For the people that remember 1996...

[Collymore]

That day against Crystal Palace, still probably the only day that is etched in my memory so I will never forget (not got married or had children yet like a lot of you older people on this board like )(davieg))

I think that day deserves it's own thread and we should discuss our memories....

I remember on the Saturday before the game I bought my first Leicester shirt from cannon's sports in Hinckley.. It was the classic with walkers crisp (in writing, not the crisp packet shirt)... I woke up and did my paper round on the Sunday morning. I was so excited I managed to feck up the whole paper delivery and I got a phone call just before I set off saying I was sacked for poor paper delivery!

I remember setting off with my old man down the A5 joining up with the M1 and feeling soooo nervous.... I saw LCFC banners hanged from the bridges on the M1 and I knew it was a big event.. The Old Wembley is the most magic and shitest place ever to have been built and anyone who has never been should consider themselves unlucky or lucky! The feeling I got when Claridge scored that winner I cannot describe in words. I welcome anyone else to try.....

[OzFox]

I swear there was a split second of complete silence when the ball nestled in the back of the net. A sort of stunned disbelief mixed with a bit of strangled ecstasy

Then our end erupted. Apart from us happy clappers of course, who sat there clapping politely....

[Bellend Sebastian]

I didn't go to the game because I was a poor student in Sheffield at the time, and also because I hadn't been to any games that season I thought it would be a bit lame if I rolled up for the play off final.

I therefore had the pleasure of watching it on a 14" colour portable telly in our kitchen, in the company of a neutral that wasn't into football at all and a die hard, but somewhat over-serious Derby fan. The latter was in a good mood, so confident was he that the Foxes would fall at the final hurdle, and also because Derby had already secured automatic promotion to the top flight. Everything changed when THAT goal sailed in, prompting a cry of anguish from the Derby fan (who's mood was probably not helped by my other friend loudly claiming it was 'the most amazing thing I've ever seen'), and with an embittered 'you don't deserve it', stormed off upstairs to lock himself in his room, from which he didn't emerge until well into the next day.

It transpired that the reason for this seemingly inexplicable behaviour was that our Derby friend was utterly confident that both clubs would endure a miserable existence in the Premiership, and there was every chance of his nightmare scenario of City staying up at the Rams' expense coming to fruition. If that's not getting ahead of yourself, I don't know what is.

If nothing else, it taught me a valuable lesson - regardless of what Bill Shankly said, if you take the game too seriously you can look like a daft ****

[dave_the_fox]

I will always remember kissing my Grandpas bald head when that goal flew in off Stevie's shin!

[Guest]

I swear there was a split second of complete silence when the ball nestled in the back of the net. A sort of stunned disbelief mixed with a bit of strangled ecstasy

Then our end erupted. Apart from us happy clappers of course, who sat there clapping politely....

That is exactly how it was. I even remember Muzzy stopping briefly to look around at the Leicester fans.

What a day

[LCFC-TOM]

I was 17 then and was gutted that my Dad had booked us a holiday on the Norfolk Broads which clashed with the play off final (only one i missed)

I remember watching in a pub called the Commador at Alton Broad (Had it not been the Play Off final i would never had remembered pub or location) and Gary Parker steped up to take the pen for out first goal some lad turned the TV off. Me being this rock hard 17 year old who'd had a swing of Carling called him some unpleasantries which lead to him & my dad face too face nearly kicking off before the gaffer of the pub lobbed this lad out for turning the TV off. TV Back on and it 1-1 - get in.!!

So what threatened to turn in to a ropey experience ended superbly as Claridge smashed / sliced home the winner - happy days.

[Daggers]

I was in hospital thanks to some willy puller bringing a cat to the game.

[surrifox]

I remember animatedly arguing with my brother in law about MON replacing the keeper with Kalac before the penalty shoot out which I thought was mental at the time and was in mid rant when the shin intervened

[Hitesh]

I was 9 years old and it was the first ever time I went to Wembley. I still remember walking up the stairs through the concourse and just listening to the noise and that buzz is something I will never ever forget. And i also think its something the new Wembley lacks!

I don't remember too much of the game to be honest but we were behind the goal on the upper tier (the seated part) and I do remember the players walking out - and fireworks if I'm correct. I def remember the penalty and the noise when we scored was like nothing I'd heard before. I then remember Kalac coming on and being just as bemused as everyone else then quickly looking round to see Super Stevie Claridge score that amazing volley (off his shin as I later found out) and smack the back of the net. And as Oz said, there def was a moment of silence. I went crazy along with the rest of the city fans!

I remember Simply the Best being played afterwards and one thing I also remember was as the players were doing the lap of honour, Kevin Poole didn't seem that bothered - probably annoyed he was subbed.

But what a game and as my first Wembley trip it couldn't have been any better! I then had a similar feeling less than 12 months later when we equalised but that's for another thread and a another time...

[Bellend Sebastian]

I was in hospital thanks to some willy puller bringing a cat to the game.

My cat made it's own way there, you can't blame me

[Ricey]

I was at the game and I can remember the sheer shock of the Leicester fans as Kalac made his way onto the pitch. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the ball lumped forward but lost track of it behind one of posts that supported the roof, cue the ball floating over Martyn and what seemed like a good few seconds of absolute silence before the place erupted.

Amazing feeling.

[Mike the Metal Ed]

Be honest, who else missed the goal because they were staring in disbelief at Kalac, only for a domino effect of people turning around when they realised Claridge had just scored the winner?

What a day.

[RowlattsFox]

I remember standing on my chair so I could see the penalty, and then whilst celebrating I fell down the back of the chair getting my leg trapped between the back and the chair, was painful and I was crying for a good 10 minutes after that. I can also remember the look of everyone around me when Kalac came on, sheer disbelief and then amazing celebrations after the winner.

My family had a mini-bus and I remember we left ridiculously early, I got all face-painted up Also recall my dad going the wrong way around a roundabout on the way

[Ford Super Sunday]

I was 6, Me and my dad got up and cheered (apparantly) and then he sat back down on my blue Fox hat, I cried

Devastating day

[Guest Bilo]

I was 11 and watching the game at home with friends at a mate's house in Wigston.

For much of the game, I was bricking it as well. Palace had built a decent side and only a good run had put us in the play-offs as I recall, I was convinced that defeat was coming. When O'Neill brought Kalac on, who had been rather gaffe prone that season, I honestly thought he'd made a big mistake and that the most embarrassing winner to be scored underneath the Twin Towers was imminent. Then Claridge shinned it and pandemonium descended. Tom's poor cat ran out of the living room, terrified by five young boys screaming suddenly. I spilt my Ribena on the carpet and had to soak it up with some kitchen roll while those who went to Wembley were still celebrating wildly.

I had Forest supporting friends who were adamant we'd be straight back down. The banter that followed over the twelve months that followed was memorable to say the least. Great memories and it would be truly amazing if they were repeated, hopefully this time actually at Wembley and with something rather stronger than Ribena.

[AndyBrew]

I'd already decided I couldn't watch penalties, so started to make my way down the exit I got about 4 steps down and this huge roar almost pushed me down the stairs I turned an can only describe my attempts to get back up the stairs as mr bean like!!!

unbelievable moment one I will not ever forget, great day!

[Bernie's Love Child]

I remember this day like it was yesterday!

I was 16 and it was my first trip to Wembley. The coach stopped at Watford Gap services I think and was full of Leicester fans - scarves over the bridge, waving at all the fans driving down. I'm not sure if I dreamt it but I can swear someone had put a banner over one of the bridges on the M1 in Leicestershire saying "Good Luck City - last one out turn off the light!"

I remember walking from the coach on to Wembley way and just being in awe of the Twin Towers - I'd seen them so many times on TV I could hardly believe I was there looking up at them!!

I remember seeing the team coach arrive and watching go through the entrance in the side of the stadium - trying to catch a glimpse inside the ground - and then having to queue on those terrible steep steps! The middle row was cordoned off as they'd started to crumble!!

When we got inside, I could see the other side of the ground through the entrances and couldn't wait to get my seat! My Dad turned to me and said "F**king sh*t hole, ain't it?" I couldn't have disagreed more!!! It was the most amazing stadium I'd ever seen!!

We took out seats and noticed that Scott Taylor had dyed his hair blonde!! The stadium just looked huge - amazing just seeing it in person!

The game started - I was so nervous and remember Martyn making some great saves. Then the pen - my old man couldn't watch it and I think my Grandad only watched it because I did!

Then that goal - and what a goal! I think everyone was too busy staring at Kalac and worrying but then I looked down the other end of the park to see the ball flying in - and mentalness ensuing! That split second of slilence then uproar! Greatest goal I will ever see - don't get me wrong, it wasn't spectacular but it's just what it meant. It's bringing a tear to my eye and a shiver down my spine as a type this!!

The M1 on the way back was great - banners over the bridges, people tooting their car horns. I remember my Dad's cousin who we'd gone with said to me everytime you go to Wembley it gets betters. Don't agree - nothing will ever beat that day out!!

Right, I'm off to watch the DVD!!

[Leicester Rule!]

"Well ..... but ..... that could be .... the winner from Claridge ........ IT IS"

What a day!

[Rocket-Ron]

I swear I was the first person to celebrate in the whole stadium.

I can remember jumping out of my seat then shouting "It's fooking gone in" as everyone around me was still sitting there.

Perfect seats that day also just to the left of the royal box.

[Hitesh]

Does anyone have any highlights/videos from the game? Reading all these stories is getting me all nostalgic.

[davieG]

Does anyone have any highlights/videos from the game? Reading all these stories is getting me all nostalgic.

I've got the TV showing on VHS tape. I could probably copy it given a few days but i'm guessing someone will find some highlights before then.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

1956! The first year I ever saw city.

Oh to be a young'on.

No not really , I saw the best ever City side, and was privilaged to attend their games, both home and away,

Memories of the likes of Gordon Banks, Davie Gibson, Frank McLintock, Ken Leek, Len Glover, Ian King ,Mike Stringfellow, Keith Weller, Allan Clarke, Frank Worthington, Graham Cross, David Nish,Derek Dougan, and of course the Birch himself, along with countless others, that had real quality.

They would wipe out any city players since the nineties. Fact, not fiction.

[Shrenchel]

Crackin day. Pissed on the cup finals for me, dunno why. So much buzz in London, Leicester fvcking everywhere.

[Ibbyfox]

Be honest, who else missed the goal because they were staring in disbelief at Kalac, only for a domino effect of people turning around when they realised Claridge had just scored the winner?

What a day.

Me

(sorry - was the closest I could find to a "hands up")

[Clarkielcfc]

OH MY GOD rowllats fox! i did the exact same thing when the penalty went in, i was only 8, i was trapped for about ten mins aswel, had stewards all around us trying to free my leg ( i was crying my eyes out in so much pain, i thought i was going to have to have my leg amputated ) some woman behind us gave me a double decker to calm me down, i just told her i didnt like them and threw it on the floor!

but what a day that was!