The first Town game I can remember is the final game of the 1969-70 promotion season, when the team paraded the 2nd division trophy around Leeds Road. Another early memory is at a night game when we played Leeds and we scored. I got pushed off my little buffet by a Leeds supporter and is it any wonder I can't stand them.
During the clubs fall from Division One to Four in the 70's I could not persuade my Dad to come with me to the matches and Town were not a fashionable team to support I am afraid to say at my school. I have a very fresh memory of this time in that I used to say in a morning when asked by my Mum if I was going to watch Town 'No Way - they are rubbish' or something to that effect. Come 12.30am or so I would have changed my mind and set of from my Netherton home via the Netherton to Town bus and then either walk down Leeds Road or get a bus from Town down Leeds Road. Did not see many victories, but had the bug which I still very much have today.
I have been a Season Ticket holder since the 1979-80 season when we were promoted from Division Four (the first season I could afford one) and thought it was my buying of this that prompted the turnaround in the club's fortunes and had absolutely nothing to do with Mick Buxton's skills. I have a photo of the 100th goal going in and we celebrated this on the terraces with cans of beer. The Championship was celebrated by opening a bottle of fizzy wine - how things have changed.
I joined the Patrons at the 1st match membership was offered - and got number 1555 - just 554 into the membership run as they seem to have started at 1001 for some reason. I asked about joining the Committee at a club AGM at Moldgreen Church and when Alan Sykes left to join the club I took over the running of the memberships, as I think I was one of the few at the time that had a computer at home, an Amiga.
My other major interest other than Town is The Beatles (to whom I am listening as I type this) and I can chat for hours on both subjects and those of you that have travelled with us on Patrons Travel will no doubt be aware of this and for my love of music in general.
Marcus Send e-mail