The football thread - relegation and running

[Nigel]

I was there ! FA Cup Final against Fulham in 1975, with a Bobby Moore now past his best but still turning out a memorable performance, for once not in a West Ham shirt. I was 14.

Back again in 1980 to see Saint Trevor score a rare header to lift an unlikely FA Cup win against Arsenal. This time it wasn't 'Bubbles' but the poetic Cockney echoes of 'There's only one team in L-arn-den' which I remember so well.

But the following year was my most memorable Wembley visit, this time for a League Cup Final against Arsenal. The Hammers were outplayed for much of the game, but were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds which Ray Stewart calmly put away to earn a replay. Although ultimately to no avail, Stewart's coolness under the most intense pressure provided one of the finest sporting moments I can remember. It was 22 years ago and I can still feel my neck muscles craning to catch a view of the penalty spot at the other end.

Happy days.