Buckley Memories #3

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 28/08/2000

We've collected the thoughts and recollections of Town fans across the world's about their favourite memories of the Buckley era. Alan Buckley had two spells in charge of the Mariners before he was sensationally sacked on 22nd August 2000.

So many memories....So much pride

Wolves 1-0 at home

Boro away 2-1 "is it true you s**g your kids"

Plough Lane with Harry

Villa away..Gordon Cowans must have been the footballer who didn't know that Cunnington couldn't shoot straight Spurs at home, How come we played them off the park and lost 3-0? Alexanders last minute goal against Carlisle. mazy dribble controlling? it with every part of his body except his feet and lettting fly with a shot that bobbled 100's of times before it trickled into the net. Wembley x 2

For me it is Burnetts goal at the twin towers, Memories to take to the grave with you.

For all his failings nobody, but nobody can repeat all those memories.

Good luck Alan wherever you end up

God Bless

Nigel Stolworthy

I being one of the so called supportors who advacated that we needed a change in the managerial at gtfc, but having said this Alan Buckley will always be in my mind,for what he acheived, at Blundell Park, with little or no money, the wonderful season, town at Wembley twice a fete very few managers achieve in the lower divisions.I wish Alan all the best, and hope he finds another club to manage in the near future, good luck

Peter Lilliman

In my 40 years of supporting the Mariners, AB is without doubt the most successful manager Town have had in that period - yes even more successful than the Kerr/Booth era. After plummeting into div 4 he turned round Town's fortunes. In his first season a lot of the cynics had written him off when he brought in players from the conference. (John Cockerill from Stafford Rangers to name just one) It took time for the new look Mariners to gel - I particularly remember an abysmal 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Rotherham.

Slowly but surely it started to come together and a fine FA cup run boosted confidence.....First round 1-0 over a rampant Wolves side (they had won Div 4 the previous season and were top of Div 3 at the time) Cockers inswinging corner did the trick. Second round.....3-2 at home to Rotherham - considerable improvement over the league meeting............Third Round.......away to Middlesborough...Bernie Slaven put Boro in front during the first half.....AB took Marc North off the subs bench and sent him on - Marc scored twice to put Mariners into round 4 Fourth Round....a disappointing draw at home against Reading... The replay at Elm Park saw Town thoroughly deserve the 2-1 victory (not certain but I think Kevin Jobling scored the winner) then the Fifth Round draw gave Town an away tie at the home of the cup-holders - Wimbledon. Plough Lane was invaded by 8000 Harry Haddocks.

We lost 3-1 but it could have been so different if only Keith Alexander hadn't had 2 "goals" disallowed for offside.

AB had silenced the critics in his first season. Then followed it with 2 successive promotions. One feature of his time at Blundell Park was the astute buying of experienced players. Paul Futcher - what a bargain only £10000 from Halifax. He didn't have the speed of opposing forwards but his reading of the game kept him ahead. Then there were Garry Birtles and Steve Sherwood. AB used a blend of experience and youth that served Town well.

The high-spot? It has to be the first time at Wembley. The atmosphere when the teams walked out of that famous tunnel. And then the superb performance in the second half which led to extra-time and Wayne's golden goal.

Thanks Alan - I doubt that Town fans will see such scenes again

Michael White

The memories continue in Part Four

If you would like to add your favourite memories of the Buckley era just fill in the form at End of an Era and we'll add your thoughts to the those of the Town fans already present.

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