Wanted : Your memories of Bournemouth and Cardiff
By Nathan Jackson
October 1 2008
City are just three weeks away from the rematch with Bournemouth just five years after the Cherries destroyed the Imps at the Millennium Stadium. The Imps were soundly beaten by an excellent Bournemouth side and a lot of City fans are already looking forward to making the trip to the Fitness First Stadium on the 25th.
To me personally, 2002/3 was the best season I had following the Imps. It was the first season that I personally went to all the games during the season, it made me realise that impossible was just a word and that even players that are brought from non-League can more than do a job in the League.
City brought in many non-League players during that season, Simon Yeo from Hyde United, Richard Butcher from Kettering, Ben Futcher from Doncaster Rovers, Simon Weaver from Nuneaton Borough and Chris Cornelly from Ashton Town, to name just a mere handful of the side that shocked the division.
The Imps were favourites to go down under the new 2 up/2 down system after losing the majority of their better players during the summer of 2002 due to administration, but 9 months later we were facing Bournemouth in Cardiff. Despite defeat, that day still remains with me and has a fond place in my heart. It was one of the few times that I didn't mind us being absolutely destroyed, we had proved everyone wrong.
Due to the upcoming meeting between the sides, I am hoping to compile a large section recollecting that weekend in Cardiff. For this, I am writting to ask people for their photos and recollections of one of the best days out that this club would ever have. If you are willing to contribute then can you please email me with your contribution at bestfriendsbecomestrangers@hotmail.co.uk.
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I knew in the end we had done our best but that was not good enough to guarantee a lengthy stay in a higher league.
I hope those proud moments come back soon!
If we had Forrester, Stallard or possibly Adi Patulea in either of Keiths play-off season we would have gone straight up. Only the lack of a quality consistant goal scorer kept us out in those years.
Of the game at Cardiff, I only remember having our 2 scorers (Bailey and Futcher I think they were?) at the bookies for first goal, but us sadly being down the pan before either netted.
An ultimately disappointing end to a fantastic season. If we had that kind of effort and commitment these days, with the ability now at our disposal, we would be walking this division.