Silent Blade
Well-Known Member
A Liverpool fan recalled this in a Facebook group in response to a photo of a group of Blades fans at Eastville on May 14th 1977. My Uncle Ronnie doubts the story as he would have heard about it if it had happened. Any of you oldies recall this? The conversation went like this.
Liverpool fan
Are you sure that's 1977, as Clockwork Orange was much earlier, and I remember in 1971 a Sheff United supporter, in Clockwork Orange outfit, was stood next to me on the Anfield Kop, constantly shouting "Sheffield" - but making in three syllables.He was tolerated with typical Scouse humour - until half-time - when suddenly he was on the floor (of a crowded Kop) getting a bit of a shoeing. The police dived in, and carted him away.
Was this your uncle?
Me
Yes I am very sure that it was in May 1977 at Eastville because the fan wearing the clockwork outfit is my Uncle Ronnie and he has written two books. The Blades never played at Anfield in 1971 (the previous visit was the 4-0 League Cup defeat in Sept 1968 and the next one was in the 2-0 league defeat in February 1972) and I doubt that the Blade supporter stood next to you who wore the Clockwork Orange outfit (if it was in February or Sept 1972) was my uncle Ronnie but I will ask him
Liverpool fan
When I say 71, the Feb 72 visit will be the one.
Me
Ronnie has replied "Not me , and I very much doubt if any Blade was stood on Liverpool's kop in 71-72 shouting 'Sheffield'"
Liverpool fan
I was there, Peter, and he certainly was. It was towards the side, not in the middle where the real hard cases were, so round us we were more "peaceful". It was not uncommon for one or other nutter from an opposing team to "take the Kop" in their eyes (even though there was only one of them). It always ended badly.
This guy in 72 was in full Clockwork Orange gear, and as I say made three syllables from "Sheff-i-eld". We tolerated it, almost with amusement, but at the time you could buy alcohol in the ground and the little bar that sold it was to our right, so as the "middle gang" moved across at half-time to get their ale (it is a bit of a myth that no-one could move at all - that was for big games - but with a lot of squeezing and shoving people moved through) they came upon this guy who clearly didn't know when to just shut up and lay low - as low as you can lay in a CO outfit.
I don't know what actually caused him to end up on the floor but a little space opened up round him, filled solely with Bovver Boots.
So, I'm afraid you can tell Uncle Ron, it certainly did happen.
Liverpool fan
Are you sure that's 1977, as Clockwork Orange was much earlier, and I remember in 1971 a Sheff United supporter, in Clockwork Orange outfit, was stood next to me on the Anfield Kop, constantly shouting "Sheffield" - but making in three syllables.He was tolerated with typical Scouse humour - until half-time - when suddenly he was on the floor (of a crowded Kop) getting a bit of a shoeing. The police dived in, and carted him away.
Was this your uncle?
Me
Yes I am very sure that it was in May 1977 at Eastville because the fan wearing the clockwork outfit is my Uncle Ronnie and he has written two books. The Blades never played at Anfield in 1971 (the previous visit was the 4-0 League Cup defeat in Sept 1968 and the next one was in the 2-0 league defeat in February 1972) and I doubt that the Blade supporter stood next to you who wore the Clockwork Orange outfit (if it was in February or Sept 1972) was my uncle Ronnie but I will ask him
Liverpool fan
When I say 71, the Feb 72 visit will be the one.
Me
Ronnie has replied "Not me , and I very much doubt if any Blade was stood on Liverpool's kop in 71-72 shouting 'Sheffield'"
Liverpool fan
I was there, Peter, and he certainly was. It was towards the side, not in the middle where the real hard cases were, so round us we were more "peaceful". It was not uncommon for one or other nutter from an opposing team to "take the Kop" in their eyes (even though there was only one of them). It always ended badly.
This guy in 72 was in full Clockwork Orange gear, and as I say made three syllables from "Sheff-i-eld". We tolerated it, almost with amusement, but at the time you could buy alcohol in the ground and the little bar that sold it was to our right, so as the "middle gang" moved across at half-time to get their ale (it is a bit of a myth that no-one could move at all - that was for big games - but with a lot of squeezing and shoving people moved through) they came upon this guy who clearly didn't know when to just shut up and lay low - as low as you can lay in a CO outfit.
I don't know what actually caused him to end up on the floor but a little space opened up round him, filled solely with Bovver Boots.
So, I'm afraid you can tell Uncle Ron, it certainly did happen.