Well I really couldn't have asked for a better game for my anniversary. Good for me! I found myself smiling all through half time.
I'm glad someone confirmed that we conceded first in that Division 4 game on Aug 30, 1969. That was my recollection but I cannot find anything else about the match in my Bees books or on websites except the final result and our scorer.
Mankind had just walked on the Moon for the first time, Woodstock had just finished, but for a nerdy nine year old from Heston, a far more momentous event than either of those happened that day. Something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
On an intellectual level, we all know that in the scheme of things, football doesn't actually matter at all - but each of us has unique memories and experiences over the years that carve out a special place for our club in our hearts.
Naturally, my dad took me that day, and we stood in the enormous Royal Oak stand. A few years later, my younger brother would be coming with us. Now, they are all gone - my brother was even cremated wearing his Bees shirt.
And soon, Griffin Park will join that sorely-missed stand and be no more. But what really counts, as always, is the future.
Here's to the next 50 years of being a Bee - and to many more games like we saw on Saturday!
was there with my Dad for that Plymouth game and still recall that goal being given.
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