Back in 1984 all I can really remember is that we got there in the back of my Dad's mate's van and were lucky to escape serious injury as he didn't slow down at all going round bends on account of his live cargo. Also away fans were sat along one of the touchlines and I was lucky enough to be in the front row. It was an odd experience because we were actually lower than the pitch and we were looking straight ahead at the players boots.
Yesterday I happened to be right near the front as well although this time, of course, we were behind the goal. And, yet again, I narrowly escaped injury. I'm not sure who it was that hit a shot directly at the woman sitting next to me but it was very finely struck. Unfortunately she had only just arrived and was clasping a recently purchased full cup of coffee. Well, its not an exaggeration to say that it literally exploded everywhere. A tidal wave of beverage enveloped the few rows around us. I thought it was rather poor that the steward who wasn't too far away and must be paid to notice such things decided it required no further action. He wasn't to know that luckily it wasn't scalding hot but only pleasantly warm. However various fans around and about came to her aid and passed along all the tissues they could lay their hands on. Watford kit man Bob Oteng (at least I think it was him) did notice what was going on and checked she was okay before kindly handing her a Watford FC ball by way of compensation. Top man.The biggest change I can think of in the last 25 years was nothing to do with Charlton. It was in our support. Back then we were notorious as a quiet set of fans who could just about get a 'Watford (clap clap clap)' chant going but that was it. Yesterday we were absolutely immense. If ever you've doubted the whole twelfth man sentiment you should have seen the support the fans gave the team yesterday. I'd almost go as far as to say we were man of the match because it was only us that didn't stop for the whole 90 minutes.
Unfortunately on the pitch for a ropey 20 minutes spell the players did slip back into old ways. We seemed content to sit on our slim lead whilst our defence took their eye off the ball twice and allowed Charlton easy access through the middle of the park to take the lead.
As I've documentated before one of our failings under Brendan has been our ability to bounce back from going behind. However a half time rollicking put this to rights. We looked more confident in the second half and although its a cliche, once Raziak had scored our brilliant second goal there was only going to be one winner. When Priskin went clear and was one on one with the keeper you knew we'd secured all three points even before the ball hit the back of the net.
All in all it was a very satisfying afternoon out. Exciting game, great singing, good acoustics, easy to get to and the right result. We shall miss Charlton next season. Well, so long as we don't cock it up against Forest on Tuesday night.
