Gate 13

This programme sold out fast, could not pick up a copy for love nor money. Might need to do something similar if we are in a position to send them down in the penultimate match of the season.

Looks like the FA Cup quarter final in 1970, away at QPR. Chopper’s brother Allan might have been playing for QPR that day? The pitch at Loftus Road used to be a swamp, today’s prima donnas would probably refuse to play on it. QPR installed the plastic pitch in late 70’s or early 80’s.

The irony of Chopper dribbling with the ball and about to be tacked by Best is wonderful.

How we could do with him now: I remember his hat trick away at Millwall in the last game of the 89/90 season (I think), left foot, right foot and a thumping header. A hot sunny day and we wore the red and white hoops which a radio commentator said made us look like Hull Kingston Rovers of Rugby League fame.

Rumour has it that the away strip was turned over to Coors to design, the designer’s name - apparently - was Chuck Vomit …

I can smell the alcohol fumes from here …

That’s proper Chelsea as well.

And this one was’nt bad either, Gordon Davies on the plastic at Loftus Road, Boxing Day 1984, a 2-2 draw, King Kerry scored two penalties; our fans well represented on all four sides of the ground.

‘The’ away strip

Another immaculate Chelsea strip

hear hear, a brilliant and classy strip, and our away strip should only ever be yellow and blue.

Good to see Mickey T doing some punditry at the Wrexham match tonight. I wonder if he could lend me a tenner …

It occurs to me that we entertain ‘them’ at home, penultimate match of the season. What is the likelihood that, given their current form, we could send them down? One in the eye for 1975 when loads of us were locked out and it all went wrong. Picture the scene, ‘they’ have to win to stay up, the match is tight, 0-0 up to injury time, then Stevo sprints the length of the pitch, unloads a screamer that hits the bar and bounces off their keepers back end and trickles over the line, at the Shed end in front of their fans. One can dream!

Me too, good reminder!

Good to see Eddie with a fag on; not unusual in those days to puff on a ciggy at half time. Who needs sports science and healthy living - a couple of drags on a Senior Service or Capstan full strength will set you up nicely for the second half!

Hear hear

That is very sad news, rest easy Eddie.

And the New York Times - I wonder if that is what attracted Boehly & Co …?

We even got a mention in Parliament …

The was a train trip back from Luton, mid-late 70’s I think, we lost 3-0 and on the way back - while it was moving at speed - out went the windows followed by some tables, cushions, anything loose in fact - I can remember a couple of fire extinguishers going out, which wasn’t a smart move as the smell of burning wafted down the train, cue emergency stop in the middle of nowhere. That gave rise to a catchy little number at the next home match: “We can sing, we can fight, we can set the trains alight, la la lala, la la.”

Long journey up there and back as well - can’t remember if the train was a club special or a regular service job?

Media call at the Bridge prior to the League Cup Final in 1972.

“ … the only place to be every other Saturday …”

I am guessing this is early-mid 80s, maybe even ‘that’ season, and this small firm are probably heading for the Benches. Pre-Sunderland wooden, post Sunderland concrete and bad for the piles …!

Not often you get to watch the match from three different stands in 90 minutes …