to do well.

COYR

Oxon,
Totally agree. Fiddle with the 2 front guys & leave the rest alone. I'd give Connell a start, think that he deserves it. If that doesn't work, put Kerrouche on. Montano needs to learn that a game lasts 90+ minutes.
But, I guess, that's what he is here for.

Red, not bored in the least, I love this stuff! I lived in South Wales for many years and used to travel to as many games as I could afford...a two and a half car trip each way. I had a season ticket for our one season in the Premiership, figured that it would be the only time it would happen in my lifetime! I also saw lots of games in the Lou Macari era. Now I live in north Shropshire so it's away games mainly. My nearest club is Shrewsbury, I saw us lose there earlier in the season. I'm hoping to go to Port Vale a week tomorrow.

When I was a lad after finishing my butcher's round on a bike with a basket (got 17s 6d!) I went to home games and then the reserves alternate weeks. The reserves was great entertainment, I remember seeing us beat Aldershot 6-3 and missing 3 penalties to boot. You could chat to the away keeper, change ends in the ground etc all for next to nothing.

The 3-3 draw at Upton Park was probably the best game I ever saw, no one gave us a chance. Don was superb that day but so were the rest of the team. No one gave us a chance in the replay either, I can still remember Willie Penman's 30 yarder and Stan Harland clattering Geoff Hurst early on to make sure he knew he was there. The late goals from Don and Ken Skeen sent me into raptures. Then I went home and watched it on Sportsnight. You could tell that David Coleman enjoyed it too!

Wembley was just indescribable, I thought I was in dreamland! For the ultimate in highs and lows though the semi play off against Burnley at the Hawthorns stands out...1-0 up just a few minutes from time, then 1-1, then 1-2 down and thinking the dream had been snatched away. Then 2-2 and finally Peter Noble's winner. You couldn't write a script like that. Total euphoria!

Keep the memories coming. I know we sound like two boring old gits but we're harmless!

Don,
The thing about having to support a club like the Town, is that you remember the "golden nuggets" The rest of the time, in my experience, is harder than working. I've seen abject displays from as far apart as Carlisle & Plymouth. Went to Chesterfield 3 times & never saw a game 'cos of the weather. However good, Sir Don & Co were at home & against the bigger clubs, they were absolute carp away in the league.
So, nostalgia is good, but it wasn't all roses in those days.
As for being harmless, the pointer has just found the toffee apples that I made for bonfire night.Shouldn't have left them in the kitchen! Might have to go to the vet to get her jaw unlocked & her bowels looked at!
But, back to today, hopefully 3 points!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n2bHR2ErVo&feature=feedu

Found this video on the web, 1988 game agaisnt Bradford when we were winning but with 18 minutes to go the game was abandoned.