39 years ago the greatest away day took place

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Nessman930

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39 years ago arguably the greatest away day in Sheffield United history took place as Blades supporters swarmed Darlington to watch the Blades win 0-2 to win Division Four and get promoted back to Division Three.

If you were there let me know your thoughts, the scenes, etc from your perspective.
 



Lots of memories of Blades taking over the whole of Darlington but will never forget walking to the ground and a furniture van pulled up. The driver got out, went round to undo the back doors and a load of drunk blades got out all in fancy dress led by a gorilla with a Utd scarf tied round his neck.
That is when I realised that being a blade is part of something very special
 
Lots of memories of Blades taking over the whole of Darlington but will never forget walking to the ground and a furniture van pulled up. The driver got out, went round to undo the back doors and a load of drunk blades got out all in fancy dress led by a gorilla with a Utd scarf tied round his neck.
That is when I realised that being a blade is part of something very special
I was in that van, we left after the Limit closed the night before.
 
My recollections are hazy.
3 of us went - me, Minky & Smit.
Crazy football special train journey up.
Walk down to the ground & a sprint across a cricket pitch.
Back of the stand holding onto the advertising boards.
Pitch invasion.
Saw Smit’s uncle on way out.
I remember nothing of the game or the trip home. Not pissed - just can’t remember it really.
 
We stopped at Boroughbridge on the way up, along with many others. Great scenes!

Celebrated in their main stand after the game, where our players were. Missed my coach back. Shread to the rescue with a lift.

Then went straight to the end of season do in the Lane social club .... what a night again with the players in attendance.
 
16 year old went on football special pretty sure there was 2 trains , once in ground had a walk round and ended up in front of main stand the open end was to our left .there was a bit of aggro near us think they were Boro fans .After the game the players came out and I threw my scarf with Gary Brazil picking it up don’t remember much else apart from getting to the train station about 6 and the train still being there .I missed 3 games home and away that season Aldershot Bournemouth and Rochdale not bad to say I was on a £23.50 y t s at the time even going to pre season friendly at Grimsby were the famous na na na na he’s a blade and he’s a blade was started
 
I was gutted I didn't go. Went to quite a few away that season, Bury, Crewe, Blackpool, Mansfield, Bradford, Halifax, Hull, Scunthorpe (2 out of the 4 defeats that season!) and first season as a season ticket holder (BL upper) but missed Darlington. I was only a kid and that afternoon ended up playing tennis at High Hazels park with my dad. First thing he said to me, I've seen um all getting on buses in fancy dress at Darnall this morning and nearly phoned you but didn't think you'd want to go !!!!

Made up for it at Leicester and too a lesser extent at Northampton/Port Vale/Milton Keynes in 17 but always gutted I missed Darlo.
 
Darlington; that day is a bit like the 60s...........if you can remember it, then you weren't there :p

Seriously, what a day. We were going to party party party no matter what. The pigs had lorded it over us ever since that day that shall not be named 2 and a bit years earlier. To be fair, of course, they continued to lord it for quite a few years, but that day showed what is was all about to be a Blade. We were loud and proud.

The crazy football special up there, then back to Sheffield to continue the celebrations..... oh and a top pull in Romeo and Juliet's afterwards to finish off a perfect day.

Caveman me? Oh yes, and I don't give a fuck 😆
 
Only time I’ve ever been on the official coaches - we were there so early that we had time to explore the town and have lunch and still wait for an hour at the turnstiles for the ground to open, never mind the match start! Good job I was only 17, I’d have needed a lie down if it was now.
 
Went to both, Darlington the best.Four from Dronnie that went everywhere that year.Passing a van with someone holding Edwards boots out on the A1 home.Then Keith asking for them back on the radio later in the week. Brill.... memories now 57..!! wheres time gone..
 
I was 11 years old at the time & i was sat on the touchline opposite the tunnel along with my dad. I was in awe just looking round & seeing nothing but Blades fans everywhere, i remember giving Keefy Waugh a wave & he waved back at me lol
 



Went to both, Darlington the best.Four from Dronnie that went everywhere that year.Passing a van with someone holding Edwards boots out on the A1 home.Then Keith asking for them back on the radio later in the week. Brill.... memories now 57..!! wheres time gone..
You used to live on the same road as me?
 
For those who went to both Darlington and Leicester (I only went to Leicester) why was Darlington better?
 
For those who went to both Darlington and Leicester (I only went to Leicester) why was Darlington better?
One of the main reasons for me was the mad antics (all good natured) of the success starved Blades fans. So much happened that will never be allowed to happen again at a football match. Eg. I was laid on the grass a couple of feet behind the touchline then stood for the last 10 mins on it and beyond it on the pitch. The linesman was briefly kidnapped by blades fans and a blade imposter ran the line skipping & jumping up and down for 20 seconds or so waving the flag. Even the officials were laughing. The pitch was so narrow the last minute or so but everything carried on. A truly bonkers day out with nothing off limits. Fair play to the Darlo fans as well who embraced the day with us. Only minor problems early doors with some Boro fans I think
 
39 years ago arguably the greatest away day in Sheffield United history took place as Blades supporters swarmed Darlington to watch the Blades win 0-2 to win Division Four and get promoted back to Division Three.

If you were there let me know your thoughts, the scenes, etc from your perspective.
From the other Darlo thread. A few photos here I've not seen before. My first season watching United. Rochdale at home was my first match.
 
From the other Darlo thread. A few photos here I've not seen before. My first season watching United. Rochdale at home was my first match.

THE away day. Not seen some of those before. I'm on the pic of Bob Hatton scoring, stood on that open terrace to the right, just behind a gorilla, two babies, Sir Walter Raleigh and a right tart with the biggest tits I ever saw ( he said it was his mother's bra stuffed with football socks) 😂😂
 
Went with the wife - we'd only been married a year. Fancy dress I went as Stan Laurel and the wife was Oliver Hardy (the Mrs likes her Yorkshire pud)
Went in a Pub early doors, couple of Boro fans tried it on but the wife soon saw them off - never laughed so much, what a day
 
Those of you that have mentioned Boro fans looking for aggro.

I know hooliganism was much more rife back then but surely they didn't travel about 16 miles out of their way to do so?

That would be like us travelling all the way to Worksop!

Were they just Boro fans that happened to live in Darlington?
 



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