The Good Old Days.

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Lord Bos - one of the only few times that I saw my late father absolutely "lose it" was the night at Hillsborough in the late 60's when the Pigs were relegated by Manchester City. I was only 10 years old or so and they only needed a draw to stay up. My recollection of the game has faded over 45 years but I remember it was pissing it down all night and City played in that fantastic red and black striped away kit.

City apparently did everything they could within the laws of the game to give Wednesday the point they needed but sadly, rolleyes the game ended 2-1 to the Mancs and the pigs were down in the 2nd division.

Me and my dad were in the cantilever stand (North Stand for you young uns) and at the final whistle, there was a deafening chorus of booing and swearing which was quite scary for a young lad who'd never heard that sort of thing before. Then the missiles started.

Coins, fag packets, programmes, season ticket books, scarves etc all started raining down onto the pitch. I'd not seen a season ticket before so I went scrambling under the seats to keep one as a souvenir while my dad and many others started to hoy the blue cushions onto the pitch as well. Red in the face and eyes blazing, he was like a man possessed when climbing over rows of seats to get a spare cushion and chuck it towards the departing, crestfallen players.

On spotting me on my hands and knees looking under the wooden seating, he shouted at me to ask what I was doing. On showing him my collection of season tickets, he barked out: "put them back where tha's found em and go and find me some more fuckin cushions sharpish !!"

Great memories.

I was at that match . Segars and Fashau had nothing on the scale City was trying to throw that match led by Mike Doyle .

I cannot remember but City either scored or missed a penalty .

The ground was full to the rafters and being a blade , a night to remember .

Final score was 2-1 , and must have been at a time when the entrance cost was so reasonable you could go to see both Sheffield teams play without breaking the bank .

The other game much later is when me and 20 Blades mates went to watch S6 play Palace to be relegated .

Hillsborough not a patch on BDTBL.

UTB

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Walking down John Street before the game and smelling the liniment and rubbing oils used by the players, drifting through the dressing room windows.
Walking down John Street after the game and seeing the steam from the players baths drifting through the dressing room windows.

Calling for some chips in the bus drivers café at Pond Street Bus Station before heading home.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

I was at that match . Segars and Fashau had nothing on the scale City was trying to throw that match led by Mike Doyle .

I cannot remember but City either scored or missed a penalty .

The ground was full to the rafters and being a blade , a night to remember .

Final score was 2-1 , and must have been at a time when the entrance cost was so reasonable you could go to see both Sheffield teams play without breaking the bank .

The other game much later is when me and 20 Blades mates went to watch S6 play Palace to be relegated .

Hillsborough not a patch on BDTBL.

UTB

I remember the circus tent being visible in Hillsborough Park and wishing I was there instead.

If one of the cushions hit you, I apologise on my dad's behalf.

 

[Silent Blade]

Lord Bos - one of the only few times that I saw my late father absolutely "lose it" was the night at Hillsborough in the late 60's when the Pigs were relegated by Manchester City. I was only 10 years old or so and they only needed a draw to stay up. My recollection of the game has faded over 45 years but I remember it was pissing it down all night and City played in that fantastic red and black striped away kit.

City apparently did everything they could within the laws of the game to give Wednesday the point they needed but sadly, rolleyes the game ended 2-1 to the Mancs and the pigs were down in the 2nd division.

Me and my dad were in the cantilever stand (North Stand for you young uns) and at the final whistle, there was a deafening chorus of booing and swearing which was quite scary for a young lad who'd never heard that sort of thing before. Then the missiles started.

Coins, fag packets, programmes, season ticket books, scarves etc all started raining down onto the pitch. I'd not seen a season ticket before so I went scrambling under the seats to keep one as a souvenir while my dad and many others started to hoy the blue cushions onto the pitch as well. Red in the face and eyes blazing, he was like a man possessed when climbing over rows of seats to get a spare cushion and chuck it towards the departing, crestfallen players.

On spotting me on my hands and knees looking under the wooden seating, he shouted at me to ask what I was doing. On showing him my collection of season tickets, he barked out: "put them back where tha's found em and go and find me some more fuckin cushions sharpish !!"

Great memories.

Your two goal hero that night

 

[Silent Blade]

I was at that match . Segars and Fashau had nothing on the scale City was trying to throw that match led by Mike Doyle .

I cannot remember but City either scored or missed a penalty .

The ground was full to the rafters and being a blade , a night to remember .

Final score was 2-1 , and must have been at a time when the entrance cost was so reasonable you could go to see both Sheffield teams play without breaking the bank .

The other game much later is when me and 20 Blades mates went to watch S6 play Palace to be relegated .

Hillsborough not a patch on BDTBL.

UTB

Doyle missed the penalty

 

[Bert]

I was at that match . Segars and Fashau had nothing on the scale City was trying to throw that match led by Mike Doyle .

I cannot remember but City either scored or missed a penalty .

The ground was full to the rafters and being a blade , a night to remember .

Final score was 2-1 , and must have been at a time when the entrance cost was so reasonable you could go to see both Sheffield teams play without breaking the bank .

The other game much later is when me and 20 Blades mates went to watch S6 play Palace to be relegated .

Hillsborough not a patch on BDTBL.

UTB

Bert was also at that Man City game. They had a penalty and the player who took it pointed to which side he was going to put it. Bert's memory can't remember who it was.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Your two goal hero that night

Ian Bowyer?

Clearly no one gave him the script.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Your two goal hero that night

That kit SB !! Wonderful.

Didn't some of the City players play hell with him when he popped the winner in?

 

[Silent Blade]

Ian Bowyer?

Clearly no one gave him the script.

Yes. He was doing his best to get into the Cup Winners final team against Gornik Zabrze the following week

 

[Bert]

Ian Bowyer?

Clearly no one gave him the script.

Bert's memory has clicked into gear. It was either Wednesday or Crystal Palace who were going down that night.

 

[Silent Blade]

That kit SB !! Wonderful.

Didn't some of the City players play hell with him when he popped the winner in?

Must have!

 

[Woodwardfan]

Bob Socks thinks Everton fans started it and in 1965

The first obscene chanting and singing I heard was by the two Manchester clubs visiting Bramall Lane in the early 70's perhaps. Hooliganism started around then too maybe.

 

[Woodwardfan]

My Grandad & quite a few of his contemporaries went EVERY WEEK to either Swillsborough or the Lane , it was so cheap to get in.

We did that when we were at school and 14 to15 years old. United's scores were updated every 15 minutes at Hillsborough. Most of us started work at 16 and then we could afford to travel to away matches.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I remember, it must have been late 80's, finishing my game here in Germany, showering quickly and going to the phone box outside the ground and phoning, was it blades line? Waiting with a pounding heart whilst they drivelled on for ages with the welcome etc. then finding out the score. It cost me a bloody fortune. I would collect two Marks coins through the week for that call. It was towards the end of my career when I became obsessed and I couldn't wait till I got home and phone my dad. I also remember listening to Wolves v Blades, 2 all I think, with my team mates. It was on AM radio and it kept fading out. I went mad at the end, can't remember why. My teammates were a tad baffled, though they do love the passion of players and supporters in The UK.

I was at that Wolves game, daylight robbery. Big centre half nickedd it at the end by which time the ref had turned and there was an age of extra time and so many free kicks.

When we were teenagers we holidayed in Majorca and had to travel across the island to Palma to get final scores in a pub that had a radio of some sort - only way to get scores on the island!

 

[Woodwardfan]

1. County Cup every year-Utd, we'd, Barnsley, rothrum, Donny I think but can't remember any games v them.
2. Lines of trams waiting after the game and later buses.
3. 'Football specials' by rail.
4. Danny Blanchflower commentating - " the Bury player may as well throw it into the crowd".
5. Archie Clarke.
6. I remember watching Hagan and Ringstead but no others. Ted Burgin a little later.
7. Queuing on Sunday mornings for big game tickets. Flask and breakfast and bags of sweets. Scarves, hats, rattles the lot.
8.News of the World one Sunday morning- SWFC bribery cases.

 

[Woodwardfan]

On number 4, we must have coincided plenty when collecting autographs. I've still got old programmes and rattle (see avatar), but I can't for the life of me remember what happened to the autograph collection. Several albums of photos from magazines, and loads of great players' signatures. Probably flogged it for a fiver.

We made Scrapbooks didn't we. The players signed the pictures. Any player would sign a proper signature and with a Best Wishes or any message if asked. My collection disappeared too, shame really.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Well I'm writing as I sit here in my private apartment in the palace of Versailles, Carla Bruni is getting ready to entertain with songs from her new album, and entertain me if I play my cards.....

Football today has become too mainstream, everybody has to support a team eg " Call me Dave" and Prince William support Aston Vile, "luvvy" and self declared " British Treasure" Stephen Fry supports Norwich, you get the picture.

As someone mentioned above you were looked down on as common if you were a football fan, something you didn't talk about in "polite company". Being a football fan was firmly a working class past time. The secondary school I went to De La Salle ( passed my 11 plus) wouldn't field a football team, had to be fucking Rugby, Union of course.
I much preferred standing, still do, but today it's all seated, all inclusive, ( middle classes, women !!)

Somethings are much better, more inclusive, less racism, language less disgusting, less violence. As mentioned earlier you could stand with opposing fans without fear or wanting to kill.

I really miss that early Saturday evening thrill of waiting for the Green Un to be delivered to see how the Blades had got on, ( if you hadn't seen TV)

I dislike the tribalism of today where matches require Policing like military operations

Couldn't agree more. The working class sport is lost forever. Toffs and even their partners talk football at parties these days. It's hard to remain polite when they just don't have a clue. Footballers were men and honest on the field and with the media and fans. They were not overpaid, mercenary, cheating prima-donnas.

 

[Woodwardfan]

:

FA Cup final day was the most magical event ever - back then.

The only live TV game for years.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Strangely enough, Clarke's who had the newsagents you mention also bought the shop on Myrtle Road and ran it as a newsagents.
My paternal grandparents lived on Hampton Street ( now manor oaks road). All my father's family are from the Park area.

Thanks, I couldn't remember their name. I lived on Glencoe Road and my Grandmother and spinster Aunt lived up the road and then in the Shrewsbury Almshouses over the wall at the bottom of our garden. Perhaps your Granddad maybe knew my Grandmother and " got me down in the nettles" as she once said about her estranged husband!!!

Bramall Lane was in view from Sky Edge and the Cholera Gardens and would come into view on our walk to games at the top of Shrewsbury Road- excitement, anticipation, likelihoods, hopes, fears, PMT, warmth, sense of belonging, heritage. Night matches were the best, Bramall Lane lit up for a game was glamorous from up there but there was a spell when the lights were subdued until nearly kick off, maybe the miners strike period or other power cuts.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I was a late starter at 17 when I moved to Sheffield in 1971.

My memory extra to those listed was of Keith Macklin. Before the South Stand was built the TV cameras and commentators were on a tower on the cricket pitch. Keith Macklin was the commentator for Yorkshire TV and a legend in his time. He was the Murray Walker of football, making huge gaffs in facts all the time during commentary. One famous occasion he said something like - Goal, Sheffield Wednesday 1 Manchester United nil, no that should be Sheffield United 1 Manchester City nil, no wait a minute it was in the side netting!

We stood on the John Street terrace near half way, and always started a Macklin, Macklin chant as he came out and walked all round the pitch to the TV tower before kick off. He always laughed and waved as he went round.

UTB

YTV was so funny in those days, particularly Calendar. They ought to make a series of old clips.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Thanks for the like Jonny. I think I told you about my Dad com I by home from the Worcester away cup match, absolutely all in and full of cold. Stood on a grass bank for 4 hours in driving rain. We waited up for a report but he went straight to bed.

 

[Silent Blade]

The first obscene chanting and singing I heard was by the two Manchester clubs visiting Bramall Lane in the early 70's perhaps. Hooliganism started around then too maybe.

I think one of the reasons why hooliganism started was due to that the National Service had ended. There was an increase of late teens attending matches, most of them had started drinking etc

 

[Blade56]

Wooden rattle that would be classed as an offensive weapon now
Very English (Mr Cholmondley Warner) reading footy results ont BBC radio
Program that was just right width to fit in Levis back pocket
The guy with the end of the world banner outside the ground
Mum knitting a red and white scarf then extending it when I got older
The caravan club shop where I spent pocket money on badges


Ok some were from the 50's and 60's

 

[Woodwardfan]

Wooden rattle that would be classed as an offensive weapon now
Very English (Mr Cholmondley Warner) reading footy results ont BBC radio
Program that was just right width to fit in Levis back pocket
The guy with the end of the world banner outside the ground
Mum knitting a red and white scarf then extending it when I got older
The caravan club shop where I spent pocket money on badges


Ok some were from the 50's and 60's

Outside Anfield - "THE LORD COMETH" - " Great, move St. John to inside right !!"

 

[Revolution]

I think one of the reasons why hooliganism started was due to that the National Service had ended. There was an increase of late teens attending matches, most of them had started drinking etc

National Service ended in 1957. Hooliganism didn't kick off in even a minor form until about 1970.

Plus I am unconvinced there was an increase in late teens attending games. Attendances fell considerably - save for a post 1966 World Cup bump - from the early 1950s to the mid 1980s.

 

[Silent Blade]

National Service ended in 1957. Hooliganism didn't kick off in even a minor form until about 1970.

Plus I am unconvinced there was an increase in late teens attending games. Attendances fell considerably - save for a post 1966 World Cup bump - from the early 1950s to the mid 1980s.

Hooliganism did start in the 1960s. I will leave to the older Blades to tell you

 

[Revolution]

Hooliganism did start in the 1960s. I will leave to the older Blades to tell you

About 1970 - I think it first made it into the press in 1968 or 1969.

 

[DaveBassettsgoneonholiday]

Well I'm writing as I sit here in my private apartment in the palace of Versailles, Carla Bruni is getting ready to entertain with songs from her new album, and entertain me if I play my cards.....

Football today has become too mainstream, everybody has to support a team eg " Call me Dave" and Prince William support Aston Vile, "luvvy" and self declared " British Treasure" Stephen Fry supports Norwich, you get the picture.

As someone mentioned above you were looked down on as common if you were a football fan, something you didn't talk about in "polite company". Being a football fan was firmly a working class past time. The secondary school I went to De La Salle ( passed my 11 plus) wouldn't field a football team, had to be fucking Rugby, Union of course.
I much preferred standing, still do, but today it's all seated, all inclusive, ( middle classes, women !!)

Somethings are much better, more inclusive, less racism, language less disgusting, less violence. As mentioned earlier you could stand with opposing fans without fear or wanting to kill.

I really miss that early Saturday evening thrill of waiting for the Green Un to be delivered to see how the Blades had got on, ( if you hadn't seen TV)

I dislike the tribalism of today where matches require Policing like military operations

Same happened to me at Ernest Bailey's.
I like to think we got our own back by being the shiteist team they'd ever had & a complete embarrassment to the reputation of the school for the two years I played before I got a Saturday job.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

golden goal tickets
driving new cars round the gravel track at half time .
the big step halfway up the kop separating top half from bottom
chats with the scoreboard man at the pavilion
knowing wendies had conceded when he ran to change the score
the ads for joining the army on the entrance steps kop bottom half
asking the st johns ambulance man to sit down as he was blocking the view in the kop corner
the surge in the kop when we scored could move 20 yards without trying to
hurling the same abuse at every winger who took a corner , thi missus is shagging the milkman
a massive number of balding men playing football

Some beauties there BTL!
'New cars round the gravel track at half time"!! haha!! Forgot about that one.

 

[Silent Blade]

About 1970 - I think it first made it into the press in 1968 or 1969.

Before that. I have read quite a lot of reports of fighting etc at the Sheffield Archives when looking for reports of Woody's goals and assists. Dick Wragg and the board often put in a public statement asking the fans to put a stop to the hooliganism. Fighting at the Man City home match in April 1967 made it to the front page of the Morning Telegraph and there were photos of injured fans. Also reports of fans battle before the Lane derby match in Sept 1967. There is a photo with damages in the Train Special (FA Cup match at Watford in Jan 1968) in the programme for home game after that