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Saints replay offers echoes of a happier time but marketing gurus beware: don't take us for granted

9th January 2017 By Martin Penney 15 Comments

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During the quieter moments of the Derby match and at half time, our conversation had  revolved around: “Are you coming to Southampton?”

Not one single affirmative from about eight of us. A quick straw poll revealed a fifty-fifty split: apathy or price protest. Or, In my case,a combination of both.

I cannot believe I didn’t weaken at the last minute, but I somehow held firm with my convictions. My partner gained a visit to Cromer Homebase (she’s seriously arty and likes to scrounge free wallpaper samples and buy reduced-price paints for her creations) and later the dog had a lengthy walk along Trimingham beach to Overstrand and back. I can throw his ball further, so he much prefers to go with both of us.

But this was a matchday Saturday afternoon. And I was – unbelievably – enjoying a sense of freedom. Sure I missed seeing my friends, but as they weren’t there, there was nothing to actually miss. We’re not going to win the FA Cup anyway, I realise that, but it actually felt good to be away from it all for once – I have never truly recovered from the Luton ‘experience’.

Anyway, from what I can gather from the highlights, we put in a decent collective shift and deserved our draw. I was also pleased for Steven Whittaker, a consummate professional for all his apparent faults.

Of course, this means a replay at St Mary’s, and that got what passes for my brain ticking.

Back in 1992, I went to The Dell for our quarter final. A 0-0 bore draw and we were shoehorned onto old trestles with ‘seat’ numbers on the back. Anyone on a packed Sleazyjet aircraft who complains of sitting next to a large person on one side and a small child with an ear-splitting shriek on the other hasn’t lived.

The generosity of a kind publican near to the ground who let me leave my car there for free was the only highlight of that day, really. Apart from the well-deserved result, of course.

Onto the replay. Nobody who went to that game will ever forget it. No disrespect or reference to the current Southampton side, but in this particular match all those years ago they were truly the filthiest outfit I have ever seen. Francis Benali played that night, for a start. And so, I believe, did Terry Hurlock.

Matthew Le Tissier was sent off for a stamp, Barry Horne likewise – the repercussions of his ‘job’ on Flecky will follow. I have never willed a Norwich City side to score as much as I did that night. Eventually after what seemed like an eternity of our battering ten and then nine men, Gossy mishit a shot which bounced up and Chris Sutton looped it over the keeper (probably Tim Flowers?).

I was unusually in the River End that night and I have never seen that stand go ape in that manner before or since. The Barclay must have gone double ape.

Then, the aftermath and the repercussions – Flecky and his oxygen tent, or whatever it was – somehow seemed to deflate us. Although Flecky (or a shadow of him) did make it for Hillsborough, we all know what happened against Sunderland. I’ll draw a veil over that if I may, and also over Villa Park a couple of years earlier, although in the case of the latter for a completely different reason that I am sure readers will appreciate.

So this time the replay is at their place. I hope it’s just as exciting and the result is the same as that of 1992, but I won’t be going and all the very best to those Yellows who are. Give the boys a shout from me

Finally, a point to the marketing magicians at Carrow Road:

You got a kick in the teeth with your pricing policy for this match: so many of us found other things to do on the day as a direct result of it. Think of all the sales of lukewarm coffee, overpriced plastic bottles of lager and near-inedible pies you missed out on flogging to people who just weren’t there to buy them.

If we do beat Southampton in the replay and get a home draw – whether Man U or Accrington – if you want £25 for a ticket I won’t be coming to that one either.

And Alex Neil’s comments about Timm Klose’s reaction to his injury and subsequent treatment leave me speechless.


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Filed Under: Column, Martin Penney

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Comments

  1. Alan Gardner says

    9th January 2017 at 9:34 am

    Even I didn’t circum to the match, but was pleased with the result. Don’t know if we need the replay as getting us back into the play off’s or higher!!! must be our main aim.

    Reply
  2. Chris II says

    9th January 2017 at 12:28 pm

    £25 to avoid going to Homebase seems excellent value. Maybe that should have been the marketing spin..

    Reply
  3. Gary Gowers says

    9th January 2017 at 3:45 pm

    I too was at the 1992 quarter-final at the Dell, Martin. Rotten old game from memory, the abiding one of which is continually being told to “sit down” (I had a seat!) by some grumpy City fans who appeared anything but gripped by cup fever!

    Reply
  4. Gary Gowers says

    9th January 2017 at 3:56 pm

    … oh, and Ruddock in the replay; one of the most heroic performances I’ve ever witnessed on a football pitch.

    Reply
  5. Dave Winter says

    9th January 2017 at 9:03 pm

    How can you call yourself a true supporter?
    Glad you won’t be there against either Southampton or Arsenal.

    Reply
  6. Dave H says

    9th January 2017 at 10:19 pm

    5 – Out of interest, what is your definition of a ‘true supporter’?

    Reply
  7. Cyprus Canary says

    10th January 2017 at 7:14 am

    My definition would be “someone who wants the best for the club and wants them to win every game. But – someone who recognises that the club as a whole is on a downward spiral and is prepared to speak up and say so. I can’t vote with my feet from here but respect those who do because as sure as eggs are eggs something has to change soon or the premiership will become a distant memory as it is for Forest, Leeds, Derby et al.

    Reply
  8. martin penney says

    10th January 2017 at 8:06 am

    #5 Dave Winter: I don’t really like to enter into the “what constitutes a true supporter?” debate as I find it rather tiresome, but I consider myself to be such, by my own standards and those of my friends at least.

    #6 Dave H: I am sure all our definitions would be similar but different!

    Reply
  9. martin penney says

    10th January 2017 at 9:42 am

    #7 Cyprus Canary: For what it’s worth, my definition tallies with your own to the letter.

    I hadn’t seen your comment when I posted mine, but I’m appreciative of it as it seems to put my stance into perspective!

    And, for what it’s worth, if we beat Soton and it’s £20 – nobody would object to that figure to watch Arsenal – I am sure I will be there. If it’s an exploitative £25, I will not.

    I love Cup matches and it was a big decision not to go, believe me.

    Reply
  10. Cyprus Canary says

    10th January 2017 at 1:35 pm

    Just seen club’s response with free travel to Southampton for the replay. So it seems that the club are beginning to listen and recognise the importance of the supporters. Bravo.

    Reply
  11. martin penney says

    10th January 2017 at 4:26 pm

    #10 Cyprus: yes, I’ve seen the response too and I also hope they will be listening – and for a long time to come.

    It’s not like NCFC fans are a rebellious bunch of “whatevers”, but most of us believe in a sense of fair play.

    They’ve done the decent thing, albeit retrospectively, so I will say “fair play” again.

    If only those on high would listen to their PR team, we wouldn’t have these problems.

    Once again, thank you for your comments.

    Reply
  12. victor says

    10th January 2017 at 7:40 pm

    Martin , I was at that famous replay too. Standing at the front of the River End , behind the goal where Sutton scored. I think remembering games like that along with other famous victories such as Fratton Park with PL , Old Trafford 67 , Paddon hatrick at Highbury , the 59 cup run & of course THAT goal by Steve Bruce in the Milk Cup Semi Final ( actually better than the final in my book ) is what constitutes being a true football supporter. Naturally those great moments come at a cost , such as the semi ‘s against Sunderland & Villa that you mention . Then there was Brighton , Derby & Maine Road (6-0 ) & quite a few more. Remembering all those journeys & games is what bonds us together & helps us when things are not going well. I don’t follow Norwich as a glory , trophy hunter , but because it’s in me. Wherever I have been in the world , I would always need to find a way to find out how Norwich ‘ had got on ‘ Yes I moan , no I don’t go to every game , but I am & always will be a ” TRUE SUPPORTER “

    Reply
  13. Dave H says

    10th January 2017 at 9:00 pm

    Martin (8), I’m not a fan of it either, so much so that I don’t even have my own definition. I was semi intrigued by the person who felt it necessary to level that accusation.

    As someone who at the beginning of the season attempted to defend the board, I’m past that now. So much so that I’m not that impressed by today’s actions. They’re trying to make up for a mistake which should never have been made in the first place. It’s a bit like with Alex Neil – one good moment isn’t enough – they need to do it consistently over time. This is at best a start.

    Reply
  14. martin penney says

    11th January 2017 at 7:29 am

    #12 Victor: Thanks for that; appreciated. A friend of mine was at Blackburn when we lost 7-1!

    #13 Dave H: Thank you, too. I was quite intrigued also. On some other websites that type of comment is par for the course, which is why I tend to avoid them.

    I agree with your final sentence.

    Reply
  15. victor says

    11th January 2017 at 8:04 pm

    Thanks Martin , I guess all City supporters have a memory of a wasted journey rewarded with a heavy defeat. It’s what makes those special games so special Think my worst was in the 70’s. Don’t remember exactly but think it was a 3 rd replay in the League cup against Man City. The neutral venue was Stamford bridge which was being redeveloped as part of Ken Bates vision of a stadium !! The place was like a building site , it poured with rain the whole game & ticket prices were about 3 times what we paid at Carrow Road . The crowd was about 4,000 & some of those were from Millwall looking for ‘ bother ‘
    A Rodney Marsh inspired Man City thrashed us 6-1 ( Mel Machin scored for us ) & I had to get the mail train home which took all night Didn’t put me off supporting Norwich City though.

    Reply

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