Gate 13

Erskblue: thanks mate, I had completely forgotten about the speedway team.

I guess that ‘GRA’ at the left of the sign means Greyhound Racing Association? I don’t think there are any Dog Tracks left in London now. From memory: Walthamstow, Harringay, White City, Catford, Wimbledon and Romford. Anyone recall any others? Some of the dogs would out sprint our players, although Flash Walker (in his day) might have given them a run for their money.

Fantastic photo - four super Blues who knew exactly what Chelsea is about and never gave less than 110%.

No badge on the shirts, or they washed off in the steam laundry (remember them?). Seem to think the Le Coq Red Strip went wonky as well, we were on telly away at Everton, the long sleeved shirts did not have a badge, the short sleeve ones did. Go figure.

Norman, Norman give us a wave …. And he did!

My first match at the Bridge, aged 9!, saw us draw with Forest 1-1 on 14 August 1968, an evening ko at 7.30pm. Bobby Tambling scored for us. We sat in the old West Stand, floodlights on and a crowd of 35,000. I was hooked.

Thank you Erskblue, I much enjoyed reading this which brought back very happy memories - it was an unseasonably warm day as I remember it. The sheer joy of that day was almost tangible - I must confess to an overdose of lemonade at the British Legion Club at Parsons Green afterwards. For those that may remember it the Legion at PG is long gone - another sign of the times.

John Dempsey looks as if he been non thee lash for a week …

Two signings; one stuck with us through thick and thin and went on to lift silverware, and the other was off just as soon as a better offer came along. And the late Bobby Campbell - a thoroughly decent bloke.

I was allowed to stay up late (aged 11) and watch the replay in my pyjamas, got told off for yawning at school the day after.

He’s a false footballer.

“Canberra cruises where QE2 refuses” was the line from the blokes at San Carlos Water …

Just in … they have’nt got anything to tow it yet …

The quality is not brilliant but I think this is Steve Hickmott at Orient, just before the wall collapsed and he climbed up the pylon.

The only match I have watched from 3 different sides of the ground in 90 minutes …

I feel better already - thanks Erskblue and Happy Easter!

Sorry, but I just can’t go for us in red - away strip has to be yellow & blue - I can just tolerate white as an insult to the Spuds, but that’s your lot!

This photo is taken after the LC SF against Sunderland, as there are no benches left in the benches - they had all been ‘re-purposed’ …. I think the fence closing off the end bit of the benches (in the photo) went up after Sunderland as well?

Watching that reminded me just how useless Francis was. I went to the match with a broken leg (in plaster), when we made it 5-1 I jumped up and waved my crutch about (so to speak ….), rather like Eddie in the photo above. I think it was not long after this we had the Easter from hell losing 0-4 at home to Wet Spam and 6-0 at QPR. Today’s fans would be having a meltdown at that.

For all his bravado and machismo worth noting that Fash did not spring back up and take it to Dougie - very sensible in my view.

Yes, JJ never pulled out of a tackle and was not afraid to put his head where it hurts. The fist pump to us, home and especially away, was brilliant and got us fired up. Rest easy JJ.

Francis blew it in the 2nd half against the Spuds in the cup in 82. We were well in it in the first half - that free kick is my best memory of Fillery, then Francis screwed it up.

Here he is, the Gross boy with his tube ticket to get to the Lane - I always found the walk from Seven Sisters a bit of a drag, and from Tottenham Hale takes you though that sh*tty housing estate where some of their loons used to hang out on match day. Anyhow, most grateful to the Gross boy for playing his part in our 1-6 win in 97 (while wearing yellow sox).

Personally, I would recommend a swift return to N17 for Christian Gross …

I seem to think that Ossie wore the 9 shirt up to his injury and afterwards he wore the 4 shirt?