'Memries' Blade Pride in adversity

[1970Blade]

Apologies if this one's been done before... but ...

reading a previous thread about huge support for Bassett whilst getting stuffed at Norwich in 90/91 season, set me reflecting on moments when Blades support, despite poor result, really made you feel proud.

The stand out one for me was the 10 minute rendition of 'Glory, Glory Sheff United' at West Ham when we were 5-0 down towards end of 89/90. Even though we were routed, it felt like no-one went home, nor even particularly moaned, we just got behind the team.

I have no doubt that memory has played tricks on me and it wasn't quite as glorious as I remember it, but after all the recent years where there has been so much disappointment, it's lovely to remember those times when you felt pride not in the performance of the team or even of the support when we're winning (which is easier) but when our backing as we lost, meant we all left with our chests puffed out and our heads high, knowing they might have beaten us on the pitch but we were still better than them because we were Blades.

I can think of a couple of other occasions. Is it just me, or can others recall times when fans backing in defeat made a bad performance a proud day?

 

[wholelottarosie]

seem to remember singing youll never walk alone for about 20 mins at grimsby .even players kept looking at us thinking wtf.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Apologies if this one's been done before... but ...

reading a previous thread about huge support for Bassett whilst getting stuffed at Norwich in 90/91 season, set me reflecting on moments when Blades support, despite poor result, really made you feel proud.

The stand out one for me was the 10 minute rendition of 'Glory, Glory Sheff United' at West Ham when we were 5-0 down towards end of 89/90. Even though we were routed, it felt like no-one went home, nor even particularly moaned, we just got behind the team.

I have no doubt that memory has played tricks on me and it wasn't quite as glorious as I remember it, but after all the recent years where there has been so much disappointment, it's lovely to remember those times when you felt pride not in the performance of the team or even of the support when we're winning (which is easier) but when our backing as we lost, meant we all left with our chests puffed out and our heads high, knowing they might have beaten us on the pitch but we were still better than them because we were Blades.

I can think of a couple of other occasions. Is it just me, or can others recall times when fans backing in defeat made a bad performance a proud day?

Bury away last year, everyone was in agreement

 

[Russ]

For some reason as a kid I had been in Doncaster. Was at Doncaster train station and United had been playing away at Hull. One of the trains carrying the fans home went past the station. I noticed the fans all singing Sheffield United Shefffield United non-stop. I thought they must have won. When I got home I found out Hull won!

 

[Tyler Durden]

The FA Cup semi against Arsenal in 2003 springs to mind.

Beaten 1-0 (in questionable circumstances) and denied by one of the greatest saves in history against one of the best Premiership teams ever assembled.

We were heroic that day and I came away with an immense feeling of pride as did everyone else in attendance.
I walked through Manchester afterwards with my United shirt on and the locals were coming up to me to offer their sympathies and say how we'd done ourselves proud.

It's still actually one of my favourite days despite the defeat.

 

[Bladebri]

The FA Cup semi against Arsenal in 2003 springs to mind.

Beaten 1-0 (in questionable circumstances) and denied by one of the greatest saves in history against one of the best Premiership teams ever assembled.

We were heroic that day and I came away with an immense feeling of pride as did everyone else in attendance.
I walked through Manchester afterwards with my United shirt on and the locals were coming up to me to offer their sympathies and say how we'd done ourselves proud.

It's still actually one of my favourite days despite the defeat.

Had to hold my head up high to watch that pen from simmo

 

[dublin 10 blade]

seem to remember singing youll never walk alone for about 20 mins at grimsby .even players kept looking at us thinking wtf.

Was thinking of this game also , think we were 4-0 down by that stage .

 

[Superblades]

When we were relegated down to League One against Barnsley, everyone stayed behind and sang their hearts out. Showed our class that day as well. A year earlier the pigs were relegated by Palace and legged it on the pitch to attack the Palace fans.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Was thinking of this game also , think we were 4-0 down by that stage .

Cup game about 1980 and 7,000 of us behind the goal ... That one ??

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Cup game about 1980 and 7,000 of us behind the goal ... That one ??

No mate , last match of season , we were all penned into that small corner .

 

[Jonboy60]

Semi against hull just after their last one went in, standing ovation.

 

[Harrisblade]

After relegation to Div 4, wasn't there a rather massive take up of the new share offer (although I think the share came with a 3 year season ticket attached)

 

[metalblade]

The applause for the team's effort at Wembley after Hulls 5th went in, the Hull fans were probably thinking WTF.

 

[I should coco]

Wimbledon away 84/85. I was at uni in Nottingham and we persuaded one of the supporter's buses to pick us up on the slip road at J25. Took forever to get to Merton, no pubs and it drizzled all afternoon on the open away end. At least 4 balls were lost by being hoofed over the low stand and the Blades put in a stellar performance to only lose 5-0. We sang all afternoon and had a right laugh. Dozy coach driver missed J25 on he way back up which is fair enough as you only get about 5 signs for every motorway junction so dropped us at J26. No buses so we walked 4 miles but still made a student party for 11. Younger children look away now, pubs closed at 10.30 on a Saturday in Nottingham!
I'd love to say I pulled a gorgeous bird at the party and we shagged all not long, but....

Blackburn away 85/86. We lost 6-1 but Edwards got his 200th league goal (Billy - Come on down!). We were shit and they scored in the first minute, a portent of the doom to befall us.....
There was a Blade about as pissed as I ever seen anyone still capable of standing. He was right down at the front but with his back to the pitch. He kept egging on the few hundred Blades with the dub version of of 'When the Blades go marching in'*. I don't remember ever seeing him try to watch any of the game and I'm still convinced he was carried out by his mates thinking we'd drawn 0-0.
Aforesaid very pissed Blade forced us to keep singing 'Oz a when dem Blaaaaades, goes a marching in......'.
Fantastic support and when Edwards got his goal we went mental. The Blackburn fans, always crap at the best of times, had being tried to goad us. We were doing congas and going barmy and no-one gave a shit we'd lost. Absolute top memorable afternoon.

More to follow but Pig away ("Bobby bobby bobby Davison") springs to mind.




*Very sadly the dub (pissed) version is rarely heard these days. To a slowed down reggae-ed sort of tune, for those of a junior disposition it sort of goes:
Ozzzzza ozzzzzza ozzzzza Oi
Ohs a when dem Blades
Goes a marchin in
I's a wanna be
In that numberrrrrrrrrr

 

[Rodley]

Wimbledon away 84/85. I was at uni in Nottingham and we persuaded one of the supporter's buses to pick us up on the slip road at J25. Took forever to get to Merton, no pubs and it drizzled all afternoon on the open away end. At least 4 balls were lost by being hoofed over the low stand and the Blades put in a stellar performance to only lose 5-0. We sang all afternoon and had a right laugh. Dozy coach driver missed J25 on he way back up which is fair enough as you only get about 5 signs for every motorway junction so dropped us at J26. No buses so we walked 4 miles but still made a student party for 11. Younger children look away now, pubs closed at 10.30 on a Saturday in Nottingham!
I'd love to say I pulled a gorgeous bird at the party and we shagged all not long, but....

Blackburn away 85/86. We lost 6-1 but Edwards got his 200th league goal (Billy - Come on down!). We were shit and they scored in the first minute, a portent of the doom to befall us.....
There was a Blade about as pissed as I ever seen anyone still capable of standing. He was right down at the front but with his back to the pitch. He kept egging on the few hundred Blades with the dub version of of 'When the Blades go marching in'*. I don't remember ever seeing him try to watch any of the game and I'm still convinced he was carried out by his mates thinking we'd drawn 0-0.
Aforesaid very pissed Blade forced us to keep singing 'Oz a when dem Blaaaaades, goes a marching in......'.
Fantastic support and when Edwards got his goal we went mental. The Blackburn fans, always crap at the best of times, had being tried to goad us. We were doing congas and going barmy and no-one gave a shit we'd lost. Absolute top memorable afternoon.

More to follow but Pig away ("Bobby bobby bobby Davison") springs to mind.




*Very sadly the dub (pissed) version is rarely heard these days. To a slowed down reggae-ed sort of tune, for those of a junior disposition it sort of goes:
Ozzzzza ozzzzzza ozzzzza Oi
Ohs a when dem Blades
Goes a marchin in
I's a wanna be
In that numberrrrrrrrrr

Love that version. Arms round the shoulders of the people either side of you, three sheets to the wind, belting it out!

 

[Blade for Sale]

The 3-2 defeat V Norwich in the FA Cup. We were a 3rd tier side, they were either top or 2nd in the top flight. Played magnificently and terrified them. Thousands of Blades there singing What's it like to be outclassed despite the defeat.

 

[I should coco]

The 3-2 defeat V Norwich in the FA Cup. We were a 3rd tier side, they were either top or 2nd in the top flight. Played magnificently and terrified them. Thousands of Blades there singing What's it like to be outclassed despite the defeat.

Absolute top away day!

About 3 miles out Norwich was a big country boozer on the main road with a big blackboard outside; "NO AWAY FANS". We pulled in early doors and one of the lads sleeve must have accidentally caught the board and somehow rubbed out the "NO". Great drink, great singalong and to be fair to the landlord he just served the ale and didn't attempt to close. There was no chance of any trouble as everyone wanted to make the game.

It was the first time I remember Basset's (er, sorry 'Diplodicus Dave') famous short corner move. It didn't work but bloody hell was it good.
A great turnout of proper Blades who gave 100% support all way through. We out drank them, out sang them and we did Sheffuld proud. Thing is we didn't give a shit about the FA cup as we only wanted promotion and I don't think it was even our best XI. Where the Blades lead, Chelski, Manyoo, Arsenal & Citeh follow.

 

[Digger]

Watford away in The Fa cup one freezing afternoon in the early eighties. Lost 5-0 but the fans sang loud and proud all game. I can remember a Watford player coming to retrieve the ball to take a throw in and he shook his head and clapped as if to say "barmy but class at the same time".

Not sure if this defeat inspired John Burridges famous comment???

 

[Cheets]

No mate , last match of season , we were all penned into that small corner .

I believe the reason Reg Brealey joined our board was because he had been so impressed by our support that day.

 

[Kenilworth]

Wimbledon away 84/85. I was at uni in Nottingham and we persuaded one of the supporter's buses to pick us up on the slip road at J25. Took forever to get to Merton, no pubs and it drizzled all afternoon on the open away end. At least 4 balls were lost by being hoofed over the low stand and the Blades put in a stellar performance to only lose 5-0. We sang all afternoon and had a right laugh. Dozy coach driver missed J25 on he way back up which is fair enough as you only get about 5 signs for every motorway junction so dropped us at J26. No buses so we walked 4 miles but still made a student party for 11. Younger children look away now, pubs closed at 10.30 on a Saturday in Nottingham!
I'd love to say I pulled a gorgeous bird at the party and we shagged all not long, but....

Blackburn away 85/86. We lost 6-1 but Edwards got his 200th league goal (Billy - Come on down!). We were shit and they scored in the first minute, a portent of the doom to befall us.....
There was a Blade about as pissed as I ever seen anyone still capable of standing. He was right down at the front but with his back to the pitch. He kept egging on the few hundred Blades with the dub version of of 'When the Blades go marching in'*. I don't remember ever seeing him try to watch any of the game and I'm still convinced he was carried out by his mates thinking we'd drawn 0-0.
Aforesaid very pissed Blade forced us to keep singing 'Oz a when dem Blaaaaades, goes a marching in......'.
Fantastic support and when Edwards got his goal we went mental. The Blackburn fans, always crap at the best of times, had being tried to goad us. We were doing congas and going barmy and no-one gave a shit we'd lost. Absolute top memorable afternoon.

More to follow but Pig away ("Bobby bobby bobby Davison") springs to mind.




*Very sadly the dub (pissed) version is rarely heard these days. To a slowed down reggae-ed sort of tune, for those of a junior disposition it sort of goes:
Ozzzzza ozzzzzza ozzzzza Oi
Ohs a when dem Blades
Goes a marchin in
I's a wanna be
In that numberrrrrrrrrr

Was also at Nottm Univ 83-86

 

[Kenilworth]

I believe the reason Reg Brealey joined our board was because he had been so impressed by our support that day.

Yep it was. I was at that one, too.
Last game of the season and whilst the fans were top drawer the team was utter bobbar. On the pitch Grimsby ripped us a new one.

Sing when you're fishing, you only sing when you're fishing.

Mawiners, Mawiners, Mawiners

 

[ForgeBlade]

Swansea away, last game of the season we got relegated into this godforsaken league. We didn't shut up for 90 minutes despite getting hammered 0-4, and I will always respect the swans fans for how they treated us that day. During the game they chanted "you'll be back, you'll be back, you'll be back," and after the match the coaches full of blades were applauded out of their car/coach park by their fans. I was so, SO proud to be a Blade that day.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

Semi against hull just after their last one went in, standing ovation.

Hang on, so you displayed the fact that you became slightly aroused sexually when our opponents scored and got a standing ovation for it? Weird but impressive. Well done Jonboy.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Watford away in The Fa cup one freezing afternoon in the early eighties. Lost 5-0 but the fans sang loud and proud all game. I can remember a Watford player coming to retrieve the ball to take a throw in and he shook his head and clapped as if to say "barmy but class at the same time".

Not sure if this defeat inspired John Burridges famous comment???

Remember it well. Long walk around the away end ... were they allotments ?

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Wimbledon away 84/85. I was at uni in Nottingham and we persuaded one of the supporter's buses to pick us up on the slip road at J25. Took forever to get to Merton, no pubs and it drizzled all afternoon on the open away end. At least 4 balls were lost by being hoofed over the low stand and the Blades put in a stellar performance to only lose 5-0. We sang all afternoon and had a right laugh. Dozy coach driver missed J25 on he way back up which is fair enough as you only get about 5 signs for every motorway junction so dropped us at J26. No buses so we walked 4 miles but still made a student party for 11. Younger children look away now, pubs closed at 10.30 on a Saturday in Nottingham!
I'd love to say I pulled a gorgeous bird at the party and we shagged all not long, but....

Blackburn away 85/86. We lost 6-1 but Edwards got his 200th league goal (Billy - Come on down!). We were shit and they scored in the first minute, a portent of the doom to befall us.....
There was a Blade about as pissed as I ever seen anyone still capable of standing. He was right down at the front but with his back to the pitch. He kept egging on the few hundred Blades with the dub version of of 'When the Blades go marching in'*. I don't remember ever seeing him try to watch any of the game and I'm still convinced he was carried out by his mates thinking we'd drawn 0-0.
Aforesaid very pissed Blade forced us to keep singing 'Oz a when dem Blaaaaades, goes a marching in......'.
Fantastic support and when Edwards got his goal we went mental. The Blackburn fans, always crap at the best of times, had being tried to goad us. We were doing congas and going barmy and no-one gave a shit we'd lost. Absolute top memorable afternoon.

More to follow but Pig away ("Bobby bobby bobby Davison") springs to mind.




*Very sadly the dub (pissed) version is rarely heard these days. To a slowed down reggae-ed sort of tune, for those of a junior disposition it sort of goes:
Ozzzzza ozzzzzza ozzzzza Oi
Ohs a when dem Blades
Goes a marchin in
I's a wanna be
In that numberrrrrrrrrr

Big nose Thompson and Ken McNaught were shocking that day !

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Hang on, so you displayed the fact that you became slightly aroused sexually when our opponents scored and got a standing ovation for it? Weird but impressive. Well done Jonboy.

I always thought I was clapping the Blades

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

'Blade Pride'

Is this a new idea for a halfnhalf scarf?

El Dempso's ...

Great idea.

X

 

[Rodley]

'Blade Pride'

Is this a new idea for a halfnhalf scarf?

El Dempso's ...

Great idea.

X

Minute's silence in memory of The Cossack?

 

[Weasel]

Watford away in The Fa cup one freezing afternoon in the early eighties. Lost 5-0 but the fans sang loud and proud all game. I can remember a Watford player coming to retrieve the ball to take a throw in and he shook his head and clapped as if to say "barmy but class at the same time".

Not sure if this defeat inspired John Burridges famous comment???

Was there myself that day and I had to concur with Mr Burridges post match comments about it resembling 'Rorkes Drift'....for the younger readers it was probably a tad naughty that comment due to the personnel that Watford had...especially their two wingers who terrorised United that day.

 

[Digger]

Remember it well. Long walk around the away end ... were they allotments ?

That's right. You can't get around by the side of the ground its a hike around said allotments. Once went in with Everton fans and I think it ended 4-4.
My memory is shit.