On this day 26 years ago

horden · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2017 8:10 pm

In these shitty times for Pools , I feel the need to indulge myself in some good memories from the past.

A strange night in Reading , freezing cold, poor crowd. around 75 poolies on the open away end, mostly exiles ,but another great away win in our first season in div 3. It was strange getting into Reading on Black Eye Friday, and seeing everyone out partying, you would of never of thought there was a match on. Went to a backstreet pub called the Eldon Arms I think , everyone in fancy dress except me and ex wifes friends husband who was dragged along as my wife and his missus were having a girly nite in. Probably the only football game he ever went to, wonder what he makes of it all these years later?. He lived in Wokingham and my and the missus and my 6month old daughter were staying there. After the game we went to a cosy country pub called The Crooked Billet, again lots of lasses celebrating finishing work for xmas , a couple of car loads of poolies joined us for a couple beers before heading off for London.

That's us in middle in the Santa Hats , they were selling them cheap outside Swindon station.

Lots of quality, mental and physical strength , character and experience on display in both teams , a million miles away from where we are now.

Some cracking away wins in the first part of that season 91/92. Definitely my favourite time following Pools.

http://inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Match.aspx?oid=3456

http://inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Match.aspx?oid=3456

frankie1966 · **Joined:** Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:44 am **Posts:** 273

How times change!

Wommers · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:29 pm

It's frightening to compare that side of 91/92 to the one we have today. Loads of tough fuckers and hard knocks, with a drizzling of quality. Now we are are weak as piss.

Wommers · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:30 pm

Even Tupling would waltz into our midfield today!

RAY52 · **Joined:** Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:36 pm **Posts:** 932

Does anyone think JOHN Borthwick could even lead the line now????

horden · **Posted:** Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:42 am

Chip Fireball wrote:

Funnily enough during the Summer when I was bored one evening I went looking for the site of the old football ground and this game was the only game I actually went to there, so happy memories. Its a housing estate now, just up from Reading West station.

There are plenty of old sports grounds that have been knocked down and re-developed or are just a shell of former years in Reading. Been to the site of both of the former dog tracks, its actually quite hard even with the interweb, picturing exactly where they would have been.

Went to the site of the old Hackney dog track earlier this year, very emotional. Will probably feel the same about Wimbledon if I'm still around in 10 years time.

I do the same Chip , a nostalgic softy. I worked with a lad who was a Reading fan so visited Elm Park numerous times, saw Newcastle beaten there 4-2 in the League Cup, and Sunderland 4-0 in FA Cup. Also went the following season 92/93 we got beat 3-0 and in 93/94 when we got beat 4-0 but it could of been 10 if Reading had wanted to rather than see the game out.

Unusual ground in that it had 2 open ends, and having been to all but one of the original league grounds ( Blackburn) I can say that Elm Park must of been one of the quietest , un-atmospheric grounds I ever visited. It took something to get them going and even when things not going well, none of the posiononous/bile you would get at grounds like Pools.

A chilling thought , see below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07__EgstYus

PoolyScot · **Joined:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 7:08 pm **Posts:** 3

Worked and lived in Reading at that time and was at the game. Happy days.

On this day 26 years ago

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