First match

[Al Bundy]

For the footyheads out there. What was your first match attended?

Mine was Liverpool v Stoke, 1976. 5-3.

My dad used to take me to both Liverpool and Everton games but this is the first one I can remember.

[Bucking Fastard]

First Crystal Palace game was 3rd September 1969 v Cardiff City (League Cup 2nd round) 3-1

However first ever football game would have been sometime in the early sixties when a few of us kids would climb through a hole in the fence at Epsom & Ewell FC when they were in the Athenian League.No one seemed to mind and crowds were tiny :)

[Spinko]

First football would have been Swinton vs Salford at the old Station Road.

1999 before I got to see Man Utd, when I got tickets for the FA Cup Final as part of the treble.

[aleandhearty]

Although I'm much more of a rugby follower these days, as a boy I was quite a Leeds United fan. The first match I went to was unforgettable, as it nearly ended in a riot. It was the controversial game against West Brom, on 17th April 1971, when ref Ray Tinkler awarded WBA a second goal, having waved play on when the linesman had flagged for offside. The Leeds players and Don Revie went absolutely batshit, with some fans invading the pitch. Even as an 11 year old I was aware of the incredible tension inside the ground. The result effectively ended Leeds title hopes that year.

[Pubsignman]

I only went to a handful of games in my childhood - my Dad lost interest in football in the late '70's so I contented myself in following my team from afar until I was old enough to pay my own way. I did get to see Bournemouth and England play a few times as a kid though, the first of which was a home fixture between Bournemouth and Sheffield Utd in January 1988 during our brief three-season spell in the old Second Division under Harry Redknapp. I went with five or six friends, one of whom was celebrating his 10th birthday, and I remember his Dad had bought tickets in the Main Stand, which is notoriously full of old codgers and very tame as a result - my abiding memory is of one such old boy telling us to shut up because we were chanting too much, which is the most 'Main Stand' thing ever!! In a sign of things to come for my Bournemouth match-going future, we lost the game 2-1.

[Bucking Fastard]

Although I'm much more of a rugby follower these days, as a boy I was quite a Leeds United fan. The first match I went to was unforgettable, as it nearly ended in a riot. It was the controversial game against West Brom, on 17th April 1971, when ref Ray Tinkler awarded WBA a second goal, having waved play on when the linesman had flagged for offside. The Leeds players and Don Revie went absolutely batshit, with some fans invading the pitch. Even as an 11 year old I was aware of the incredible tension inside the ground. The result effectively ended Leeds title hopes that year.

That's quite an introduction to the beautiful game :)

[Brainypool]

Footy: Wigan 0-1 Liverpool, 11th February 2006.
Rugby league: St Helens 30-22 Warrington, 15th February 2008.

[Mobyduck]

First match was Aldershot F.C V Doncaster Rovers ,April 1972 at 11 years old , a 3-0 win for the Shots. When I was a bit older in the late 70s to mid 80s most of my football spectating was at Stamford Bridge
with Chelsea yo-yoing between divs 1 and 2. I don't go any more, late 80's onwards first marriage then pubs got in the way. I've stuck with pubs.

[Tris39]

Ooooh...can't remember who they were playing or what the score was, but it was Arsenal, obviously at the old Highbury stadium.

[aleandhearty]

That's quite an introduction to the beautiful game :)

:D Indeed. Subsequent games seemed pretty tame by comparison.

[Maldenman]

Altrincham 4 Ellesmere Port Town 2, August 1971. The first game of a lifetime supporting Alty, thick and thin with plenty of both. Some fantastic memories though of what was without doubt the greatest ever non-league team in the late 70s-81. Some amazing FA Cup days in there too.

[london calling]

First match was Dundee beating Anderlecht in the European cup. quarter final 62/63 season Alan Gilzean was my fav player. after that I sneaked into both Dundee and Dundee United games on alternate weeks and became a United supporter.Bob Shankly was the Dundee manager but I think he had a more famous brother.

[bcfczuluarmy]

From football programs I think it's 28/08/1990 7.45pm Birmingham City AFC Bournemouth Rumbelows League Cup, 1st Round, 1st Leg

[hondo]

Hibernian 1-2 Seville, 3 August 1986 preseason friendly

[AlanH]

First match 28/12/1957 Maine Road, Att 70,473, Age 7

Manchester City 2 -2 Manchester United

:manutdfc::manutdfc::manutdfc:

Paddy Fagan, City No.11 was my driving instructor 12 years later.


Last match (before Covid shutdown) 14/03/2020. Age 70 (on the day)

FC Oswestry Town 0-3 AFC Liverpool, Park Hall, Att 90

Had to cross the border as all Welsh football had already been cancelled (but they let me back in again!).

[AlanH]

Altrincham 4 Ellesmere Port Town 2, August 1971. The first game of a lifetime supporting Alty, thick and thin with plenty of both. Some fantastic memories though of what was without doubt the greatest ever non-league team in the late 70s-81. Some amazing FA Cup days in there too.

Especially the 3-0 replay win against Sheffield United after the 2-2 draw at Bramhall Lane. Many happy Alty away days with the Trafford Camra branch, inc Liverpool, York, Rotherham and Blackpool (plus the Wembley Trophy win against Leatherhead), but missed the 2-1 win at Birmingham City.

[Al Bundy]

First European Cup Final - Liverpool v Real Madrid, Paris,1-0, 1981
First trip to Wembley - Charity Shield, Liverpool v Everton, 0-1,1984
First League Cup Final - Maine Rd, Liverpool v Everton, 1-0, 1984
First FA Cup Final - Liverpool v Everton, 3-1, 1986

[Quinno]

Bristol Rovers 1-2 Tranmere (20 May 1990)

Set the tone of near perpetual disappointment!

[Aqualung]

It might surprise some people to learn that I've been to watch the boring game on several occasions. What annoys me most about it today is the way the upper echelons of it have been hijacked by TV companies and to a lesser extent the way some people take it so seriously. When pubs shut in the afternoon it was a good way of filling in the time. I remembers seeing York play Hartlepool, arriving around 15:30 and amusingly seeing a callow youth who was obviously completely trolleyed being escorted from the pitch.
It was also a good excuse to visit Liverpool and there was a great back street Higson's pub near Anfield that I don't think is there any more.
I don't have a clue what the first match I went to was. It would be nice to see the downfall of Sky & BT Sports with the current situation.
Test Match cricket is the best sport and not having it live on the BBC is a disgrace.

[ROBCamra]

The Mighty Dale vs Coventry City. FA Cup 3rd round 11/01/1971. One hell of an upset at the time when Dale won 2 - 1.

I followed Dale for a couple of seasons because my dad said I wasn't old enough to go to Old Trafford.

First match at OT. Man UTD vs Arsenal 0 - 0 26/08/1972.

I was an ever present at OT for years until work commitments stopped me being a regular. :(

[london calling]

First International was in 1971 Scotland V Portugal 2-1 Hampden Park. I was so exited to be able to see Eusabio. Yep that's my memory from the game.

[Maldenman]

Especially the 3-0 replay win against Sheffield United after the 2-2 draw at Bramhall Lane. Many happy Alty away days with the Trafford Camra branch, inc Liverpool, York, Rotherham and Blackpool (plus the Wembley Trophy win against Leatherhead), but missed the 2-1 win at Birmingham City.+

Alan, we may have met. I was a member of T&H branch of CAMRA back in the day as a young lad. Went to Anfield for the Alty FA Cup game with a bunch of blokes from the branch.

[AlanH]

+

Alan, we may have met. I was a member of T&H branch of CAMRA back in the day as a young lad. Went to Anfield for the Alty FA Cup game with a bunch of blokes from the branch.

We have talked about changes to the Bridge Inn (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55147/) on this site years ago.
A "young lad" on our Anfield trip with Mick, John and the late Mike. It could be Steve who I last met on Piccadilly station overbridge about 30 years ago!

[Thuck Phat]

The mighty Cobblers edging past then arch rivals, the Imps, from the luxurious comfort of the Main Stand at the three sided County Ground. Remember being keen to read the report in the Pink before chips in the Aberdeen Steak House. A red letter day.
Northampton Town 1 Lincoln City 0 8th December 1973 League Division Four

I remember this stonker slightly better the following season watched on a Friday evening standing on the pallets which formed the Cricket Ground Side stand . Still wear the scarf I wore that evening for occasional visits to Sixfields.
Northampton Town 4 Stockport County 1 11th October 1974 League Division Four

[aleandhearty]

Although I'm much more of a rugby follower these days, as a boy I was quite a Leeds United fan. The first match I went to was unforgettable, as it nearly ended in a riot. It was the controversial game against West Brom, on 17th April 1971, when ref Ray Tinkler awarded WBA a second goal, having waved play on when the linesman had flagged for offside. The Leeds players and Don Revie went absolutely batshit, with some fans invading the pitch. Even as an 11 year old I was aware of the incredible tension inside the ground. The result effectively ended Leeds title hopes that year.

Just read that Norman Hunter has lost his battle with coronavirus:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52246007

[Rex_Rattus]

First game was Man Utd against Fulham - 1963 I think United won 2-0. Next game was Palace v Man United in august 1969 - a 2-2 draw.

In my early days I saw one or two odd things. On one occasion the referee got the timing completely wrong and blew the final whistle five minutes early, and the players left the pitch. As people were leaving the ground he got the players back out to play the missing five minutes. On another occasion a Palace player hit the side netting and the referee thought it a goal. I guess the opposing players protested, and the ref took the unusual step of asking the Palace skipper if it really was a goal. Steve Kember told the truth, and he got some sportsmanship award as a result.

[Delboy20]

I have never been able to remember my first match - much to my annoyance!

it would have been mid 80's when I was at school. A group of us used to get the bus up to Brum and walk to the Villa. I know I started going more when I left school and my first season ticket was around 1988/89. I have had a season ticket every year since and I intend to carry on - if we ever get football back of course.
I have also visited over 60 different grounds following the mighty Villa and hope to do the ones I haven't been to.
My first Wembley trip would have been the 94 League Cup triumph against Man Urinal - Where's your treble gone !!

:avfc::avfc::avfc::avfc:

[london calling]

I have never been able to remember my first match - much to my annoyance!

it would have been mid 80's when I was at school. A group of us used to get the bus up to Brum and walk to the Villa. I know I started going more when I left school and my first season ticket was around 1988/89. I have had a season ticket every year since and I intend to carry on - if we ever get football back of course.
I have also visited over 60 different grounds following the mighty Villa and hope to do the ones I haven't been to.
My first Wembley trip would have been the 94 League Cup triumph against Man Urinal - Where's your treble gone !!

:avfc::avfc::avfc::avfc:

My memory is shot so I had to use Wikipedia to furnish the details of my first matches ie the scores as the experience of the even stays their but not the little things like scores,scorers etc.

[Maldenman]

We have talked about changes to the Bridge Inn (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55147/) on this site years ago.
A "young lad" on our Anfield trip with Mick, John and the late Mike. It could be Steve who I last met on Piccadilly station overbridge about 30 years ago!

Yep Alan, I'm Steve, once of Sale. My memories of those days are very sketchy now, could you possibly remind me gently who was who? I remember Mick or Mike Rottenbury plus some guy who I think was from East London or Essex originally.

[AlanH]

Yep Alan, I'm Steve, once of Sale. My memories of those days are very sketchy now, could you possibly remind me gently who was who? I remember Mick or Mike Rottenbury plus some guy who I think was from East London or Essex originally.

A long time ago those T&H branch meetings mainly at The Malt Shovels (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/3246/). Beer and football mixed well and still does (when allowed).
Our Essex chairman was John Curry (he didn't skate). Secretary Mick as stated, Mike Goode, Social Sec. sadly lost a few years ago.
I guess we started at the Roscoe Head (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/26837/) for the Anfield trip 39 years ago. We usually did on Liverpool visits.
I lived in Sale for 44 years. We always ended up at the (old!) Bridge Inn on a Saturday afternoon after playing (and later watching) rugby, with plenty of banter, and even more beer, between the three local clubs. In the days when Boddingtons really tasted like Boddingtons!