Dressing Rooms BDTBL

[KingKeith]

I’ve just seen clip from 1979 v Grimsby Town and noticed still using John Street.
when did it change to the South Stand?

 

[Sheffsteel]

Good question....I’m sure the John Street changing rooms were used through the 80’s.
The new John Street stand was completed in 1996.....it was a 3 sided ground for 3 or 4 years (I think) so assume the old John Street stand was demolished in 1992 ish.

Assume players started entering the pitch from the South stand from around 1991, not 100% sure though.

 

[bartman]

I’ve just seen clip from 1979 v Grimsby Town and noticed still using John Street.
when did it change to the South Stand?

I am not sure which game but I seem to recall that the dressing rooms in the South Stand started to be used in the middle of the Division 4 season

 

[bromtom]

They were in the South for the 'United!' documentary weren't they? That was the 89/90 season.

 

[Weasel]

Season 1981 to 1982. Can remember being sat in the 'new' South Stand with the old fella and hearing the roar of the crowd as the teams emerged pre kick off. We were puzzled as we couldn't see anything across the pitch from the John Street. Possibly the match v Hereford at the Lane which finished 2-2. We were winning 2-0 and managed to chuck it away that day!

The changing rooms in the John Street were used by the ball boys, I know this as I was playing for the Junior Blades in the 80s and we regularly used to be ball boys at the Lane and changed into our match trackies in the John Street changing rooms.

The changing rooms were very basic and you couldn't swing a cat in there.

 

[Eza Blade]

I’ve just seen a clip from the latrine next to the trenches at the Battle of the Somme. When did they move from France to the Kop!

 

[Weasel]

Also remember seeing Martin Peters and Co sat in the white brick dugouts in JSS v Walsall in that match in May 81, and then Porterfield was in the dugout in the South Stand for the next season. Also remember a few years later (1985 I think), some geezer waltzing down to the SS dugouts full of anger to bang on the dugouts with fury as Porterfield was on his way out and the crowd was calling for his head. Not playing Edwards didn't help his cause.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I am not sure which game but I seem to recall that the dressing rooms in the South Stand started to be used in the middle of the Division 4 season

That’s correct. In fact the new changing rooms opened during a 4th division home match just after half time. Those of you who stayed behind to applaud the team will remember the players going down the tunnel at John Street, only to emerge naked, carrying their kit and clothes, to run over to the new south stand changing rooms to get showered.

 

[Silent Blade]

Deffo 1981-82 season

 

[CrookesBlade]

The old John Street stand was demolished at the end of the 93/94 season. For the 1994/95 season didn't TV cameras switch temporarily to the building site (aka Fred West's Garden)? The cup game vs Man Utd was definitely shot from that side. Moved back to the South Stand the season after.

 

[Blade56]

Dint players used to get changed int Kop toilets?

 

[Foxy]

Reliably informed (it was two years before I was born)... 1982, 4th Division, 7-3 win over Northampton Town. Pissed it down and was one of the first games free tickets were given to schools.

 

[BladeByChoice]

Reliably informed (it was two years before I was born)... 1982, 4th Division, 7-3 win over Northampton Town. Pissed it down and was one of the first games free tickets were given to schools.

This is correct, I went on the boxing day stadium tour and this was one of the nuggets of information given out.

 

[Silent Blade]

The old John Street stand was demolished at the end of the 93/94 season. For the 1994/95 season didn't TV cameras switch temporarily to the building site (aka Fred West's Garden)? The cup game vs Man Utd was definitely shot from that side. Moved back to the South Stand the season after.

Yes it was last used when we beat Newcastle 2-0 in April 1994. The new John Street stand was open for the 0-0 draw against Tranmere in October 1996.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Reliably informed (it was two years before I was born)... 1982, 4th Division, 7-3 win over Northampton Town. Pissed it down and was one of the first games free tickets were given to schools.

I remember the game, remember the rain, but the use of the new changing rooms I can't recall. Do remember lots of kids in the BLUT

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

The changing rooms were very basic and you couldn't swing a cat in there.

F**k whether it could be swung round or not.
Did it count in the attendance figures?

 

[west_yorks_blade]

Reliably informed (it was two years before I was born)... 1982, 4th Division, 7-3 win over Northampton Town. Pissed it down and was one of the first games free tickets were given to schools.

And the majority of attendees have been school kids with free tickets ever since .....

#PigMythology

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

I seem to remember the Walsall, Blades players and Martin Peters getting chased down the South stand tunnel....was that 81?

 

[Revolution]

I am not sure which game but I seem to recall that the dressing rooms in the South Stand started to be used in the middle of the Division 4 season

yes, the first time they were used was for the 4-0 win v Stockport on 9 February 1982.

 

[Weasel]

I seem to remember the Walsall, Blades players and Martin Peters getting chased down the South stand tunnel....was that 81?

No, we definately used the John Street changing rooms that day. Remember Martin Peters being sat in the old white washed brick managers box in that stand that day.

It's also mentioned in Bladeheart the autobiography of Tony Kenworthy, about the use of JSS and the old managers box that day. TK wasn't very complimentary about MPs that day and for dropping him without warning for that match, and for not explaining why to him. We could have done with his penalty taking skills as well that day too!

Definately 81-82 season when we switched stands, but can't specifically remember the game. Don't think it was the Northampton night match either, as I'm pretty certain it was a Saturday afternoon match when we switched changing rooms for the first time.

Edit. Reading Post above, maybe it was a week night, memory must be playing tricks.

Is it mentioned in Dennis Clareboroughs SUFC history book from the late 80s which had notes for individual matches listed at the back?

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

No, we definately used the John Street changing rooms that day. Remember Martin Peters being sat in the old white washed brick managers box in that stand that day.

It's also mentioned in Bladeheart the autobiography of Tony Kenworthy, about the use of JSS and the old managers box that day. TK wasn't very complimentary about MPs that day and for dropping him without warning for that match, and for not explaining why to him. We could have done with his penalty taking skills as well that day too!

Definately 81-82 season when we switched stands, but can't specifically remember the game. Don't think it was the Northampton night match either, as I'm pretty certain it was a Saturday afternoon match when we switched changing rooms for the first time.

Ahh my bad was only 10 so memory bit hazy !

 

[Weasel]

Ahh my bad was only 10 so memory bit hazy !

Tbh, I can remember a lot of things about SUFC from that era and beyond, but ask me about stuff from the mid 90s onwards and I've no chance.

 

[LS16Blade]

yes, the first time they were used was for the 4-0 win v Stockport on 9 February 1982.

Spot on, Revolution. It seems that somebody at the club is giving out false nuggets of information on the Stadium Tour, though. Sloppy.

Attached are Porterfield's programme notes from the Stockport County match on 9th February, referencing the use of the new facilities. It was also Colin Morris' debut for the Blades.

Also attached are the action photos from the programme for the Port Vale match, showing our 4 goals against County.