15 years since my first City game...

[shahanshahan]

Recently realised that today is the 15 year anniversary of attending my first ever (City) game (at Ashton Gate, being the tender young age of 19!).
A 0-0 game against Watford on Tuesday 11 March 2008, with Basso saving a penalty from Darius Henderson being the highlight.
Despite growing up in nearby Long Ashton, I didn't really get the football bug until I started uni.
In the years since there have been good times, great times & bad times - but it's great to be a fan, and now a board member on the SC&T.
Due to another commitment I wasn't able to be at Ashton Gate 15 years after my first game, but at least there was a win today! CTID

Came across these photos I took which I haven't seen in years. I still have my ticket & programme somewhere...


 

[REDOXO]

Ohhh I hate Johnny Come Lately’s 

[Davefevs]

That was the only game I attended that season…was very much a part-timer in those years.  Took two work colleagues, one an Oxford fan who was quite impressed with it all, the other an Everton fan who moaned all night it was tiny and nothing like Goodison Park.

[cidercity1987]

I remember that game well, great penalty save by Ohhhhh Basso

Definitely thought we were Prem bound at that point

[Maltshoveller]

First game i ever went to was also nil nil

1977 v Villa

[cidered abroad]

Well done Shahanshahan. You'll be an old man before you realise it.

As for me, on April 7th, it will be my 73rd anniversary. I'm not far off total insanity.

Edited March 11, 2023 by cidered abroad

[bcfc01]

Get some in.

[joe jordans teeth]

Been going to City longer than you have been alive,what I would do to be 34 years young again

[Davefevs]

7 minutes ago, joe jordans teeth said:

Been going to City longer than you have been alive,what I would do to be 34 years young again

And have teeth!

[Rebounder]

This does make me a feel a bit old. That game does not seem 15 years ago. 

[AshtonGreat]

3 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Recently realised that today is the 15 year anniversary of attending my first ever (City) game (at Ashton Gate, being the tender young age of 19!).
A 0-0 game against Watford on Tuesday 11 March 2008, with Basso saving a penalty from Darius Henderson being the highlight.
Despite growing up in nearby Long Ashton, I didn't really get the football bug until I started uni.
In the years since there have been good times, great times & bad times - but it's great to be a fan, and now a board member on the SC&T.
Due to another commitment I wasn't able to be at Ashton Gate 15 years after my first game, but at least there was a win today! CTID

Came across these photos I took which I haven't seen in years. I still have my ticket & programme somewhere...


 

Wow incredible how comparatively poor the stadium was then - although the match day experience was so good in those days

[exAtyeoMax]

4 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Recently realised that today is the 15 year anniversary of attending my first ever (City) game (at Ashton Gate, being the tender young age of 19!).
A 0-0 game against Watford on Tuesday 11 March 2008, with Basso saving a penalty from Darius Henderson being the highlight.
Despite growing up in nearby Long Ashton, I didn't really get the football bug until I started uni.
In the years since there have been good times, great times & bad times - but it's great to be a fan, and now a board member on the SC&T.
Due to another commitment I wasn't able to be at Ashton Gate 15 years after my first game, but at least there was a win today! CTID

Came across these photos I took which I haven't seen in years. I still have my ticket & programme somewhere...


 

I miss that little scoreboard on top of the Wedlock’s

[Simon bristol]

5 hours ago, joe jordans teeth said:

Been going to City longer than you have been alive,what I would do to be 34 years young again

Haha, me too! God we have seen some shite over the years! All part of our story though i suppose!

[Port Said Red]

Did we really do that fireworks thing 15 ,years ago? I thought that was more recent. 

I've noticed when others have told similar stories, that the result is often the last thing that affects whether they return or not. It might be the atmosphere, the off the field experience, an individual event or player, but the actual result never seems to matter.

I can't match @cidered abroad but this season coming up will be my 58th, I wish I knew the very first game, but the first I recall was a 4-0 hammering of Charlton Athletic in September '66, again not because of the result but because I met my cousin for the first time, a visiting Charlton fan and I actually remember the walk along Ashton Rd more than the game.

[Rebounder]

42 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

Did we really do that fireworks thing 15 ,years ago? I thought that was more recent. 

I've noticed when others have told similar stories, that the result is often the last thing that affects whether they return or not. It might be the atmosphere, the off the field experience, an individual event or player, but the actual result never seems to matter.

I can't match @cidered abroad but this season coming up will be my 58th, I wish I knew the very first game, but the first I recall was a 4-0 hammering of Charlton Athletic in September '66, again not because of the result but because I met my cousin for the first time, a visiting Charlton fan and I actually remember the walk along Ashton Rd more than the game.

Think we were doing it in the late 90's early 2000's. Gas games in particular. 

I loved night games at Ashton Gate back then. 

[Oh Louie louie]

What a save by basso, from the pen, the roof almost came off with the noise,

[DaveInSA]

@shahanshahan, is there a bin photo? If you had that it's a complete set

[Lanterne Rouge]

1 hour ago, Rebounder said:

Think we were doing it in the late 90's early 2000's. Gas games in particular. 

I loved night games at Ashton Gate back then. 

Was it perhaps on Sky? I think they used to do the fireworks before live games.

[Redtrojan]

In 3 weeks time it will be my 53rd year anniversary-city 0 -1 Sheffield united.April 4th 1970,just before my 5th birthday.
Looking at the final league table that year (old div 2)we finished 14th ,Huddersfield and Blackpool were promoted and Preston and Aston Villa relegated.

Only had to wait another 6seasons to see us promoted to the promised land.I guess my generation were very lucky on that front.Got to happen again soon ,surely.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

48 years going here. Seen some total shite and some great great moments. And feel we building for some more good times. But then it's not bad at present. I miss those old Rovers Derbys. Not for the faint hearted at times. I always lived in Bristol in different blue areas of town but always where my city shirt with pride . Our City is red 

[shahanshahan]

3 hours ago, DaveInSA said:

@shahanshahan, is there a bin photo? If you had that it's a complete set

I wasn't on OTIB then so wasn't aware the bin photo was a thing 

12 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

Well done Shahanshahan. You'll be an old man before you realise it.

As for me, on April 7th, it will be my 73rd anniversary. I'm not far off total insanity.

Cheers! You can just call me Shahan...

[cidered abroad]

13 hours ago, Davefevs said:

And have teeth!

I have teeth but they are plastic. A cricket ball in the mouth at 12 years started the rot.

And as a teenager, one should try chatting up the talent of the time with a complete set. Not very sexy eh?

[Henry]

A proper game under the lights. I can’t believe I used to risk my life entering my seats with such little lighting. 

[David Brent]

7 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

Did we really do that fireworks thing 15 ,years ago? I thought that was more recent. 

I've noticed when others have told similar stories, that the result is often the last thing that affects whether they return or not. It might be the atmosphere, the off the field experience, an individual event or player, but the actual result never seems to matter.

I can't match @cidered abroad but this season coming up will be my 58th, I wish I knew the very first game, but the first I recall was a 4-0 hammering of Charlton Athletic in September '66, again not because of the result but because I met my cousin for the first time, a visiting Charlton fan and I actually remember the walk along Ashton Rd more than the game.

That’s true. My first game was a 4-1 home defeat.

[real_bristol]

What a season that was. Simon Jordan’s Crystal Palace away in the playoffs. Not sure that will ever be beaten. (Wasn’t at Manchester U at home mind).

[Sitrom]

Happy Anniversary @shahanshahan

My first game.  

[weepywall]

Am I the only one on here that struggles to remember the first game I went to this season let alone a game from in my case about 48 years back. I do remember the Portsmouth game when we won promotion to Div 1 and I think it was Notts County on the Saturday after..which we lost.

[Clevedon Red]

1 minute ago, weepywall said:

Am I the only one on here that struggles to remember the first game I went to this season let alone a game from in my case about 48 years back. I do remember the Portsmouth game when we won promotion to Div 1 and I think it was Notts County on the Saturday after..which we lost.

Correct they were my first two games.

[Midred]

21 hours ago, Davefevs said:

That was the only game I attended that season…was very much a part-timer in those years.  Took two work colleagues, one an Oxford fan who was quite impressed with it all, the other an Everton fan who moaned all night it was tiny and nothing like Goodison Park.

He might get another chance to see it next season!

[Midred]

20 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

Well done Shahanshahan. You'll be an old man before you realise it.

As for me, on April 7th, it will be my 73rd anniversary. I'm not far off total insanity.

You don't include the last 50 years then!

[Sleepy1968]

17 hours ago, exAtyeoMax said:

I miss that little scoreboard on top of the Wedlock’s

I think the first game that was up for was the mauling we got at home to Wolves. Live on Sky and 3 little pigs v the wolf at half time

https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-20-years-ago-wolves-mascot-got-into-a-crap-with-three-little-pigs-20181107

And the reason I remember it was because that was when you could legit phone up radio Bristol after the game and get on the phone in. I remember that the presenter (not Geoff) asked me about the scoreboard at the end of my call and I remember saying it was too small - he's only got himself to blame, he should've cut me off during my earlier rant.

Edited March 12, 2023 by Sleepy1968

[bcfctim]

God that old scoreboard makes me feel nostalgic 

[stortfordred]

4 hours ago, weepywall said:

. I do remember the Portsmouth game when we won promotion to Div 1 

I was in the enclosure for that one and for some poor bloke it was his last game!!!

talking of Watford 15 years ago, was that the season we were both running neck and neck and we took over 4000 to Vicarage Road just before Christmas? What an atmosphere that was. 

[stortfordred]

Just now, stortfordred said:

I was in the enclosure for that one and for some poor bloke it was his last game!!!

talking of Watford 15 years ago, was that the season we were both running neck and neck and we took over 4000 to Vicarage Road just before Christmas? What an atmosphere that was. 

I was in the enclosure for that one and for some poor bloke it was his last game!

 

PS very sad but what a way to go!!!

[spudski]

23 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

Well done Shahanshahan. You'll be an old man before you realise it.

As for me, on April 7th, it will be my 73rd anniversary. I'm not far off total insanity.

That is an awesome effort. You've witnessed so much. I wish I had your years under my belt. 

[Offside]

1 hour ago, stortfordred said:

I was in the enclosure for that one and for some poor bloke it was his last game!!!

talking of Watford 15 years ago, was that the season we were both running neck and neck and we took over 4000 to Vicarage Road just before Christmas? What an atmosphere that was. 

That was the 97-98 season. Fantastic atmosphere in the away end that game. Great goal from Goater too. 

[Oh Louie louie]

That day at Watford when goater scored, I recall the venue magazine did a offer so you could get a cheap return on the train, 

[archie andrews]

7 hours ago, Offside said:

That was the 97-98 season. Fantastic atmosphere in the away end that game. Great goal from Goater too. 

He was put through on goal seemed like ages he took to score.... I was there

[southside]

11 hours ago, stortfordred said:

I was in the enclosure for that one and for some poor bloke it was his last game!!!

talking of Watford 15 years ago, was that the season we were both running neck and neck and we took over 4000 to Vicarage Road just before Christmas? What an atmosphere that was. 

A few more than 4k

[Webzcas]

Superb season, I was there somewhere in the Atyeo. Having moved back from Spain in 2006, the years 2006 - 2008 were some of the best years I have had supporting City. What a ride and the team under Gary J had an excellent never say die attitude.

[shahanshahan]

On 11/03/2023 at 21:57, shahanshahan said:

I still have my ticket & programme somewhere...

Look what I found today!

[Redrascal2]

My first game was a league cup game versus Everton in 1967. We lost 5-0. That Everton side with the likes of Ball, Kendall, Labone and Joe Royle were pretty decent. And then there was the FA cup game when Royle was their manager.  I remember playing them  off the park and hitting the bar and post and creating loads of chances. They had one shot on goal and scored. And that year they won the cup. 

[leader]

My first game  was 1961/62 ain’t got a clue who we played I was at open the old was at back I was at the front  sat on hoarding happy day still got a season ticket to this day up the city

[East End Old Boy]

My first game was versus Charlton Athletic and was also 0-0, just checked the date, which was 3rd May 1966! 

[cidered abroad]

On 12/03/2023 at 18:02, weepywall said:

Am I the only one on here that struggles to remember the first game I went to this season let alone a game from in my case about 48 years back. I do remember the Portsmouth game when we won promotion to Div 1 and I think it was Notts County on the Saturday after..which we lost.

Because every City player had drunk so much orange juice that had chilled the brain!

[cidered abroad]

11 hours ago, Redrascal2 said:

My first game was a league cup game versus Everton in 1967. We lost 5-0. That Everton side with the likes of Ball, Kendall, Labone and Joe Royle were pretty decent. And then there was the FA cup game when Royle was their manager.  I remember playing them  off the park and hitting the bar and post and creating loads of chances. They had one shot on goal and scored. And that year they won the cup. 

I met Joe Royle on the way into Ashton Gate about 4/5 years ago and I said I remember your first match at City. He thought I meant the four he scored on his debut.

I said, no, when you and Bally, Kendall and gang, ripped us to pieces 5-0 in a League Cup tie circa 1967. And the whole City crowd clapped Everton off the field for a superb display. He was delighted that some still remember back that far.

Edited March 26, 2023 by cidered abroad

[Maltshoveller]

On 13/03/2023 at 07:40, archie andrews said:

He was put through on goal seemed like ages he took to score.... I was there

Yeah i was there that day

When the goat got put through You never had a doubt he would score

[Lack of Action Man]

I can’t remember exactly when my first game was, but I can remember that 03/04 was my first season as a season ticket holder, and aside from a capitulation at the Millennium, what a season it was to introduce me to life as a city fan.
 

 

 

[Offside]

On 13/03/2023 at 15:44, Webzcas said:

Superb season, I was there somewhere in the Atyeo. Having moved back from Spain in 2006, the years 2006 - 2008 were some of the best years I have had supporting City. What a ride and the team under Gary J had an excellent never say die attitude.

I loved those years too. There was a real sense of togetherness at the club. 

[Oh Louie louie]

We started the season with basso and weale out, Henderson played I recall 

[Sweeneys Penalties]

my first game was City v Fulham (November 71). City lost 2-1 which set me up nicely to have low expectations. Promotion season was terrific, our stay in the Top Flight too short, and the downhill spiral dramatic. The climb back toward an established Tier 2 Club was gradual. 

As I recall it, there was a gap of 65 years from previous top flight football to the promotion season in the 70's. I pray its not another 65 years before we're back

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

15 years is decent. Just another 45 years to celebrate your diamond jubilee. 

[1960maaan]

Saturday 15th August 1970, Home against Sunderland. I was keener to get near the middle of the East End ( next to it at least) than worry about being able to see. As a 10 year old I missed most of the game and goals but it was amazing. 
For the record we won 4-3, there was loads of trouble and a lot of Sunderland on the East end. Sharpe (2) , Skirton & Wimshurst scored and the team was.

Gibson, Jacobs, Drysdale, Wimshurst, Rooks, Parr, Skirton, Garland, Galley, Gow, Sharpe with Trevor Tainton Sub.

Att. 17,584.

No my memory isn't that good, just looked it up.

Just starting to build the promotion team.