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COYL!
The 85 final was a cracking game Griff yes. Was voted the best RL cup final to be played at the old Wembley.
Looks like the Griffin family is steeped in RL history !We are indeed, never, ever denied it.
Never felt the need to explain or justify it, either. ;)
Looks like the Griffin family is steeped in RL history !
We are indeed, never, ever denied it.
Never felt the need to explain or justify it, either. ;)[/quote]
Good for you ha ha ! Have a good weekend and don’t drink too much, it isn’t big and it most certainly isn’t clever ! ;)
I’ve been to Wembley eight times, six watching football and two concerts.
The first time was in 1967 when on an organised school trip I went to watch Skem in the FA Amateur Cup Final. Don’t recall much about the game – it was against Enfield and finished 0-0 – but do remember how small the place looked inside as opposed to the impression of vastness portrayed on TV.
1973 was the first time watching Latics and a small posse of us went down on a hired minibus which involved lots of drinking. Again don’t remember much about the game other than John Rogers’ equalising goal at the end to send the game into extra time. A night round London and Soho followed with a return home in the small hours.
The following year I went to my first concert there. Starting mid-afternoon on a beautiful September day it was headlined by Crosby Stills Nash & Young. Other artists included Joni Mitchell and The Band. A great day.
The Freight Rover Final of 1985 was my next trip and at last a game to remember. I have the Screensport video of the game somewhere and it’s interesting to listen to the change in attitude of commentators Martin Tyler and Lou Macari when it becomes clear favourites Brentford aren’t going to win. A little more homework on the Latics players wouldn’t have gone amiss.
Next up was the Football League Centenary Celebration in 1988. This wasn’t really a competition as such although it was played out as one comprising of games lasting only 40 minutes each. Teams qualified on the basis of their record over a given number of matches during the season. Only four teams I think were selected from the third and fourth tiers so it was a notable achievement for Latics to qualify. Not a particularly memorable event with many games, not unexpectedly, being decided on penalties, as were both Latics games, firstly beating Sunderland but losing out in the next round to Sheffield Wednesday. Two moments stick in the mind, watching Bobby Charlton at the age of 50, in a reenactment of the 1966 World Cup Final, still running the show and, for some reason, Paul Gascoigne playing for Newcastle.
Second concert was watching the Eagles in 1996. I was so far back it could have been anybody. Nice day though.
Millwall in the 1999 Auto Windscreens Shields thingy. Sat in front of me at that game was the Wigan RL squad. I’m pretty sure they were instructed to be there by Whelan and it showed. Having said that it’s generally accepted that Paul Rogers’ goal put everybody, including the Millwall fans, out of their misery that day.
Last one was Gillingham the following year. I was confident we were going to win that day especially after the wonder (fluke?) goal by Simon Haworth. Once again extra-time transpired to be our downfall with Kevin Sharp getting himself sent off and then by conceding two late goals in extra-time to snatch an undeserved defeat from the jaws of a certain victory.
So there are my Wembley memories.
I hope tomorrow’s experience is more enjoyable than some of those I’ve mentioned. It shouldn’t be all that difficult really.
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