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Got the memories flowing so here goes... 45 years ago #saintsFC 
greatest day, FA Cup 
timeline of my day...
greatest day, FA Cup timeline of my day...
What a day, would be making our way to town via the floating bridge to get the coach from the guildhall, yellow and blue everywhere, people wishing us good luck and shouting up the Saints. Ticket safely hidden to stop the Mancs nicking it when we arrived 
On our way, coach with lads from Woolston, Portswood and town. Most had been to the away cup games at WBA, Bradford (that’s a whole story on its own) Palace in the semi. With best mates Frank RIP and Chris. Next stop Fleet, got some fags and a few cans.
Up the Avenue, banners and people on the bridges ‘last one out, turn off the lights’ up through the A33 and the notorious Hockley lights, slow but we’re on our Wembley and will shall not be moved.
Midday, negotiating Hanger Lane and the North Circular, atmosphere on the coach is good, with a hint of nervousness as we get nearer to Wembley. Plenty of singing and a convoy of coaches, buses and cars draped in yellow and blue.
About 1.00pm the twin towers come into view, genuine excitement now, the first time seeing Wembley for some. I’d been to see England v West Germany schoolboys, I infamously threw up on the coach with excitement before we’d even left that day. 
Coaches parked up randomly, Utd fans everywhere. No fans zone or allocated pubs in those days. Found a guy selling 
from his car crowd building up, fish & chips from a van. Found our turnstile, steep steps up, with Utd fans trying to buy tickets, or nick them as you went up.
from his car crowd building up, fish & chips from a van. Found our turnstile, steep steps up, with Utd fans trying to buy tickets, or nick them as you went up.
Inside Wembley by 2.00pm, it was a bit of dump even then. Vast concourse with old style toilets. Found a great view, behind a crash barrier at the tunnel end. Pretty soon realised we were out numbered 3 to 1, Utd in the lower tier and most of the seats in the stands either side.
Players out on the pitch, waving at the Saints fans who were in good voice. We pretty much knew who’d be playing. I was relieved Hughie Fisher was 12th man, he was the fans player you loved to hate at the time. kIck off seemed ages away, hoped more than believed we’d win.
Nearly time, band of the Royal Marines, Abide with me. Duke of Edinburgh met the players, Queen at her last cup final appearance. Players looking great in their iconic Admiral kit. It’s loud now, people coming in late 
Chris has gone walk about 
somethings never change!
Chris has gone walk about somethings never change!
KO, Christ I’m nervous 
Saints are playing in the FA cup final. It’s loud, it’s not in tune, just very loud. Banners, balloons, flags, scarves, hooters YELLOWS YELLOWS Chris has reappeared
Saints are playing in the FA cup final. It’s loud, it’s not in tune, just very loud. Banners, balloons, flags, scarves, hooters YELLOWS YELLOWS Chris has reappeared
HT 
Ian Turner, sleeves rolled up, no gloves has turned into a street fighter to keep Utd out. Really thought we’d lose in those first 20 mins. Got into the game, Micky Channon missed a sitter by his standards. We’re still in it, crowd doing there best to back the team OWTS
Ian Turner, sleeves rolled up, no gloves has turned into a street fighter to keep Utd out. Really thought we’d lose in those first 20 mins. Got into the game, Micky Channon missed a sitter by his standards. We’re still in it, crowd doing there best to back the team OWTS
2nd half is edgy, Utd’s flying wingers running on empty. Hill taken off which is a surprise. Utd hit the bar, Stokes is clear in acres of space but skies it from way out. What’s he doing shooting from there? Could be a replay, crowd is noisy our end, Utd getting frustrated,
Channon, McCalliog, Stokes who’s onside.............. GOAL, Southampton go mad. Limbs, screaming, Chris has disappeared again, this time under a pile of bodies, Frank has the biggest smile you’ve ever seen. My heart is pounding, is this real. It’s so loud I can’t hear a thing
I’m not sure what happens now, singing cheering, numbness. It’s the longest 7 minutes of our lives. We’re gonna win the cup, we’re gonna win the cup and now you’re gonna believe us 
can we hold on!
can we hold on!
The final whistle blows, players fall to the ground, fans leap over each other, crying, hugging, cheering OWTS we’ve won the cup, we’ve won the cup let the part begin. Utd send up angry chants, we don’t care we’ve won the
let the part begin. Utd send up angry chants, we don’t care we’ve won the
When the Saints went up to lift the FA Cup, we were there, we were there. Rodrigues lifts the cup aloft to wild cheering, the players jig and dance around the grand old stadium on a lap of honour. what a day 
cup aloft to wild cheering, the players jig and dance around the grand old stadium on a lap of honour. what a day
I’ve no idea what time we left the stadium, we were met by some angry people from Manchester, sporadic fighting, coaches being attacked, emergency doors being opened to get at people. Eventually found our coach and got home in pretty quick time, no stops, let’s get back. 
We got dropped by Tyrell & Greens, people applauded as we got off coach brilliant. Quick trip home to put on my best baggy trousers, corduroy suit jacket, jumbo collared shirt, dressed to impress, couple of in The Haymarket before Top Rank, great night and days after
brilliant. Quick trip home to put on my best baggy trousers, corduroy suit jacket, jumbo collared shirt, dressed to impress, couple of in The Haymarket before Top Rank, great night and days after
