Two days ago I received confirmation from the Football Association that I could buy tickets to see England play Israel in the European Qualifying group. Nine other family and friends also received similar confirmation. The game is being played at the "new Wembley". This will be the first visit to the "new Wembley" and for most of the others their first visit to Wembley new or old.

Receiving the confirmation reminded me of the first time I went to Wembley. Iwas 11 years old and had been selected along with 30 other class mates to watch England Under 15s play West Germany Under 15s. There are a number of reasons why this will always stick in my memory and unfortunately not all football related.

I had never been to such a big event before and getting off the bus I was so focused on getting into the stadium that I didn't fully appreciate the number of coaches in the parking area nor did I notice it's distnguishing features. I did hear the teacher say "stick with me and don't wander off"!

Once inside the ground and sitting in my seat I had my first ever experience of "deja vu". I had been here before, I had seen myself take my seat, seen the view before, I found it to be a very strange experience. I have thought about this many times since but unless I've been reincarnated I could not possibly have known or imagined what it would have been like in the stadium. I had not seen Wembley on TV very often, only for the FA cup finals, by the age of 11 I had watched only one or two. I hadn't even watched England play on TV by that age.

The game was a good one from what I call. England won 5 - 1 and a player called Coyne scored all five (I think). A young Kenny Sansom played who went on to play for Arsenal and England.

Coming out of the Stadium and going to the coach was the most frightened I had ever been, including perhaps in all my life since. I got lost. I couldn't find my coach. One second the teacher was there, the next he was gone. I walked around hundreds and hundreds of coaches, well that was what it felt like. Everyone was a stranger. I cried but resolute in finding my way to the coach I continued to search. I saw a coach from Rugby. I knew that was somewhere in the Midlands and went to the coach driver and asked for a lift! He said to go back if I couldn't find my coach. Someone on the coach got off and helped me in my search. Eventually we found it, my teacher was not very forgiving but I didn't care I was safe. Since then I have never been lost. I instincively identify a landmark or a particular feature of the coach I'm travelling in.

I have been back to Wembley on several occasions, never been lost. The only deja vu I have had since is seeing Middlesbrough loose in a League Gup Final! What memories will the "new Wembley" hold?

Learn more about this author, Richard Wrighton.
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