Please think of an important or meaningful memory about your club. Use the space below to describe this memory:
First time I went to see them live, away to Wigan. It was a 2-2 draw but a special moment for me.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 5-3 at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea's home ground.) Arsenal almost never beat Chelsea, despite regularly beating other teams as good, or better, and it was being played away. Van Persie, a total hero at the time, scored a hat trick. Walcot scored one of the goals of the season. Chelsea were clearly a good side (i.e. it wasn't just like we played against a Chelsea side who were under performing) and John Terry, who pretty much every person apart from Chelsea fans hates, slipped over and wa directly responsible for our 5th goal.
Although much younger, I do remember the Invincibles seasons. Gives you a sense of pride and happiness; celebratory. Regular disappointment - in the form of actual emotional disappointment - or frustration since
As a child I witnessed the final game of Arsenal's unbeaten season in 2004. This will go down as one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Around the time I got into football, about aged 8 my best friend supported Arsenal. The club have a strong resonance with my childhood, as that was the time of the Arsenal dream team. Me and my friend used to pretend to be players when we had a kick about
The Champions League Final 2006 - Arsenal had travelled an amazing journey through the competition, humbling the legendary "Galacticos" of Real Madrid, the Italian Champions Juventus and Spanish team Villarreal in the last ever European match at Highbury tadium. Now we faced Barcelona in the Final. I was 13 at the time, and had begged my parents to get tickets for the game! I remember the whole day clearly. At school I was a ball of excitement, and was watching the clock closely, counting down the timethat I had left until I could go home and start watching the game. I watched all the build up and could feel shivers going down my spine as the teams walked out on to the pitch. After all those years of following Arsenal, this was THE moment. We finall had a chance to become Champions of Europe. Despite our goalkeeper Jens Lehmann being sent off early in the game, we took the lead in Paris in the first half courtesy of a thumping Sol Campbell header. I remember going absolutely mental! We had severa chances to bury that game. Thierry Henry, a God to me and my all time footballing hero, uncharacteristically missed two very important chances. It proved crucial. As the game wore on, Barca made their extra man count. By the 79th minute, they had equlised, and a second soon followed. The dream was over. I like many other fans, was beside myself. However while the disappointment of losing still hurts, I feel nothing but pride for my team and the way they got to that stage. The run had been incredible,and the players performed heroically in the face of intense pressure. For 79 minutes, we were champions of Europe. I think about that game often, but it underlines the reality that come what may, I will always be proud to call myself a fan of The Arsenal.
It was when ramson was injured by shawcross. ,,i felt sad and remorse like i was mt brother i really wept bitterly
When we lost the champions league final. Very frustrating
Can't think of anything, it's just a pasttime
Have once meet Giroud in public. Was an interesting experience as he was very nice and not arrogant at all.
Firs time I went to an away game, finally felt like I belonged
One of the best things about supporting a football club is watching the games with friends who support that club as well, talking about the players and agonizing over every misplaced pass or missed goal-scoring opportunity. I remember watching Arsenal in heir final game of the season last year when a win was absolutely necessary to compete in the Champions League in the next year. The game wasn't particularly exciting (illustrated by the fact that Koscielny, a defender, managed to score the only goal), bu the tension was extremely high, making it a great experience, which I was pleased to share with a few of my friends, while sitting in a pub and chatting the evening way...
One of pure joy and immense pride and exhilaration.
Kneeling in front of the tv watching a penalty shoot out vs Sampdoria with my Dad. We had lost the game but the tie had gone to penalties because of the first leg result. I still remember our goalkeeper, David Seaman, running in celebration as he saed the decisive penalty.
In 2004, when Arsenal drew 1-1 away at Tottenham Hotspur, it meant that Arsenal had won the Premier League title and had done so without losing the game. This led to all of my family celebrating at an Arsenal pub on Holloway Road resulting in a lock-in everybody in there an Arsenal supporter, and singing loads of Arsenal songs. One of the only times all of my family were smiling, in a good mood, and everyone was happy. I will never forget it for a) the footballing reason; or b) the togetherness and appiness it ended up doing for us all.
Walking to Highbury as a 8yo with my 5yo friend without anyone knowing just to see Arsenal it wasn't even a match day. I have live in west London all my life so it was a long way for us to go, we got old school beats when got home!
Coming back from 2-0 down on agg @ Tottenham in League Cup Semi 2nd leg in 1987. Great memories
I undertook two weeks work experience whilst at school with the then groundsman of Highbury, Steve Braddock and his team. It was a very emotional experience as Highbury was akin to a Church for me. I got to look after and tend to the very fabric of the 'Hly' stage and was there to maintain the pitch at a couple of big games. Walking out onto the pitch in front of fifty thousand fans was quite an amazing and intense experience.
One of my earliest memories of Arsenal was the first replay of our epic FA Cup third round match against Sheffield Wednesday in January 1978 and my Dad had treated us to seats in the West Stand, but with a few minutes remaining and Arsenal trailing 1-0 tothe third division side, he nudged me and suggested we made our way to the tube station to beat the rush. We shuffled out, walked behind the stand and were just walking past the steps which led up to the North Bank when a cheer went up. We rushed up the seps and to discover Liam Brady had scored a very late equaliser which would take the game into extra-time. My Dad figured we might as well watch the extra half-hour from our original seats, so we headed back and I distinctly remember someone commenting ?they?re back? as we slipped back into place which was a bit embarrassing. There were no more goals, but I think it?s that game which convinced me never to leave a game before the final whistle whatever the scoreline.
Being at Anfield in May 1989 and seeing them win the league for the first time.
I was at Anfield May 26 1989 and it was the best night of my life .
So many, but a favourite would be taking my son to Paris for the Champions League Final in 2006. Sharing the pain of defeat but massive pride in the club, and simultaneously showing him a great city was a wonderful time.
Singing we are top of the leaguewith everyone at the emerates this season felt great walking up holloway road when we had lost and being passed by the winners fans in their coach felt rubbish!
Mickey Thomas' winning goal at Anfield when we won the league.
we enjoy traveling to the Champions league fixtures. at Roma we were nearly hit by a coke bottle thrown from angry Roma Fans.
Travellling to London on two occasions with my sons to see Arsenal
Saw them play at Leicesrer many years ago and have never watched them since. They do not come and see me when I am bad. But then again I have never been a pay to watch sport person. Would rather watch local sport.
Champions League campaign 2011-12. We had come so close to winning to competition in previous years, and the performances we produced on that cup run were so inspiring that I don't think I'll ever see it topped at Chelsea, unless we win the treble or go aPremier League season unbeaten.
Winning the Champions' league and going to Stamford Bridge that very night to celebrate with a hundred or so other fans at midnight, singing songs and seeing fans young and old
Every time that I step into Stamford Bridge I feel a tingle that cannot be replicated by stepping into any other football ground. Watching Chelsea at the Bridge gives me a feeling of affinity to the club and to Chelsea that is surprising
Ran back from orchestra to watch Chelsea win the fa cup in 07
Watching Chelsea go through to the Champions League Final in 2012 after beating Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate. I was in Spain and called my family at the end of the match to celebrate with them.
Winning the champions league for the first time, one of the best days of my life especially after coming so close to winning it before.
I went to the champions league final in Germany with 17 other people on a minibus. We beat bayern Munich at there own stadium after extra time and penalties. This is a highlight of my life
Winning the Champions League. I had no sleep that day. Will forever remain as one of the happiest days of my life.
The first thing that comes to mind is when we won the league in 2010 - Fulham was like a carnival - hugging strangers, singing, it was exhilarating...
This survey is strangely worded. That aside, my emotional memories of my club are not dissimilar to emotional memories in more traditionally 'meaningful' areas of life such as family and romance.
Mikel playing as MoM against Stoke in 2011 minutes after being told his father was kidnapped. Lampard's penalty after his mum died. Drogba's tribute to Peter Osgood at the Shed End when he passed Ozzie in the team scoring records. JT missing the PK in oscow. Drogba finishing the UCL final.
First time i saw my club,chelsea,it was actually at a premier league game at Barnsley,and un fortunatley i was sat among the home fans,we won 6-1 i think it was,and if i remember rightly Vialli scored a hattrick,that is when my heart decided it was time t turn and be a blue... i was about 11-12 at the time,i am now 33... What a game,and what a feeling it was,actually then at the time,supposedly being a Barnsley fan,but yet knowing this team wasn't the team for me.. Supported the famous CfC ever since
Didier Drogba's final touch of the ball as a Chelsea player, for which he won the Champions League with a calmly taken penalty kick.
Walking into the same stand every time and the stewards and staff recognising you with "good to see you again" and hugs all round!
return of the special one. Drogba scoring in penalty shoot out to win champions league final.
Being in Munich 2012 to be with our fans winning the champions league. Not having a ticket did not mater as we were among 17000 fellow fans just their to show our support for our club. Watched the penalty shot out in a shop window as the place we watched he game had a little trouble and closed.
Standing in the Shed. 0-2 down 15 minutes to go in an FA cup game in the 74/75 season. I continued to cheer my team on. We won 3-2.. Exhilarating.
Winning the FA cup in 1971 against Leeds Utd after a replay at Old Trafford. My best friend at school at that time was a Leeds fan so it was very important for a 14 year old boy to have the bragging rights'
Winning Premeir League for the first time and winning the Champions League,
so many over the years. Champions League Final in Moscow 2008; pouring rain, so near to glory, so disappointed after; great trip with son and friends, fascinating city, unique experience
The final day of the 2009/10 season, when we drew at Hillsborough to stay up, despite being in administration. Had we lost this match, then we would have been relegated & probably not be in existence now!
Play off final at Wembley, beating brighton in the play off semi final.
The fact the one match I really didn't enjoy was at Hillborough in the relegation decider, and potential fate decider in May 2010. I don't think Palace fans were meant to enjoy it though!
The day palace avoided relegation to league 1 I was in the away end at hillsborough as palace held on to a 2-2 draw to avoid relegation from the championship into the third tier of English football. It was a nervous day for all fans of the club and it wa incredible the noise and support that we gave the players and that ultimately helped keep us up
Sheffield Wednesday away last game of the season we needed at least a draw to stay up, we go one nill up midway through the first half and as you would expect i was EXTREMELY happy. Sheffield Wednesday then go an equalise i was heart broken but thankfullywee had a little beauty called Darren ambrose he put us 2-1 up at this point i was in tears. Sheffield Wednesday then go and score in the 86th min to make it 2-2 i was so nervous i thought i was going to have a heart attack. Then came the relief of the fial whistle along with Many of other palace fans i ran on the pitch to celebrate what was one of my favourite ever palace memory
I remember for 2 seasons I had a season ticket in the same area and each week we would come back to the same people. We grew close to those around us and still look out for them when we sit near by.
Listening to Palace - Brighton on the radio as we couldn't tickets. Winner goes to Wembley. We won. Nothing quite has come as close in football.
Being a fan for 16 years of my current 18, my most important memory was when I went to Cardiff to watch Palace triumph over West Ham in the play off final to reach the premier league. It was a very good day, all of my family made the trip to Cardiff and Ifelt at one with the Palace community. It was a very special time in the clubs history, and I am proud to have witnessed it first hand.
Travelling up to Sheffield Wednesday with 5,000 fans and celebrating together with players and fans as we stayed in the championship
Last day of the season against Sheffield Wednesday, after Palace had gone into administration, Palace needed just a point and Sheffield a win. Atmosphere was incredible especially after we stayed in the Championship having lost 10 points.
Neartthe end of the 2013 playoff semifinal Glenn Murray got injured a few meters in front of me, he only just returned recently.
The day that we almost went out of business, I was 5 minutes away from losing my club. I don't know what I would have done
Singing glad all over at wembley in the play off final against Watford. Magical.
Sheffield Wednesday 2 - 2 Crystal Palace 2009 I think. Last day of the season, unbelievable scenes, we needed to draw or win to stay up, if they won, theyd stay up. Was simply the greatest day ever. We did it to save our club. Immensly proud
its not the most happy memory but one of the most meaningful, crystal palace went into administration and after weeks of battling and praying we were possibly a few hours away from complete extinction until the wonderful people at cpfc2010 took over th reason this is so meaningful is because look at us now in the premier league when everybody had written us off, a good chance of survival after everyone had written us off. this shows how strong a bond to crystal palace is to the fans were not a club we re a family, one identity although to others a club is just a club. the man who optimizes this most I think is Damien Delaney last season he was just about to give up on football when no one wanted him but Palace gave him a second chance when no one ele would (a lot like when cpfc2010 took over during administration) and he then proved to be a key player in winning us promotion and still is now in keeping us up in the premier league so like Damien Delaney, crystal palace never give up, as a team, a lub, a family we move forward together through the good, the bad, through sun and rain. as I see it, to truly appreciate the best times of life you must first experience the lowest of lows in life
Winning premier league promotion this season at wembley, the crowd was massive but yet we all had one goal and this connection
Wembley 2013. Greatest football memory of my life. The atmosphere of being surrounded by thousands of supporters, all from your club. Knowing we all wanted the same thing and had seen the team work hard to be there. Waiting for the second half of extra tie to finish, 15 minutes away from Premier League football, I held my best friend's hand (more like squeezed) and cried my eyes out until that final whistle went. And then, uproar, we had made it into the premier league and I was surrounded by my friends, y closest friends from my football club who are like family to me. Shivers all over my body and tears of happiness falling down my face. Being a football fan is indescribable to someone who has never experienced the ups and downs of supporting your clubthrough thick and thin. Especially after nearly losing your club through administration a mere 3 years earlier.
Winning promotion last season. Firstly the semi final win against Brighton (our biggest rivals) and then the win at Wembley against Watford.
Football and Cpfc is about spending time with my family. One of my favourite childhood memories was an away trip to Blackpool in horrific conditions. Strength through adversity as we were all miserable at the time (usually the case as Palace fans) but stil laugh about standing in the pouring wind and rain watching a draw now.
Crystal Palace winning promotion to the Premier League last season! At Wembley - Kevin Philips scoring the winning goal!
Play-off Final against Watford Super Kev with the all important penalty.
Celebrating the Playoff Final vs Watford last year with my brother, who I travel to the majority of home and away games with. Felt like we had both made it and all the bad away days/dodgy results etc didn't matter because we made it!
One of my favourite memories of being a fan of Crystal Palace was about one and a half years ago. We were in the semi-final of the league cup, well above our expectations and beating the likes of Manchester United to get there, we were playing Cardiff.We won the home leg 1-0 and my brother and I decided to go to Cardiff to watch the second leg, he studies in Bristol and I study in Exeter. We lost, after 90 minutes we were drawing overall and then nothing changed in extra time and finally penalties, here we lost (badly). But, that period of extra time was one of the strongest footballing experiences I have ever felt. The entire away support, all having travelled miles to get here, stood up and sang the same song for virtually all of extra time. We ween't playing that well, but we were so proud of the players on the pitch, and the manager and I was proud of the fans for being there. We did not stop! It was so powerful and I'll never forget the feeling of that much emotion swelling together for a team osing a football match. There have been other, strong moments as a Palace fan, but this will always be one of the ones I am most proud of.
In 2010 when the club was in administration and hours away from no longer existing, thousands of Palace fans marched together to the Lloyd's banking HQ in Central London to protest at their actions which would have put an end to the clubs existence. Lloyds were indirectly owed money by the club slit was their debt to pursue, but by staging a protest an extension was given on the deadline, in which time a consortium of 4 local fans came forwards (CPFC2010) and saved the club. In this period of administratin, the club owed a charity, St Johns Ambulance, in the region of £16,000 and a Just Giving page was set up by fans and the money was raised within days to pay this debt off. This is a proud moment for most Palace fans, along with a time during the previos spell in administration (2000) where Palce fans raised over £1,000,000 for the Crystal Palace Supporters Trust in an attempt to save the club from administration.
My best memory was when I went to watch palace beat burnley 4.2 at selhurst 2012
Being much younger (7 years old) and watching Palace in the 1997 playoff final with my Dad on TV. I vividly remember David Hopkin scoring in the last minute and my Dad jumping off the sofa and cheering and it gave me a massive fright!
Playoff final in millennium stadium, 2004. We beat west ham in the playoff final to gain promotion to the premiership. Was one of the greatest days of my life with my dad.
When I was younger I remember being in the car park at Selhurst Park with my sister. It was during the winter and we were waiting for our dad to pick us up after the game. Most people had left the area and we were the only people waiting around. Suddenly ndy Johnson (our star player that season) came up to us and started talking with us, signing autographs, having photos, etc. I also remember that because he must have seen us and decided to come up to us rather than us hassling him. It was really cold andhe didn't have to come outside. He was very kind to us and not like your stereotypical arrogant footballer.
Spending time with my dad at wembley stadium in a playoff final.
Watching the game against Sheffield Wednesday in 2010 that would decide our relegation from the Championship that season, and would mean we went into administration and probably would have ceased to exist as a club. We won, and I walked home through the sreets of Brighton (the home of our greatest rivals) proudly displaying the shirt and feeling elated enough to ignore the shouts and jibes of various local fans.
Staying up on the last day of the 2009-2010 season away at Sheffield Wednesday. When the final whistle went I lost all notion of reason and of what was going around me and let out emotion that I never knew I had for half an hour.
Going to Wembley to see them win promotion vs Watford last year.
Play off finals against Leicester City, Sheff Utd, West Ham and Watford.
Kevin phillips extra time penalty at wembley against Watford that sent us up to the premier league for the 2013/2014 season
Staying up in 2001 against Stockport, last minute goal by Dougie Freedman, the feeling of relief and euphoria was unbelievable and unforgettable!!
Aki Riihilahti equalising for Palace against Arsenal in 2004. It was a evening match and the noise when he scored was unbelievable. It was an amazing sight and sound. And then as I was celebrating some guy nearby tapped me on the shoulder and sort of gestred that he'd lost his glasses. Maybe he said it, but it feels like he gestured it. Anyway, I scrabbled around on the floor for about 10 seconds trying to help him find them. It was a surreal moment, lost in the noise.
Final day of the 09/10 season. Sheffield Wednesday vs Crystal Palace. Palace need to win or draw to stay up, Wednesday must win to stay up and send Palace down. I literally spent the last 5 minutes on my knees in the stands praying and couldn't even watchas Palace managed to claim the invaluable draw meaning Palace stayed up at the expense of Wednesday. It was the best and worst day all rolled into one.
Me and my girlfriend going to the restaurant at the club for my birthday getting pitch side photos the nice comfy seats
Being saved from administration twice in my lifetime
Going to watch games with my Nan who held a season ticket for 35 years. She has unfortunately now passed away and every time I watch Palace I think of her,
Gaining promotion to the premier league this year, sat next to my brother and best friends at Wembley, with other family elsewhere in the stand. Magical day.
Promotion at Wembley last season, just 3 years after we almost no longer had a club
First time my father took me to see them play live they lost 4-1 to arsenal but despite my father also bringing my Arsenal supporting best mate it is still an fond memory.
2006 playoff final at Wembley when we lost in the last minute 2007 playoff final at Wembley when we won in the last minute Cup final loss to Man Utd Beating Watford in the playoff final
A hard earned draw against arsenal just when I started going out with my fiancé
When my father died he was buried wearing a Palace scarf - he is the reason I support the club. The club is the one think that unites all the generations of my family.
When we beat Liverpool 4-3 in the 1990 semi final - that was the game got my hooked on Palace. I have also never seen my Dad show such a release of emotion as when Palace scored the 4th goal
Going to watch every home match with my dad, brother and sister - spending time with family. When I was. Mascot when I was 10! Big games such as cup semi / finals / play offs. / relegations. Games with crazy weather, dodgy referee decisions!!!
Play-off final 2004 - could not believe we would be in Premier League. Very nervous end to game.
My mum taking me to meet ian write and mark bright and getting a signed photo
Wembley may 2013, I hated the whole day, even though we won it was very stressful. My abiding memory though was seeing the joy on my friends faces in the pub that night, a stunned incredulous look, did we really do that?
3 generations of my family at the FA Cup final was a really special moment.
Winning promotion to the then First division in 1979. 52000+ people, my first game, brilliant atmosphere at an evening match. Sold Palace to me for life. I can still smell it.
The most amazing game I attended was the semi final of the Fa cup in1990 against Liverpool. The match was so exciting and unbelievable having lost9-0 to them earlier in the season. Such an intense and emotional feeling, I thought my heart would give out!
Play off final win against west ham at the millinium stadium and play off final win against Watford at wembley stadium
Beating administration deducted 10points and still stayed up
beating brighton away 2 nil last year in play off final then gloing to wembley and getting promoted to premier league
My dad taking me to Leeds in 1976 for a famous away game.
There are a few Beating Burley at Selhurst park in 1979 with 51,000+ Beating Liverpool in 1990 at Villa Park 4-3 (aet) (when semi-finals wernt about money for the FA by having the sime=finalks ay Wembley) Beating Brighton 1-3 their 1st leuage defeat atthe Amex (most hated rivals show you how its done and go in their history book for all time (treasurered moment))
My dad lifting me over the turnstiles when I was 8 at my first game, never locked back and ridden the highs and lows ever since
Being at the playoff finals at Wembley and the Millenium Stadium
every time we get knocked down the club gets up and does even better than before.
I had a road accident in 1975, aged 17. The club gave me fantastic support, which I have tried to repay ever since.
My first experience of watching Crystal Palace was when I was approx. 9 or 10 years old & my Dad decided on the spur of the moment to drive the whole family to Carlisle to watch the Palace at an away match, can't remember the score but I was hooked.
Palace v Sheffield United, 1997 play-off final. After 80 minutes the score was still 0-0, in what had been a pretty turgid game. The Palace fans started up a chant which seemed to get louder and louder, and instead of petering out after 4 or 5 repetiions, it went on - and on . The longer it went on the louder it got. Five minutes, six minutes, seven minutes: still it continued. From where I was standing it sounded as if every Palace fan in the stadium was singing as loud as they could. Then ust as it seemed that the noise couldn't get any bigger, David Hopkin hit a storming shot to score with virtually the last kick of the game. The noise nearly deafened me. I'm convinced to this day that the Palace fans truly were the 12th man that day -and I've never felt so much part of a football family before or since.
Wembley play-off final 2013, ecstatic over promotion, best memory because I was with my 15 old son who is equally a strong fan.
On a Friday in May1979 i remember being squashed in on the Terraces when Palace won the last game of the season and therefore won promotion to the then First Division and after the match going onto the pitch to celebrate with other fans. I also remember omeone holding up a wooden eagle (our nickname) and the players at the front of the Directors box.
Cup semi final win over Liverpool 1990. League cup win over man u 2011.
Manchester United at Selhurst Park, first game ever in the top tier.
Reaching the cup final by beating Liverpool at Aston Villa
Being promoted to the premier league for the second time and running on the pitch
Coca cola championship play-off final: Bristol City 0 - 1 Hull City on the 24th May 2008. It was an amazing time to go to wembley stadium for the first time to see a chance that we could go to the top division for their first time. When Dean Windass score a wonderful volley just outside the box, I remember going crazy and at the end of the match I was just so hyped. It was a meaningful memory as I saw my home club proceed to a division that they haven't been to and to see the likes of Man. Utd, Man. City,Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, ect.
Being promoted for the very first time via wembley , it was magical and involved what was probably the best goal ever scored at wembley
Dean Windass' Winning volley at Wembley against Bristol City in the 2008 Championship play off final. The memory of that goal and the feeling of when it was scored and the sound of my fellow supporters as we raised the roof of Wembley will always be with e.
Hull city are in the premiership and facing relegation rivals Fulham at the kc. I'm in the north stand at a sold out stadium . Tom huddlestone was playing brilliant and so was everyone, we hit the post and had triple shots to what that had that half it wa 0-0 at half time but then in the second half everything changed and we won that game 6-0 and I went home a very proud hull city fan as I always am
Winning the championship play-off at wembley when I was 10 years old. When the final whistle went there was so much celebration and happiness for what seemed like the whole of Hull (with almost 40,000 fans coming to wembley), it was very emotional and ovewhelming for myself at that age.
My 1st memory of Hull City AFC is when i went to my first ever game, aged 7! It was the 8th January 2005, and i got told i was going to football, and i had no idea how much i would love it. I remember walking through the turnstile and thinking wow, this i big. I walked down the stairs to my seat with my dad and all around me were people shouting and screaming, i remember seeing the passion in the eyes of them people. Grown men on a saturday afternoon, getting away from all of their problems to go watch th beloved Hull City AFC. To this day i remember everything about that day, from getting told about going, to the goals which were scored. I was sat in block E4, it was crazy down there, i absolutely loved it! Colchester United beat us 2-0 that day, and i an safely say thats the worst performance i have ever been to while supporting Hull City AFC, but it was probably one of the best days of my life! Another great memory i have is the day we went to Wembley, 24th May 2008. I didnt go to London for the game,but went to my local pub, and as soon as the final whistle went, everybody was jumping around hugging each other singing songs, and i broke down crying with happiness, at the age of 10. I'm nearly 17 now, and i follow Hull City AFC home and away, and i wuldnt change it for the world! NO TO HULL TIGERS!
The first game against Rochdale at Boothery park, I was 5
2009-2010 (I think), Hull City AFC's second season in the Premier League. With four games to go, Hull City AFC play Sunderland at home in a must win relegation battle. After half an hour, our record signing and highest ever wage earner Jimmy Bullard, who' been out with various injuries for 15 months previously, steps up to take a penalty. He misses. Moments later, he is shown on the big screen at the opposite end of the ground joking with a Sunderland centre-half. Hull City AFC hardly get a look-in after hat penalty; we get hammered, and relegated, plunging us into near-financial ruin.
Going to Wembley in 2008 with my family was the best day of my life.
Beating Swansea on a Tuesday night in League 1 with a Stuart Elliott header. Best sound at the KC to date.
When Hull earned promotion to the Premier League back in 2008 by winning the playoffs at Wembley, it was one of the most emotional days of my life. At the full time whistle I broke down in tears as I couldn't believe that it was all really happening.
Deano's volley at Wembley against Brizzle City in the Championship play-off final
Wembley 2008, the day Hull City made their name global
There are many occasions which stick out for their significance in footballing terms, my first game, the wembley win, promotion and relegation drama, however the memory which sticks so vividly in my mind as the moment as when football and hull city first ad an emotional impact on my life would be none of the above events. The memory which stands out for me would be a Tuesday night game against Leyton Orient in 2001/2. The reason I select this game in particular is because I wasn't allowed to go. Most parets punish their children by grounding them, sending them to bed early or conviscating a games console. My parents punished my bad behaviour by not allowing me to go and watch my team...I was distraught. When not going to see a football team playing in the4th tier of English football on a Tuesday night is a successful punishment, you know that club is with you for life.
When we achieved promotion to Wembley in 2008.
Winning at wemberley and getting promoted to the premier league for the first time in our clubs history.
I'm 22 years old and male, so as you can imagine I don't much like showing my emotions. In May last year my club drew 2-2 with Cardiff guaranteeing promotion to the Premier League, I turned to my Dad sat directly behind me as always and broke down in tars for what a special moment this was for our relationship - that's what a football club can do for you, it brings people together.
Hometown hero Dean Windass volleying us into the premier league for the first time ever in the 37th minute at Wembley. That moment of euphoria will never be beaten, not even recreational drugs come close to matching it.
Winning at Wembley to secure promotion to the Premier League. It felt fantastic!
Celebrating at special matches, like Yeovil away, with my dad.
Staying up against Cardiff in the Championship in 2007 while Leeds were relegated
Promotion on the final days of the 2012/13 season at home to Cardiff
Yeovil away. Promoted for the first time in 19 years. Special.
My first game at the now demolished ground, barely a stadium especially compared to what we have now. It was great to see them play live and further cemented my passion for the team.
When a young fan (aged 5) died in a car crash to an away game I was at, the following home game when the fans and club paid respect by applause and chanting the young mans name was a memory I won't forget. It could easily have been one of us.
The feeling of jubilation when we scored at wembley was similar to ecstasy. The love I felt for my family that surrounded me was euphoric.
Going to my first game with my uncle & father aged 5. Both have sadly died now but I still attend alone. I carry on going to the games due to my love of the club & in their memory.
I think the day that Dr Allem is ousted and the club is returned to it's proper traditional name will be my best memory. Otherwise, the goal scored by Dean Windass at Ninian park in the 2007-2008 season to keep us in the Championship and condemn Leeds o a stint in League one. Oh and that day at Sunderland, for all the good and BAD reasons.
When I was a young lad standing in the south stand at boothferry park during a time when the club was struggling massively financially and everybody throwing change into a big tarpaulin that was being taken round the ground by staff so the players could b paid and the ground kept open. Then less than 10 years later winning the playoff final at wembley!! Was wonderful
So many,but, it has to be Hull City v Bristol city in the 07/08 play off final at wembley. It was such a great day all round from the train journey with Bristol City fans ( I live in the Forest of Dean Gloucestershire) to walking down wembley way after stpping off the metro. The whole atmosphere was electric. The day was extra special because it was shared with my mum ( we always go to away games together) and my uncle and aunty. When that goal went in it was like no other goal we had celebrated beforethis was wembley after all. We held on to win by 1-0 . I'd always said I wouldn't be to bothered if we lost because I never expected this at the start of the season, however, the faces of the Bristol City fans on the way home made me breathe more than onesigh of relief!
Seeing the team win the Chapionship Play offs at Wembley. Thousands of people feeling and expressing great joy and happiness at the same time. To be part of this felt great.
Going to Wembley for the playoff final when we got promoted to the Premier League for the first time: We had stopped in Peterborough for the weekend and got the train to Kings Cross in the morning. It hit home what a big day it was for everyone when the irst train from Hull pulled in to waving flags and cheers. The whole day was unbelievable as a couple of years previously the PL had looked like a distant dream. The atmosphere everywhere we went surrounded by City fans who believed we could actually goup, then the minute Dean Windass scored the game's only goal- a Hull born lad sending us up was the perfect fairytale scenario!
The playoff final goal at Wembley. Dean Windass volley to take us to the Premier League
My first game as an 8 year old with my father and brothers. An experience that left an indelible impression on me and meant I knew who my team would be for the rest of my life.
Around 1994 ish the club were struggling for outfield players due to injuries and a lack of finance. Alan Fettis the clubs usual number 1 goalkeeper was also out injured with his hand. However as we were struggling so much he was called onto the pitch vrsus Oxford as a striker. I went to this match with a friend (it was her first ever football match) and at half time as attendance figures were low we could choose where we wanted to sit. At half time we decided to move further up the stand so we could et a better view of the Oxford penalty area. How glad we were, Fettis had only gone and scored, the crowd went wild! This to me highlights, don't be defeatist, you may never be the best in the world, you may never be the classiest or have the greatest tlent, but with grit, determination, belief and character you can do well.
Deano volleying a wondergoal to send us to the Premiership
Being taken to my first game by my dad on a night.. The atmosphere was great and seeing football under the lights.. I was hooked
Been a boy and the first song I heard played at boothferry park was Tina turner, simply the best.
Too many to mention, but we've had loads of great away days, including when one of our friends farted in the car on the way to Liverpool; I demanded he open the window to release the horrific stench, and his ticket flew out into the wind and rain on the M2, never to be seen again...
Battling relegation in old Division 4, playing Bradford at home (near the end of the season) who themselves where chasing promotion. My club decided to allocate the 12000 travelling fans the 3 home terraces and put the 1500 or so home fans in the away en. Looking back I understand the financial ratification for the move, but I also remember the strong feeling of resentment towards the board that the full group of home fans felt - highlighted by a rather aggressive pitch invasion towards the end of thematch to show our displeasure.
I remember lots - my first game was to see a testimonial match aginst Spurs - not really a Hull City fan then as I was only a kid and not from a football family, I remember going to that match mainly to see Spurs but from that day deciding this WAS my tea and how could I ever justifiably support any other club.
Winning promotion to the premier league for the first time, and through the play-offs, doing at wembley. A great day, with friends, celebrating what we had been waiting for for almost 20 years.
My nephew was a mascot for a game at our stadium. I went with him as he met the players and had a kickabout on the pitch before the game. I sat in the managers chair in the dugout. Apparently I'm not supposed to do that!
The elation of Hull City first winning promotion to the Premier League, knowing I'm surrounded by thousands of others who've gone through the same years of disappointment is something never to be forgotten
Winning the 2008 championship play offs at wembley meaning we got promoted to the premier league for the first time. Seeing how happy my parents were at the final whistle.
Being at Wembley to witness Dean Windass' volley and subsequent team victory to clinch promotion to the Premier League for the first time in our 104 year history made me believe that anything was possible.
Very first match I visited - Hull City v. Everton reserves!
Dean Windass's goal at Wembley that put us in the premier league for the first time
When Hull City were promoted to the Premier League for the first time mine and my family's thoughts turned to my grandfather who would have loved to see the day.
Probably the most obvious one is being at Wembley with my sister and nephew and the sheer euphoria as local hero Dean Windass scored a fantastic volley to earn us promotion to the top flight for the first time in our history.
Winning at Wembley - never ever thought we would ever play in the top league
We found a postcard dated 1908 written by my great-uncle who was clearly an early supporter to my great grandfather talking about the FA Cup results that day. Hull City had beaten Woolwich Arsenal 4-1. 100 years later I attened Arsenal vs Hull City at theEmirites during our first ever season in the top division: we won 2-1. Only the second ever victory over the Gunners.
Winning promotion for the first time in the play-offs with my father.
My first game - a boring 0-0 draw against Bradford City ....... I was hooked
The first time we got into the premier league the playoff at Wembley watching the clock tick down and watching through your fingers such a tense emotional time the absolute elation felt as that whistle was blown and we had made it to the premier league. Asolutely brilliant never forget it. City till I die !
I remember my older brother taking me to see Hull when I was about 10. The match was forgettable, but afterwards the visiting team, Millwall, turned over a few of the cars and were being pretty violent. I hate football violence in all shape and form due t this.
Winning promotion in 1985, 2004, 2005, 2008 & 2013, thinking about those seasons brings back happy memories.
Play off final victory 2008. First time in top flight in club's history
"Campbell shimmies through the Bristol City defence and chips the ball back, BANG Windass volleys top corner. The keeper didn't stand a chance"
Going to Wembley in 2008 for the play off finals. It was hull city's first time at Wembley. The day was special, not only because of winning, but because it was shared with my parents, brother, partner and our children (aged only 4 and 2), my godfathe and many close friends we have made through watching hull City. It was also the first time I had seen my dad and godfather in tears!
Staying up in first season in the premier league. Went down to last day/game of the season.
Dean Windass volleying home the winner against Bristol City at our only appearance at Wembley in front of all my closest family members and children to gain promotion to the Premier League for the first time in our 104 year history.
I have so many. Probably the best memory is the Hull Cardiff Game May 4th 2013 when we regained promotion to Premier League. It was a home game so was with all my regular footie mates and was a fantastic atmosphere. There were so many twists and turns we ere going up, then we weren't and then we had to wait an agonising 15 minutes for the results of the Watford game. If they won their game they were promoted instead of us. The worst thing was the stadium didn't screen it and so we were all sat with everyoe on their phones and radio with everyone giving different versions and then there wasn't a definitive "that's it we've done it" moment as the news filtered gradually and so the celebrations started gradually. We then spent the rest of the day celebratingin the pubs close to the ground and everyone was in colours with singing breaking out until the early hours of the morning. And to cap it all, some of the City players came in to the pub we were in to celebrate and were so great and down to earth and bougt us drinks I had recorded the match and must have watched it hundreds of times and particularly like the footage of the players waiting the 15 minutes to find out themselves. I'll never forget that day!
promotion in 2008 to the premier league for the first time in 104 years, a memory that will always stay with me
The first time Hull City got promoted to the premier leage is among the remember all moments of my life along with my son been born
When we beat Bristol at wembley to be promoted into the premier league for the first time in the clubs history & stood on the pitch after the Cardiff game in 2013 waiting for the Leeds result to see if we had been promoted again both fantastic occasions
Going to my first ever game with my Dad and Grandad when I was 9 years old.
The day we beat Bristol City in the Championship play off to reach the Premiership for the first time in our history. Living in Ireland and enjoying the London day totally inspired me to become a founder member of the Irish supporters Club with two othe people I never knew before that day. We now have around 20 members and regularly watch games together
Going to football matches as a child and standing with huge with hundreds of supporters all following our team.
First match, taken by my dad, was a night match. I still remember never having seen grass that was so green and such a huge noisy crowd, there were over 30,000 there. We won. I loved it and was hooked
Winning away against Arsenal in the first ever season in the premier league - feeling immense pride in the way the team worked.
Players being given half time talk on pitch by Phil Brown
Winning the playoff final and being in the Premier League for the first time in our 104 year history
Winning the playoff final at Wembley in 2008. While there at the end of the game I was a little numb and just walked through the stand occasionally seeing other long standing fans. We would just look at each other. No words were necessary. We just knew. Im sure everyone recalled fans who hadn't made it to take our place in the top flight after 104 years.
Promotion to Premier League v Cardiff last year, toally stressful experience waiting for Watford result to come through, almost unbearable tension followed by realisation we had done it! Bliss
Standing on Bunkers Hill ( south stand Boothferry Park ) on match days in the late 60's, hair raising experience. Also the goal Dean Windass scored at Wembley to take Hull City into the Premiership for the first time in their history. Signing schoolboy orms for Hull City and having my signature witnessed by Jock McSeveny (67/68 season)
First ever trip to Wembley in 2008 culminating in victory in the Championship play off final and attaining premier league status for the first time in 104 years.
Coming back from 2 nil down to draw at Chelsea 6th Round FA Cup 1965/66, We where in the 3rd Division and got promoted. Had we been in the second division we were good enough to win that too.
Being in a large crowd at Wembley with my son in 2008 as they won promotion to the premier league for the very first time.
Winning our Premier League status at Wembley in. 2008. I cried buckets for my father and grandfather ( both deceased ) who could not be with me.
Meeting boyhood hero, Raich Carter many years after his retirement, and finding that he lived very near me.
Winning promotion at Yeovil. Having had or share of struggle, I doubt winning the Champions League would be as memorable as that weekend, shared with a great bunch of City fans and the lovely people of Yeovil.
The way Liverpool have awaken this season after a terribly difficult 5 years or so. As fans, we have waited long enough.
Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 after coming back from being 3-0 down. There was a great sense of elation that they had won which was made all the greater given that it replaced a bitter sense of disappointment that they had been losing and wer so unlikely to win.
First trip to the stadium with my dad aged 10
Winning the 5th European Cup against AC Milan in 2005 in Istanbul.
Coming from 3-0 in Istanbul in the champions league final. I watched the game surrounded by friends of other clubs who did not have the belief that I had of Liverpool having any chance of winning the game and the trophy.
As a Liverpool fan, it's very difficult to look beyond Istanbul 2005. The story is a simple and well-known one, but involves perhaps to me the greatest comeback in history, if the importance of the occasion is taken into account. I was a child that didn'tever get into football, as I grew up in an area where it wasn't often shown on TV. But the first football match I ever watched was that one; my father forced it. From that day, I realized how much I enjoyed it, and never looked back.
Champions League Final 2005 in Istanbul. Liverpool were 3-0 down at half time and everyone (including myself) thought the game was over. My brother - also a Liverpool fan - went to bed and encouraged me to do so. Even though I thought the game was over, Icouldn't stop watching the match and my eyes were glued to the screen. Liverpool came back, scoring 3 goals in a 7 minute period and the match went on to extra time. In extra time, the Liverpool goalkeeper made an unbelievable save from Shevchenko - consiered the best striker in the world at that time - with his eyes closed! No team scored in extra time so the match went to penalties. The Liverpool goalkeeper - Jerzy Dudek - was told by Jamie Carragher (the Liverpool Vice-Captain) prior to the shoot-out t attempt to distract the opposition players by simulating a famous Liverpool goalkeeper of the past (Bruce Grobbelaar). He did and Liverpool won the shoot-out and hence the Champions League. This final is considered by many to be the best final of all tim due to its dramatic nature and the remarkable feat achieved by Liverpool - as well as coming back from the dead to win the match, the victory meant we had won the tournament for a 5th time (a record for a British club) and UEFA allowed Liverpool to keep he trophy to recognise this achievement.
When Fernando Torres left - heartbreaking stuff.
Champion league win 2005. From 3-0 down to 3-3 and a win on penaltys. Dramatic and emotional!
Winning the champions league in 2005. Most stressful yet enjoyable experience ever.
Watching us win the Champions League final in 04-05 was a genuine rollercoaster of emotion.
Listening to the Merseyside Derby Semi Final on a radio freezing on a canal boat with some mates only one of whom also cared and supported Liverpool and knowing that my days enjoyment was based on the result
When Liverpool won the Champions League final in 2005 (3-0 down at half time - end up winning on penalties) This was the first time I was really passionate about a team, and I had followed their progress throughout the season
Watching Liverpool play against AK Graz in 2004 as it was my first ever match at Anfield. Sadly we lost 1-0 but went through on away goals. If I remember correctly it was the only game we lost in the entire 2004/05 Champions League run (which we eventuall won). Terrible result and performance, but walking up the stairs into the centenary stand and seeing Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse readying for kickoff just felt amazing with YNWA ringing around the stadium (we had gotten there a little late!)
2005 Champions League final, comback from 3-0 down at half time to win on penalties. Goals by Smicer, Gerrard (for it is He) and Xabi Alonso. Indredible to watch.
WE was asked as a club to think of a charity to raise money for, I suggested a certain charity and it was strongly chosen from the other club members which made me feel so happy and that the others members was on my side
Two of the greatest games I've watched have been Liverpool's 5-4 win over Alaves in the Champions League and our 3-3 come back against AC Milan in the champions league (we won on penalties).
Going home to watch Liverpool win the Champion's League in the local with my parents.
Going to watch Liverpool games with my father as a child, particularly to the 1996 FA Cup final at the old Wembley where Liverpool lost 1-0 at the death to Manchester Utd through an Eric Cantona goal. Being upset afterwards and wanting to leave the stadiu but my father wanting to stay for the presentation of the trophy.
Champion's League Final 2005. I woke up early to watch the match in the residential college's TV room (all the way in NZ). By half-time I was in shock, and the mood in the TV room was sombre as everyone was in disbelief. But the fans in the stadium were fntastic, singing the club anthem with it's message of hope, perseverance and support. Then the second half started, and with it Liverpool's amazing comeback. Our mood lifted, hope glimmered on the horizon. The match went into extra time...then penalties..and we won. I don't think I'll ever forget that day, and can only hope for many more such (though perhaps less fraught with tension!) to join it.
the best of them was the UCL triumph against AC Millan in Istanbul in 2005.
When I was little (maybe between 6 and 15) I would always play in the park with my best mate pete. He also supports Liverpool, and loves to be in goal. When we were in primary school, and even sometimes in secondary school, we would chose our favourite plyer and 'be' them. Was actually giggling about it with him the other day as I sent him a liverpool card for his birthday.
Champions League final 2005. Hugged a very scary looking man in the pub next to me when we won. First sense of collective enjoyment through watching football I had experienced
Being in Istanbul for 2005 CL final, and coming from 3-0 down to win on penalties. I was with 10 friends that were all Liverpool fans, it was incredible.
Singing our anthem on the terraces with tears running down my face
Coming back to win when 3-0 in Champions League final. The solidarity after Hills borough. Both with Liverpool and Everton fans.
The Champion's League Final when we came from 3-0 down at halftime to beat AC Milan on penalties for the European trophy. Emotionally, I went from deep depression to elation in less than 45 minutes. I'll never forget Gerrard's header, his driving the fansand players to greater efforts, and the penalty to draw us level. The heroics of Carragher and Dudek and the calmness of Alonso will live long in LFC hearts and minds. It was the greatest night of football I think I'll ever witness. Which is both fantasti and disheartening simultaneously. It cannot get any better. It's the only time I have actively gone out to brag about my team as if, some how, it was my achievement. I find this behaviour a little cliche and cringeworthy, but I could not stop myself thatnight. My whole world was Red on that wonderful occassion. I've never been more emotionally involved in a game. It made me feel like a real football fan. It is my greatest footballing memory and I will forever cherish it.
sigh... hate this rubbish. everyone will say istanbul 2005 for me fa cup final 1986
Allowed me to spend the first holiday away with my brother since we were children.The evening was even more special with Liverpool thrashing Norwich at home and us both being there watching it live.( Dec 2013) This was followed by a ground tour and speding the day at Anfield.
When we won the Champions League in Istanbul on 25/05/05 I can picture being there in the stadium, where my seat what and what happened, and the excitement and disbelief when we won after extra time and penalties. It doesn't feel like nearly 9 years ag!
League Cup win against Manchester United. They were leading with a few minutes to go, we equalised in the last few minutes and then we won in extra time It was the most emotional I had ever felt at a game.
hmm...........so many..........Istanbul in 2005 sticks out of course.Watching with a bunch of mates,mostly LFC supporters,including my teenage lad.3-0 down at half-time after being outplayed by a very good AC Milan side. As the teams emerge for the secon half,the only thing you hear is the Liverpool fans singing 'You'll never walk alone'.The rest is the stuff of legend..................typing this has actually bought a tear to my eye.
Started supporting Liverpool when I was 9 after watching a them won the '65 cup final beating Leeds 2-1
I attended two Manchester derbies before City was bought by Sheikh Mansour. Both of which City won convincingly 3-1 and 4-1. This was extra special to me because United had dominated football in Manchester all my life and despite this City managed to beatthem with a team considered much worse than United's world-class players. The family element was also very prominent for me since my family had supported City over united for over 60 years before this event.
Mcfc v Qpr, final game of the 11/12 season. City needed to win to gain the title, as I'm sure you know things didn't go exactly to plan. Never have I experienced a swing of emissions like that! When Qpr went 2-1 up I was absolutely gutted, devastated in fct. That was it we had blown it, and to make it worse, that club from stretford had won it. It was the lowest of the low. And then there was the flip side, when Aguero scored 'that' goal it was a kind of out of body experience, I was going crazy, everybod was, it was pure elation and mass relief. The best moment of my life.
Winning the league a couple of seasons ago at the last minute in the last game of the season
Back when we were in division 2 and weren't as popular going on holiday and bumping into another City fan was a momentous occasion. You would always feel the need to let on as if you know them and stop for a chat. Things are slightly different now we are ore popular and there are a lot more people wearing the shirt but it gave you a great sense of belonging
Winning the title in 2012 and watching united thinking they had won it until Ageuro scored ... Or another one was when we were playing Gillingham in the play offs and we were getting hammered so my dad stormed off and dragged me out the pub with him (I mut of only been 10-11 0, can't remember) then when we got home we had pulled it back and eventually won on pens... He felt a right nob...
When Sergio Aguero scored that goal to win us the league against QPR, it was the happiest moment of my life. To go from such depths of despair - "we're going to lose it, to United. How can I go to work/face the world tomorrow?" - to the absolute ecstasy 2minutes later is something that will never be matched, ever. With marriage, you know it's coming, you plan it, it's great. With a child, you know it's coming, you plan for it, it's great. That moment offered a range of emotions you just don't get in veryday 'normal' life.
The last ever derby at our old ground, Maine Road. Whether by accident or design, the PA system failed as the teams were leaving the field after the warm up and instead of the usual piped music we just heard the noise of the crowd. The atmosphere was elecric. If the fans had any influence on the game, there could only be one winner. And we did win, convincingly and against the odds, for the first time in 13 years against United. It felt like it was never in doubt.
When we played at York City in December 1998. I went to this game with my mates and we lost 2-1 which dropped us to 12th in the third tier of English football. This is the lowest point my club have ever been at in their 120 year history and I was there. Ialways think of this day when we have a bad result as it is a reminder of how low we once were and that things cannot get as bad as this!
Wembley 99 play off final. Thought we'd lost 2-0, but ended up going through on penalties.
May 11th 2012 was the date that Manchester City won the premier league for the first time in its history. Seeing Sergio Aguero score the winner in injury time is one of the moments that will live with me forever. Such unbelievable joy and emotion that I hd never felt before, pure unadulterated ecstasy. 35 years of frustration released in that moment, revenge on our nearest rivals, on all those reds fans that had ridiculed us city fans for decades. This was our moment, and the absolute happiness I felt wasoverwhelming, tears of joy. MCFC, my club were premier league champions it was like a dream that you feared you may wake up from. Any time I need a lift I replay that moment and feel my spirits lift.
I'd been to see City play as a child but didn't have a strong attachment. It wasn't until I was in my 20s, I moved into a houseshare with a CIty fan. We used to watch highlights together back in the days when we were in the old 1st division - Nationwide Lague Extra. I began, around the same time, to connect with other City fans online - I'd moved down to London from Manchester when I was 11. Manchester United were very successful but I felt no connection. But with the City fans I felt an enormous amount o connection and common ground. I began following the team. I remember going with my flatmate to the pub to watch the last match of the '97-'98 season - City beating Stoke 5-2 and still getting relegated. I was surprised how disappointed I felt... I tarted going to matches, I started really following the team and what I found was that the other fans (or at least the ones I had contact with) had a similar sense of humour, a similar mindset - until then I hadn't appreciated that one could feel part of fanbase as such - could feel that sense of involvement. So I think my abiding memories would be that defeat - and the one the following year where we were losing 2-0 to Gillingham in the play-offs and I was so upset watching it that I went to the local gm to exercise away the disappointment. I couldn't escape the match as they had it on in there on Sky. Which was just as well :)
Playing Blackburn away in a promotion season, we needed to win. We did 4-1 and we all ran on the pitch. There were so blues there it was crazy and I turned round and got a hug on the center circle from some one I knew who flew all the way from New York t be at the game. There are so many good memories I can't tell you.
Got a free ride home from London when I got stuck at an away game, drove me right to the door.
Being on my dad's shoulders on the terraces at elland road watching colin bell making (another) comeback...
Penalty shoot out play off victory v Gillingham.
Premier title 2012. Cannot be described in mere words.
When we were relegated to (old) division 3 in 1999, it was the first time I cried (wept uncontrollably in fact) about something that didn't actually entail any actual physical pain for me and had nothing to do with the death of a family member or close frend. I was 31 years old FFS! If I recall correctly I actually went to bed crying that night. Dear me.
Winning the league in the last minute in 2012
The club I support isn't about winning it's about being in the shit together. This was no more evident than when we were relegated to the third tier of English football in 98 we played stoke but won 5-3 and we're relegated typical city winning but losing t same time.
Repeated sense of being given hope, which proved false.
The League one play off final against Gillingham. The importance of this game can never be overstated. And to come back from two down with only injury time to go, made it a hell of a finish
The 1999 League 1 play off final ..... Manchester City win and history tells us where we are today. Manchester City lose and we probably cease to exist as a top level football club. On such moments are football club's defined.
13th of may 2012 with 5 minutes left losing 2-1...........There were people on the pitch and it was all over. The 44 years, over. The punchlines, over. The mockery, over. Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside, that horrid little ticker at Old Traford, those long Monday mornings at work having to pretend you didn't really care. Over, over, over. Gone, all gone. Gone in a moment of unparalleled drama and ecstasy. Gone when all seemed lost. Gone on a day when, for 45 minutes that must have felt lik hot-needle torture, it looked as if the capacity for chaos that has almost become a club trademark through five decades had returned to torment them once more. The mission was quite simple. Manchester City needed to defeat Queens Park Rangers, the teamwith the worst away record in the Premier League, to win the title, barring a mathematical miracle in the match between Manchester United and Sunderland. Yet as this game entered injury time, the trophy was hovering over Wearside in preparation for deliery to Sir Alex Ferguson once again. our hated rivals ,United were winning, , and City were somehow contriving to trail 10-man QPR 2-1. There were tears, I felt ill almost physically sick then we equalised but still needed another , the title was going t that lot again. Has there ever been a crueller twist of the knife? The details from that point will be well known by now. The equaliser from substitute Edin Dzeko, the winning goal from Sergio Aguero with 110 seconds of the domestic season remaining, te sheer force of will that took him past two Rangers defenders to score. What can never be captured on the black and white pages of the record books is the effect this day will have on all those who were present, its ramifications for the English game, th simple joy it brought, the shock of the new. For, putting allegiances to one side, is that not what we want from sport? A new experience, a new kind of kick: and here it was. Manchester City are league cha
13-May-12 Sergio Aguero scoring the winning goal on the last day of the season on 93:20 to secure Manchester City's first league championship since 1968. This moment was the best in 40 years of supporting City and will stay with me for the rest of my life Even today 2 years later I get emotional watching a recording of it.
Winning the 2nd Division Play-off final at Wembley in 1999, topped by Sergio Aguero scoring THAT goal to win the English Premier League in the last seconds of added time to deprive ManUre from winning it.
Aguerrrroooooo! Dickov Dennis Tueart's overheadlkick
Wembley 99! Was there with my 8 yr old daughter, like many others, we decided to leave when 2 nil down, couldn't get to the gangway so decided to stay. Then Horlock scored, yeah halfheartedly, 5 mins injury time, then THAT moment, Dicov scores!!! Mad madcelebrations, 30 mins extra time, Penalties groan. Step up Nicky Weaver, hero!! We are up, yeesssss! ! Mad celebrations from team and fans. Strangest thung was that the train home was silent as if no-one could take in what had just happened, very long ay, up at haif 4 for train, back home at 1 am, many thanks to my wife for not having our second child early when 8 mnths pregnant, love you sweetheart.xx
Winning the premier league in 2012 for the first time in 44 years, despite losing well into injury time before we finally won it.
Every kid in the street supported City where I grew up in Stockport
My very first game, City v Ipswich in the late 60's. We won 2-0. My late uncle took me. It's because of him that me and the rest of my family are Manchester City fans. RIP Doug. You'll never be forgotten.
Wembley, 2011, Yaya Toure scores in the FA Cup Final to end our looooong tropy drought.
Travelling to Poland in a convoluted way to see City play. We were away for a week, and spent almost alf that time travelling. In retrospect, worth the time as it meant spending time with a group of disparate but good friends
Winning the FA cup in 2011, my kids have been going all their lives, never seen us win anything, oldest was 23 youngest 18, we couldn't find our way round wembley in the semi finals, got off at the wrong station, not very experienced at glory days out. Beting united there in the semi final was immense, almost better than winning the final, but not quite.
Watching Paul Lake's attempted comeback from injury at Platt Lane, along with several hundreds of other supporters.
Happy childhood memories with family or friends
Winning the Premier League title in 2012
My sister died after battling cancer for more than a year, 2 days after her passing City won the Premier League in the most dramatic fashion...I cheered and for an hour or so I had forgotten my grief, NOTHING else could do that but my love for City.
Gillingham play off final1999 and QPR last day of the season 2012
Winning trophies. The family and friends I have attended games with over the years.
I use a memory of my club as a reminder of other things important to me
Sharing with my son the unprecedented circumstances and experience of Man City's 2011/12 Premiership win,
Wlnning the 1999 playoff final after dropping down the leagues with me son who had to take stick of united fans is was the rebirth of the club
Seeing my dad go off to the 1956 Cup Final at which Bert Trautmann broke a bone in his neck but played on.
The time we got mata as our number 8 and the time when we won the chapions league in 2008.
I have season tickets with my dad and we follow United home, away and abroad. I was therefore gutted to miss out on going to Moscow for the CL final. My dad went but couldn't get another tickets, and visas were too much hassle. I was also still in school.Needless to say what happened in that match, but I was running around my lounge in my Ronaldo 7 shirt when JT missed that penalty! It was massive for United. I always say, somewhat controversially, that I'd much rather United won the Champions League thanEngland won the World Cup. It probably sounds strange to most fans, but the majority of match-going United fans see little affinity to the national team, United is the one and only. So for United to win the CL (when I was old enough to witness it unlike '9), was huge. The next day I had a school trip and I wore my Ronaldo shirt around with a smug on my face! I was just gutted I couldn't be there. I went to the CL final in 2011 in Wembley but unfortunately we didn't win that. I love away games because o the atmosphere. The fans that go are the proper die-hard fans. You stand for 90 minutes singing, and it's absolute carnage when we score. Win or lose, they'll still be there and so will I. I support United because of my dad supporting them since he was akid, not because they were the best team when I was born.
Crying when they lost the FA CUP to arsenal
When Rooney scored a bicycle kick to win the game against Man City
The day that Alex Ferguson left the Premier League - winning the league in his last season
First attendance at Old Trafford as a child. Dad took me for my birthday and as I stepped out from the steps and into the seating area, the enormity of the stadium genuinely took my breath away and I vividly remember wanting to run down and start playing yself.
Becoming a moderator of a football forum for fans of my club, it was a great opportunity to help give fans a voice to discuss game and opinions and grow our community.
Watching United with my dad and going though the ups and downs.
Following United all over Europe with my best mates finding ways to travel and get to games is an amazing experience
Champions League final 2009 first comes to mind, not much detail to add.
Watching them win the 1999 champions league when i was 12 with my family...
Winning the Champions League in 2008, when I lived in Manchester
Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement was a memorable moment. It was both a sad day and one where I could celebrate another successful season and look back on 20 years of being the most successful club in the UK. He was manager for the entire time I have suported Manchester United and I have enourmous respect for what he achieved at the club and in-turn, the joy that this success brought to everyone who supports the club.
Winning the treble was by far my fondest memory. And the fashion in which it was won was stunning.
When we won't the Champions league on 2008
When we won the Treble in 99. A few minutes before we scored, I had accepted that we weren't going to win, and that being losing finalists wasn't all that bad. Then when we scored twice it was amazing.
99 vs Bayern in Barca - sums everything about the club up
I think the Munich Air Disaster and the legacy of the Busby Babes is the most important memory of my club for me.
First time I saw the club live on Loftus Rd. in 1978. Blew me away :-)
going to my first away game in 1970 and watching the team run out to the roar of the fans.
The 58 - 59 FA Cup, I was only 8 but I really felt like I was part of something bigger than I could ever be by myself.
Seeing us come from 1-0 down against everton last season to win 2-1 in the last 10 minutes. I went to the game, and the two Norwich goals happened about 10m away from me. We went mental. It was magical.
When we were drawing 2 - 2 against derby in the championship season and Simeon Jackson scored a dramatic last minute winner to virtually earn us promotion to the premier league
When Norwich beat Derby 3-2 with a last minute Simeon Jackson goal to effectively secure promotion. The memory has resonance because of the significance and joy of the moment.
Tottenham hotspur away, we won 2-1. I remember Elliot Bennett picking the ball up, taking a touch and then hitting it into the corner of the net from outside the box. Me and my dad went crazy, as did the rest of the fans. Its one of the best goals ive exprienced as a fan. It was made sweeter by the fact that 2 of my closter friends, who are spurs fans, were at the game as well, and i had been looking forward to putting one over them for a while.
The first memory that pops in to my head is always the 4-1 victory over Ipswich in our promotion campaign and Holt's hattrick!!
Going to Portman Road and beating Ipswich 5-1 was special, so was the 2002 play off final and then getting promoted at Fratton Park was the best also when we beat Derby 3-2 that was just pure mental!
Quite a few special memories I have following Norwich (aswell as many disappointments!) Had promotions, big derby wins, play off final etc, but for me, the biggest memory that will forever stick with me, was being a mascot for our first ever Play off gam, in 2002 against Wolves at Carrow Road. Walking out of the tunnel with all the crowd holding up yellow and green cards, to the biggest roar I've heard, and warming up with the players, taking penalties at Robert Green. Such a special moment. I was mascota couple of years later against Portsmouth in the Premier League, making me the only Norwich fan to ever do it twice. But that time against Wolves was incredible, we won 3-1 aswell, and got to the final after beating them over 2 legs. The day in Cardiff fr the final was amazing, but we lost to Birmingham on penalties!
Derby (h) near the end of the Championship promotion season. Unable to make the game but had all the family over (all norwich fans) that weekend. We were watching final score and had noticed that QPR had won and had been celebrating promotion because w had dropped points which would guarantee it for them. The TV programme showed QPR fans running onto the pitch in celebration when they cut the article short because Norwich had scored a 90th minute winner! The whole room went crazy because this meant hat the promotion dream was still on and was going down to the final weeks, and a rivals promotion party was delayed. This goal was celebrated more than the actual goal that got us promoted I would say. Just brilliant. Since then I have watched differet coverages of that goal going in and each one gives me goosebumps.
Norwich 3 Derby 2. The last minute winner that Norwich got was so important (guaranteed premier league promotion) and the feeling around the stands was incredible.
The memory was that Norwich City Football Club was down to League One, bonus back afterward getting historical successive promotion in two years to the Primier League when i was studing in Norwich a couple years ago. The sprite and committment impressed e a lot.
First Game Stoke at home around 1994 I believe.
When we beat Ipswich 5-1 away in April 2011 on the way to promotion. I didn't even mind missing the first 10 minutes stuck outside trying to get in (we scored the first just as I got into the stand) and having coins thrown at me on the way back to the staion. Basically just one of the best nights of my life tearing them apart in their own backyard.
Watching Iwan Roberts score in the championship play-off final at the Millennium Stadium and going berserk with my Dad, brother and all the other Norwich fans. It was an unparalleled, instant feeling of ecstasy!
as a 16 yr old with mates smoking during a minutes silence and getting funny looks from those around.
Losing 7-1 to Colchester. Lowest point ever.
During the fuel crisis many years ago, we played Stockport away. It was a nightmare to get there, and those that did were rewarded with a boring draw if I remember right. However the hardy few of us that made it had an amazing day. This to me defined the ifference new tween a "supporter" and a "fan". A fan can choose to attend games, a true supporter has no choice.
1992 FA cup 1/4 fianl replay vs southampton at Carrow road.. I was a boy at the time.. atmosphere was incredible!
Probably the play off final in 2002 where we actually failed to gain promotion. I remember the incredible roar of the 35000 norwich fans at the stadium, the game went to extra time and penalties being the suspense was unbearable and I can remember being gnuinely upset on defeat. There was a palpable collective mourning from all those around me and the walk back through cardiff to the coaches felt genuinely like a family in a funeral procession, crying and exchanging looks of sad comfort with complete stragers. Very odd but very moving.
Being promoted at Portsmouth when the club was in League One felt like such a relief for myself. To see the club going back in the right direction was fantastic. The club was in danger with financial difficulties and made it unappealing to fly over week i week out.
UEFA Cup win over Bayern - A truly magical night
first one that comes to mind is Simeon Jackson's 95th-minute winner against Derby about 3 years ago on our way to promotion from the Championship... he'd already scored twice but Derby had pulled us back to 2-2 in a game we had to win - i was camping in nrfolk with friends for the weekend but got the train back to catch the game. robbie savage took about 3 minutes to walk off the pitch when he was substituted, which meant that there was still time to take the corner we'd just won as we laid seige to the erby goal... i think Henri Lansbury took it, it went through a crowd of players to Russell Martin on the corner of the area... he hit it hard but it was going just wide (i sit right behind the goal so i could tell)... in any case, the Derby defender on th post thought it was on taget so put his foot in the way, the ball rebounded and bobbled in off SJ's thigh. mayhem in the Barclay - most amazing and overwhelming goal celebration i've ever been part of.
Getting promoted to the premier league, seeing us seal promotion was a massively emotional experience.
I am a glory-hunting Norwich City fan: first memory connected to football was City Hall celebration of 1985 League Cup win. Small boy on the shoulders of his Dad as the whole city (it seemed) crowded around to cheer the team holding the trophy aloft. Not uch silverware since, but I live in hope.
Promotion to the premier league. Last away game at Crewe. We won and had a pitch invasion with the Crewe fans. It was a great celebration
Standing in the terraces in the late 80s as a 12 year old boy, watching in rain and snow and still enjoying the experience.
Iwan scoring against Birmingham in the Millennium stadium in the Playoff Final Simeon Jackson's last minute winner against Derby to win 3-2 in the Championship promotion season. Best moment of my life. Dont tell my girlfriend.
The Uefa Cup run in 1993-94 ranks as the most meaningful memory. Partly due to the fact that the Heysel Stadium disaster had robbed Norwich of the chance to appear in Europe in 1985-86, but also due to the significance of the journey into Europe. No one gve Norwich any hope of winning, even at Vitesse Arnhem, but having emerged victorious from the tie, the subsequent victory at Bayern Munich away was a night to savour. Losing to the eventual champions, Inter Milan, in the next round after two closely-fougt matches was no embarrassment.
Beating Bayern Munich in Munich. I was at university at the time and couldn't make it to the game, but during that cup run everyone, even those people not interested in football, was a Norwich fan. It was fantastic. Like letting them all in on the secret!
The buzz of being in the away end at portman road when we smashed Ipswich 5-1!
On the day football was invented in August 1992 I saw Norwich come from 2-0 at halftime to go on and win 2-4 away to Arsenal, we went on to finish third that season. Without that impressive comeback I'm entirely convinced out fortunes would have been vry different, it gave the club a springboard and important impetuous into the fledgling Premier League.
From the moment I was first taken to my first match the sound the colours the smells the passion hooked for life
As a 15 year old, I went to the 1985 Milk Cup semi final at Carrow Road. I watched Norwich beat our biggest rivals (Ipswich Town) to secure a place in the Wembley final. This experience cemented my support for Norwich.
Too many but a significant one is going on the pitch having won a signed shirt for voting for Craig Fleming at POTM in December 2003. I didn't wash my cheek for a week where he kissed me!
meeting duncan forbes when i was a child, felt so star struck. I still feel the same if i see him now
Beating Bayern Munich over two legs in 1993 i will never forget, we were written off before the game and even mocked by the German press, we are the only British team to have beaten Bayern in Europe on their own ground and then drew with them at Carrow rad to go to the next round. The atmosphere at home that night was special, everyone wanted to know how we did it, it was an amazing time to be a fan of the canaries, and for a few seasons we bossed the premier league, but things change quickly in fotball.
Steve Bruce scoring against Ipswich in the Milk Cup semi fnal
Far too many to mention, but: Winning the Milk Cup in 1985 Justin Fashanu's goal against Liverpool Our great European adventure.
So many, but scoring very late to beat Derby County 3-2 in April 2011 to keep our promotion dreams alive was extremely meaningful. The memory still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Absolute joy after so many dark days.
Driving home from Wembley after winning the 1985 league cup. In fact the whole day. A very rare state of elation as a Norwich fan
In short term memory the last minute winner against Derby a couple of seasons ago which all but sealed our promotion to the premiership. Unbelievable atmosphere in the ground. Never taken drugs but imagine it was like people to refer to as the all time hih. Long term memory when I was about 14 (40+ years ago) the away game at Watford Vicarage Road when HNorwich gained promotion for the first time to the old 1st division. Picture invasion before the game to get out of the away end and into the home end o get out of the pouring rain. Pitch invasion after the game to celebrate what from memory was a fairly drab 1-1 draw but enough to get us promoted. Felt that day I was really part of a larger community or tribe and was sharing the somewhat fleeting colletive joy that comes with being a Norwich fan.
Getting religated for the first time in my life time, to the third division of football probably the lowest the club had gone,then Promotions back to back to get into the Premiership wonderful memorys at Charlton and Portsmouth
The beating of our greatest enemy Ipswich Town 9-2 on aggregate in our promotion year The two home wins over Manchester Utd The Invasion of the pitch at Watford Simion Jacksons last minute goal to get us to the Premiership Meeting any Canary an when I am abroad The win against West Brom that kept us in the Premiership celebrated with the Hong Kong canaries Elliot Bennets goal against Spurs celebrated in Kazakhstan Celebrated alone but with other Premiership fans present
Beating Man U in the FA Cup at Old Trafford in 1967 without our two front line strikers (Ron Davies and Hugh Curran), the Mancs were smug gits from all over the country back then too - we've given them a beating on occasions since, but none was as unexpeced as that time, none of us honestly saw it coming except in blind hope and loyalty. Difficult choice though as the 5-1 spanking of Ipswich at Portaloo Road last time we played them was a strong contender.
Winning the Championship against Watford in the 1970s.
An important game in the history of Sunderland AFC. It was the first time I had ever seen my father cry. In fact, we both cried together as Sunderland won the FA Cup in 1973.
9,000 travelling supporters at Manchester United going crazy after the penalty shoot out that saw us go through to the cup final at Wembley.
Making it to the capital one cup final is the most meaningful memory to me. I believe i witnessed history at old trafford and the sol. I had never felt so much emotion. I very rarely cry or come close to tears but on the 22nd of january i felt every emotin possible. Ecstasy, sorrow and pride to name a few. It i was significant because it represented progress for my club. The fact that my first game at sunderland was against bradford in the championship and to stick by them to see the progress to wembley crtianly makes it a meaningful night. That and the fact that newcastle cant progress in cups also makes it very meaningful. Its history. Just as much as hitler, churchill and queen victoria, its embedded in football forever.
My memory is the first time i stepped into the stadium, as a young child my dad took me to the game for the first ever time (although i had been to football never to a big team such as Sunderland) When i sprinted up the steps we were a few minuets lat and the game had already kicked off, to walk out into the bowl of the stadium and to see the crowd and the floodlights and more then anything the size of the place was quite simply breathtaking and magical. That was the moment i realized Sunderland was m team and would be for the rest of my life.
In my first season with a season ticket in 2004, we won the Championship and got promoted to the Premier League. I remember watching the lifting of the trophy with my dad and feeling an immense sense of pride in my club and excitement at the future.
just the feeling every time you see the net ripple and the stadium of light erupt, is unbeatable.
Recently, Sunderland reached the League Cup final. I watched it on a big screen in my University's student bar, with it mostly full of opposition (Manchester United) who I feel aren't as committed to their club. Celebrating in front of them with my fellowSunderland fans was truly magnificent.
Sunderland's 3-0 win away to Newcastle United in Paolo di Canio's second game in charge.
I live quite far away from Sunderland, so I don't get to many games. I'm doing well if I make 3 a season. For the first three or four years that I was going to a game I never once saw Sunderland win. I'll never forget my first win. It was the third round f the FA Cup and it was against Hartlepool. Julio Arca scored the only goal. I think I must have been the happiest person in the stadium that day. It made me realise how rewarding it can be to follow football.
My first ever Sunderland game at home vs Charlton Athletic, we got beat 3-1, and scored three own goals. Although we played terribly and eventually got relegated with the lowest points total, from that day on, the club was part of me! I remember the gallos humor as a fan ran on to the pitch and threw his season ticket at the manager. The fan was ejected to a resounding chorus of "One lucky bastard" from all around the ground. I also recall, hapless assistant manager trying to scribble down some inane piec of nonsense on his notepad and someone yelled "what's the matter Steve!? Can you not spell shite?!" Memories like this make supporting Sunderland what it is. I've had many more following my club all over the country and hopefully many more to come, especally at Wembley in just over a weeks time!
FA Cup win 1973 Meeting Kevin Philips as a child Receiving a signed football from SAFC as a child Reaching the 2014 Capital One Cup final Attending SAFC matches with my dad
They're all exactly the same Pay money Turn up Lose Go home
Becoming closer to my dad when growing up through our experiences of watching and supporting Sunderland together. While I support them because of his influence, I feel it helped somewhat in our relationship because I only saw him at weekends. There was threfore an intrinsic link between football (Sunderland) and my father.
My first ever game, which was the last game at roker park and one of my earliest memories.
It's hard to put in to words the emotion you can feel when the club achieve something. For instance the manutd semi final, going from dream of wembley over, to total ecstasy of the winning goal all to have it ripped away form you a minute later. After wining the penalty shoutout I turned and must of hugged 10+ random male / female old and young supportes. I didn't know who these people were and they didn't know me. Be we had an experience that we as loyal and dedicate fans will remember for ever. Likewiseyou have the same connection with the people during the lows (which we have had a lot of) I'm April I move abroad and it will be first time in my life where I will not be able to attend games and support my club and for me to see us in a cup final at wmbley before I go means the world to me. I will miss friends and family but equally I will miss the club and my fellow supporters.
Last month we got to the Capital One Cup final. The first cup final in my lifetime. It still hasn't sunk in really and won't until I'm there at Wembley. All of the years of watching us be rubbish now seems worth it.
As a young kid (maybe 7 or 8) going to see one of my first matches on a freezing cold january night and absolutely loving it.
There have been many more enjoyable and incredible moments of following SAFC but my earliest memory of being a sunderland fan was when I was 3 years old and sunderland had gained promotion to the premier league after wining the division one title in 1996.It's vaugue but I just remeber the red and white everywhere and the players up on the balcony lifting the trophy. It was also my only visit to roker park sunderlands home for close to 100 years. I never entered roker park and all my other memories of rker park are the houses it's became as the ground was knocked down, the stadium of light has always been my home but it was nice to be outside the ground my dad used to go a watch sunderland play in and get the sense of our history. Hazy that memory my be but makes me feel happy to have a memory that is as old as it is(i'm 21 now)
Vito Mannone's winning save in the semi away at Man Utd. Such jubilation I splurted on the back of the block in fronts head. Orgasmic.
Beating Manchester United, over two legs, in the capital one cup semi final to reach Wembley. Having supported Sunderland for all but 4 years of my life, this victory was the victory that would take myself (personally) to Wembley for the first time. Dreamcome true & I was there, at old trafford, to witness the historic victory in person!
I remember the first time we won a home game against Newcastle in over 20 years. I'd been to several derby matches but we'd never won. When we scored it was like total fulfillment; proof that we are the "chosen ones". When the final whistle went it was toal elation, a massive high. Nothing else mattered
The most recent important memory happened recently. After Sunderland had beaten Manchester United in the Capital One Cup - Semi Final across two legs to get to Wembley... I cried. I turned to the right where my closest friend who I have known since I was toddler 20 years ago and he was crying, the man to the left of me I'd never met before was also crying. There is rarely something so powerfully emotive that it could reduce grown men to tears in the way this moment did. As Sunderland supporters neithe me or the two people I were sitting next to were old enough to have ever experience this sort of joy from our club before, a trip to Wembley. That's all it is, it's an expensive weekend away in London with a football match in the middle yet people were cying, that's fantastic. I had just turned 6 when we last got to Wembley in 1998 for the play-off final against Charlton and my dad couldn't afford to take me and my older brother, so I stayed at home, my dad has paid for my Wembley ticket this year, beause he told me has always regretted never being able to pay for me to go to Wembley before, and he'd always wanted to.
Sunderland v Charlton Athletic, playoff final 1998. Utter heartbreak and lesson in life for a 7 year old boy.
David Vaughan smashing one into the net at St James Park to make it 3-0 on derby day.
1998 Play-Off Final. I had never had my emotions toyed with so quickly and frequently in such a short space of time... it made me fall in love with football.
Everyone celebrating our latest victory over Newcastle
going to my first match in 1999 with my grandad a 0-0 draw with swindon town, seeing the green pitch for the first time as i sat up in the Gods and hearing everyone cheering and singing
Although it wasn't the first that came to mind; after thinking about it, my most important memory is going with all members if my immediate family for the first and only time. It was for Niall Quinn's testimonial. The match itself was played between Sundeland and the Republic of Ireland. We lost 0-3 but the result didn't matter. Although most of my family don't even like football, they enjoyed the spectacle of a live match and I enjoyed their company. Furthermore, the match being a testimonial meant it as played with great spirit and for a good cause. An extremely positive experience.
Promotion to the Premiership in the record-breaking championship season. Watched it on tv with my dad; such happiness many wow
this is not so much of a memory from the club but more so a player I was only young and went to Hardwick hall on the quads and I happened to meet Kevin Phillips. He was a gentleman signing autographs and taking time to talk to anyone who wanted to but thegreatest part was him spending his own money on me and my brother paying for our trip out. I no its not the greatest memory but at a young age it showed me that as much as the press said otherwise footballers do care for the fans and are not the greedymoney driven people they are made out to be.
Every single away day when I feel the unity of all fans in a shared ecstasy of celebration for the teams success. To share such joy with people who you know nothing about from different ways of life but have one common interest.... Seeing our club succeed It is worth all the low points for that one moment of joy and that came in the away leg of the league cup a month ago. A complete rollarcoaster of emotions.
My father taking me to my first games at Sunderland's old ground, Roker Park, being surrounded by fellow fans and experiencing a match day... the pub beforehand, my dad buying me a match programme so I can learn about my team, being with everyone singing nd cheering in unison for the same cause, the winning and the losing and the reviewing (watching Match of the Day on a Saturday night after a curry). Those memories evoke a lot of nostalgia, the club got under my skin quickly... when I first got into footall I followed Manchester United, I suppose I latched on to a successful team, but going to a Sunderland game for the first time changed everything... I related to Sunderland more, it felt like my team, I felt a part of the fans especially with my dad beig a long time fan from a working class background.
For me, it was when I was a kid and we went to St. James Park and won 2-1 with Shearer missing a penalty. Summed up a great time supporting the club, back when football meant a lot more to me!
I watched the 1998 play off final with my dad and my auntie on Sky at my neighbour's house, because we didn't have Sky (still don't). Sunderland drew 4-4 with Charlton after extra time and lost on sudden death penalties. Michael Gray was the unfortunate dcisive misser, which was painful as he was my favourite player, because he was blond, left footed and played left back (but with attacking pace), just like me. After the match I remember stabbing a poster of Michael Gray (my bedroom wall was covered in SAC posters) with a pair of compasses! And then tearing it down. Both he and I are able to laugh about it now though. Sunderland recently beat Manchester United on penalties in the league cup semi final and I retweeted a tongue in cheek tweet from Michael Gay about how he was happy he didn't have to take one!
My town in seven miles from Sunderland. Sunderland has a local rivalry with Newcastle United. When Newcastle United signed a sponsorship deal with the building society Northern Rock in 2003, people queued for hours at the branch in my town to take their mney out of the business and within a couple of months the branch in my town closed down. I have never been more proud to be from my town than when this happened as it showed that the people of my town were united in their hatred of Newcastle United and wold not support any business or organisation which chose to relate itself to Newcastle United.
When playing Man U away - I had to watch it in the comfort of my living room due to work. A rollercoaster of a game. But when it went to penalties and Vito Mannone pulled off the last penalty save to take us to the final I jumped around screaming in myonesie. I only got filmed doing it and may have woke up the neighbours.
My first ever game. It's was a boring 0-0 draw but it didn't stop me going back for more. Beating man united in the semi final to reach a cup final for only the second time in my life time, the previous being when I was 3 years old
Attending the 1998 Play-Off Final with my late father. This is one of my most vivid childhood memories. The noise and the passion that day was unbelievable.
my best memory of my club (sunderland.a.f.c.) is my 1st memory of going to a match, i was only young and one of my neighbours who is also a massive sunderland fan at the time was one of the chairmen of the Billingham and stockon district supporters assosition, and on the morning of the match he knocked on my door and told my dad that he had a spair ticket for the match, which was sunderland v tottenham, he wanted to know if i would like to go to the match which him, at first i was in shock, i mean i was bing offered a free ticket to go watch my first premire league match and to go watch sunderland, so i got ready and met up with Barney (the guy who was giving me the ticket). We then waited for the coach to arrive and the closer it got the more people turnd up also waiting for the coach to arrive, then soon enough it turned up, with people already on it in their colours and with smiles and very welcoming. The 20 odd mile coach ride went really fast. Then soon enough we were in sunderland and we were walkin through the town on the way to one of the local pubs. There was quite a big group of us in there, people of all ages to. Then after the adults had had a few pints and us kids, a couple of cokes and a few games of pool later we were finsihinging off our dinks and were off walking to the ground, the closer we got the more and more people were around, some singing sunderland songs, which if never heard before, so i was just walking to the ground with a grin on my face, loving the experience already. We walkd down a back road that lead to the stadium, we turned the final corner, then there it was, it looked like the biggest thing id ever seen before it was amazing. When you get up close you can see people have had there names wrote onto the bricks making up he outer wall of the stadium, which i thought was very cool. I was given my ticket, it felt so good finally holding it in my hand, i just couldnt stop smiling. I then went through the turnstyle showing the ma
Getting into the cup final by beating man united, watching it in the pub with my dad.
I remember grown men crying with joy as Sunderland knocked Man Utd out in the League Cup semi final 2014.
One of my earliest and most striking memories of being a Sunderland fan was walking down a street in Blackpool, with my father, and being unable to stop crying after a Division 1 Playoff Final defeat to Charlton Athletic. The match finished 4-4 after extr time, and we went on to lose on penalties. It was heartbreaking, but we went on to win the league the following season with a record number of points (which has since been broken).
My brother and I have always said that it would be a dream to see Sunderland play in a cup final at Wembley (we were too young to attend our last cup final in 1992). We travelled to Old Trafford for the recent Capital One cup semi final, and it was brillant to celebrate with him after coming through a dramatic penalty shoot out.
Feeling euphoric and part of a society at away games
The day we legitimately sold 8,000 tickets to an away game that decided who was going to be promoted to the Premiership. This was an away game 4 hours away, on a Tuesday night. The noise we generated was unbelievable. Sunderland scored after 5 minutes, whch made all 8,000 of us sing our hearts out. I was proud of my team, proud of my club, and proud of my city and my fellow fans.
I proposed to my fiancee outside the stadium after flying in from Los Angeles.
Togetherness when things go well hugging a complete stranger like you have known them all your life
Being at both recent semi final games, home and away, to Manchester United and seeing us archive a place in the cup final! The emotions at both games were something iv never felt before, the elation and distress in both matches will be hard to beat in my ifetime. At one point, I didn't know whether cry, scream, sing or dance when Vito Mannone saved the last penalty, in the end I turned and hugged a total stranger, whilst jumping up and down shouting in his ear!!! That has to be the best feeling iv experieced during a game of football!
Chairman of my club paid for taxis home from an away game for stranded fans!
Trip to London for Chelsea away. We lost 5-2 but was an amazing weekend with family and friends.
The club being relegated and seeing my dad cry for the first time. He was a massive Sunderland supporter and seeing them relegated devastated him.
Going to Roker Park with my dad as a kid, buying a programme and a bovril and going to the pub. Mint
not one memory in particular, but travelling around the country and around the world and always being proud of where i am from, and my club. we have an extremely good reputation for friendliness and hospitality, and as a result of that i am mostly always et with the same respect. we travel in excellent numbers, and although we have very little in ways of success on the field to cheer about, we are always in high spirits and people from the towns and cities that we visit are nearly always complimentary of ur behaviour and attitude. this means a lot to me a good example is an away coach stopping at a small town near to the town that we were playing the away game at. the lads on the bus had a few drinks and when returning to the bus decided to pop into a harity shop that was next to where the bus was parked. after 50 or so lads had been in the shop, and bought as many random items of second hand clothing (for only a few pounds each), it was off to the match in 'fancy dress' of tweed trousers, top hats andchristmas jumpers.. the volunteers in the shop were over the moon!
My Dad and I were on holiday in Madrid when I was 15, this was before the internet was easily accessible so we were relying on my mother to tell us the score. We phoned at 5pm and asked her the score and she said we had won 1-0 away to West Ham. This put s top of the league for the first time in both of our lives so we went out and got drunk and celebrated. In the morning we woke up and went to get a paper to read about the match, so it turns out we were not top of the league and my mother had checked teltext too early because she knew we would call and Trevor Sinclair had equalised in the last minute.
This season against Manchester United in the semi-final second leg of the capital one cup. It was such a diffcult and frustrating game to watch, such a range of emotions, not expecting to win, hoping to win, having alot of possession and not doing anythin with it. It was like living every moment of the game. My god the feeling when we won, was amazing so proud and relieved.
My first game at roker park when I was 9 years old. The passion of the Sunderland fans for the team got me hooked and I have been going ever since
1998 Championship Playoff Final Sunderland lose on pens after 4-4 draw. This is the game that cemented my allegiance to the club; never have i felt so many highs and lows in two hours.
Peter Reid's record breaking season in the Championship when they got promoted Roy Keanes first season at the club where he got us promoted Beating the Mags 0-3 twice in one calendar year at their concrete landfill
Getting through to Wembley for the Capital One cup final and sharing that experience with my dad grandad and uncle.
I have been at games, where we have scored or conceded important goals, and people who until that moment have been total strangers have suddenly become like best friends. After we (Sunderland) won that Penalty shoot out at Old Trafford to guarnatee we wen to wembley, someone who I had never met invited me for a few drinks, and we shared stories with him and his family, and we kept in touch. I can't think of another environment where some bond like this would be share. We have nothing in common except thatpenalty, and yet now we are friends, because we shared that excitement.
Losing the playoff final again Charlton in 1998. Was watching in a working mens club with my father, we lost on penalties. Never heard the place as quiet as when the last penalty was missed.
I was a young boy of 14 years in 1998 when Sunderland played Charlton at the old Wembley stadium in the first division play-off final. It was an incredible game that we eventually lost on penalties after a 4-4 goal fest. I went through every emotion yo could possibly think of in those 120+ minutes of football. At times we were winning, at other times we were losing, there were what seemed like an endless amount of penalties taken until finally mine, and tens of thousands of other hearts were broken whe Micky Grey (a Sunderland legend and still a supporter to this day) missed from the spot, sending Charlton athletic into the Premier League. I was there with my Dad, my Uncle, my Cousin and my Grandad and it was an absolutely unforgettable and magic moent. I could never not want anything but the best for this club ever since.
Getting beat by Charlton in the play off final on sudden death penalties. If you remember the game you will know how many emotions I went through in that game, to come out of it on the losing side was heartbreaking.
In 1998 Sunderland had a very important match to decide if they got promoted. After an exciting match that went both ways, local man and SAFC fan Michael Tray missed the vital penalty. He was distraught and there was a shared feeling of upset, almost grie between fans, player and whole club. This transformed in to a steely resolve to put it right next season.
Watching the 98 play off final at Wembley, amazing game which ended in defeat but still supporting the team because of the effort shown.
Losing the play off final in 1998. Being absolutely gutted but amazed at the game we had witnessed. Was great to see everyone applaud the team off despite losing
Best memory I have of supporting SAFC is the season that we stayed in the Premier league on the last day of the season and Newcastle got relegated. Alan Shearer was their manager at the time. ..PERFECTION!
Kevin Phillips being the only English Player to win the European Golden Boot and I was sat in the stands the day he was awarded it
I've being following Sunderland up and down the country all my life. There are far too many memories, good and bad to mention. Highs include my first away game at N******e in 1990 semi finals of the playoffs, the 92 fa cup final, 3 back to back victories ncluding 2 0-3 against THEM. The many many many lows of the play off final defeat by Charlton (voted one of the best games ever at the old wembley stadium) the relegation to division 3! And countless other let downs and heartbreakes
Ever since I walked to roker park for the first time I was hooked. The buzz, the expectation, the collectivism, the noise, all of it grabbed me and I've not looked back since that first walk from the sea front to the match.
In the 1998 playoff final, Micheal Gray took a penalty for Sunderland and missed. I spent 4 hours walking around London crying my eyes out
Niall Quinn paying for stranded fans taxi fares home. Beating Newcastle 3 nil twice in a row at Sports Direct Arena.
Being ball boy for the first season in the premiership :)
My first ever trip to roker park with my dad. It was 1987 and we won 4-2. Been hooked ever since, home and away and have even tattoo'd my balls for the club!
Wembley 1992 this is when I first noticed the club
Standing in the Roker End at Roker Park with my Grandad when I was about 5.
Losing the Playoff cup final after constantly leading the game V Charlton to draw 4:4 after extra time and tolose on penalties.
Euphoric highs and lows I felt during the play-off final in 1998. The game ended 4-4, with Sunderland winning and losing at various parts of the game. The winning team won a place in the Premier League. There were 40,000 Sunderland fans at Wembley that da, and the atmposhere was palpable. Sunderland went on to lose in "sudden-death" penalties. I don't believe I have ever experienced such extremes of emotion in such a short space of time.
This sums it up..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c97GEb44I0
I remember the first match I took my little sister to when she was still only a toddler. It was a cup match and I can't remember who we were playing or the final result but we ended up winning by 6 goals or more.
Supporting Sunderland is a way of life here, it's ingrained in you from birth! We all feel a bit lost during the summer when there's no football to attend or watch! I remember going to the clubs ground when I was maybe four or five and having my picturetaken with my Dad and the cup we had won that year. I didn't really understand what it was at the time, but the atmosphere was electric. Football brings this city together.
Red and white along wembley way in1998 at the playoff final, great game (not so great result), great memories!
Seeing Sunderland beat Newcastle United in 2000 1-2 at st James Park for the first time. The feeling was like a drug fuelled experience without taking large amounts of mdma.
Beating derby county 5 0 away, living in derby for most of my life and taken a lot of stick from derby fans through school and work, so it meant a lot
Walking up the steps into the fulwell end with my grandad for the first time and literally feeling like my breath had been taken away such was my excitement
Gary Bennet getting the winner against Man United at Roker, the first time I had seen us win. A bloke picked me up and hugged me. To be in that chaos of pure joy had me hooked for life.
Heartache, pain, failure, with brief glimpses of utter joy
Away at Tranmere Rovers sometime in the 90's, Sunderland had been hammered 4-1.
1988 Sunderland vs Northampton Town. Almost 30,000 people at Roger Park. The atmosphere was great and a wonderful night shared with my dad.
Walking onto the terraces at Roker park for the first time and seeing the pitch, feeling the hope and anticipation as the crowd swayed and surged forward and the smell of urine as it flowed past your feet down the terrace steps. I was 15 and had supportedmy team from New Zealand, where I was brought up as an expat and seeing my team live as my father and uncles did was always a desire. I watched every home game in that 6 week visit, watching sport in New Zealand doesn't even come close to that atmosphere,the songs and the banter are unique.
Spending time with my Dad. Going to matches as a boy
There have been so many ups and downs it's impossible to pick one?ups would include Play off Final 1998, Bury and Barnsley away 1999, Beating Newcastle away 1999 and 2000, reaching the Cup Final this year. Downs would include relegation 1997, lowest poits total twice in Premiership history, losing 4-1 and 5-1 to Newcastle
not getting promoted in 1998 play off finals - second hardest time of my young life!
August 1999. Kevin Phillips scoring in the rain at St James' Park. Even though I was in Botswana at the time, it is a memory that will never leave me!
Play off final meeting with fans in traffalger square the night before the match, maybe 4000 supporters dining and in the fountains at 10 pm
My first ever game as an excited 8-year old at my club's famous old ground, Roker Park. The anticipation as my Father drove me through from home and the short walk through narrow back streets until the ground came into view. The game itself, a comfrtable 3-0 victory, the atmosphere, sounds and smalles. Hooked.
Last time that I saw my Grandad alive, was visiting him in hospital during the play off final against Charlton in 1988. One of the last things he said to us was along the lines of 'Bugger off so I can watch the second half...'
Going to my first game in 1981. Those first few seconds of climbing the back stairs of the roker end and seeing the hallowed turf and all the ground. A memory that will live with me forever
As a child being taken to see them play by my father. My parents were divorced and, even though my father supported our main rivals, he would still take me to almost every home game. Looking back, that means a lot and no doubt there is some mixture of felings between supporting the club and the opportunity to spend time alone with my father.
Walking up the Fulwell steps for the first time to feel the noise, strength and power of the crowd, all with a commonality.
Once won a competition to become a team member for a year and had to sign a professional contract. 4 others also won but the overall winner actually went on the team bus to away games with the players. Unfortunatly that wasnt me but still had fun feelinglike i was part of the club for a while.
Being surrounded by grown men openly crying with joy at the final whistle of the 1992 FA cup semi final, whilst doing the same, hugging complete strangers, sharing a bond on a very rare occasion.
The fans are canny, unpretentious and generally very good humoured with no chip.
I emigrated to Australia - when Sunderland made the play off final versus charm ton I returned back to the uk and this was the main reason
Going to the match as a young lad was a right of passage. It was the first time grown men started to treat you as a man. It was a great feeling.
Visiting Wembley for the 3rd time to see Sunderland play. Having suffered 2 previous defeats without a goal being scored I was hopeful of seeing us at least score. The match was the playoff final in 1998 against Charlton which ended 4-4 and was settled o penalties. The moment Niall Quinn scored our first goal I was overcome with emotion. I'd wanted to see us score at Wembley for so long and couldn't hold back the joy and tears. I couldn't explain why I was crying I was so happy.
First memory of crying at sport was the 1984 milk cup defeat to Norwich, disliked Norwich for years afterwards.
Taking to the ground with grandfather and father
My family and I went to the Stadium of Light (Sunderland home ground) for a Father's Day meal about 7 years ago. We had a wander around the ground afterwards and my father appears on about 4 or 5 squad photographs from the 1950s and 1960s when he was aprofessional footballer at the club. It was then that I realised that the club has been a major part in my family for a long time, even before my father played for Sunderland. Supporting the club is a family tradition.
Defeat in play off final had always been most emotional game I'd been too, however the recent semi final v man utd at old Trafford surpasses that. Had my grandad, dad, myself and my 3 kids at the match with me so 4 generations made it extra special.
Beating Newcastle away in the Play Off semi-final in 1990. Nothing better than denying your rivals a) a trip to Wembley and b) assuring them of another season in the second tier... plus getting promoted as a result after the final.
The former ground at roker park where I stood on my particular concrete step, leaning against red painted railings, the place smelling of the sea and dodgy pies. Sometimes, especially night matches when the floodlights were on, it felt like such a magicalplace.
I have strong memories of going to games, as a child, with my father and brothers.
When i was younger it felt like you part of a tribe, the animal came pouring out every saturday, all you wanted/needed to do was act like an animal and fight any other tribe that came into your area..... Took me a while but i grew up, unfortunatly wheni go the games now i can still see it in the younger supporter, they look at the ''big lads'' wanting to be accepted into there little world of anger. Really sad that this is one of my first memories of sunderland football
Celebrating with fellow supporters as the fourth goal was scored at Wembley in the play off final against Charlton. The highs and lows that day were like nothing I have experienced before or since.
Playoff final at Wembley v Charlton 1998. 4-4 after extra time having been 1-0 down, then 2-1, 3-2 & 4-3 up, lost 7-6 on penalties. Completely worn out emotionally afterwards, never been through a game like it before or since, so many highs & lows. Didnt even have energy to celebrate our 4th goal, just flopped down in seat in relief, as did many around me. Whole bus was silent on way home.
My first away game with my dad, away to Rotherham when I was 8 years old on a cold and wet Wednesday night. I felt really proud of both my dad and Sunderland that night and it has stayed with me throughout my life.
Being part of 10000 who went to Maine Road Manchester on the last day of the season in 1990 when we needed to win to stay up. We lost, but it was a special day
Meeting my father at Wembley to go and watch Sunderland v Charlton in the play off final and sitting on the steps having something to eat and an ex Sunderland player walks by (Charlie Hurley) and my father saying that he was his favourite ever player, so asked Charlie to come over and say hello and for a picture and seeing the joy on my fathers face
Remaining in the Premiership as the only north east team.
Rememeber 1st relegation from top flight. Crying when confirmed on radio that Leicester City had beaten us to relegate us.
Sunderland afc is part of the community and has a stron historical bond
Nostalgic memories of attending Roker Park as a youngster. The atmosphere, the smells, being a part of the crowd walking to the ground;and the heart-break of losing, ecstasy of winning! Not so important now just disappointing and well used to.
Too many to choose from, lots of highs and lows (mostly lows!). some good "derby" results spring to mind, the looney DiCanio on his knees in recent memory, some fantastic times standing at Roker Park also come to mind.
When we took 15000 to man city away for a relegation party as well as 10000 to Wimbledon for another relegation party and more recently when we too 9000 to Man U for the semi finals of the capital one cup. Plus the 0-3 wins at St James park over the las 2 years. I memory in defeat is probably the best game at wembley when we got beat off Charlton on penalties in the play off final.
Hugging strangers at St James' Park after a 3-0 win there in 2012. The biggest win at our greatest rivals in years. Grown men in tears.
Taking my daughter to her first match at the start of this season - going to football has always been about meeting family at the game to watch together.
Mancehster city v Sunderland may 11th 1991, sunderland lost and were relegated. what a day we took over 15,000 fans to maine road and took over 3 sides of the ground. I went to the game without a ticket but managed to buy one for the home end, i ended u in 3 sides of the ground that day the noise and passion of the sunderland fans was incredible will will stay with me as one of the best footballing days of my life. Its why the club means so much to me and the rest of the fans. The hairs on the back ofmy neck stand when i think of this day.
Beating Newcastle 3 nil 2 seasons in a row
After winning the FA cup in 1973 I rememmber at 3 years old being taken to a pub on the route of the official parade and being told that Bobby Kerr was God! One of my earliest memories and stayed with me for a long time. Told Bobby that story when I methim as an adult...think he was quite impressed!
Wet, cold nights on the terraces in the 80s
Seeing grown men cry with joy when we won the 1973 FA Cup Final.
Lots of memories good and bad but the latest one is the feeling of immense pride that safc put on buses for its fans to old Trafford for the semi final and the whole experience and atmosphere of that night
with my dad taking me to see my first ever view of team who were returning to town on open top bus with fa cup
August 15th 1987. Brentford v Sunderland. First day of the new season. Newly relegated to the Third Division, the club deeply in debt, and looking like parts of Roker Park would be shut to cut costs. The club was on its knees on and off the pitch. et over 3,000 Sunderland fans turned, shouting defiantly to the world"We will NOT let this club die." We won 1-0 on a steaming hot summer afternoon. The result was immaterial. Simply being there was everything.
Gordon Armstrong header FA cup Quarter Final 1992.
The legacy. I enjoy reading and reflecting in the history and personalities of the club past. Too much football nowadays is about black and white and hatred whereas if you reflect in the past then you can see things in context and appreciate the real stoies and love the legacy. Fans are too impatient and judgemental of the current footballers and the clubs, but time always allows a more measured and fondly remembered and more balanced view. So many meaningful and fondly recalled memories, but to choose ne ....... 07 May 1988, Rotherham United v Sunderland, W, 1-4, this being the only season that Sunderland had played in the Third Division and the lowest league in their history. This match was that crowning glory of the season in which they won the ThirdDivision Championship, which in the context of Sunderland's long and proud history would not rank as a greatest acheivement but at the time, with the squad we had and the honesty of the players, manager and in the context of what could have happened afterthe dark days of the previous season, it should rank up there with all the League Titles and Cup Wins.
92 cup final, we lost but I'll always remember the support before , during and after The match, we were there for each other
I can still smell Roker Park from my visits there in the 80s, that is how profound an impact that ground and this club has had on me.
Seeing them relegated at an away game when 15,000 away fans turned up.
Away match at Derby in 1999. Won 5-0 and I thought we would go on to be invincible.
Aged 6, Sunderland beating Leeds United 1-0 to win the FA Cup Final
Last minute equalisers...winning games against the odds...beating the local rival...meeting the same people at the matches
The feeling when we held a perfectly observed minutes silence following the death of Bobby Moore. I felt proud then.
1992 FA Cup Final - I went to this match alone but attached myself to a group of fellow fans in a pub in Baker Street, made lots of new friends and had a great day up to the point where we lost the match. I was so disappointed that I skulked off home and hut myself in my bedroom as I couldn't bear to talk to anyone. There are other examples, but this particular one sums up the highs and lows of following a football team.
To me when ever my team beats our rivals Newcastle in the local derby it's the best feeling in the world .Having beaten them three times in a row it has been unbelievable as my team is going through a tricky period . we are capital cup finalist and F.A cp quarter finalist so although we are forth bottom we have much to cheer about at the moment and me and my fellow supporters have the upper hand on the noisy neighbors.
Stopped following club in mid 80s for about 6 months for variety of factors which also co incided with relegation to 3rd tier. Went back to supporting as season in 3rd division commenced, and at first game back realised that regardless of clubs performanc or position would always support them as they were "my" club, I enjoyed the whole aspect of "attending" matches and that until day I died I would continue to do so. The break from supporting them appeared to crystalise that notion. Have regularly attende ever since then.
so many - but one that springs to mind is beating Norwich in the Semi-final of the FA Cup in 92 - fantastic day, with a terrific support - but I remember getting home in the early hours of the morning and there being a message to phone my dad - whatever tme it was - phoned and he picked up within two rings and just wanted to talk to me about the feeling that we were going to Wembley - that feeling that whatever happens in the final ( and it wasn't great) we were in the Final - he knew how it felt because f 73 and just wanted to share it with me
I remember the 98 play off final. The lead changed hands throughout the game, finished 4-4 after extra time and took 6 penalties to settle the final. It was such an exhilarating I was surprised that I was not more disappointed at the outcome as it was my eam that lost
I remember taking my son to his first match.
Being apart of a crowd on terraces in my teens was one of the best memories I have even to this day. The atmosphere and excitement and feeling of togetherness was second to none
My earliest memories of supporting S'land are going with my dad, who was a commentator for local radio in the North East. I have vague recollections of our match days with him depositing me with a mate in the paddocks in front of the commentary area and hen going off to do pre match interviews etc. We had to go round to the Players' Entrance of Roker Park after the match to meet up with him. My dad died in 1974, when I was 10 and I have few memories of him other than those of attending football. I;v always suspected that my strong bonds to S'land have, in part, been formed due to this connection with my father. I'm also interested in how these bonds have altered over time. Myself and other S'land supporters often refer to supporting the Lads as kind of curse that one can't ever fully excise; I have been trying to pull myself away over the last few years to concentrate on endurance sport. And yet, a little bit of success has sucked me back into the vortex. Inevitable disappointment and dispiriing await but here I am, as excited as a little boy about going to Wembley.
Lost a fa cup semi final never went back to work because of it
Loads of them. Most recent, getting a birthday mug "from" my 10 mth old granddaughter with a picture of her in a Sunderland strip. Her dad had added an "FTM" speech bubble - you might need to look up what that means : ).
Dad taking me to Roker Park, about 1970 - floodlit night game, sheen on the pitch, the noise of the crowd etc - just magical!
My fondest memories from childhood are going with my late father and my brother to Roker Park in the 70's to watch Sunderland games ... Ive been a fanatical and passionate supporter ever since
Ian Porterfield 1973 FA Cup Final. Photo currently my laptop's wallpaper.
Away travel is always a great day out. It stays with you for a great deal of time especially if they win and the escapades to get to the match or get a drink before are regaled for years afterwards.
When the Stadium of Light first opened my wife and I attended the very first game, I never thought there would be a better atmosphere than Roker Park, I was wrong. The football played at the time under Peter Reid Quinn Phillips up front Johnston summerbeeon the flanks Goals Galore the place was a sight to behold the memories will live with me to my dying day. thank You SAFC.
Sunderland were in the promotion play offs semi final second leg against our greatest newcastle.The game Was 0 0 after the first and Newcastle were strong favourites as they were now at home.The ground was full and there where about 10,000 of us away fas packed in the ground,the tension was gut wrenching. Earlier in the day at about 06.30 I had woken up after a sleepless night thinking this was going to be the longest day of my life as the match didnt kick off till 1945.After a bite to eat and many viits to the toilet It was now 11.00.I couldnt stand the tension any more so decided I would go to the pub. My town was heavily industrialed situated on the South bank of mid Tyne. A town that was and still 50% Sunderland 50% Newcastle.As I opened the pu door I couldn't believe my eyes,it was 11.10 in the morning And the place was full.Everybody the same as me,just couldnt settle at home. The atmosphere in the pub was good all day,not a cross word.And as the day grew on Newcastle supporters drifted ou and up to Newcastle, hands were shook and false good wishes were passed over from each side. There fans were not saying it outright but you could tell by there swagger and interaction with each other that they were uber confident. The time came for usto go on the trip to Newcastle, we all had to travel together by coach as the police Were picking us up in a convoy.The bus was rocking we sang from the pub right into st james park. In the groung the noise was deafening, the prize,whoever won on the niht went to Wembley for the chance To get to the promised land of the premier league,but just as important the winners were condemning there biggest rivals to another long slog in the championship(little did anyone know at the time was this game was to ll intents and purposes WAS the final because Swindon where not going to be promoted whatever happened because of financial irregularities, and they were the other finalists). Sunderland where fantastic,we s
Purchasing a brick for myself and son and seeing it in our new stadium.
Crying like a baby when we lost on penalty in the play off final even though I was 37 years old
Taking my young son to a number of games, all ending in a draw or defeat. The first victory he saw was beating local rivals Newcastle 2 - 1. The first derby victory for several years plus the first ever win my son saw. Amazing atmosphere and the players cearly appreciated how much it meant to the fans.
Attending the FA Cup final in 1973 when I was 11 years old. One of the most important and memorable days of my life.
Best moment ever was the day we got relegated at Man City in 1991. We went down but 12000 Sunderland fans were their until the end. There was a bond that doesn't exist while the money is so big.
winning the fa cup in 1973. supporters lining the streets of sunderland when the 73 cup was won,the noise generated by safc fans at wembley during 73 cup final.
In my youth it meant everything, as I am now older it means a lot but my family means more. I have loads of memories of various games and events over the years. Its good to reminisce with family an friends. Football binds us all together like nothin else. Good times with good friends. Bad times shared with good friends.
When walking in to our new stadium for the first time, thinking "wow! This is ours!" Still don't like the name, though!
A random away game at Derby County's new stadium. First visit there . About 5000 travelling Sunderland supporters with a large number of them under the main stand in the food and drink vending area in a major singing session about 45 mins before the game tarted. Huge fun and huge 'togetherness'.
The assistance of the club in getting wheelchair access at short notice for my dying wife, so she could go to one final match.
the f.a. cup run and win in 1973 and the f.a. cup run and loss in 1992 went to all games except 73 final, i just remember the momentum and build in tension throughout.
FIRST GAME VS COVENTRY CITY AUG 1969 AUGUST SMELL OF FRESH CUT GRASS AND THE NOISE OF THE CROWD ALMOST 45 YEARS AGO! A CLOSE FRIEND DIED OF CANCER BURIED IN RED AND WHITE HIS PASSION BECAME STRONGER AS HIS ILLNESS BECAME WORSE YEAR WE LOST TO CHARLTN AT WEMBLEY IN THE SEMI FINAL AGAINST SHEFFIELD UTD A GREAT GAME SOMEBODY BEHIND US GRABBED HIS HEAD WHEN WE SCORED BY THIS STAGE HE WAS WEARING A HAIR PEICE THE LOOK OF SHOCK AND HAPPINESS WAS A PICTURE AS THE GUY FELL BACK HOLDING HIS HAIR!
When we lost against Charlton in the 1998 play off final, I felt that an unbreakable emotional bond was formed out of the shared heartbreak between players, manager and supporters, which made it inevitable that we would gain promotion the following season which we did with a record points tally..
When we won the FA Cup in 1973 I was fourteen years old. This made me feel more in touch with my late father who had died shortly after I was born. He would have been a similar age to me when we had last won the cup in 1937.
When my Dad took me to my first match. It was a night match, the floodlights were on. I still remember my first sight of the pitch, also the sounds of the crowd and the smell of tobacco, beer, bovril all mixed together.
when we won the FA Cup in 1973. I was 13 and didn't go to the final but the whole town and region were excited and uplifted.
1973, in heaven as a teenager, the only major trophy we have won in my lifetime, watched it at my aunties as she had a colour tv
1973 FA Cup Run - being only 13 it was probably the best feeling one can have and of togetherness during the games
Wembley 73 13 years old, watched on a 26" colour TV my dad bought especially for the occasion. About 15 people in our front room.
Watching Sunderland, the greatest ever football team, win the FA Cup in 1973. The city was happy and the street parties that followed will always live with me.
1973. Leeds 0-1 Sunderland. This needs no embelishing!
I remember the half time score being Sunderland 4 Chelsea 0, Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn each having scored twice. I turned to a friend and said "wouldn't it be great if they both got hat tricks". I immediately realised that there is just no satisfyin some people.
The emotions felt after any win or positive result.
Bob Stokoes great achievement of taking Sunderland to Wembley in 1973 and becoming the first Second Division club in modern times to accomplish that feat. Memories from that great and memorable occasion are treasured in my heart for always.
Spending the night with 9000 others at Old Trafford in January this year. Dare to dream
opening of the stadium of light memorable game v ajax
Fa cup 1973 winners. We still revere the players from that team and they appreciate that. As do other former players
Niall Quinn arranging transport home for fans stuck hundreds of miles away from home!
When Sunderland were beaten on penalties by Charlton in the 1998 Play Off final (it ended 4-4 after extra time) I was completely gutted for Michael Gray who missed the final penalty. It took weeks to get over it. I was so upset for all the fans and the plyers who had given everything and had still lost. The memory of how sad I felt that day has never diminished.
first derby match v newcastle at stadium of light. when the newcastle team was read out the whistling deafened me. same match when kevin philips scored the noise was immence
Watching the 1973 cup final success not knowing it would be so long before we could repeat it. It makes me even more emotional watching it now
Going to Sunderland football matches with my father, when I was young. Particularly, the cup replay against Man City in 1973.
The whole of the FA cup run every single round and replay on the way to actually winning the cup
Supporting Sunderland cause emotional highs and lows - more lows than highs. But it is that unexpected element which is like a drug. The best memories are winning silverware (in 1973 for us) or promotion (many times). The lows are relations and hidings. Iwatched them lose 8-0 once, awful. Best performance I've seen is a few years ago when beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Play off final 1998 defeat. Walking along Wemley way in total silence afterwards.
There are many memories - too many to list but the one that stands out is the 5th round FA cup game against Manchester City in 1973. The atmosphere that night was electric and I can picture the goals, action, sound and smells even now.
We were facing relegation from the old First Division in the 1969-1970 season and had been poor, however we played really well against the eventual winners Everton but drew the game we should have won and needed to beat Liverpool at home to stand a chanceof staying up. Unfortunately we lost that game to an Alan Evans goal late on. The thing I remember most is the attitude of the Liverpool players during the game, it was as if they did not want to win and there were no celebrations following the winning gol. There have been many great moments since that time Phillips and Quinn etc but rose tinted specs or not I interpreted the Liverpool players attitude as a sign of respect from one great club to another.
Winning the 1973 FA Cup Final against all the odds was an amazing day.
Vic Halom scoring against Man City in the 73 cup run. A night match at its best.
At 2.50 on 5th May 1973 I was standing outside Wembley Stadium despairing of getting in to see the game between Sunderland and Leeds when someone offered me a ticket for just over face value. I was in the ground and sitting down within a few dream-like mnutes. Sunderland won of course and my seat was on a line with the goal-line where Porterfield scored and MOnty made his double-save to keep us ahead.y
Sunderland beating Norwich in 1992 semi-final of FA Cup - because the last game I attended with my partner before she died was the 1985 Milk Cup final Sunderland versus Norwich. Also the semi-final was the first one to be played at Hillsborough after the isaster involving Liverpool supporters at the 1989 semi-final of the FA Cup.
1973 fith round cup replay queuing for five hours to get a ticket, banter in the queue was great. Tremendous match with a great atmosphere and result. The atmosphere in the city completely changed after that over night it became much more vibrant and friedly , really made a difference to what was really a rundown depressed Northern town of the early 70s
My club won the FA cup in 1973 - it was simply one of the best days of my life. That day, and those memories and feelings will never leave me.
Winning the FA Cup in 1973. No one gave us a chance against the Mighty Leeds but most of the country wanted us to win. We didn't disappoint
My dad is from sunderland but we moved to the south for his work. We travelled up north in an old car with mum dad and four children to watch fa cup final with family on tv (cos dad wanted to be with them if sunderland won and not in london which he hated) Car broke down 3 times up old A1. Hey it didnt matter we were there. The day I watched Sunderland win the FA cup in that living room full of lads who supported Sunderland I was lost forever to Sunderland. Back in the south my friends supported spurs, asenal, west ham and none of them even knew where sunderland was I KNEW. Live back in the north again now with my 3 sunderland supporting sons .And me a mother an almost retired nurse I still love SAFC me.
It became a bonding experience between my father and myself. Prior to this I was not a football fan, however as my father's friends died off through old age my father was surrounded by might be described as 'female discourse'. Football became a means ofproviding common ground and lively interaction. Interestingly within a short time I became a real fan and a season ticket holder. I am drawn into the rivalry between ourselves and our neighbours though without the vile rancor that does arise in many.
On a Sunday morning at 3.15am whilst waiting in a queue for 5th round replay tickets in 1973 , the snow was falling on a bitterly cold night. We had only just returned at 21.30 from the 5th round tie at Manchester City after a 2-2 draw and went to the gound immediately to queue for replay tickets for the following Wednesday night. These replay tickets went on sale on the Sunday morning directly after the away tie At around 3.15 am, one of the senior management officials (Mr Corney O'Donnell) came own from the offices to see how the queue had grown into tens of thousands of fans quietly waiting to purchase these tickets when the turnstiles opened up at 9.30 am in the morning. I remember he went back into the clubs offices and came back out with oter staff and proceeded to give out hot cups of coffee and tea to thousands of fans waiting patiently in the queue. Need I say more.
First game as a child watching sunderland v standard liege , sitting on a barrier and getting pins and needles in my feet and having to run up and down the terraces to get feeling back
Roker Park: 1963 SAFC versus Norwich City. I was 11 and it was my first match on my own. We won 7-1 and Nicky Sharkey scored 5 goals.
My first game as a boy when my uncles took me and then again when I took my son to his first game
THE WINNING OF THE FA CUP IN 1973 WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY.
All memories are important and meaningful, otherwise they don't matter.
winning the fa cup in 1973. i saw every round home and away. the final ended in euphoria.
1973 CUP FINAL WINNERS. cried all night.
On entering the new Stadium of Light for the first game I was almost in tears with emotion.
I've just spent 10 minutes answering this question and the answer has been lost. I will just say I have too many memories. The outstanding one changes every two minutes.
There have been many, from the time I started supporting the club in 1962. However, the most memorable has to be when we won the FA Cup in 1973.
Winning the 1973 FA Cup a truly fantastic and emotional experience
Watching the FA Cup Final in 1973 on television in Leamingron Spa with friends who were Su deal and fans for the day. Drinking heavily before and during the game. Rapture at totally unexpected victory. Decided there and then to drive to Sunderland to celerate. Then decided not to. Wise decision .
My early days as a supporter 1960-65 Winning the FA Cup in 1973
MY FIRST SEASON 1964, HOME TO MAN U, QUEUING WIT PARENTS FROM 7 AM UNTIL KICK OFF AT 19.30 FOR A CUP TIE REPLAY. GAME WAS A DRAW, BUT THOUSANDS LOCKED OUT AND OFFICIALLY 46000 IN BUT IN REALITY NEARER 70000 AS ENTRY GATES WENT DOWN
The 1973 FACup final. What an amazing day. Just a great day, l will always remember the double save, the manager running onto the pitch to embrace the goalkeeper at the end. The party afterwards.
Winning the FA Cup back in 1973. A second division team beating Manchester City, Arsenal and Leeds United, all giants in the game It will never be done again by a 'small' club.
Winning the FA cup. Now 40 years ago andI attended with my late father.
The most abiding memory for me is the clubs first relegation from division one in 1958
1973 cup final was a day I will never forget. The feeling of being part of the family was immense. one of the great days
The relegation to the third tier of English football. Though it only lasted for a single season, that was the lowest point in my life and even surpassed the joy of winning the Cup final in 1973.
Winning the fa cup in 1973 v Leeds and being with good friends. A most remarkable period of my life culminating in the birth of my first son in the September of that year.
When we won the FA Cup in 1973 it was a magical day for me. A real David and Goliath story. The whole day is etched in my memory.
Winning the fa cup in 1973, a magical experiance
January 1947 when I saw my first game at the age of 6. It was against Arsenal.Score 0-4.
1973 Sunderland AFC Cup Winners a marvellous experience, spreading much joy, pride, and happiness to the area.
I went to Wembly in 1973 to watch S'ld beat Leeds and still have the documentation to prove it. I had also been to most of the preceding away rounds. I still have a season ticket, but don't go to evening games or cup ties. I think I have an excuse, beig a disabled 82-year-old female. I watch them on TV whenever I can.
Porterfield scoring the winning goal in the 1973 Cup Final.
Watching West Brom getting promoted to the Premier League for the first time, it was a feeling like everything in the world was just brilliant
I feel there are many reasons why people start following a team. In my case, I started as an opportunity to see my father and enjoy following the team together. I have no stand out menory, more memories of going as a teenager to away games and following te team with my dad.
promotion in 1993 at wembley - hugging bloke next to me even tho I didn't know him
Getting a kit from my uncle when I was young. I was living in NZ and didn't hear much about my club.
October 1980. My first match, taken to see Middlesbrough at home, at The Hawthorns. We won 3-0 and that was it for me. I was hooked and have been a devout Baggie ever since.
Standing in the rain, away at Port Vale, mid-week and losing. We were sharing in the pain.
When Jason Roberts scored & revealed a t shirt with a picture of Jeff The King Astle on. Jeff had died that weekend and as Jason walked towards the fans in the Smethwick, End, I and many fans by me were in tears.
Baggies beating ManU when I was 9 - watching it on telly in a small village in Denmark - far far away. Have been a fan of WBA since - 35 years ago
A man who was doing some work on our house in the late 1970s used to drink at the same pub as the players and he gave me a piece of paper with all their signatures on it.
ah that would be my first game, aged 7, walking past the Birmingham road end, at home to Man utd I think, I heard the noise of the crowd as we, me and my dad walked to the turnstile, I will never forget the shiver that ran up my back, the sheer anticipatin of what was to come, I had no idea, had never been told, it was like magic
The best games are the ones we win. The worst memories are the games we lose, particularly to close rivals
Winning promotion back to the top flight in 2002 - the return of good times for the club. It's been a roller coaster ride since then, but nowhere near as bad as the period in the doldrums of the second and (briefly) third tiers.
Early days my Dad and my Uncle taking me to the game. Getting me in the ground early. I would go and sit on the perimeter wall with all the other kids whilst the Dads would go and have a pint pre-match in the supporters club. I was so proud and it made mefeel grown up being left on my own.
F A Cup 4th round replay v Manchester United in 1978. Albion won a thrilling match 3 2 after extra time.
Surviving in the premier league after being bottom at Christmas, the first and only club top do this....Elation!
30 December 1978, WBA won 5-3 away at Man United, and I was at the game - an unforgettable experience.
Beating Manchester United 6-2 in the late 1960s
Winning the league cup in 1966 and FA cup in 1968
Driving with my father to watch WBA v Tottenham Hotspur in the days of Alan Gilzean and Jimmy Greaves
Winning the Fa cup in 1968 at Wembley. The atmosphere created by 100,000 people singing 'abide with me' was very emotional. Winning was quite special as WBA would have been considered the 'under dogs' on the day, After the match meeting with hundreds of BA fans and opposition Everton fans in London provided a lasting memory that football has a large part of life in English society and supporting your local team is what links you with your roots. I don't feel that this is so strong these days- football i a business and money centred whilst in the past was part of belonging to a community. It was also special as no animosity existed between rival FANS, sharing a beer in a London pub and discussing the finer points of the game - true football fans. This iswhat football meant to the working people the country which I fear may have been lost in commercialism.
Too many to mention. From a personal point of view, I snapped my Achilles tendon whilst in Denmark watching Albion on a pre-season tour and was taken to hospital. It was the day of an Albion firendly so I persuaded the surgeon to strap me up, let me go tothe game and do the operation that evening - which I'm delighted to say he did. That was 12 years ago. My earliest memory - though I'm sure it wasn't the first Albion game I attended - is attending the Norman Heath Testimonial game in 1955 in which Sabina (a very famous actress and sex symbol at the time) kicked off. When I was just 10, in 1957, I decided to play cowboys and indians with my friends instead of going to the game. Albion beat Manchester City 9-2. I've seen Albion score six and seven nuerous times and eight twice but never nine - that's why I never miss a game now, home or away, because one day we'll do it again.
too many to mention. winning the F.A.Cup
My memories woulf fill a book they start from 1948 when i was attracted by the style of footbal perhaps even as far back as 1931 when as a second division club WBA won the FA Cup beating the team i then suported Birmingham FC the citytag was attachd years later. during the fifties the team adopted a new style of football based on the deep lying, centre forward Ronnie Allen. the creative force was my all time favourite footballer Ray Barlow. Ray would not have thanked me for praying that he wuld not get the WEngland caps he so desrved because I did not want to to lose his services to the Baggies despite all the wonderf ul memories, if i was forced to choose one it would be the privilege of seeing live the goal of the century scored by Tony Brwn in an away game cup,tie. The Tv clips of the vent cannot recapture the atmosphere that went around the ground. there was actually a split second of silence as the crowd stared in disbelief at wh\t they has seen

How would you best describe your ethnicity?
I wouldn't. You would descibre me as White British.
the same way as anybody would describe it

How would you best describe your nationality?
Belgian - lived in the UK for a number of years (on and off) and in the Arsenal area