Wembley

I went to Wembley with Darlington when they played Plymouth and the atmosphere when both teams came out I will remember for ever.

Darlington lost but put up a very spirited performance.

I had followed Spennymoor United for years and when Plymouth's captain Michael Heathcote picked up the trophy I was thrilled as he was a former Spennymoor player, a great lad. It was a match I could never forget and there will never be a stadium to match Wembley for atmosphere.

I was proud to see a match there and I think it is a great shame that it is to be pulled down. - Mr Edward Edgcumbe, Spennymoor.

My memories of Wembley are not of football but of the post war Olympics Games (Sept 1948). I was a sixth former at Wolsingham Grammar School and in charge of a group of boys. I think there were 19 of us plus Mr Balmer. We stayed nine days and were lodged at Bell Street School and that's another story.

My most vivid memories were of the whole stadium standing up and shouting Zatapek, Zatapeck, as he did the last lap.

Of Jessie Owens, and the marathon runner who staggered into the stadium and turned the wrong way.

There was chaos on the underground and it was the day when rain turned my face red (I had a red handkerchief over my head). - R N Heslop, Cleveland.

My lasting memory of Wembley Stadium is driving towards the ground in heavy rain. This was the Third Division Play-Off Final, Darlington v Peterborough. My mam and I sat from 14.45 until 17.45 in the Wembley car park with the rain lashing down. Then we saw the players trying to play football, with the ball sticking in the large puddles. With Darlington beaten 1-0, I shall never forget David Hodgson thumping the pitch with his fists on the final whistle. Then it was back north in the dark, with the rain pelting against the windscreen. - Aidan Murphy, Stanley

My memory of Wembley was June 1981 (I think) when we took a team from Bewley Junior School to the finals of the Smiths Crisps Six-a-side Soccer Competition. Mike Amos even went with us - he probably invited himself !

Stuart Byrnes was in charge of the team in those days (he's now at Roseberry Junior School in Billingham.) The thrill for me was walking out with the teams on to that sacred Wembley turf.

Being a soccer fan I'd been watching it done for years on TV. When I got the chance I lapped it up and it was absolutely brilliant. I got into trouble from Stuart because I took the lads on a lap of honour and we missed the official photographs.

The team lost in the final to a goal scored by the son of Spurs' Alan Gilzean. Nevertheless I'm sure that they all retain special memories of that day. -

via e-mail

I have been to Wembley on several occasions, being there for all four Middlesbrough appearances. Also an FA Vase final, an England international and two Charity Shield games, plus the Speedway World Championship.

The ZDS final was memorable, being Boro's first appearance there plus probably the first time many Boro fans had sat down at a game. The three later games were also memorable, and to see a game from the height and comfort of the Olympic gallery was a truly unforgettable experience. But overall I think my three most memorable occasions were the two FA Vase games and the speedway final. It was a day to remember when Guisborough Town hit the Wembley trail in 1980. It was strange to see Wembley so empty only the Royal Box side of the ground open. It was good to see two teams play there hearts out. Norman Maltby gave a centre half display on the hallowed turf equally as good as any seen in the professional finals there.

And latterly the speedway, having seen speedway at Cleveland Park with dwindling crowds it was amazing to see the old stadium packed to the rafters with speedway fans from all over

the world. It was an action-packed evening and one my brother and I will never forget. - Ian Johnston, Middlesbrough.

George Reynolds

So, George Reynolds claims he's too scared to go to Victoria Park. Is this the same bloke who is an ex-safebreaker, has fought off muggers in London (only recently) and has his own army of minders? Maybe if he acted with a bit more respect to opposing fans, his own players and staff, he wouldn't get so much stick. I wouldn't have thought that threats and intimidation would bother him as he has the phone number for 'him upstairs'.

On the subject of trouble, did I imagine the Darlington fans running on to the pitch and baiting the Hartlepool fans after the play-off second leg, while the stewards stood idly by?

I'll give it until the end of season 2002 and then you'll be off George.

You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. - Richard Watts,

Hartlepool