Can't narrow it down to one so will give my top 3. Not the best goals he scored but the ones that really had impact on me. The chip against Norwich in his first season, the 2nd against Utd in 93/94 season, and then VE night.

Agree totally. I guess that back in 1966 people said Sir Alf was 'lucky' to get a dubious goal in the final, courtesy of a Russian linesman old enough to remember what the Germans had done to his country! Luck is part of the game - not something to use as a deciding factor on who is, or isn't, a good manager. I disagree with some of Southgate's decisions and agree with others but if he wins on Sunday he deserves huge credit whatever the reasons for the win. Interestingly the use of a substitute in WC70 was one the things Sir Alf was most criticised for!

I can understand that point of view. Having watched England in the 70's. 80's and 90's we failed to qualify for some tournaments and flattered to deceive in others. Since Southgate came in he has raised the bar in terms of progressing to the later stages. My problem with him is we seem to be going backwards in terms of performance and the same issues keep repeating themselves - and seem to be getting worse. If we make a fast start and score early we don't go for the jugular - Italy in the Final being the worst example. No subs to make an impact until too late - and then rarely changes the system even when subs go on. Overly loyal to players not fit or out of form. I hope we win the tournament - and don't really care whether we do it in style tbh. (Just watched a documentary about Greece's 2004 Euro's win and their fans definitely didn't care about the criticism of their style of play!!) BUT with the players we have the style we play doesn't seem to suit them.

Was in the Bee Hole End with my Dad. He made sure I didn't cheer when we scored and kept telling me to look miserable. I guess he didn't want to explain to my mum later that he'd put the 11-year old me in danger 😉 Mind you around the same time we stood in amongst the Scottish fans at Hampden Park for the Scotland/England game - that was an experience!!!

Maybe we all forget how young he is and what he's already experienced at 21? Can't compare this to the 60's when the players lived 'normal' lives. Some of today's players turn out to be knobs and some turn out to be good lads - just like in the rest of the population. And the 'knob / good lad' balance seems a lot better today than the late 90's / early 2000's. I suspect a lot of this depends on family and agent influence - (almost!) makes you feel sorry for Myles Anderson!!

I love coming on here early and reading all the cheerful positive vibes for next season 🤣

Unfortunately feels like inevitable conclusion of the economic changes since the end of the 70's.

Good to see AI is up to date. 'Crap in Crap out' as they say!!

Always had a sneaking respect for the Italians in 1982 (to be fair that was helped by having them in the school sweepstake!). They started terribly and then managed to get through a group of 3 with Argentina and Brazil! Ok they were rough but played (just!!!) within the rules of the game at that time. Brazil of '82 forgot that you have to be able to defend to win things. From what I've seen (which isn't much) the Brazil of 1970 had a decent defence. I can't think of any major tournament win where the winning team hasn't had a good defence (not necessarily great but at least with one or two top class players in it). Holland in the 70's were brilliant going forward but lost two WC finals conceding 5 goals in the two games whereas in 88 they won the Euros with players like Rijkard and Koeman at the back. Then you have Greece winning the Euro's on the basis of score one goal and keep a clean sheet. Always love the irony that some people on here moan about that but (presumably) love the Kendall side that got promoted from Div3 largely on the same basis.

Possibly my favourite time too - although sometimes looks better through rose-tinted specs? Still had the threat of violence at away games, appalling toilets, etc. !!

Scholes was also world-class - as evident from his reputation amongst Europe's top players. However Sven never seemed to know how to use him so he couldn't show how good he was.

The missed penalty in the first leg was crucial. If we'd gone 3-0 up at that point Palace were on the point of collapse - we could have gone on to score a couple more and put the tie to bed. I know SG scored late on to restore the 2 goal lead but the momentum had already changed. Down at Palace we undoubtedly bottled it - but how different it might have been but for the penalty we'll never know.

I think we need to restore some balance here so I'd like to apologise to any intelligent and sensible Bacupians visiting this forum....................and, good god, you must be lonely!!

Just seen this posted re the fact the tool is from Bacup:

No. Emley Moor. Off the M62 near Huddersfield. On the right hand side as you head into the Darkness (or Yorkshire as it likes to be known)!

Not been to either if those but can imagine! Another one from my Rossy Utd watching days was Emley. Their ground was v close to the TV mast you can see off the M62 😲

Lucky escape - unless you would have enjoyed freezing to death in the horizontal sleet! I've been on a lot of cold non-league grounds over the years but Lanehead beats them all.

I'm originally from Waterfoot - barely out of the 19th century itself, Even we thought of Bacup as another world - and not in a good way!

I work with a long-standing Cov fan and the subject of their support came up when I saw him on Monday. He mentioned that he thinks their core support has always been poor considering the size of the city and the lack of nearby clubs to attract 'glory-hunters'. So not all Cov fans are deluded!

Watched on S4C and the commentators basically acknowledging he's not good enough at that level. Fluffed their best opportunity late on when he clearly had no idea what to do. Sounds like a few of our team!! On the plus side he did have the physical presence that we lack - and the way we are playing under Eustace that could have been a useful option that we just don't have

Sorting out some old papers and came across this. Not sure of exact date - 1977'ish? - and can't recognise some of the signatures.

Was a great season for a while - particularly remember the Wolves and Carlisle away games pre-Xmas. Last game of season hoping City would slip up only for them to win 5-1

I'm not sure League 1 is that strong tbh. Unless a promoted side has money to invest they seem to find it hard to step up - Rotherham, Plymouth, Peterborough as recent examples. Difference last time we went down is we probably had a squad better equipped for that level than the current squad (the likes of Graham, Bennett, etc and added Dack who was proven at that level). What concerns me is, as you suggest I think, that the situation with the owners is different now. Last time they funded the club to make that quick return. This time feels like cost-cutting will be the only path and, as the squad is already weak, a quick return seems unlikely.

That'll be the one. I missed the replay as was on a coach heading to Europe for a field trip from Uni. Managed to hear the score on a radio and woke up the coach with a very loud broad Lancastrian 'fucking hell'!

Always seemed to play well on an icy pitch. Have a memory of playing at Forest in the snow when Noel was unstoppable. Probably not as great as I remember as so long ago!