Any idea who is the oldest and longest supporter of the blades

[JJ Sefton]

My dad (now deceased) started regular attendance in 1943 and more or less stopped in 2009ish. He wasn't the oldest or longest serving of those he chatted to by some way.
When he started work off Boston Street (in 1943) plenty of the old boys had been to the Lane since 1889 or so!!!

Before you think my maths is off.... The old fellows were self employed instrument makers, at a time when we needed quite a lot of surgical instruments so were quite happy to be working well into their 70s even 80s to get lots of £££.

My great grandad watched us when we won the league in 1898 and was, I think, still going when my dad started in the late 1950s.

 

[originaltrueblade]

My Dad watched us as a young lad in the late twenties now he watches from above always a Blade RIP Dad I know you’ll be watching over the BLADES tomorrow night

 

[originaltrueblade]

My Grandad watchd us from the 19th century he too watches from above RIP

 

[BLADEBEER]

I was 6 and on my dad's shoulders on the Kop end of the terrace, where the bombed out stand used to be.This was in 1946, I haven't a clue who was playing and to be honest I wasn't bothered,but it obviously got into my blood because I've spent the last 70plus years waiting for us to win something worthwhile.Could you hurry up lads time's running out

 

[Dalelane01]

I was 6 and on my dad's shoulders on the Kop end of the terrace, where the bombed out stand used to be.This was in 1946, I haven't a clue who was playing and to be honest I wasn't bothered,but it obviously got into my blood because I've spent the last 70plus years waiting for us to win something worthwhile.Could you hurry up lads time's running out

Funny how the blades grow on you. 70 years a long time lets hope another 70 years go by without winning owt

 

[DifferentClass]

Isn't Vinnie Jones supposed to be "equipped"?

 

[Mad Mick]

Some reight "Coffin Dodgers" on here.

 

[DifferentClass]

Isn't Vinnie Jones supposed to be "equipped"?

I meant Sean Bean! Fuck knows why I typed Vinnie Jones!

 

[ForgeBlade]

My first match was in 1947, a 3-1 win against Chelsea and that was it for me.

My old man took me to see a few more until 1950 when I was allowed to go on my own and from then on, I rarely missed a home match.

Wow. You've been watching the Blades for 71 years this year. What are your personal highs/lows during that time? You must be in with a shout for longest period of support surely?!

 

[spongebobblade]

Would be good to gather together in 1 thread a few of these profiles, especially of Blades not on here who can stake a claim (no need to give names, of course). I know there are quite a few on here who can beat me, but I'll start this one going.
1st match, v Blackpool, Sept 1953, lost (of course) 3-4.
Most memorable games, both away. 3-1 win at Newcastle, 6th round of Cup, 1961. And the great Bassett day out at Leicester, 5-2, promotion to the top tier. I love the Lane, but big away-days are special.

 

[spongebobblade]

My first match was in 1947, a 3-1 win against Chelsea and that was it for me.

My old man took me to see a few more until 1950 when I was allowed to go on my own and from then on, I rarely missed a home match.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

I meant Sean Bean! Fuck knows why I typed Vinnie Jones!

Is it because you’re 94?

 

[Newbury Blade]

My Uncle Fred is 95 this year (born 1923), a lifelong Blade and vividly remembers the 1936 Cup Final. (We were robbed.) I will find out what his first game at the Lane was.

 

[Dalelane01]

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Not many will beat that

 

[Silent Blade]

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axel smeets . Your granddad back row 2nd from right

 

[axel smeets]

axel smeets . Your granddad back row 2nd from right

Bless you Silent Blade

 

[Shoes_On]

Did anyone go to the QPR game in 200?

 

[Rob86]

I know a bloke at work still takes his dad who is 91. Not asked when he first went but he's Sheffield through and through so likely to be in the 1940s when he started going

 

[Rob86]

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Why was it not a 3pm Kick Off. Did Sky get hold of it !!

 

[Silent Blade]

Why was it not a 3pm Kick Off. Did Sky get hold of it !!

We didnt have floodlights until 1954

 

[Rob86]

We didnt have floodlights until 1954

Ahhh that makes sense. So winter games kicked off earlier. What time was the Boxing Day fixture then, 1pm start I should imagine.

What happened with rearranged fixtures then ? Did they get played mid week in the afternoon ?

 

[maidmarion]

My dad went during the war....early 40s playing Notts County. He's still a season ticket holder at the age of 81... soon to be 82.
I do know of one other tho who is even older than dad who's a season ticket holder. His first match was probably round about the same time as dads.

 

[spongebobblade]

Ahhh that makes sense. So winter games kicked off earlier. What time was the Boxing Day fixture then, 1pm start I should imagine.

What happened with rearranged fixtures then ? Did they get played mid week in the afternoon ?

They certainly did, usually leading to a smaller attendance than usual and a smaller programme run, often a four pager. These can be difficult to get hold of. The one above I bought last week is particularly difficult and took me 10 years to get hold of

 

[Kentblade]

View attachment 36988

our forward line sat in a line
Ringstead Hagan Browning
Brook and Hawksworth.

Some memories in there Ted Burgin Colin Grainger Alan Hodkinson and Coldwell and the two Shaws just to name a few plus gentleman John Harris.

UTB

 

[Dalelane01]

My Uncle Fred is 95 this year (born 1923), a lifelong Blade and vividly remembers the 1936 Cup Final. (We were robbed.) I will find out what his first game at the Lane was.

Looking forward to that been some really interesting comments

 

[Dalelane01]

our forward line sat in a line
Ringstead Hagan Browning
Brook and Hawksworth.

Some memories in there Ted Burgin Colin Grainger Alan Hodkinson and Coldwell and the two Shaws just to name a few plus gentleman John Harris.

UTB

Remember couple of players that you mentioned

 

[spongebobblade]

our forward line sat in a line
Ringstead Hagan Browning
Brook and Hawksworth.

Some memories in there Ted Burgin Colin Grainger Alan Hodkinson and Coldwell and the two Shaws just to name a few plus gentleman John Harris.

UTB

What was your first match KB?

 

[Kentblade]

We didnt have floodlights until 1954

How little they know.
No loud speakers, team changes carried round the ground chalked up on a board and the transport band playing before and at HT.
Could change ends at HT as well.
Must not forget the cricket pitch, handy to belt the ball over if you were winning with a few minutes to go.
UTB

 

[Kentblade]

What was your first match KB?

It was in 1946, I was 5 at the time with my Dad back safely from being overseas in the war.
I remember Colin Colleridge, Jimmy Hagan and goal keepers Jock Smith and Fred White.
My Dad first went in the era of 1920's as his Dad had supported them I suppose virtually since they were formed in the earliest years.
Family has continued with one daughter, two grandchildren and a Great granddaughter who my daughter cannot wait for her to be old enough to take.
Just goes on and on.
UTB

 

[spongebobblade]

It was in 1946, I was 5 at the time with my Dad back safely from being overseas in the war.
I remember Colin Colleridge, Jimmy Hagan and goal keepers Jock Smith and Fred White.
My Dad first went in the era of 1920's as his Dad had supported them I suppose virtually since they were formed in the earliest years.
Family has continued with one daughter, two grandchildren and a Great granddaughter who my daughter cannot wait for her to be old enough to take.
Just goes on and on.
UTB

Love the old stories. Do you remember who against?