ALL this week Adver Sport will be bringing you Town play-off final memories straight from the players' mouths.
First up today, club legend Steve White reflects on their first play-off triumph, over three legs against Gillingham in 1987:
IT WAS just a fantastic day.
In the build up to that we played Wigan in the semi-final and I think we were 2-0 down up there and won 3-2.
Jimmy Quinn, Dave Bamber and I had around 20 goals each, but Lou (Macari) left me on the bench that game.
Macari was a great man manager and before the game he said: "Don’t worry Steve, get yourself ready for the final".
Then it was the final against Gillingham, and that was before they had the finals at Wembley, so the final was two-legged.
We had gone to Gillingham and got beat 1-0, I didn’t play in that game either, and then we had them back at our place, which I started, and we went another goal behind from Karl Elsey.
Charlie Henry came on as a sub and along with Peter Coyne dragged it back for us and I remember it was a fantastic comeback because we had looked dead and buried.
It went to a third game at Crystal Palace, which for myself was a great day.
We scored early on. Phil King took the free-kick and Henry headed it on, I was through on goal against Les Berry, who I had played against when I was at Charlton Atheltic, and then slotted it past Phil Kite.
They were really at us trying to press for the equaliser and I think in the 70th minute, there was another through ball, and I was onto it. I chested it down, took it to the left and it was one of my better goals with my left foot.
I didn’t have my best game but I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time to score my two goals.
My abiding memory of that game was the fantastic support we had. I think we had about 10,000 fans all down that one side. Selhurst Park has got a great atmosphere and it was just a brilliant night.
DON’T MISS OUR 20-PAGE PLAY-OFF FINAL PULL-OUT IN FRIDAY’S SWINDON ADVERTISER
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel