Fitzhugh Fella Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Don't get me wrong I am delighted with our current position but my Dad is still alive and remembers vividly the heartbreak of 1948-49 when on the 2nd April we were 8 points clear of Fulham and WBA with just 7 games left (just 2 points for a win in those days). We blew (losing 4 drawing 2 and winning just 1) it as both teams overhauled us - one more point would have seen us up on goal average but we lost our last game at Chesterfield 1-0 having been denied an obvious pen. Afterwards the Echo said "it was the end of a tragic slide which must be almost without parallel in football". On the 2nd of April we had just gone to Tottenham and won 1-0 in front of 69,000 fans and Wayman who was an injured passenger on the wing bravely scored the winner but further damaged his injury which meant he missed most of the remaining games. I still visit Bill Ellerington who was our full-back during that run in and despite him being nearly 90 he still grimaces at the memory. So I am going to leave the celebration until it is mathmetically impossible for us to be caught - like someone has said elsewhere pessimists can't be disappointed.
Graffito Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 A cautionary tale and fortunately one that wouldn't be lost on Adkins and I hope the players who seem highly conscious of the need to stay focused on "one game at a time".
JonnyLove Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Wow your more of a buzz kill than buzz killington.
eurosaint Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 My late father-in-law used to go on about that season all the time ! It has sort of kept my feet on the ground since then, but somehow I don't think that history is about to repeat itself !! COYS
SW11_Saint Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Definitely need to keep our feet on the ground. Need to treat every game like a cup final - starting with Doncaster. Lessons of history are very valuable, but I trust Adkins to do the right things and keep us focussed. One game at a time and all that. Even found myself getting carried away last night, but today - looking through our fixture lists - I am back to fretting and doing impossible table permutations in my head. Life as a Saints fan! COYS!
rallyboy Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Nige is in charge now - the days of Middlesboro, Everton and Villa at home are gone. We're the team that give other sides the jitters now. But yes we do need to keep our feet on the ground, same as we did this time last season. Just keep rowing the bus and controlling the football. And poor Bill, why do you keep reminding the poor bloke about his darkest hour on a football pitch?
spyinthesky Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Duncan As a card carrying pessimist of long standing the 48/9 parallel is in my mind too. We were odds on for our first ever Div 1 appearance until 'Up the Middle for Charlie' Wayman got injured Easter is always an 'interesting time' Certainly remember the Div 3 Championship game v Reading (Brian Clifton's looping header) the Div 2 campaign when we went 10 games or more undefeated including a trip to Plymouth and a couple of back to back games v Bristol City when a young Mike Channon did well Hope we are home and hosed well before the last game!!
Dellman Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Yes, that 48-9 season scarred me for life (I was14) but the difference is that in those days we had a team, now we've got a squad, when Charlie Wayman was injured there was no cover, we had to bring in the reserve left back Bobby Veck to play centre forward
Weston Saint Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 (edited) My late father always blamed our Manager Bill Dodgin. He let Fulham go up instead of us and then promptly joined them as Manager. There was also rumour that our board were not ambitious enough to want promotion to the top league. I am quietly confident after last nights win. That, to me, was the first real big test passed. Edited 21 March, 2012 by Weston Saint
derry Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 My late father always blamed our Manager Bill Dodgin. He let Fulham go up instead of us and then promptly joined them as Manager. There was also rumour that our board were not ambitious enough to want promotion to the top league. I am quietly confident after last nights win. That, to me, was the first real big test passed. That feeling was quoted regularly until we finally went up to division one in 1966. I was at Springhill School across from the Dell and still remember the disappointmen in the town. Maybe now people will understand why we have Sharp, Lee, Connolly, Barnard, Lambert and Guly.
fareham saint phil Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 My late father always blamed our Manager Bill Dodgin. He let Fulham go up instead of us and then promptly joined them as Manager. There was also rumour that our board were not ambitious enough to want promotion to the top league. I am quietly confident after last nights win. That, to me, was the first real big test passed. My late grandad believed the same, and although he stayed a Saints supporter for life he refused to go again, he was very bitter towards the board. Me, like others think last nights combination of scores has made it ours to lose big time, cant see NA letting us **** it up to be honest
Under Weststand Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I still can't quite shake of the doubts yet, due to years of failure & heart break. But then when you look at it logically we do seem to have got out of the habit of shooting ourselves in the foot & have a steel about us that always gives us a chance right up until the final whistle blows. So I'm cautiously optimistic that we will go up Automatically! But reserve the right to be nervous as hell untill the fat lady has finished the last chorus.
Minty Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 After Nigel's use of the boxer video, prancing his way into the ring only to be knocked out after a few seconds, it wouldn't surprise me if he used this as well, to focus the players for the run-in. He's big on taking things one game at a time, we all know that, we hear it in his and his players' interviews, and I am certain he'll be keeping the players' feet on the ground. But something like this just helps keep that focus. I'm quietly confident now that we will be promoted, but it never hurts to remember things like this.
SNOWY Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 My Grandad used to tell me about that season. He remembered seeing a newspaper headline saying "Who's going up with Southampton?" Apparently there was a conspiracy theory doing the rounds in those days that the Saints board didn't want to go up. So anyway in 2012 Who's going up with Southampton? Just kidding Grandad!
teamsaint Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I have been following Saints since 1970. In all that time , before this season, we have been top of a league, ANY league , for not much more than 2 months, unless I have forgotten something. I am enjoying this, and sad story though 48/49 is, I am certainly not worrying about it. We are far from assured of promotion, but i have NEVER, and I include our greatest managers, had such faith in a Saints manager. Look at the table. Enjoy the quality and the spirit. Let saturday and all the other days take care of themselves. If it all goes well, it will be back to games at daft times most weeks, stupid ticket prices, and a herculean struggle for points every week. I just can't wait for Saturday.
eelpie Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I was just a nipper at the time in Winchester and I well remember my grandfather and parents bemoaning the narrowly missed promotion. Even now it is etched in my mind and that was when I first became fanatical about Saints. I also remember the dismal season when we were demoted into div 3. One match at a time!
Ric Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I'm generally an optimistic person - but tales of the '48/'49 are a warning from history. I now firmly believe that we will go up, and I'll even admit to being fairly sure that we'll win this league. But I'm absolutely not counting my chickens yet. There's still a long, long way to go - and as every team can attest, in any given match any team in this division can beat any other team... just ask Birmingham & Reading fans today. Everyone - players, management and fans alike need to keep the champagne on ice for the moment. By all means look - but don't touch. We have to earn the right to pop the cork... and when we have earned the right, it will feel soooooo good
Horley CTFC Saint Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 No!!!! Don't tell me Charlie Wayman's injured
Window Cleaner Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 no comparison can be made between football in 1949 and that of 2012. In 49 the players probably had a couple of pints at half-time and the idea of getting into an ice bath and not going to the pub straight afterwards would be ridiculed..
Cabrone Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Just enjoy the ride, we're winning games and having a ball. This might be the last season for a while that we are so dominant so stop worrying.......breathe it in, relish it and store it in the memory box. Anyway, if we win we go up and if we lose we stay in what I consider to be a more fun league anyway. Win-win and a whole bunch of fun as far as I'm concerned.
scotty Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 no comparison can be made between football in 1949 and that of 2012. In 49 the players probably had a couple of pints at half-time and the idea of getting into an ice bath and not going to the pub straight afterwards would be ridiculed.. Thats true, and wasn't it more or less compulsory for players to smoke at least 40 a day back then?
manji Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Yes, that 48-9 season scarred me for life (I was14) but the difference is that in those days we had a team, now we've got a squad, when Charlie Wayman was injured there was no cover, we had to bring in the reserve left back Bobby Veck to play centre forward Well said. Fitzhugh needs to realise that having a full understanding of history isnt just about parroting the facts and statistics.
Window Cleaner Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Thats true, and wasn't it more or less compulsory for players to smoke at least 40 a day back then? yep, clubs used the fag coupons to get the shirts and shorts.Anyway in those days you weren't a real man if you didn't smoke 60 Woodbines or Senior Service Full Strength a day.
scotty Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 It's in the bag. Stop panicking. When the bags been tied up and the kittens have been drowned I'll stop panicking. For christs sake, dont count any chickens yet, that way madness lies
scotty Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 yep, clubs used the fag coupons to get the shirts and shorts.Anyway in those days you weren't a real man if you didn't smoke 60 Woodbines or Senior Service Full Strength a day. lol, I'm sure I remember some of the Terry Paine and Ron Davies era players sloping off to the sidelines for a crafty drag as soon as the halftime whistle blew back in the late sixties. And also Mick Channon drifting out of position to check on the 3:30 at Sandown hahahaaaa, happy days
ottery st mary Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Up the middle for Charlie ...was the cry....and then he got injured My Mother and Father, who were regulars.. said the injury to Charlie boy was devastating ...but the team was tactically badly organised to lose every game..STRANGE:rolleyes: but does happen..but not to us in 2012 Today we have several choices and good management and a good squad.... God forbid losing our Rikeeee ..BUT ..we would still get enough wins/points to go up.. WIFM
david in sweden Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Well said. Fitzhugh needs to realise that having a full understanding of history isnt just about parroting the facts and statistics. .of course , but it was an event and it did happen. I also had a father who was a fan at that time , and every time he talked about it he was devoid of adjectives - it was so sad., he'd say. However, those of us who like (and have a little more respect for history) also remember the old adage ..History repeats itself . I sincerely hope that in this case it doesn't - as a fan of 50 years standing - I don't want to have to tell my grandchildren about the sad season of 2011/12 ...but Fitzhughs cautionary tale does have a place in this discussion - even as a warning to those who just see promotion as a foregone conclusion. btw - did you duck out of history lessons - or was it just that the teacher was boring ?
Crazy Diamond Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 So I am going to leave the celebration until it is mathmetically impossible for us to be caught - like someone has said elsewhere pessimists can't be disappointed. You and me both.
saintstr1 Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I was only 5 years old at the time but distinctly remember my father and grandfather being distraught about the non promotion , Both of them were bandsman with the Albion Band and played prior to games and at HT , I sat on the fence under the west stand in the bands pen and gained my love of all things saints from those early years. I dont think the same fate will apply to our modern team, Football is a much different game now and if we stick to the one game at a time policy we will be OK.
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 21 March, 2012 Author Posted 21 March, 2012 Devon Loch Indeed - the Queens Mother wore black for the rest of her life
krissyboy31 Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 That set of results last night has convinced me that the pressure WE are putting on the other teams is breaking them. IMO we will go up as champions with several points to spare.
krissyboy31 Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Up the middle for Charlie ...was the cry.For Bill Dodgin read Sam Allardyce. Long ball game always gets found out.
Window Cleaner Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 That set of results last night has convinced me that the pressure WE are putting on the other teams is breaking them. IMO we will go up as champions with several points to spare. Logical because they always need to win, especially Reading. They haven't cracked like Birmingham and Cardiff yet but they've always got it all to do. This is probably why getting points on the board early is so vital. Isn't that what QPR did last season? built up a big lead and then rode it out.Norwich came storming back and Swansea and Cardiff cracked but not QPR.
CLOTH EARS Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I remember people saying all this in 77-78. We went up then as you all know. This team has what it takes to chalk off the neccassary points.
West Stand Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 My late father always blamed our Manager Bill Dodgin. He let Fulham go up instead of us and then promptly joined them as Manager. There was also rumour that our board were not ambitious enough to want promotion to the top league. I am quietly confident after last nights win. That, to me, was the first real big test passed. Ron, I was 7 going on 8 at the time and I remember it well ..... is all this talk of late fathers and grandfathers just to make me feel old? See you on Saturday!!!
Weston Saint Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 Ron, I was 7 going on 8 at the time and I remember it well ..... is all this talk of late fathers and grandfathers just to make me feel old? See you on Saturday!!!Will see you on Friday, old chap!
st alex Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 It's in the bag. Stop panicking. Why do people keep saying this? All we have to do is lose to Reading and then drop points against any number of teams including Blackpool, Palace & Middlesbrough. Wouldn't surprise me if we draw our next game and West Ham & Reading both win, and then everyone will be biting their nails again.
70's Mike Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I remember people saying all this in 77-78. We went up then as you all know. This team has what it takes to chalk off the neccassary points. do not remember being 5 points ahead with 8 games to go, no it was nip and tuck with Bolton, Spuds and Brighton
wightman35 Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I still visit Bill Ellerington who was our full-back during that run in and despite him being nearly 90 he still grimaces at the memory. So I am going to leave the celebration until it is mathmetically impossible for us to be caught - like someone has said elsewhere pessimists can't be disappointed. At the age of 13, I think that that end of season left me devastated and never to take anything for granted! I remember Bill Ellerington as a great full back in that period though. Like the OP I shall join the pessimists until we are mathematically certain of (dare I say it?) promotion.
David Strover Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I thought someone would eventually bring this up. No subs in those so once he got injured Wayman had to play on and even scored the winner but probably exacerbated his injury in doing so. Should Lambert get injured Saturday he would be straight off, rested and treated - and of course there are several replacements who could score. We have won games without Adam and Ricky. It's a completely different game these days. If we don't go up it will be because we lost two games to Bristol City and nothing else - FACT - so says someone I forget who.
David Strover Posted 21 March, 2012 Posted 21 March, 2012 I thought someone would eventually bring this up. No subs in those days so once he got injured Wayman had to play on and even scored the winner but probably exacerbated his injury in doing so. Should Lambert get injured Saturday he would be straight off, rested and treated - and of course there are several replacements who could score. We have won games without Adam and Ricky. It's a completely different game these days. If we don't go up it will be because we lost two games to Bristol City and nothing else - FACT - so says someone I forget who.
SW5 SAINT Posted 22 March, 2012 Posted 22 March, 2012 Wasn't it 1948 that London last hosted the Olympics?!
SaintBobby Posted 22 March, 2012 Posted 22 March, 2012 It's a salutory lesson. And a good lesson in hubris. But let's just back the team. The odd thing is that history DOES NOT repeat itself. We can win the league and all we can do now is back the team (yes, including Guly!) 100%!
david in sweden Posted 22 March, 2012 Posted 22 March, 2012 I've already written my piece on this Duncan, but maybe we should think positively also, and re-write the headline. 1948-49 - best we forget !
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