Right lads, was thinking about this last night and whilst its Monday morning and I've a shitload of work to do, I thought I'd start the week with this thread. What are some definitive moments in your life? Now, to keep the thread a bit lighter or varied I'll suggest we avoid births and family deaths as most of us can point to those. I;m thinking football, music, social, political, whatever - those moments you sit back and you remember well - cornerstones in your life. I'll start with 2.

Chelsea winning the 97 FA Cup. Sounds boring but the moment I recall is at the end. When our little 'Blue is the Colour' song rang out around Wembley, I looked around me and the whole end sang, flags (proper ones - not plastic freebies) flew in blue and yellow, I'm not ashamed to say I'd a lump in my throat. All the rubbish years, all the abuse and stick, all the waiting, crap results, years of dreaming of winning something - it was all worth while. And this was real Chelsea. Long before rich russians and 'Special' Managers. People who 'Were there when we were shit' so to speak. I'll be honest and say it was the pinnacle. It's never been that good since (although anyone at Bolton away in 2005 may argue otherwise - and fair enough) but for me, this was a moment in life I'll never forget. I sat in an empty Wembley at the end - just 5 of us and the cleaners around us cleaning the place - reluctant to let go of it.......

The first moment I heard The Stone Roses. Pretty sure it was 1989 (possibly 88) in The Coach Nightclub in Banbridge. No doubt much later than most on the mainland who were well schooled in the Roses by then but the Coach was our uber trendy spot in war torn Ulster (in fairness, it would have held its own across the mainland in terms of a venue and its music). Made of Stone came on, hardly anyone seemed to notice. Literally a couple of punters on the floor. I was captivated. I didn't know who they were but they were something different. Almost, in that moment, you sensed you'd heard something that would change things - something that defined the current era. And they did of course. Wasn't long before we were dawning flares, kcikers and dodgy hoodys and giving it to 'Fools Gold' but for me, that moment has stuck with me. Made of Stone.....

Hull City - Liverpool Fa Cup - 89 Boothferry pk, after the game getting cornered and chased, having to jump off a rail bridge and realising what i got involved in, What a rush, imagine the fingers went up when no other fucker jumped after me, I have done this many times in my youth come to think of, cornered by another rival gang on Bransholme when the infamous maisonettes were still standing, I was on the second floor and thought fuck it and jumped, they didnt follow again, smashed my knees straight into my teeth tho ouch..
Hearing Voodoo Ray in a room tripping my tits off smoking a joint that wasnt lit and the smell of smoke machnine in Welly club while it was literally raining inside. the debauchary and ego that went donw in there surpassed anything i seen and is part of my make up to this day, expanded my mind, which i some may say unfortunately lost to years of addiction and stuff what goes with it.
Got to say 98 when thrown a life line from the courts - attend and complete rehab or serve a sentence, This is prob the most defining moment in my life, prison was no longer me, it wasnt a buzz and somebody in authority had given me a chance, so i grabbed it, and not looked back since
emotion here gents ;)

I used to kick about with lads a few years older than me at school. One was my cousin, and a defining moment for me was when he brought round The Prodigy - Experience album. It was completely different from the stuff I was listening to at the time (mostly old 70s+80s influences from my rents) Must have listened to it 100 times in the first week. Used to go to parties and stick it on and people would go nuts. Happy days.

Another was propbably seeing The Verve at Earls Court. Like narcotics, it's never as good as the first time.

Denmark winning euro 92. I was 12 and i still remember the final like yesterday :D

AGF won the danish cup in 96. Snug out of the house and went across the country with a mate telling my parents i was somewhere else. We got into the game and i must admit it was so big for us 2 teenagers.

Going to Easter Road for the first time in 1995. Me and my dad had a good relationship but had never been really close before then. We beat Falkirk 2-1, I don't remember much of the game but we 'sat' at the north end of the Old East stand - the seats were nailed onto the terrace so everyone stood. The buzz of being in what seemed to be a huge crowd and joining my dad in something that was part of his life was massive for me. Hibs shaped my identity massively growing up, even though I was born in, London and ended up moving back there in my early teens. I've been to loads of stadiums all over Britain and a couple abroad but none have the same emotional pull of Easter Road. It's funny because 'new' football fans - identikit, shirt wearing Man U fans just can't get their head around why I support hibs but not a 'good' team (going to Millwall regularly doesn't count apparently!!) but every time I'm out and meet another real fan they get it. You can change a lot of things but your first team will always be with you.

On a music tip I think it's crass to say my first pill but it was a massive moment for me. Before then I'd always listened to 'guitar' music - Libertines, Smiths, British Sea Power etc but after my horizons were broadened. True, I listened to some truly terrible drum and bass and speed garage but after hearing Robert Hood I became hooked on Detroit Techno. I think it all stems back to dropping for the first time; the music, the people I've met and the clubs that I've been to.

Getting suspended from school was also a big one. Felt like I'd let myself and everyone else down. It gave me the kick up the arse I needed to start working hard and get into studying. I managed to pull things around by the time I took my A-levels, got into University and eventually got a Masters, hopefully beginning a PhD later this year.

getting nicked after the England/Sotland playoff .....12 month courtcase that followed changed me as a person (for the better i might add)...really calmed down after getting a not guilty in crown....being told you might be getting 2-5 years is a bit of a haed shake!!

Probably being close to death in a Spanish hospital around 7 years ago, went off the rails for a few years after that but it definitely gave me the life experience that will make me stronger in the future. Also made me appreciate life a lot more.

[quote="Mersons Bookie"]I used to kick about with lads a few years older than me at school. One was my cousin, and a defining moment for me was when he brought round The Prodigy - Experience album. It was completely different from the stuff I was listening to at the time (mostly old 70s+80s influences from my rents) Must have listened to it 100 times in the first week. Used to go to parties and stick it on and people would go nuts. Happy days.[/quote]

Know what your saying there Phil. Still one of my all time fave albums

I have a older older brother who has influenced quite a lot over the years. Used to blast about in numerous mint cars he had watching Derby, Manta GTE, XR3i, XR4X4i, 205/309 GTi, Lancia etc etc and he introduced me to a lot of good music. Smiths, Housemartins, Happy Mondays, Prodigy and loads more. They are definatly memories which will never leave me.

Also, the first time I heard music from the likes of Aphex Twin, Autechre, Shitmatt, Squarepusher, Prefuse 73. Always listened to fast, bizarre music but these guys blew my fucking mind. Seeing Aphex live for the first time after numerous disco biscuits and trips was the best sensation I have ever felt to date.

G.

a few years back i found myself in a pretty dark place, my girlfriend of 3 years had packed up and left me for a backstabbing pal leaving me with a sizeable debt and no where to live. This combined with being in trouble with the law and being stuck in a dead end job i hated so much i would feel sick at the thought of it meant i wasn't having the best of times. Luckly my old nan took me and i started to turn things round and i will owe her forever for that. I was still feeling down though couldn't get enjoyment out of anything, don't really go for all that depression stuff but i think i could have been classed as being depressed, wasn't going out lost interest in footie and generally didn't want to do anything but sit in my grandmas back bedroom smoking weed and playing champ manager. Then one bank holiday weekend i was persuaded to go along on a trip to blackpool to watch the blades with a gang of pals and have a much needed piss up. It was one of the best weekends of my life, had everything, booze, birds, class a's, fistycuffs and most of all a good fucking laugh in fact the most i had laughed in years. Was a legendary weekend and came out of it feeling on top of the world, re lighted my interest in football, going out and generally being alive. Barely frowned since, fucking love my mates.

Fulham beating Juventus 4-1 in the Europa League at Craven Cottage...........walking out of the ground in disbelief.
Fulham beating Hamburg 2-1 in the Europa League Semi-final..on the final whistle hugging everyone in sight and seeing grown men in tears of joy! walking down Putney High Street with hundreds of Fulham causing a roadblock with dads with their kids on their shoulders dancing in the street.
From playing Torquay to seeing Fulham play in Turin.....a miracle for a club like Fulham.

The Trip at Brentford Watermans Centre 1988 hearing Todd Terry's 'Can you feel it' and watching the whole place freak out screaming 'Acieeeeeeeeed' and me at 17 yrs old thinking what the fuck is going on here it's brilliant!!

Labrynth at Ferry Lane Tottenham 1989 hearing Lil Louis 'French Kiss' and having it with thousands of nutters in a dirty warehouse and knowing you were part of something special happening at the time............a movement that went on to change everything!

Being on a boat from Sorrento going along the Almalfi Coast sitting next to my girlfriend on the upper deck, feet dangling over the side with a cold bottle of Peroni in one hand with the sun on my face listening to the waves on a bright blue sea and feeling the most at peace I had done for many years.

On the downside: seeing my dad get stabbed outside our house on Xmas Eve in the mid 90's during a scuffle with a neighbour.

[quote="Turnstyle"]Fulham beating Juventus 4-1 in the Europa League at Craven Cottage...........walking out of the ground in disbelief.
Fulham beating Hamburg 2-1 in the Europa League Semi-final..on the final whistle hugging everyone in sight and seeing grown men in tears of joy! walking down Putney High Street with hundreds of Fulham causing a roadblock with dads with their kids on their shoulders dancing in the street.
From playing Torquay to seeing Fulham play in Turin.....a miracle for a club like Fulham.

Is it me or is it impossible to hate Fulham? Visited Craven Cottage with cousins of mine and it the least intimidating ground I've ever been in my life. Walking to the ground you feel as if you're walking to a nice park or something. Just didn't feel 'football'.

don't know if that's fair. A mate of mine from edinburgh moved down to london a few years back and got a season ticket at the cottage, been a few times with him and really enjoyed it. true there are a lot of new fans but the main stand is like going back in time, ground's got a lot of character and the atmosphere during the Juve game was quality from what I remember. Suppose they've had a lot of cash thrown at them but still preferable to chelsea or man city.

[quote="Horse & Hound"] a trip to blackpool to watch the blades with a gang of pals and have a much needed piss up. It was one of the best weekends of my life,[/quote]

I knew I'd regret not booking on for Blackpool!

[quote="casualcar"][quote="Turnstyle"]Fulham beating Juventus 4-1 in the Europa League at Craven Cottage...........walking out of the ground in disbelief.
Fulham beating Hamburg 2-1 in the Europa League Semi-final..on the final whistle hugging everyone in sight and seeing grown men in tears of joy! walking down Putney High Street with hundreds of Fulham causing a roadblock with dads with their kids on their shoulders dancing in the street.
From playing Torquay to seeing Fulham play in Turin.....a miracle for a club like Fulham.

Is it me or is it impossible to hate Fulham? Visited Craven Cottage with cousins of mine and it the least intimidating ground I've ever been in my life. Walking to the ground you feel as if you're walking to a nice park or something. Just didn't feel 'football'. [/quote]

Exactely...Fulham is just so cute 'n' cuddly

Good thread Glenn. Will probably keep adding as things come to mind/coffee wakes me up.

Northampton away 1980,11 years old first away game. Had been going to Fratton Park for home games for a few years being taken by parents and family etc. Final day of the season in the old Division 4, we had to beat Northampton and hoped that Peterbrough fucked up wherever they were playing. 9,000 Pompey going garrity, all over the place , up the floodlights, coppers getting weighed in, mad pitch invasion, just the whole atmosphere made a huge impact on an impressionable young lad.Hooked for life (although may have already been hooked if you know what I mean).
At the Dell (used to go in away end to support various) seeing my 60 year old dad dressed in collar and tie, trilby, mac etc fronting up a group of Liverpool fans for OTT behaviour and thinking you dont have to behave/look like a yob to have 'it' ie presence and carry it off
Listening to him after a few drinks telling me about the seige of Malta and his brothers stories. Likewise with what he could remember of the General Strike in 1926 (he was only a nipper but eldest brother was old enough)

Dodging a Sheff Utd fan trying to slice me in half outside Brammal Lane on my 18th birthday and the adrenaline from the whole day that seemed to last from the night before til sunday evening
Not dodging a similar action in Munich but being saved by a mate launching the biggest plant pot I've ever seen which took my assailant out thank god

First pay packet on leaving school and thinking "this is more like it", work,money, work, money etc etc.

Realising you like drink too much. Fuck it, just realising you like drink. Realising that I wouldnt be able to control class A's etc and swerving them early doors

Scotland and Hampden and first match abroad (Sweden 1989) thinking this is what life should be like. Also realising the scamming/insurance/trevellers cheques malarky was good once in a while to boost the fund but not a way of life for me.

Fuck me I could ramble on for hours.....

Having my case dismissed when facing 5-7 years

Dying in the hospital in 2008 and not even knowing I had CPR done till 2 weeks later.

some absolute cracking posts here lads. Great read.

I'll add another one. Nothing in comparison to some posted but for me, one of 'those moments in life' that I always remember. Late 90s and I'd been travelling back and forth to work in Canada for a week at a time every month. Then, was offered a one year deal. Now, I'm a homebird who loves his family and friends so was a big deal for me. Anyways, took the job and was flying sunday but at a wedding on Saturday. Got absolutely bladdered at the wedding. Sunday, I'd the worst hangover. 17 hour journey to Montreal later, I'm in a taxi with a pissed off driver who spoke little english and couldn't find my new flat (which I'd never seen/been to). I arrived at my new flat - and it's locked. No guess to where the keys are. Don't know where the fuck I am or who to go to. Managed some broken english to a caretaker I eventually found to get into the flat. Got in, fuck all in it - not even for a cup of tea FFS. Not exactly the hospitality I was expecting. Hangover was bouncin, felt low as fuck, reckoning I've just made the biggest mistake of my life taking the job, my Mrs is back home, speak to her on the phone and then feel even worse.....Anyways, slept it off, next morning I got up, managed to email a friend in Belfast to organise a taxi for me and as I stood waiting on the taxi, I was thinking "well, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger....".......the whole secondment turned out brill. I loved Montreal and still miss it sometimes. My Mrs had a brill holiday out there with me and it was a superb life experience and great for my CV. And in times of trouble or crisis, for some reason I always recall waiting on that taxi and how things can turn out like you least expect them to.....

4 years ago realised I needed to change again, Split from the missus who bought me out of my house, £20 grand in pocket and left with just my HEAD bag over shoulder, Life spiralled out of control, Fast cars, drugs, partying, mixing with the wrong crowd, Spent the lot in 12 months and ended up in hospital with clots on the lungs and an infection they couldnt treat effectively becasue I was allergic to penicillin, The Drs decided if they could give me enough dosage then I may have a chance, So proceeded to make me swallow 1ml by 1ml into it caused a reaction, which was me struggling to breathe and going into cardiac arrest, all the equipment was there, surreal shit, luckily my body reacted to enough dosage need to treat me. 4 months in hospital, plummeted to 9 stone and found out who my true friends was is my moral here, and a bonus my missus turned up like an angel by my bedside for support while in another relationship, I got back to health and we got back together aaaaaaaahhhhhh....

Bad things usually make you turn out to be a better person, lord know it changed me. I was destined for a long haul in the klink eventually.

I've had so many definitive moments in my years - being kept out of Young Offenders Institute by my PE Teacher.
Witnessing teenage & early 20's scousers at our European Cup tie @ Pittodrie & Anfield in 1980 wearing no colours, Slazenger sweaters & Adi trainers. (the rest is history as they say & i've never looked back!!)
Umpteen scrapes with the law & rumbles at matches. A conviction sheet thats so big you can see it along with the Great Wall of China from outer space.
32 weeks of hell earning my green beret - and the 12 years i served, in as a boy, out as a man. (no idea what would have happened to me if i wasn't forced to join by my mother RIP)
European Cup Winners Cup Final 83' - will go down as one of the greastest nights of my life

I moved from Dover to Birmingham in 1995 and it was literally like turning on a switch, it saved my life. I was dinking heavily, taking lots of speed and e's and smoking myself daft. Sister had moved up a few years before with her fellah and he dragged me up, gave me a job and sorted me out. I finally got a place at Birmingham Uni and got that degree I had threatened as a kid and met my future wife, then a job in the media and a career I thought I would never have. I stopped the drugs almost over night although I now drink a fair bit I'm well in control and have a great easy life. Got better when I moved to Black Country as well day it.

[quote="jurrosufc"][quote="casualcar"][quote="Turnstyle"]Fulham beating Juventus 4-1 in the Europa League at Craven Cottage...........walking out of the ground in disbelief.
Fulham beating Hamburg 2-1 in the Europa League Semi-final..on the final whistle hugging everyone in sight and seeing grown men in tears of joy! walking down Putney High Street with hundreds of Fulham causing a roadblock with dads with their kids on their shoulders dancing in the street.
From playing Torquay to seeing Fulham play in Turin.....a miracle for a club like Fulham.

Is it me or is it impossible to hate Fulham? Visited Craven Cottage with cousins of mine and it the least intimidating ground I've ever been in my life. Walking to the ground you feel as if you're walking to a nice park or something. Just didn't feel 'football'. [/quote]

Exactely...Fulham is just so cute 'n' cuddly [/quote]

Aaah thank you lads...we like being cute and cuddly..................bit different when we play Chelsea, QPR, Brentford or Gillingham though....not so cuddly then.

[quote]I moved from Dover to Birmingham in 1995...... Yada.............Yada...........Yada............. Got better when I moved to Black Country as well day it.[/quote]

Oi! You forgot to finish the last sentence..............." Got better when I moved to Black Country as well day it. Because David.Watts lives there and I got to meet him and he is great and everything......."

As boring as it may seem meeting the wife 20 years ago got me away from the car theft and lsd that was becoming a daily thing although I do admit the bags of glue where enlightening and at the same time my mam was ran down by a transit van that killed her for a few minutes but thankfully was resussed at the roadside never forget the state she was in from then believed in karma and changed the whole ball game too my advantage ....hopefully-)