not in work lads so thought I'd throw down a few thoughts about the thread title that's been in my head over the last week or so.....
I'm off to see the Stone Roses on tonight, playing Belfast. Now, they only played Belfast once before to my knowledge, Maysfield Leisure centre, 1990. I missed the gig, deciding that narcotics and alcohol was a much better use for the coin (Roses haters would probably say it was ). I still remember the first time I heard them, '89' at a club called The Coach just outside Belfast in a little town called Banbridge. Strange that Banbridge actually hosted one of the few places that was on a par with the mainland clubwise. and I know 89 was hardly 'in at the start' with the Roses but then again, unless you read the music mags like NME (I didn't) all you had was top of the pops and the sunday chart show on the radio - no blogs or the likes in those days.... it was hard to see what was happening music wise, particurlarly when most bands didn't fancy Belfast back then (who can blame them). Anyways, I'm digressing as this isn't another love/hate the Stone Roses thread. Basically, in 89, Chelsea were in Div 2, well champions of Div 2. Contrary to what some might think, it was brilliant. I fucking loved it. First time I ever experienced Chelsea win football games regularly. I won't lie...prior to that, the only school boy pride you had was the press reports of the support rampaging through another town/ground and the celebrity (infamy) that the 'Headhunter' trials brought. Yet, winning the 2nd Div was superb. That was gonna be 'our title'. The first division would never happen, never on the cards. I didn't even contemplate it to be honest. My dream was the FA Cup. To walk up wembley way and watch us win the Cup. That was possible....still a dream but possible. Europe didn't even figure on my agenda. Aside from the British ban, the European Cup was left to the royalty of Europe to contest - Milan, Juve, Ajax etc...and of course the brits - Cloughs Forest and, pains me to say it, Liverpool, Point is....it was beyond a dream. Dreaming was us finishing in touching distance of the Div 1 champions - 3rd or 4th, maybe....winning the derby games. And Winning the FA Cup. that was it. I was 17 in 1989. Great times....dodgy clobber as many will remember (despite wanting to forget! ), Italia 90 was just around the corner and the Madchester thing was in full flow. Acid, ecstasy, beer, football (proper, unsantized version), music....it was a great time to be 17. I walked up Wembley way in 97 and watched our current manager help me realise my dream. that weekend remains one of the best weekends of my life bar none. The last days of 'old' Chelsea....winning the FA Cup when it was still a cup that mattered. I sat in the stand in 2005 pinching myself as a wedged up Russian and mouthy portuguese bloke helped us be Champions of England. The players walked around parading the trophy and I sat trying to take it all in. Inevitable? maybe to others but never was to me. And then to 2012 and the Stone Roses to reform. Couldn't be? surely not....another false dawn this one.....but no, it's true. And they're gonna play Belfast. In parallel we're pulling off miracles to get through to the Champions League final, Napoli from the brink...to the miracle that was the Nou Camp with ten men. And then there's the finale of the journey....standing in some beer garden in Munich watching us become the Champions of Europe. Chelsea, Champions of Europe, in Bayerns back yard.......it was so far fetched back in 89, the earth ending in the year 2000 seemed more plausible. Yet it happened.. I turn 40 in October. It seems strange or maybe right that the Stone Roses will play Belfast now. Almost like 'I am the Resurrection' will be the closing credits on the main chapter of my life. The 'boy to young man to old bloke' years. 17- 40. it's been a hell of a ride. And I guess for me, football will never quite be the same again after Munich, never have the same draw or appeal. I've seen what I wanted and a lot more and the Stone Roses will play us out tonight.....
anyways, that's my touch of musical and football nostalgia.
"The nightmares invading the sleep of Bayern fans involve four horsemen of the Champions League Apocalypse riding towards them. As the faces come into focus, they will recognise Frank Lampard, Cole, Petr Cech and Drogba. All were immense..."
Quote: 1985casual wrote in post #2It's funny you should mention The Coach, I've actually been!
To a Trance night back in my clubbing days.
spent most of 1990 in there Ian. It was kinda when it was still a 'club' before the onset of rave really kicked in. Some of the best times of my youth in there. Was strange as Banbridge is a little country town and yet it had 2-3 superb clubs - Circus Circus was another one. Was ran a bus from Belfast from 1989-1990 religiously - always filled it. Was good times mate.
"The nightmares invading the sleep of Bayern fans involve four horsemen of the Champions League Apocalypse riding towards them. As the faces come into focus, they will recognise Frank Lampard, Cole, Petr Cech and Drogba. All were immense..."
The good old days ay G, the old Division 2, proper football before it it sold its arse to sky. Push your way to the front of the turnstiles, and run up the terraces with your mates to stand in your designated spot. Closest i've been to Wembley with West Brom was the semi finals in '05 against Pompey. Still have my deluded dreams of European football, who knows, one day..............*sigh*
enjoyed reading that mate! I was born in 71 so was of a similar age during the rave years.
I have a very good friend who is old school Chelsea and we sat in his bedroom getting really stoned one evening around 90/91ish and he predicted Chelsea would one day win in at the San Siro and go on to great things, I was in hysterics laughing at this, he still reminds me to this day.
Dirty old river, must you keep rolling, Flowing into the night.......
OFF HAND
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Wed Aug 22, 2012 3:32 pm
). I still remember the first time I heard them, '89' at a club called The Coach just outside Belfast in a little town called Banbridge. Strange that Banbridge actually hosted one of the few places that was on a par with the mainland clubwise. and I know 89 was hardly 'in at the start' with the Roses but then again, unless you read the music mags like NME (I didn't) all you had was top of the pops and the sunday chart show on the radio - no blogs or the likes in those days....
it was hard to see what was happening music wise, particurlarly when most bands didn't fancy Belfast back then (who can blame them).
), Italia 90 was just around the corner and the Madchester thing was in full flow. Acid, ecstasy, beer, football (proper, unsantized version), music....it was a great time to be 17. 
17- 40. it's been a hell of a ride. And I guess for me, football will never quite be the same again after Munich, never have the same draw or appeal. I've seen what I wanted and a lot more and the Stone Roses will play us out tonight.....
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