Friday, February 23, 2007

Atmosphere

Last night's Rovers v Leverkeusen match was ultimately a big disappointment. We had enough domination to have won it, but despite throwing on four strikers it just wouldn't go in. The kids loved the atmosphere of a pretty much full house (not many Germans) and loads of other kids, due to the £1 ticket price and the 6pm kick off. Which got me round to thinking of the ten best ever atmospheres at Ewood since I first started going regularly in 1977.

1984 Second division v Leeds United 2-1, great game on Boxing Day, young skilful Leeds team got swept away by some Simon Garner magic

1990 FA Cup 3rd round v Liverpool - 1-1, when a Marko Van Atkins OG kept that whiney git Kenny Dalglish in the cup

1991 Second division v Plymouth - 5-2, the legend that is Kenny Dalglish is unveiled as manager
THE BEST 1992 play off semi final v Derby - 2-0 down, won 4-2. Mike Newell's wonder goal set us up nicely. The singing went on all through half time. Derby were shell shocked.

1995 VE Night v Newcastle. 1-0. You have to ask?

2001 First division v Burnley 5-0. April fools. Could have been 10.

2002 Worthington Cup semi final v Sheff Wednesday - 3-1 - We're all going to Cardiff

2002 UEFA Cup v Celtic, lost 2-0, but what a noise

2005 FA Cup replay v Burnley, won 2-1. By jove they gave us a game.

2006 Premiership v Manchester United 4-3. "Rio, Rio"

5 comments:

Nick Morrell said...

What about Rovers v Oxford Utd, circa 1984-5. I went with you on the train from Lancaster. Not a bad game, I think it finished 2-1 (correct me if I'm wrong). Had a bit of a laugh though! The few Oxford fans there weren't particularly game for a laugh however. Needless to say remained a Liverpool supporter to this day.

Michael Taylor said...

Hi Nick, good to hear from you. I'm going to go and look it up, anorak that I am.
Keep in touch.
MT

Michael Taylor said...

Right it was a 1-1 draw. As for atmosphere, I struggled to recall any that beat the recent ones from the 70s. Stoke in December 1977, Sheff Wed in 1979 when we could have secured promotion, but didn't.
Liverpool, eh. You'll never walk alone, can't buy tradition, eh?

Lee said...

Interesting that you missed out the biggest day of them all, Anfield 1995.

But I do agree, for me the best atmosphere was the 4-2 play-off win over Derby

Michael Taylor said...

Lee,
They were all home games and I was at them all except one - VE Night. I included it because I've never watched a game on the TV in such a state of nervous excitement.
I'll do away games next week.
Cheers,
MT