Expectation was sky high that day, probably fuelled by the friendly win against Everton when we looked superb. The away end that day was really bouncing before the game. I was high up in the corner and it was the loudest noise I have ever experienced, at football or anywhere else for that matter.My ears were absolutely ringing. Maybe being close to the roof had something to do with the acoustics that day but that was truly an occasion when I couldn’t hear myself think.
Not shown on the highlights on here, but Simms had a run through on goal in the first minute. Had he scored, which he should have done, then Stoke may have lost another stadium roof, this one blown off by the noise. Also, had he scored we could very well have had a different start to the season and Mark Robins might have still been over here instead of over there.