1986! I remember it.Late 80s, can't remember the exact year, West Ham on a Tuesday night. Made a last minute decision to go. Me and a pal got the overnight bus down, arrived about 6:30am iirc. Spent the day wandering around London with not much money. Got over to West Ham about half five because we didn't know exactly where it was. Very dodgy place, so we got ourselves into this pie shop and lingered as long as we could. Got in the ground at 6:30, feeling pleased with ourselves having made it. We got beat 8-1... Three different keepers on the night, including Beardsley. Hardly anyone down, but a canny few London mags. Walking back to the tube afterwards a few lads set about us. A minor scuffle before the police chased them off. Made our way back to Victoria for the night bus and we had a long hungry journey home. Nee money left, got off at Durham and walked back to Stanley. About a day and a half of mostly misery. Still, didn't stop us going again.
Had a similar journey in 1989 on the Non Stop Clipper from Birtley services first thing, didn't have much money to speak of just had some dope and the entrance fee .. got gubbed 5-0 on a Wednesday night all their goals were great hits .. back to Victoria for the overnight Clipper back ..
Somehow managed to get promoted six months or so later.