I was determined to participate in a stadium tour before WHL was knocked down, and it had to be with a Legend. Last Monday, I did exactly that, with Graham Roberts.
The tour started in the Press Conference room, where we all had a chance to take a photo with the great man and obtain an autograph or three. I took along a photo of me and Robbo with the UEFA Cup taken in 1984, and he signed it for me, but he managed to smudge it. Whilst we were waiting for everyone to get sorted, we waited in the press area where there a couple of photos on the wall of the 1972 UEFA Cup and the 1991 FA Cup winning team . When the guide asked for a volunteer to name the players in the photos, I must admit I did show off a tad, and rattled them off without taking breath - I even knew the trainer in '72 (Cecil Poynton)!
We did all the main areas - Bill Nicholson Suite, with some very impressive artefacts; corporate area and boxes; directors' seats; home dressing room; tunnel and pitch side. Discovered that our manager's and subs' seats are heated and the visitors' are not! The best part though, was hearing the stories Robbo was able to share. He absolutely hates David Pleat, he never wanted to leave us but it was pretty plain that Pleat didn't rate him and was told in no uncertain terms that he would be sold asap. He got a cheer when he recalled putting Charlie in the stand.
When he talked about the 1981 final, he recalled how he ended up with a boot in the face (Chrissie Hughton's!) and I mentioned that my friend's sister was the dental nurse who looked after him. He then said, "For a minute, I thought you were going to say that you had the tooth!" That raised a laugh.
The tour ended in the room that the mascots get ready. On one wall is a huge picture of the Paxton end - and yes, you've guessed it - I picked myself out in the crowd. The tour ended with another photo opportunity with Robbo with replicas of the UEFA and FA Cups. Think it overran by about half an hour, but nobody seems to mind.
All in all, an excellent afternoon, and would strongly recommend it to anyone who hasn't done it yet, but try and get one with a Legend, as they certainly bring it alive.
The tour started in the Press Conference room, where we all had a chance to take a photo with the great man and obtain an autograph or three. I took along a photo of me and Robbo with the UEFA Cup taken in 1984, and he signed it for me, but he managed to smudge it. Whilst we were waiting for everyone to get sorted, we waited in the press area where there a couple of photos on the wall of the 1972 UEFA Cup and the 1991 FA Cup winning team . When the guide asked for a volunteer to name the players in the photos, I must admit I did show off a tad, and rattled them off without taking breath - I even knew the trainer in '72 (Cecil Poynton)!
We did all the main areas - Bill Nicholson Suite, with some very impressive artefacts; corporate area and boxes; directors' seats; home dressing room; tunnel and pitch side. Discovered that our manager's and subs' seats are heated and the visitors' are not! The best part though, was hearing the stories Robbo was able to share. He absolutely hates David Pleat, he never wanted to leave us but it was pretty plain that Pleat didn't rate him and was told in no uncertain terms that he would be sold asap. He got a cheer when he recalled putting Charlie in the stand.
When he talked about the 1981 final, he recalled how he ended up with a boot in the face (Chrissie Hughton's!) and I mentioned that my friend's sister was the dental nurse who looked after him. He then said, "For a minute, I thought you were going to say that you had the tooth!" That raised a laugh.
The tour ended in the room that the mascots get ready. On one wall is a huge picture of the Paxton end - and yes, you've guessed it - I picked myself out in the crowd. The tour ended with another photo opportunity with Robbo with replicas of the UEFA and FA Cups. Think it overran by about half an hour, but nobody seems to mind.
All in all, an excellent afternoon, and would strongly recommend it to anyone who hasn't done it yet, but try and get one with a Legend, as they certainly bring it alive.
