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Just watched the interview on Mariners tv of the interview with Alan Buckley talking about his return as manager for the 97/98 season, I can remember both Wembley games well and although I had been to Wembley previously to watch England there is no better feeling than going there to support your home team, to go the once is brilliant but to go twice in a few weeks and win both games was amazing at the time and probably still is. I remember going into Asda the afternoon before the Autowindscreens final to find they had sold out of bread because everyone was taking pack up for the next day. 25 years ago ? Where did all those years go. Happy days UTM

I was lucky to get to both matches too. Fantastic times, think there was about 6weeks between the two matches. I was on a coach arranged by Bryant's Carpets ( brother in law worked there).
I remember the six (or was it 4) minutes of added on time for the Northampton game, never been so nervous in my life!

I waited until town got to Wembley before attending a match there then went back five weeks later to see us win there again.

Thank you Sir Alan for an early 50th birthday present.

That first Wembley visit was and still is the best day of my 43 years supporting Town . 30,000 Mariners and a Golden Goal . Incredible Day ....... The play off final was far too stressful to enjoy untill that final whistle finally went

Unfortunately I was too young to fully appreciate the enormity of those days at Wembley but I was lucky to go to both.

Quoted from It Bites

That first Wembley visit was and still is the best day of my 43 years supporting Town . 30,000 Mariners and a Golden Goal . Incredible Day ....... The play off final was far too stressful to enjoy untill that final whistle finally went

Yes the Bournemouth game was basically a festival for both sets of fans all about first time at Wembley with 30000 plus for each. The Northampton game was very much ‘business’to get back in the Championship and in the top three most stressful matches for me

Went to Wembley both games, amazing days etched deeply into my very being. Excellent individuals, made into a brilliant team by an outstanding manager.

25 years ain't half a long time!

Even if I watch that 6mins added time now it makes me Anxious...... Crazy what football can do

Every time these Wembley games get mentioned theirs always a difference on the support we took. I think we took 28500 for the Bournemouth game and just over 20k for the cobblers game. I remember being outnumbered 2 to 1 against Northampton and there was quite a gap behind our goal for auto final. I’ll gladly stand corrected if anyone can put any actual figures of the 2 games.

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

Every time these Wembley games get mentioned theirs always a difference on the support we took. I think we took 28500 for the Bournemouth game and just over 20k for the cobblers game. I remember being outnumbered 2 to 1 against Northampton and there was quite a gap behind our goal for auto final. I’ll gladly stand corrected if anyone can put any actual figures of the 2 games.

Don’t think rounding 28500 up to 30000 for Bournemouth game is to much of a crime . Yes we took a about 20k to playoff final and where outnumbered 2 to 1.

28,500 is incredible though .

Best two occasions of my 50+ years of supporting town, even today when I hear Tina Turners “Simply the best” my mind goes back to Wembley.

Quoted from Gaffer58

Best two occasions of my 50+ years of supporting town, even today when I hear Tina Turners “Simply the best” my mind goes back to Wembley.

For me it was hearing Queen and ‘We are the champions’ UTM

Quoted from Spurn boy

For me it was hearing Queen and ‘We are the champions’ UTM

It's Status Quo and "Rockin' all over the world" that sticks in the memory for me. Funny, 'cos I can't even remember what I had for lunch.

I got the Auto Windscreens result on the phone in a Florida shopping mall from my father in law at about 9.30 in the morning US time. My one man celebrations caused some bemusement among the small number of Yanks out shopping that early.

I was at Wembley for the play off final.

Quoted from HerveJosse

Don’t think rounding 28500 up to 30000 for Bournemouth game is to much of a crime . Yes we took a about 20k to playoff final and where outnumbered 2 to 1.

Did I say it was a crime 🤷🏼‍♂️ just interested in the correct figures if anyone knows

Went to the "Auto Windscreens Sheild" final, who can forget Wayne Burnett's golden goal.

Eddie Howe has done well for himself hasn't he.

Didn't get to the play-off final, previously planned trip for the kids to Legoland Windsor, I could nearly hear the Town fans rejoicing :o

2 of the best days ever supporting Town, but as has been said, the Bournemouth game was far more an enjoyable experience than the Northampton game, even though the prize for that win was far, far more important. When the 4th official held up 6 minutes of stoppage time, it seemed more like 6 hours. Just a shame we missed that late penalty, which would have made the last few minutes far more comfortable.

Watched the Bournemouth game @ the Bradley Inn as couldn't make it and it was very enjoyable in there. Made the play-off final with my brother and Uncle, both now gone, so this gives rather special memories for me now.

Quoted from Les Brechin

2 of the best days ever supporting Town, but as has been said, the Bournemouth game was far more an enjoyable experience than the Northampton game, even though the prize for that win was far, far more important. When the 4th official held up 6 minutes of stoppage time, it seemed more like 6 hours. Just a shame we missed that late penalty, which would have made the last few minutes far more comfortable.

Wasn’t the bulk of it for the lengthy stoppage after Aidan Davison got ko’d?

They were a horrible team, Northampton, playing in the image of their manager Ian Atkins. They were all about set pieces and big balls into big John Gayle, but Davo came for everything that day and completely nullified their threat. An absolute warrior, and a great goalkeeper.

Atkins was the worst loser ever after the game as well. Claimed they had been the better team, everything had gone our way, etc etc. They really were as basic a route one team as you could expect to see.

They had our then less sizeable chum in net to .Sure Eddie Howe played for Bournemouth in the Auto to ?
Great days for those of us who were around, hopefully now with brighter skies this younger generation will get to see some success like back then . We really did have a great team to , 4-4-2 Sir Alans standard -everybody knew their roles down to the finest detail and we were a fine side to watch ; even outside the club Grimsby were 'a good footballing side ' sort of a badge of honour .

I remember the West End had Mariners everywhere the night before the game , every bar we went to was full of Grimsby .
I didn’t see one Bournmouth fan until the day of the game .
We stayed at the Wembley Hilton and that was rocking all night in the bar when we came back from a night out .
On the day of the game we met at a sports club in Edmonton that a lad from Grimsby used to run , it was opened at 8 in the morning and full of Grimsby.
They even laid a couple of Strippers on for all the lads which led to a funny scene when dozens of coppers arrived and there was a girl fully naked in a compromising position on the pool table.
The police just shook their heads and asked us to board some open top busses and have us a full escort to Wembley with us all on the top decks singing all the way

Bournemouth game can remember getting to the Torch before it opened and sat on car park wall with cans from shop just up the road .....ended up sitting there till kick off with numerous cans from the shop .....think the only time i went in the torch was for the toilet ......the car park ended up packed weather was sunny all town fans jeering the bill/traffic wardens as they hoisted a car on to back of a flat bed for parking wrong

I’d just finished uni and was working at bootlegger in meggies but had already told them I had plans for the Bournemouth game. They said I couldn’t have the Northampton game off and told me to not even bother phoning in sick! So I didn’t!

I’d seen England play at Wembley a fair few times prior to the Bournemouth game, but nothing will ever beat how proud I was of seeing town there the first time. I was with my best mates, the same ones that I’d been with watching town in front of 3500-4000 fans, and town were now playing at the home of football. I get emotional thinking about those 6 weeks now

I went to both, the Northampton fans were a horrible set

Quoted from supertown

I went to both, the Northampton fans were a horrible set

Indeed (also went to both) on the way out of Wembley vs Northampton, we was slow boating along due to traffic and pulled up next to a pub with Northampton fans drinking their sorrows away, then we stopped and a few fans on the coach were giving it the large one as you do, only for the Northampton fans to literally throw everything at the coach (bottles, cans, coins etc) i thought we was done for then as they started to get closer the coach pulled off just in time, thank fook haha.

The Torch is that when Alan Pouton made an appearance.

Quoted from Poojah

Wasn’t the bulk of it for the lengthy stoppage after Aidan Davison got ko’d?

They were a horrible team, Northampton, playing in the image of their manager Ian Atkins. They were all about set pieces and big balls into big John Gayle, but Davo came for everything that day and completely nullified their threat. An absolute warrior, and a great goalkeeper.

Aidy was consistency personified that season , not a stand out keeper for flashy saves but was a superb organiser and commander of his box , I am always suprised when 'top town keepers ' are mentioned his name is not up there -maybe just because he went about his work in an unprecedented way and unfortunately part 2 put a bit of a dampener on things for some .

It's interesting how he came over on the pitch was a calm and assuring character, yet as a bloke he is actually the complete opposite a lively character ,i have heard a couple of podcasts with him and he is a jack the lad ; it's funny how you perceive certain players to be a certain way with their demeanour on the pitch ,whereas off it sometimes they are a lot different .

I seem to remember the figure of 53,000 for the two visits. Touching 30,000 for the first game and around 24,000 a few weeks later. Stayed in the Wembley Hilton the night before the first and Covent Garden was bedlam, ending in us filling the Hilton bar at 2am with loud singing. Next morning five live were in the breakfast area interviewing Rob Andrew and the Newcastle rugby team - he was saying how they thought the hotel was full of Newcastle until they were still awake at 2am with the noise of Town fans ;D

Quoted from Poojah

It's Status Quo and "Rockin' all over the world" that sticks in the memory for me.

YEP. I was 14 at the time and my late Grandad was dancing on his seat to that. One of my fondest memories not only following Town but of my Grandad.

Went to both games but I rank the play off final v Solihull as a bigger game in the club’s history.

31 posts and not a single mention of the Moscow Arms???

what a day

A truly magical couple of games, the first being iconic because it was our first visit, the latter because of the significance. We’ve had bigger games in terms of prize but those two will forever be etched in the memory of town fans.

‘Rockin all over the world’
‘Simply the best’

Was a fans of the week on socceram before the Ballmouth game. What a weekend. It felt like everyone was there…

I was given a free ticket by the club for both games as at the time i was one of the Stewards that volunteered to help corral the queues for tickets. They only told us afterwards that they would give us a ticket. A lovely gesture by the club. Mind you, we still had to make our own way down there lol.

All i remember of the first visit is at the end the Stadium played 'We are the Champions' at 12 million decibels.

Best weekend of my life.

LIved in South London at the time. Had a date on the Saturday and went to Broadstairs, Got back to London on the Saturday night and went to see Roy Ayers at Ronnie Scotts. Standing room only, they said. I had a problem with my foot. Bouncer got me the best table in the house. Met Ronnie and the band during the break. Lass stayed over at mine (wink wink) as she was flying home the next day. Bumped into the Saxophonist in the airport who recognized me and offered to buy me breakfast. Told him I had a more important thing to get to. Great game obviously and was thinking I'd love to celebrate a goal as Kingsley Black popped up on cue. On the way home popped into a pub full of Bournemouth fans. They came and shook my hand and bought me a couple of beers. Carried on home walking on air. Cars were beeping me and the occupants were putting there thumbs up at me. Had to pop in the off licence for chmpagne as I promised the lads I shared with a bottle if we won. Doesn't get better than that.

I was working when the Bournemouth game was on but caught the 2nd half at the Tivoli tavern, the Northampton game I was on honeymoon in the Lakes but still managed to watch the full game in the pub in Ambleside, it was packed with Northampton fans but it was all friendly banter that day.

It's today!

19th April 1998

[youtube]jj0VTx1yZ8U[/youtube]

Quoted from cmackenzie4

I was working when the Bournemouth game was on but caught the 2nd half at the Tivoli tavern, the Northampton game I was on honeymoon in the Lakes but still managed to watch the full game in the pub in Ambleside, it was packed with Northampton fans but it was all friendly banter that day.

Oh mate, that sucks! I would have left any job to go to the first one as I was young and stupid, but I’ll let you off with the excuse for missing the 2nd!

Quoted from Les Brechin

It's today!

19th April 1998

[youtube]jj0VTx1yZ8U[/youtube]

Strange seeing those goals without it cutting to some blokes in the pub ;D

I was 9 years old and remember being in the YEB club (now a lidl) and my mum saying if we get to Wembley again I can go. So I managed to get to the 2nd game. I can't remember much, just the singing afterwards and standing on the chair taking it all in.

Quoted from lukeo

I was 9 years old and remember being in the YEB club (now a lidl) and my mum saying if we get to Wembley again I can go. So I managed to get to the 2nd game. I can't remember much, just the singing afterwards and standing on the chair taking it all in.

The YEB club! That brings back a few memories. Monday nights after snooker we often had a lock-in there and left at stupid o'clock in the morning. Taught me one thing though that it's not always a good idea to play cards for money after a few beers. (Not always though!) ;)

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

I’d just finished uni and was working at bootlegger in meggies but had already told them I had plans for the Bournemouth game. They said I couldn’t have the Northampton game off and told me to not even bother phoning in sick! So I didn’t!

I’d seen England play at Wembley a fair few times prior to the Bournemouth game, but nothing will ever beat how proud I was of seeing town there the first time. I was with my best mates, the same ones that I’d been with watching town in front of 3500-4000 fans, and town were now playing at the home of football. I get emotional thinking about those 6 weeks now

Similiar sort of thoughts to me the period between the euphoria of Euro 96 and THAT season were my most enjoyable watching Town and football in general , the country just seemed a happy place and life was good ; at the time you take times /things like that for granted , but they really were once in a lifetime memories .

Still watch that Northampton game back sometimes , just to see how superior we were to them and how King Kev sat big Woodman down .

Bailey's goal celebration , the cringiest ever?

A random thought occurred to me in the car earlier. The day we beat Bournemouth at Wembley, Alan Buckley was 2 years younger (46) than Paul Hurst (48 ) is now. Technically Buckley would turn 47 the next day, but there’s still about 18 months in it.

Maybe it’s just me, or a quirk of the fact I was only really a kid during AB’s first two stints, but in my mind’s eye he seems much older, then, than our Paul does now.

Apologies if reading that has wasted 15 seconds of your time, I just found it mildly interesting.

Quoted from Abdul19

Strange seeing those goals without it cutting to some blokes in the pub ;D

That was some awful editing and ruined the recording for me

Quoted from Poojah

A random thought occurred to me in the car earlier. The day we beat Bournemouth at Wembley, Alan Buckley was 2 years younger (46) than Paul Hurst (48 ) is now. Technically Buckley would turn 47 the next day, but there’s still about 18 months in it.

Maybe it’s just me, or a quirk of the fact I was only really a kid during AB’s first two stints, but in my mind’s eye he seems much older, then, than our Paul does now.

Apologies if reading that has wasted 15 seconds of your time, I just found it mildly interesting.

I was talking about this general point the other day and came to the conclusion that people just looked older back then!

Seeing Town make that walk from the old Wembley dressing rooms and tunnel across the pitch like teams used to do apart from our kids and grand kids being born rates as one of the best moments in my life. I’d seen it done by “big” clubs on the TV loads of times but never thought I’d see it done again.

Remember getting there really early and driving into the car park it looked like John Kirk was directing the Town traffic into parking spaces.

Lucky enough to see it again a few weeks later, though it was the play offs which is always torture.

Quoted from Abdul19

I was talking about this general point the other day and came to the conclusion that people just looked older back then!

Michael Boulding is 47 and looks younger than some of our current players.

Quoted from Abdul19

I was talking about this general point the other day and came to the conclusion that people just looked older back then!

It’s quite an interesting concept, actually. Those footballers a couple of minutes in are impressively young for their respective appearances at the time.

https://youtu.be/vjqt8T3tJIE

Unforgettable life enriching moments. The club have given us several, including a few in the last 12 months!!!

Was at both games...

Got a bit emotional when the golden goal went in thinking about my dad who'd followed Town and got me in to supporting the club as a kid

He'd passed away 10 years earlier and though he was at the Old Trafford record attendance SF would never see Town play at Wembley

The morning of the Northampton game I found out I was going to be a dad again. The boy is stlll accompanying me now as a Pontoon ST holder, even though his only connection with Grimsby is through our family's black & white blood

So my eldest daughter came with me for a trip to Wembley (her first game, just 4 years old then) but I was way too nervous in the stadium to enjoy the game with such high stakes... but we did it!!

The journey back home ( I lived near Rushden ) though I really enjoyed.... going back to Northamptonshire knowing I'd had such an eventful day while everyone else in the county had had their bubble burst made it all the sweeter

UTM ATAW GTID

Quoted from FishOutOfWater

Was at both games...

Got a bit emotional when the golden goal went in thinking about my dad who'd followed Town and got me in to supporting the club as a kid

He'd passed away 10 years earlier and though he was at the Old Trafford record attendance SF would never see Town play at Wembley

The morning of the Northampton game I found out I was going to be a dad again. The boy is stlll accompanying me now as a Pontoon ST holder, even though his only connection with Grimsby is through our family's black & white blood

So my eldest daughter came with me for a trip to Wembley (her first game, just 4 years old then) but I was way too nervous in the stadium to enjoy the game with such high stakes... but we did it!!

The journey back home ( I lived near Rushden ) though I really enjoyed.... going back to Northamptonshire knowing I'd had such an eventful day while everyone else in the county had had their bubble burst made it all the sweeter

UTM ATAW GTID

Can feel the emotion in that post, mate. Beautiful.