For those who remember 1976 - 1981

[JJ Sefton]

How do things compare between then and now? Players, state of the club, mood of the fans etc...

 

[Maidenhead]

How do things compare between then and now? Players, state of the club, mood of the fans etc...

Is hard to judge. In those days the support was based less on the game and more on the ocassion.

There were no internet forums for loud minoroities to constantly bang their drums on and no radio phone in's either.

In my view the mood of the fans then was for more positive even though the overall position of the club was far worse.

I think the shift in the expectations of a large part of society is the largest part of todays problem but this has been accentuated by the development of technology.

 

[sitwell]

Life was slower , managers and players were given more time to succeed. We have gained a lot of fans during the Warnock success period who expected cup runs and play offs all the time and we now have a much more impatient nature in real life too. Harnessed with the internet and phone ins it has made it impossible for managers to mould a team and let it evolve. I am not convinced with Adams and think he is making some serious errors of judgement ,both on and off the pitch but I do think we should give him a decent period of time (3 years?) to manage the club ,not just the team.
We had some shit players then ,we have some now ,we should rely far less on the loan system and build from within.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

The fans were ecstatic about dropping down through the divisions, that's why they were chucking lumps of concrete in Haslam's direction at Cambridge in '79 and were attacking Walsall players in '81.

Imo the '78-'81 players were much worse than the current lot. Although the current defence are hopeless.

 

[sitwell]

The mood is the same ,lumps of concrete and access to 3rd division players forming a wall is not as easy these days ;-)
Agreed the players were worse in 78-81.

 

[oldblade]

I feel that the current side is worse than the one that was relegated to the fourth division. But that's a personal view and I know there are others who will disagree. But I feel if we had players now who were the equivalent of the likes of Hatton, Trusson, Kenworthy (although he didn't feature in the home debacle against Walsall), Garner, Neville, and even Matthews (he wouldn't take the penalty, but could shoot and find his own players with a pass) then we would probably be doing better than we are now. Also, although they dropped a few clangers I couldn't see MacPhail, Houston etc dropping the sheer number of appalling defensive clangers that we are dropping now.

Amazingly, that side was relegated with a positive goal difference. Has that ever happened before?

Also, I feel the side of 1978-9 had more about it than this one. It actually pulled of ona few stunning results during that season, but unfortunately lost too many games that we should have won. (same as now I suppose!)

But I don't remember the absolute doom and gloom that is around now. I think we teneded to be more optimistic in those days. And each game didn't seem to be a matter of life and death.

 

[lenners]

I'd guess for a lot of us it didn't feel as bad between 76 and 81 because we were younger.
We'd also been on the cusp of Europe in 75 and it was easy to believe in your youthful bones that United would be back.
We had interludes like Sabella, Edwards scoring in about 8 consecutive games and Wednesday were even worse than they are now.
Now, we have one season out of 17 and counting in the top flight and the club's soul is in tatters.
Watching them last night, I could relate to Quinny, the Montster, Lowton and that was it. It maybe that none of those are here next year, there'll be even more through the revolving door.
I don't feel it's my team I'm watching anymore and I didn't feel that between 76 and 81.

 

[Maidenhead]

I'd guess for a lot of us it didn't feel as bad between 76 and 81 because we were younger.
We'd also been on the cusp of Europe in 75 and it was easy to believe in your youthful bones that United would be back.
We had interludes like Sabella, Edwards scoring in about 8 consecutive games and Wednesday were even worse than they are now.
Now, we have one season out of 17 and counting in the top flight and the club's soul is in tatters.
Watching them last night, I could relate to Quinny, the Montster, Lowton and that was it. It maybe that none of those are here next year, there'll be even more through the revolving door.
I don't feel it's my team I'm watching anymore and I didn't feel that between 76 and 81.

Great post. I know just what you mean UTB

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

In front of the back four I think we could actually put out something halfway decent Riise-Monty-Willo-Quinn in midfield and Boggy-Hendo up top and should definitely hold their own at this level but the back line are disgraceful. The way they defend is just as bad as anything the 78-81 lot could sink too. The '81 team, apart from Hatton, Trusson (and he was poor in the relegation season) and maybe Kenworthy, none of them for me were good enough to play at Championship level.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

but the back line are disgraceful. The way they defend is just as bad as anything the 78-81 lot could sink too.

Couldn't agree more. Since we lost Morgs nobody knows how to attack the ball. They all stand off and wait.

 

[Trigger Blade]

I'd guess for a lot of us it didn't feel as bad between 76 and 81 because we were younger.
We'd also been on the cusp of Europe in 75 and it was easy to believe in your youthful bones that United would be back.
We had interludes like Sabella, Edwards scoring in about 8 consecutive games and Wednesday were even worse than they are now.
Now, we have one season out of 17 and counting in the top flight and the club's soul is in tatters.
Watching them last night, I could relate to Quinny, the Montster, Lowton and that was it. It maybe that none of those are here next year, there'll be even more through the revolving door.
I don't feel it's my team I'm watching anymore and I didn't feel that between 76 and 81.

I have to say I struggle with the notion of even a youthful len being optimistic

I disagree that ageing necessarily leads to pessimism. I was optimistic then (and disppointed) and that hasn't changed, I do believe we'll be back. What's changed is that it will matter less to me if don't come back, not because I care less, but because I have a different perspective on what really matters and football is a sideshow. It's one that's far removed from the game I grew up with and if it's not my team, it's because it's not my game.

 

[Paulus]

I have to agree with Oldblade I think this team is the worst I have seen. Watching last nights defeat it was clear that player for player QPR were lightyears ahead of us. I actually think that the team is starting to look as though it is being coached a bit more effectively, they seem to have a clue about what they are trying to do, certainly more than they did a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the players just can't do it. They may be fitter than in 1980 but in terms of actual footballing ability the lot we had out last night were barely abouve non-league level.

 

[BladeFisher]

In those days I went a lot more often than now. I lived much nearer Sheffield too so it was possible. I remember going to the Blackburn game. We had to win it to stay up and we were absolutely gutless. I kept a scrapbook (exercise book nicked from school) with all the results in and players pics on the front. I still have it. The day we went down to the old div 3 was shameful. We had never been out the top two leagues ever and I personally felt like a leper the Blades meant and still do so much to me, so getting relegated out the top two was awful. The Pigs had done it and now we were following them.

The drop to the fourth was laughable. Somehow it mattered less to me than dropping to the third. The only mockers the following season was that I was an owner/driver hauling out of Felxstowe and the only game I got to was Colchester away and we got hammered. And it was on bloody match of the day!! Unbelievable.

At times Utd really are the worst team in Britain and seem to go out of their way to be a joke. We always seem to bottle it in big games, which is something the Pigs seem to be less guilty of, and yeah that hurts too. Wedneday have if i recall correctly been involved in many more relegation dogfights but about 60% of the time get out of them. Conversely, we always seem to go down, a sort of inevitability or death wish. The only two time we escaped was under DB and NW.

As for team comparisons, the defence this time around is total crap apart from Lowton. There is no doubt the loss of Morgan (like Hulse in the Prem) has cost us a relegation. The other similarity is the complete disinterest by the Chairman. Hassle was awful (and a lousy builder) and McCabe is all hot air.

 

[Kenilworth]

Slower pace of life then - the Green 'Un was the only source of news and that was sporadic at best. No football heaven, no constant stream of live games on TV from the Prem and Europe to highlight the gulf in class, we were probably naive and knew no better then. However, it hurt when we lost and it hurt when we conceded - watching the game last night I felt nothing when QPR scored - normally I get that feeling in the pit of the stomach - the gut wrench that tells you this matters but last night was more about feeling resigned to one's fate.

However bad we were in the late 70's I cannot remember such abject defending - no positional sense, the comical mistakes and the complete lack of quality displayed by Nosworthy and Collins between them. They let the ball bounce, left men unmarked, did not close down (see Clint Hill for how that was done) they cannot pass to a player on their own side, posession squandered at every turn they are are the Chuckle Brothers of the Championship.

I didn't expect to win last night - most I hoped for was a point. After the debacle in defense for the second goal last night Ralph and Uncle Fester looked completely perplexed. Quality is not a word that can be applied to anything at Bramall Lane at the moment.

 

[oldblade]

I have to agree with Oldblade I think this team is the worst I have seen. Watching last nights defeat it was clear that player for player QPR were lightyears ahead of us. I actually think that the team is starting to look as though it is being coached a bit more effectively, they seem to have a clue about what they are trying to do, certainly more than they did a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the players just can't do it. They may be fitter than in 1980 but in terms of actual footballing ability the lot we had out last night were barely abouve non-league level.

I think that's right.

The feeling around the 1978-81 years was that the team had ability, but was under achieving. I don't feel it's under achieving now. I think it's just a very poor team.

---------- Post added at 07:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 PM ----------

In those days I went a lot more often than now. I lived much nearer Sheffield too so it was possible. I remember going to the Blackburn game. We had to win it to stay up and we were absolutely gutless. I kept a scrapbook (exercise book nicked from school) with all the results in and players pics on the front. I still have it. The day we went down to the old div 3 was shameful. We had never been out the top two leagues ever and I personally felt like a leper the Blades meant and still do so much to me, so getting relegated out the top two was awful. The Pigs had done it and now we were following them.

The drop to the fourth was laughable. Somehow it mattered less to me than dropping to the third. The only mockers the following season was that I was an owner/driver hauling out of Felxstowe and the only game I got to was Colchester away and we got hammered. And it was on bloody match of the day!! Unbelievable.

At times Utd really are the worst team in Britain and seem to go out of their way to be a joke. We always seem to bottle it in big games, which is something the Pigs seem to be less guilty of, and yeah that hurts too. Wedneday have if i recall correctly been involved in many more relegation dogfights but about 60% of the time get out of them. Conversely, we always seem to go down, a sort of inevitability or death wish. The only two time we escaped was under DB and NW.

As for team comparisons, the defence this time around is total crap apart from Lowton. There is no doubt the loss of Morgan (like Hulse in the Prem) has cost us a relegation. The other similarity is the complete disinterest by the Chairman. Hassle was awful (and a lousy builder) and McCabe is all hot air.

We tend to go down if it's a last day affair. I think our record is probably no worse than anyone else's with regard to having poor seasons, but pulling clear before the endgame has been reached. It's just that in the last 40 years we've been terrible at pulling off last day escapes. And they don't deserve to be called escapes, because we are usually odds on favourites to avoid the drop.

 

[TheSwollengland]

Its like living in a parrallel universe and living the nightmare all over again

 

[oldblade]

Ah, but this time we're nailed on certainties to go down rather than to stay up, so maybe..............

 

[Bladesman]

Life was slower , managers and players were given more time to succeed. We have gained a lot of fans during the Warnock success period who expected cup runs and play offs all the time and we now have a much more impatient nature in real life too. Harnessed with the internet and phone ins it has made it impossible for managers to mould a team and let it evolve. I am not convinced with Adams and think he is making some serious errors of judgement ,both on and off the pitch but I do think we should give him a decent period of time (3 years?) to manage the club ,not just the team.
We had some shit players then ,we have some now ,we should rely far less on the loan system and build from within.

Exactly but we as fans are being lied to we were told at the end of last season we would rely less on the loan system. Plus we seem reluctant to build from within because as soon as an offer comes in we cant wait to sell.

If the club could atleast stand by what they say it would be a fucking start.

 

[LA Blade]

Those were my days. The main source of "old internet" was the Green-Un, with letters from the fan base. After game conversations happened in the Center Spot Cafe' on Snig Hill (I think it was?) after then in't pubs when tey opened about 5-30pm. Later on it was match of the day on't BBC.

 

[muttsnuts]

I also think that everybody resents the ridiculous wages the players are now earning while most people are struggling. Not getting value for money, and the fact that we gave up on survival months ago make this the worst relegation year in modern years for me (started watching 1970). This is not the way we do relegation!!!

 

[MunXy]

i was 15 the year we dropped into the old league division 4, as the final whistle blew against walsall was probably the single worst time of my life and believe me ive had a fair few "bad un's"
the anger directed strangely not at the blades who played badly, but at thier players, i remember everyone running on the pitch, blades players mostly sunk on the turf in abject misery, one or two looking up expecting at least a verbal tirade only to stand in shock and horror as the, seconds previous smug looking walsall players attempting to escape the wrath that is/was shoreham.
the BIG difference between then and now was the fans, yes the fans were angry at our great clubs decline, the manager HH was despised as was the board, the players tho moaned and abused at, were on the whole still thought highly of because even tho they were crap they showed great love of the club and its fans, the players had time for the fans, i remember some of the players sat on the little wall at the bottom of the kop during the pre match warm up chatting to people and signing autographs, can anyone see that happening now?
then the following season in the old div 4, thousands of blades followed the team to every shitty little ground around the country gaining a huge reputaion for fantastic, friendly fans, it was almost like a new start, the players seemed brimming with confidance, the games both home and away were ALL fun.
yes we lost a few and even those the fans made them bearable for each other and the players and the players ALWAYS responded.
and that in essence i believe is the difference, the fans are far less tolerant, far less forgiving, far more individual, now than then, maybe its the all seater stadium, thats made fans like this now, they sure weren't like this 30 years ago.

MunXy

 

[oldblade]

I also think that everybody resents the ridiculous wages the players are now earning while most people are struggling. Not getting value for money, and the fact that we gave up on survival months ago make this the worst relegation year in modern years for me (started watching 1970). This is not the way we do relegation!!!

I think that is an important point.

Players of pretty average ability are payed an awful lot of money, and largely as a result of huge increases in player wages, football is expensive to watch live. When we pay more we expect more, but that's not what we get.

Yes, the game is faster and the players probably fitter than in the 1960s and 1970s (or before). But the games are often dreadful and devoid of any entertainment. So we seem to pay more for less.

If you go to the cinema it's about a third of the price and you're reasonably sure you are going to see something at least mildly entertaining. Or at the very least something that isn't going to make you gnash your teeth in frustration.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Has anyone mentioned dear old Margaret Hilda yet.....

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

"If you go to the cinema it's about a third of the price and you're reasonably sure you are going to see something at least mildly entertaining. Or at the very least something that isn't going to make you gnash your teeth in frustration. "

"Oh Brother where art thou" was an absolute shocker of a film, that bad I had to resort to booing the projectionist and rodding the ice cream seller.

 

[oldblade]

"If you go to the cinema it's about a third of the price and you're reasonably sure you are going to see something at least mildly entertaining. Or at the very least something that isn't going to make you gnash your teeth in frustration. "

"Oh Brother where art thou" was an absolute shocker of a film, that bad I had to resort to booing the projectionist and rodding the ice cream seller.

But did you take your shoes off in the foyer?

 

[JohnDenver]

Hassle was awful (and a lousy builder)

Is that same guy whose company name was emblazoned down the side of hot air balloons? It's a very early memory of mine watching the Hassall Homes balloons over South Sheffield. Whenever I see one now I think of Hassall Homes.

 

[BladeFisher]

Probably. We lived up Crimicar Lane in Fulwood when I was small and had no end of trouble with the (new) house. "There's plenty of hassle with a Hassall". Eventually moved down the road to Hallamshire Road. My Grandma & Grandad lived next door in Crimicar Lane. Remember going back and at night you could see the floodlights from BDTBL. Still miss the old ground and the five floodlight pylons. Just new it were Bramall Lane, very distinctive and of course could see it from the Midland Main line (puts hanky away!).

 

[bricktop]

A lot of the problems stemmed from building the South Stand. At the time it was a very ambitious move, but sadly one that backfired and it took a lot of years to pay the debt off.

I don't really know all that much about John Hassell, but i imagine that he was well meaning in his intentions and probably didn't have the expertise and money to resolve the problems

 

[Revolution]

and that in essence i believe is the difference, the fans are far less tolerant, far less forgiving, far more individual, now than then, maybe its the all seater stadium, thats made fans like this now, they sure weren't like this 30 years ago.

I don't agree with this at all. United's average gate almost halved in the period from 1976 to 1981, from 23,000 odd to 12,000 odd. There were other factors at play aside from the football, but that's not a tolerant supporter base. That's half the crowd voting with their feet and walking away when the going gets tough.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Different game back then. From a financial point of view it was arguably easier to climb back up the leagues as the gulf wasnt so massive and top flight clubs weren't stock piling good players in the same way. If (when) we go down this season we will either bounce back at the first attempt or stay down there for a while. I think the current mood around the club is quite similar to then.....seems to be a little more anger and bitterness now.