1970"s. Football Special?

[Rollerball]

Quite a few memories of these, about 12 was on a special coming back from Grimsby I think, we had won and everyone was singing and hanging out of windows, a big Sargent grabbed me by the scruff and threatened to throw me out the window, next thing he's gently putting me down as 4-5 big Blades up behind him and said gently, "if that lad goes out the window, he's landing on you"
Another time walking out of Chesterfield station, the long march to saltergate, couple of thousand Blades surrounded by coppers, I'm in the middle of over 2 thousand singing fans, cops try to quiet us down, eventually let a couple of dogs loose, guess who gets bit , luckily just a nip but hated police dogs ever since.
The football specials were fantastic shame they no longer run them, at least cops knew where the bulk of fans would arrive for away games.

 

[Bert]

.

 

[Silent Blade]

Nobody has said but I believe that's Ted Hemsley in photo is that correct silent

Yes, that is correct. The photo appeared in the programme for our next home game (v West Ham)

 

[Bert]

 

[Silent Blade]

.

Top photo is the Football special for the FA Cup match at Watford in January 1968?

 

[Bert]

Top photo is the Football special for the FA Cup match at Watford in January 1968?

Bert doesn't know. Probably isn't.

 

[You Fill Up My Senses]

Went on a special to Man City in the mid seventies, Man U were playing the pigs at the sty the same day so we had to run the gauntlet of Man U hooligans as well as the coppers at Midland station. We were put on the train they had come on and there were a couple of Man U fans too pissed to get off so they ended up back in Manchester.
There were only 36 Blades on the train so they cancelled the special coming home and shoved us on the pay train full of city fans and left us to it. Happy days.

 

[Silent Blade]

Bert doesn't know. Probably isn't.

There were similar photos in the programme for our next home game (after the Watford FA Cup game) and the club were warning fans that Football specials would be discontinued if fans caused damage in the trains again.

 

[Newbury Blade]

Went to Liverpool v Blades 1971-72 on the special. Scousers attacked us as soon as the train pulled in to Lime Street. Some of them had knives and some Blades were cut quite badly. Police nowhere to be seen. Finally got to Anfield, the Blades hardly got a kick and we lost 2-0. All in all a fairly shit day out.

 

[metalblade]

I used to love away games on the train then again I'd be happy to ride on a train all day just to take in the scenery you get a very different view of places from the train. I like the engineering of railways, fantastic bridges, tunnels and buildings all built by hand but still standing strong well over 150 years later.
The specials were cheap and the coaches were out of date BR mk1 series most of the time, great if got a compartment with a few mates and some young ladies. Wedge the sliding door closed and get those blinds pulled down
I remember going to Villa on a huge football special the train was twice as long as the platform at the little station near to Villa park. A good trip was another huge train to Carlisle for a cup game over the famous Settle - Carlisle route going up the hills at little more than walking speed it seemed all for a few quid, rail buffs would pay hundreds today for the experience.
Nottingham station always had a hot reception for Blades fans and I remember a running battle on York station when Leeds scum showed up for a York v United friendly (I think it was) I don't think they were too pleased we had chucked on of their lads off the bridge over the river (the lucky twat landed on the tow path so didn't get wet).
I remember a special returning from Derby quite a few tons lighter than when it set off there was very little left in the coaches everything was jettisoned much like a B17 returning from Germany on one engine.

 

[Bert]

Went to Liverpool v Blades 1971-72 on the special. Scousers attacked us as soon as the train pulled in to Lime Street. Some of them had knives and some Blades were cut quite badly. Police nowhere to be seen. Finally got to Anfield, the Blades hardly got a kick and we lost 2-0. All in all a fairly shit day out.

Bert and his gang were on that train. One of the lads had his brand new sheepskin coat ripped off his back, coppers stood watching.
Wasn't it 3-0?

 

[Dongivensmademecry]

We'd either go national pond st or special , turned up one day , special cancelled due to low number ,joe Ashton mp behind us in station took us at 15? To station masters office to complain at how we had been let down then left us , national at last minute put a coach on for about 20 of us ... happy days , my daughter asks how we're not bad at geography ???

 

[coaxingstar71]

You're a strange lot. Getting beaten up or knived by opposition fans, getting beaten or arrested for nothing by nazi coppers, being cramped into dilapidated trains and transported like cattle to death trap stadiums to invariably see your team play piss poor in the pouring rain and apparently that's "Happy Days"?

 

[Ravoblades]

Portsmouth away first game of the season when garner got sent off and we lost 4-1 was the best football special I went on, the reception at Portsmouth was bonkers

Train set off around 9am held back arrived 15 mins late!!!!!

 

[bladestrivia]

My 1st ever away game was donny away 1979 in league cup went on the football special 60p the day the last train had to walk it home from conisbrough ,same season went on special to Rotherham and hull were the train station was at side of ground ,a few seasons later remember going to Southend think it was season that twat Curran played for us and there was 53 on it

 

[bladestrivia]

Train set off around 9am held back arrived 15 mins late!!!!!

I was on that train covered in spots has I had chicken pox and had already bought my ticket

 

[Lane Ender]

Traveled on them all the time brilliant.
Same times when you went away and you didnt need tickets just turned up.
Now I cant get to my teams first match because I havent got enough points fucking wank!

 

[bypassblade]

Yes but bloody cheap travel £7 Return to Torquay, Bournemouth 81/82 season.

Oh yes Broomhall Blade, very cheap but, don'y forget we're still using the toilets on wheels they used back then and rail travel ain't cheap no more.

 

[Jolly Buffer]

You're a strange lot. Getting beaten up or knived by opposition fans, getting beaten or arrested for nothing by nazi coppers, being cramped into dilapidated trains and transported like cattle to death trap stadiums to invariably see your team play piss poor in the pouring rain and apparently that's "Happy Days"?

For a kid it had every emotion. At times scary to the point of feeling like a near death experience. Exhilarating and character forming. I guess it was slightly like to going into battle. You didn't know what was waiting for you or if you'd survive it. The feel of euphoria if your battalion won a few scrapes was awesome. They were strange times to grow up the 70s. Lots of violence and vandalism - I blame the lead in petrol! There wasn't anything to do and the country was going through turmoil politically and economically. The northern cities felt really gloomy. Like the previous anology - What did young lads do in the past when there was no work or future? They signed up for the army, navy or airforce. We were looking for excitement and found it in football. So many parallels.

I do wonder how many people must have sufferied permanent damage from those kicks to the head. There were no rules, 10 of you could be set upon in the street by 50-60 opposition. Imagine 5-6 or more blokes punching and kicking you to the ground. It didn't stop if you were on the floor half conscious, they all then wanted a heavy kick at your head! There's no wonder I, and many others of my ilk have anxiety issues!

 

[Bert]

For a kid it had every emotion. At times scary to the point of feeling like a near death experience. Exhilarating and character forming. I guess it was slightly like to going into battle. You didn't know what was waiting for you or if you'd survive it. The feel of euphoria if your battalion won a few scrapes was awesome. They were strange times to grow up the 70s. Lots of violence and vandalism - I blame the lead in petrol! There wasn't anything to do and the country was going through turmoil politically and economically. The northern cities felt really gloomy. Like the previous anology - What did young lads do in the past when there was no work or future? They signed up for the army, navy or airforce. We were looking for excitement and found it in football. So many parallels.

I do wonder how many people must have sufferied permanent damage from those kicks to the head. There were no rules, 10 of you could be set upon in the street by 50-60 opposition. Imagine 5-6 or more blokes punching and kicking you to the ground. It didn't stop if you were on the floor half conscious, they all then wanted a heavy kick at your head! There's no wonder I, and many others of my ilk have anxiety issues!

Liverpool was always the worst. Go on the train, attacked at the station. Go on the SUT, attacked in Stanley Park.
Nearly 50 years on and Bert still has a hatred against those scumbag scousers.

Happy days.

 

[Dongivensmademecry]

You're a strange lot. Getting beaten up or knived by opposition fans, getting beaten or arrested for nothing by nazi coppers, being cramped into dilapidated trains and transported like cattle to death trap stadiums to invariably see your team play piss poor in the pouring rain and apparently that's "Happy Days"?

They'll be my Happy Days when I get older and my mind goes even further don't you worry

 

[Harrisblade]

You're a strange lot. Getting beaten up or knived by opposition fans, getting beaten or arrested for nothing by nazi coppers, being cramped into dilapidated trains and transported like cattle to death trap stadiums to invariably see your team play piss poor in the pouring rain and apparently that's "Happy Days"?

To be fair - sometimes it didn't rain

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

I used to love away games on the train then again I'd be happy to ride on a train all day just to take in the scenery you get a very different view of places from the train. I like the engineering of railways, fantastic bridges, tunnels and buildings all built by hand but still standing strong well over 150 years later.
The specials were cheap and the coaches were out of date BR mk1 series most of the time, great if got a compartment with a few mates and some young ladies. Wedge the sliding door closed and get those blinds pulled down
I remember going to Villa on a huge football special the train was twice as long as the platform at the little station near to Villa park. A good trip was another huge train to Carlisle for a cup game over the famous Settle - Carlisle route going up the hills at little more than walking speed it seemed all for a few quid, rail buffs would pay hundreds today for the experience.
Nottingham station always had a hot reception for Blades fans and I remember a running battle on York station when Leeds scum showed up for a York v United friendly (I think it was) I don't think they were too pleased we had chucked on of their lads off the bridge over the river (the lucky twat landed on the tow path so didn't get wet).
I remember a special returning from Derby quite a few tons lighter than when it set off there was very little left in the coaches everything was jettisoned much like a B17 returning from Germany on one engine.

I remember that train to Villa, it took three stops at Witton station I think it was to get everyone off. Must have been one of the longest football specials I went on.
You are correct about the rolling stock, they used anything that had been resting up in sidings they could get their hands on. No real surprise considering what happened to them during the journey I suppose.
I think the last one I went on was to Bournemouth, it was about £7 which was very cheap even in the eighties.

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

Liverpool was always the worst. Go on the train, attacked at the station. Go on the SUT, attacked in Stanley Park.
Nearly 50 years on and Bert still has a hatred against those scumbag scousers.

Happy days.

That’s not how the media portray them though is it? They’re the most sporting fans in the country, never cause any bollocks or kill anyone.

 

[Cheesebored]

- I blame the lead in petrol!

You weren't supposed to drink it!

 

[Addison]

Liverpool was always the worst. Go on the train, attacked at the station. Go on the SUT, attacked in Stanley Park.
Nearly 50 years on and Bert still has a hatred against those scumbag scousers.

Happy days.

Always avoided that one away because mate got slashed against Pool. Crombie came in useful that day.

He decided to go the next season to Everton on train. Blades were escorted by police out of station and relief set in as Blades had avoided their mob at the station. Plod decided to take Blades through housing estate to avoid waiting mob near ground, again Blades thought they were going to get to the ground safe. Problem was the whole fckin estate came out of the houses and attacked them. Nothing to do with football just that they were on their turf. Mate came back with a black eye for his troubles. He had an unlucky habit of attracting trouble. We used to ask him whether he was going by train, coach or car and did the opposite to what he did.

 

[Lane Ender]

For a kid it had every emotion. At times scary to the point of feeling like a near death experience. Exhilarating and character forming. I guess it was slightly like to going into battle. You didn't know what was waiting for you or if you'd survive it. The feel of euphoria if your battalion won a few scrapes was awesome. They were strange times to grow up the 70s. Lots of violence and vandalism - I blame the lead in petrol! There wasn't anything to do and the country was going through turmoil politically and economically. The northern cities felt really gloomy. Like the previous anology - What did young lads do in the past when there was no work or future? They signed up for the army, navy or airforce. We were looking for excitement and found it in football. So many parallels.

I do wonder how many people must have sufferied permanent damage from those kicks to the head. There were no rules, 10 of you could be set upon in the street by 50-60 opposition. Imagine 5-6 or more blokes punching and kicking you to the ground. It didn't stop if you were on the floor half conscious, they all then wanted a heavy kick at your head! There's no wonder I, and many others of my ilk have anxiety issues!

Just the buzz.
No mobile phones meeting/gathering places well known.
Fighters and runners also well known

 

[Seanshoreham]

Went on the special to Blackpool March 1970, Easter week end. I was the youngest of about 7 from Frecheville. In those days junior train tickets were cut in half diagonally. Got off train in Blackpool and handed ticket to man at gate who didn't give it me back. He was tearing the Adult ones in half giving back the return part and putting the other half in his pocket. Told a Sheffield copper who'd been on train. He got all the ticket stubs out and waded through them till he found my ticket. Gave me a clip round the head and said "Don't do it again ". Relieved I wouldn't be stranded in Blackpool put the ticket in my shoe for safe keeping.

After being helped by the Sheffield Police preceded then to be terrorised by the Blackpool plod for the rest of the day. They didn't want us there for a bank holiday week end and deliberately stopped and searched us 10 times in the space of about a mile. We were told in no uncertain terms they were looking to put us in the Black Maria and were goading Blades all along the prom. We broke away from the few hundred who were on the train and headed for the amusements despite the threat of Plod reprisals for not going direct to the ground.

Eventually got to Bloomfield Road and were told as always the Kop end was no go because they were bad lads on there by the stewards. Went round to the other end where most of the Blades had been herded. Blades were behind the goal and to the side. Blackpools Kop was packed with it being holiday season and it was obvious fans of other teams were on there.

Bumped into a number of lads from Beighton who were from my school at half time. They'd all just had the skinhead and were into clothes. I was still a parka man with long hair, loved soul music but also into Rock. They along with a number of other Blades skins went onto Blackpools Kop for the second half. You could walk round the back of the terracing in those days. Seems there were loads of Man City skins on there along with other teams from the North West, no hassle everyone was talking about the skin head fashion and comparing the gear they were wearing.

Went back to amusements after a 1-0 loss and nearly came a cropper as Blackpool turned up in numbers. Another Blade warned us as he'd had a kicking because he was wearing Doc Martens. You couldn't buy them in Blackpool at the time and the North West teams were still predominantly greasers. It all changed a year later.

After another round of searches, clips, kicks pushes by the Plod all designed to provoke us we got back to the station. By this time Blades were in an ugly mood and we were forced onto the train. Drama wasn't over Blackpool Plod came on train and whacked a Blade who was wearing what looked like a Blackpool scarf. Not much difference between red and white and tangerine and white. They broadcast to the train he was going to spend the night in a cell and would have to walk back to Sheffield whilst forcibly dragging him off the train and laughing whilst they were doing it.

After a 10 minute wait Blade suddenly appears back on train. He'd had his details taken but it seemed the Sheffield coppers had persuaded their Blackpool counterparts to let him come back on. Funny how today North West Police are praised by Blades whereas SYP are the complete opposite. Didn't do many on the train after that because you were easy targets for Plod and away fans. Went mainly by coach and car.

Twelve months later I was going to away matches with the lads from school into the whole skin head scene. It had became obvious to me that you pulled the best birds by getting your haircut and wearing Levi Sta Prest, Fred Perrys and Ben Sherman shirts. Happy days.

I was one of those lads from Beighton, we were going onto their kop when there fans came to the top (of their kop) and started throwing stones/rocks at us - then the coppers started of us particularly any skinheads.
We changed our minds and went onto the terrace where it kicked off with some Man City fans.

You had to live in the seventies to understand

 

[Silent Blade]

Bert and his gang were on that train. One of the lads had his brand new sheepskin coat ripped off his back, coppers stood watching.
Wasn't it 3-0?

2-0

Matchdetails from Liverpool - Sheffield United played on Saturday 19 February 1972 - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!

LFChistory.net is all about the history of Liverpool FC. We have got all the match results from 1892 to today along with great player profiles

www.lfchistory.net

 

[BushBlade]

For a kid it had every emotion. At times scary to the point of feeling like a near death experience. Exhilarating and character forming. I guess it was slightly like to going into battle. You didn't know what was waiting for you or if you'd survive it. The feel of euphoria if your battalion won a few scrapes was awesome. They were strange times to grow up the 70s. Lots of violence and vandalism - I blame the lead in petrol! There wasn't anything to do and the country was going through turmoil politically and economically. The northern cities felt really gloomy. Like the previous anology - What did young lads do in the past when there was no work or future? They signed up for the army, navy or airforce. We were looking for excitement and found it in football. So many parallels.

I do wonder how many people must have sufferied permanent damage from those kicks to the head. There were no rules, 10 of you could be set upon in the street by 50-60 opposition. Imagine 5-6 or more blokes punching and kicking you to the ground. It didn't stop if you were on the floor half conscious, they all then wanted a heavy kick at your head! There's no wonder I, and many others of my ilk have anxiety issues!

I’m a bit younger so missed the worst of it but yeah, the 70s and early 80s seemed pretty violent. You risked getting a slap just by going out, even just going round town on a Saturday to the record shops and the like. It was tribal. You couldn’t go out of an evening without seeing a fight.

You’re right about the anxiety, it’s difficult to lose the mentality that at any time, having a drink, walking down the street etc, that someone might take a random pop at you.