My first match at Sandy Lane was the in November 1956, when I went with my “Street mates” from Upper Tooting, who had dragged me along to watch the “Terrors” play in the 1st Round of the FA Cup against Bromsgrove Rovers. The impact was instant, the huge crowd, the great atmosphere, Military band playing, and a Bromsgrove fan running on the pitch 5 minutes before the kick-off to plant a huge vegetable on the centre circle (it looked like a giant turnip 0r was it Atkins or Woolley!). And then the Stripes took to the field to a huge roar, I was hooked. The next round we were drawn at home to QPR.
I used to go to every home game after that initial impact, with or without my mates. I would sit in the old wooden stand by myself, and a kindly old couple would look after me. They came from the Totterdown Estate in Tooting, and they had followed the club for many, many years. They always bought me a tea and something to eat at Halftime. I gradually started going to away games getting the coach from Jack Beard’s pub at the bottom of Franciscan Road. For the more important games the supporters club would run in excess of 10 coaches or more! There were many great games in the 50’s and 60’s, but the switching on of the floodlights in a midweek match against a strong Arsenal team, was a wonderful occasion. The atmosphere was electric (No Pun intended) to see the ground bathed in floodlights for the first time was a magical effect. And of course, the greatest centre forward (striker) ever to play for the club, and the original Terror Paddy Hasty, made a guest appearance from his new club Aldershot Town.
Just look at the state of affairs now shameful!
Last edited by Mikem (06/7/2023 7:22 am)