LCFC - Family Night Football memories/photos?

[Finn Claw II]

There was game when Man United were winning everything and something like 20k turned up.  From memory Dion Dublin played for them.

[Groby_Blue]

The only FNF game I went to was when Pontus Kamark was coming back from a really bad injury that had kept him out for ages. There was a lot of excitement about him playing again and I wanted to see how he was getting on. 

 

The bloke behind me had clearly never been to a first team game as whenever Pontus gingerly played the ball, he kept going 'Huh, he ain't that good is he'

Edited 13 June 2025 by Groby_Blue

[Vlad the Fox]

17 minutes ago, Finn Claw II said:

There was game when Man United were winning everything and something like 20k turned up.  From memory Dion Dublin played for them.

Yes, in the end they just opened the gates and let everyone in without paying as that many had turned up. They had a few stars playing as well.
 

We won, can’t remember the score, 2-1? 3-0? (Anyone remember). 

 

Sam McMahon played a blinder and I thought he was going to be the next big thing but unfortunately I think injuries done him in the end.

[Guest Electric Yetis]

20 minutes ago, Vlad the Fox said:

Yes, in the end they just opened the gates and let everyone in without paying as that many had turned up. They had a few stars playing as well.
 

We won, can’t remember the score, 2-1? 3-0? (Anyone remember). 

 

Sam McMahon played a blinder and I thought he was going to be the next big thing but unfortunately I think injuries done him in the end.

3-1. Think the attendance was over 15,000 in the end. We got there late and had to walk around the pitch to find seats.

[Buzzard]

7 minutes ago, Electric Yetis said:

3-1. Think the attendance was over 15,000 in the end. We got there late and had to walk around the pitch to find seats.

Pretty certain I have/had a match day programme from that match. Also petty certain it wouldn't have survived our house move. 

[OntarioFox]

12 hours ago, ramboacdc said:

Started going to them in the early 2000s. Couldn't afford/get hold of 1st team tickets so went a fair few FNFs. Some great memories with my parents and grandparents there. Wayne Rooney hit my grandma on the thigh with a skyball even though we were on the 2nd tier of the double decker. 

Wouldn't be the first granny to have Rooney slap them on the thighs to be fair.

[blueharmie]

Proper football. Proper club.

 

Now we have Americanised crap

[LVFox]

Remember being hyped to see us play a Man Utd reserve side containing Jonathan Greening

[Tommy G]

First game as a kid, loved FNF

[Hinckleyfox]

Went to these loads when I was a lad, bit of a trial run before we got the season ticket for the first team. Our season ticket was rotated between me and my two sisters, but family night football was one that we all went to so I've got very fond memories of this, and as I remember there were some cracking games. Saw Heskey come through the ranks in the process.

 

Got to say a huge thank you to the OP for bringing this back in to my memory. Happy times. 

[ALC Fox]

Going as infrequently as I do, I remember the first time I went since the border around the pitch has been painted blue.

 

It just feels really off to me. It doesn't feel like football. It's like my senses have been turned down and everything is just slightly less than it was before.

 

Obviously that isn't all down to a simple border around the pitch, but it is emblematic of the general feeling.

 

I feel like I can't smell the pitch anymore. All the players celebrate in the same way. Fan celebrations on selfie mode.

 

Maybe it's just because my childhood is decades behind me now 

[when_you're_smiling]

1 hour ago, blueharmie said:

Proper football. Proper club.

 

Now we have Americanised crap

Back in the good old days when we had proper British things at FNF….. like cheerleaders and Bart Simpson.

 

In fairness to your main point though, didn’t one game against Man U get over 15,000? We’ll probably have lower attendances at the KP next season. 

[Footballwipe]

This is a bit of a "do I remember this right" but was the Man Utd 20k game the same night as Walkers launched Walkers Lites? I'm sure I remember having a free packet when I was a kid at one of these as part of their promo. Remember being there with my cousin and auntie as well as dad and sister.

 

If it wasn't the Utd game there was definitely one where they had free Walkers Lites. Just hoping it's not a false memory of a 6/7 year old!

[LeePhilpottsBaldSpot]

Loved these, were the way my dad introduced us to football. I'm sure that's the case for many (/most) supporters my age.

 

Can only imagine the reason not to do it now is costs. Presumably the club has to foot some significant security, staffing and running costs to open up the King Power for a youth team game. 

[LFEFox23]

They we're the actual days 

[Fox92]

3 hours ago, blueharmie said:

Proper football. Proper club.

 

Now we have Americanised crap

I mean, the photos on page one have Fred Flintstone and Bart Simpson. Imagine them turning up to the ground now, people would be moaning.

[floz]

There you all go - younger me even added the scorers. ⚽️⚽️⚽️

 

Manu put out a near first team to try and prevent their reserves being relegated.

 

[Guest Electric Yetis]

10 minutes ago, floz said:

There you all go - younger me even added the scorers. ⚽️⚽️⚽️

 

Manu put out a near first team to try and prevent their reserves being relegated.

 

Ah the one I was talking about was around 1993/94 time.

 

Was also 3-1.

[Raj]

best thing Barrie P did

[fazzyfox]

4 minutes ago, floz said:

There you all go - younger me even added the scorers. ⚽️⚽️⚽️

 

Manu put out a near first team to try and prevent their reserves being relegated.

 

Yep, remember that game so well. Threatened with possible relegation those bastions (check spelling) of fair play Man Utd rocked up with Robson, Hughes and co with a blatant disregard for the etiquette of the league. Looking at it on paper you'd think how the hell did we beat them but we were great that night. Just imagine totting up the career international caps of the two sides! The "Jari, Jari, Jari" chants as the big man battered the life out of them, he saw himself as the senior man in the attacking half (with Rambo deep in midfield) and was outstanding. I seem to remember winger Paul Williams being very decent that night but I think they all must have been. And the atmosphere....cracking. This was a pre-FNF one, it was the rumours of Utd's squad that drew the big crowd (nuff respect Ramsey), with the FNF nights they were more ready for the demand but in 1989 it was still pre the razzmatazz and a shock to us regulars to see so many come along.

[CosbehFox]

17 hours ago, ramboacdc said:

Started going to them in the early 2000s. Couldn't afford/get hold of 1st team tickets so went a fair few FNFs. Some great memories with my parents and grandparents there. Wayne Rooney hit my grandma on the thigh with a skyball even though we were on the 2nd tier of the double decker. 

 

 

I hate to be that person but it would not have been Rooney. 

 

LCFC were in the Southern section of the reserve league during that period and then King Power Stadium was open in 2002. 

 

Everton Reserves Games below 

https://www.toffeeweb.com/season/01-02/reserves.asp - 2001/02

https://www.toffeeweb.com/season/00-01/reserves.asp - 2000/01

[Bayfox]

Used to do these regularly as a teenager. Sure they used to allows season ticket holders in for free so group of us used to head into town after school on a Monday and get the last bus back as well.

 

To be fair I can't remember loads about the games as I was to busy trying to chat up some girl that came with her mate each week 😅

 

Also pretty sure one of the foxy ladies was at wreake valley in the year or maybe 2 years above. 

[ramboacdc]

37 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

I hate to be that person but it would not have been Rooney. 

 

LCFC were in the Southern section of the reserve league during that period and then King Power Stadium was open in 2002. 

 

Everton Reserves Games below 

https://www.toffeeweb.com/season/01-02/reserves.asp - 2001/02

https://www.toffeeweb.com/season/00-01/reserves.asp - 2000/01

Fantastic false memory there on my part. Thanks for looking into that! 

[Bert]

Superb nights these were. Even though it was a reserve game, nothing came close to beating the excitement of walking up them winding stairs and seeing the pitch. (Was even better on a matchday when you were in the kop, those few stops and the smell, the view, unreal) 

[Globalfox]

Great topic and fondly remembered. At the last FCC meeting I raised reinstating something like this and bringing academy etc games back from the soulless Seagrave and facilitating a new generation of supporters. Linking the city and supporters back to the home stadium outside of the games would go a long way to reconnecting fans with the club I believe. Whether it happens or not time will tell but I for one will keep pushing the point. Would be great if others who agree speak up and start a trend.