IsleOfWightBlue

I will keep in touch with this post until Friday 8pm ish - If anyone wants a lift then call me on 07919427024 - Travelling up on me own at the mo cos me daughter is away the weekend

For the under 20's Yeah you did miss out big time and no there is no guarantee that Joe can do a repeat but you will no doubt be hearing the noise and the atmosphere already. You must be feeling the buzz and suddenly the talk is all about Saturday again and the return of Joe. Both my daughters were club mascots during those glory years and in 5 years time I am hoping my grandson will run out with the team wearing his mums old Bovis kit. It makes my stomach turn to think of gates of 4 and 5 thousand at Boundary Park while Oldham bred people get on the bus to Old Trafford or Man City. Granted most of the games I go to are away games but, despite losing my job a few weeks back, I will dig deep and catch that ferry on Saturday at about 6am and do a 500 mile round trip to welcome back Joe. Yes ok we did lose a few games and at the end of the day we didnt have enough to stay in the top flight but we had a club that was united from supporter to boardroom. Andy barlow making the biggest mistake of his life going into the Clayton arms after we had beaten Wednesday to win the old 2nd Div - He was lifted and passed around the bar over peoples heads like a human football hahaha. That glorious night when we thrashed West Ham 6-0 to reach the Littlewoods Cup Final - Instead of going home I satyed in Oldham for three days - I was too drunk to drive. Rick Holdens panama hat - Jeesh he damn near slept in it but boy who cares - He could cross that ball so sweetly. Ian Marshall's toothy grin. For me theres not a sweeter memmory than that of Andy Ritchies equaliser 4th min of injury time at Southampton that took the game to a replay and a 2-0 win - When you live on the Isle of Wight and see latics turn over Saints or Pompey then its lovely to be on the boat back to the island full of their supporters hahahaha You want to see those days again boys, the days you missed out on? - Then be there on Saturday, be there every Saturday, tell your mates and tell them to tell their mates - IF there is a second Royal revolution then be there from the start cos last time it was one hell of a ride

I will be getting the ferry about 6am on Saturday for the trip to Boundary park - If there is anyone that wants to go up and lives Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Fareham, along the M27, M3, A34, M40 and wants to contribute to the fuel bill then send me an IM. Five seater decent wheels, lots of space. Returning an hour or so after the game Pete C

When the news came through that Joe had reclaimed the mantel I rang my two daughters and one actually cried down the phone - Joe is everything to most of us that went through the dark days and welcomed him when he first took on the job so many years ago. Both my girls were mascot for the club under Joe Royal and I was proud to be associated with the club at a personal level for over a year working for Lookers Peugeot and providing sponsored cars. We spent so many years doin the 500 mile round trip to home games - I remember going up to the league cup semi final first leg when we beat West Ham 6-0 I was supposed to go home that night - Not a chance the town was buzzing and you would have thought we had won the Champions League. I remember the tears when Joe looked like he was leaving and the blanket went round the ground at the Blackburn game, the notice board begging ''Please dont go Joe'' And he didnt - Not until he had taken us to the top flight. Gentleman Joe he is but if the present squad think that its going to be easy then my god they have got a rude awakening coming - At 59 he has years on his side as a Manager - I am sure that I am one of many that are hoping this is not just a short term appointment but the start of ''Joe Royal series 2, the revival'' WELCOME BACK JOE FROM THE CALLAN FAMILY ISLE OF WIGHT

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