Has anybody sat in the home end at Hillsborough, against the Blades?

[gaz kay]

5-1

I was only a lad but I remember us all singing we beat the scum 5.1 there must've been another I've 1 game because I remember me my dad and blades looking at ceefax through a living room window

 

[jalfie69]

Years ago I went to Zenith data blades vs old el rusticos sat in the front row 1-0 down and we scored, me and the lad I was sat with just jumped up screaming and shouting then that moment of shit we’ve fucked here, was about to jump over the hoarding to go on pitch as this seemed a better prospect but we turned around and there were 100’s of us in the stand, unfortunately we ended up losing 2-1.
I would say sit on your hands or go full mental case ( hopefully they won’t go near u)

I was there mate and it was fun times, I must have been one of the 100's

 

[Eric_Brooks]

Coming up to the big match in two weeks - I’m slightly intrigued if any blades on here have sat in the home end at hillsborough before, and if so what was it like? What did you do when we scored? Or they scored? How did you feel about the whole thing in general in terms of difficulty?

UTB

Not got a long time. Used to be very regular in the 90s

 

[finlaytheblade]

Not got a long time. Used to be very regular in the 90s

Sat in there north stand the match we lost on boxing day.Also been on there kop in the early 6o's blades and pig fans wernt separated in them days even though it was a feisty atmosphere.
Would try it today though! God knows why blades and pigs want to hurt each other! Absolutely crazy!!!

 

[Cheets]

Went on the Kop for the Zenith Data Cup in '89 and cheered when Bob Booker scored. There were loads of Blades in the corner next to the North Stand so went and stood with them. Went in South Stand in 1992 for the 3-1 victory. There were LOADS of Blades in there. Went on their Kop for a pre-season game in 1994. Nathan Blake got a late winner for us if memory serves. There's no way I'd do it now; times have changed. The mass infiltration of home ends in derby games doesn't seem to be a thing anymore with loyalty schemes, membership schemes etc and anyone caught in the wrong end is liable to get a battering.

 

[Sid1978]

Sat in the stand to the left of Leppings Lane, north? When we beat them 2-1 (Asaba and D’Jaffo). Loads of blades towards leppings lane. Wasn’t allowed for a piss at half time and at full time, we jumped the wall and walked out with all the blades.

I may or may not have a ticket for the lower tier for the upcoming game. Depends on how the ballot goes.

 

[Silent Blade]

Ronnie is my uncle. This is what he wrote in his book "Sharpe as a Blade"

" On the morning of Saturday September 24th 1966, four fifteen-year-old Dronny Blades sneaked into Hopkinson’s smallholding. Their mission, ‘A great egg blag.’ Johnny Hall- the mastermind behind the deadly plot - knew the layout well. He’d worked there doing odd jobs at the weekends and during school holidays.
Scores of chickens roamed free around the sheds and outbuildings, laying eggs in makeshift nests, under bushes and in the corners of broken down huts. The further away from the main house the rottener the eggs were likely to be. After filling a carrier bag each, the lads were on their way to the bus stop to meet up with a couple of hundred or so fellow Blades who were gathering in Pond Street bus station at midday.
Willie Marples, a classmate from school who was on his way to the match clad in his Wednesday gear passed the lads on Dronny bottom. Beetroot let fly a rotten egg which splatted on Willies back. Johnny Hall reckoned an old bloke walking past with his dog, fainted from the stench and the dog dropped dead.
Willie and Beetroot slugged it out, one on one for a few minutes. Beetroot ended the scrap by whipping off his belt and smacking Willie round the lughole with the buckle end. The ill feeling had started already.
Beetroot (so called because the one and only time he ever got told off by a teacher, he went as red as one) was a quiet, studious, intelligent lad who always did well at school. He always had a top pocket full of pens and would lend you one, no bother. Beetie however turned into a very naughty boy- a kind of Mr Hyde type creature whenever he went to a football game.
I once saw him, after a testimonial game against Wednesday at the Lane, drag a Wednesdayite off a bus in Pond Street, beat him half to death with a walking stick then laugh his head off when he’d finished.
I’d left a note out for Mam’s milkman and I’d been in town since eleven o’clock armed with a carton of half a dozen eggs. Loads of Blades arrived, many carrying boxes of eggs.
We set off on the two-mile trek with our banners, flags and eggs, picking up small groups of lads on the way as we walked through town. There wasn’t a policeman in sight.
We showed off our eggs to each other like they were some kind of new invention that nobody had ever seen before. Some with the little lion stamp, some large-uns, some small-uns, some free-range, some jumbo.
“Look at them fuckers for eggs then.”
As we reached the bottom of Penistone Road a mob of Pitsmoor lads carrying a large banner joined us. Any Wednesdayites we saw on route had the odd egg chucked at them.
On reaching the ground about one thirty, we queued outside the Penistone road end (Wednesday’s kop). We paid the one shilling or it might have been two shillings, admission at the boy’s entrance. I emerged at the other side of the turnstiles to see a group of Blades telling the lads that the coppers were at the back of the kop searching everyone for eggs.
I hid my eggs in some bushes and walked past two coppers (yes two) trying to pat down dozens of youth’s as they entered the kop.
“Got any eggs?” The copper asked me, patting my bush jacket; a couple of cartons lay at his feet.
“No.” I answered, “Go on then.”
At least ten lads walked past as he did this. I waited a few minutes, walked back out and collected my eggs. Passing the same copper again I said,
“You’ve searched me once.”
“Yeah go on.” he said. The ground was all but deserted, except for us; we stood at the back of the kop directly behind the goal waiting for the Wednesdayites to arrive. The plan was, at ten minutes to three, with our arms held aloft and to the chant of,
“Sheff United, hallelujah.” the mass throw would take place. By two o’clock, fifty or so Wednesdayites gathered at the front. This proved too tempting for some of the trigger-happy Blades and a few rounds of ammo were fired into them. By two thirty the ground started filling up, more Wednesdayites, more Blades and more eggs entered the stadium.
At ten to three, with forty odd thousand in the ground and the mass of Blades singing and swaying, hundreds of hands were raised into the air and the cry went up,
“Sheff United- hallelujah- hallelujah.”
What a sight to behold, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, its ‘raining eggs hallelujah.’ A huge roar greeted the teams as they took to the pitch. Raised, blue and white Wednesday banners now had tinges of yellow slime running down them.
“Scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs.” we chanted. Our ammunition now used up, we turned to coins and other missiles. Stones were collected from the banking at the back of the kop and thrown at the Wednesdayites. One of the young Dronny lads (who later went on have a distinguished career in the police force) was removed and thrown out of the ground by his later to be colleagues. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, but the Blades scored what we all thought was a late winning goal, only for it to be disallowed for offside. We left the ground en-masse at the end of the game and marched back down Penistone road towards town, chanting “We were robbed.” but still laughing at any egg stained Wednesday fans we saw.
The following Monday’s edition of the Sheffield Morning Telegraph reported the trouble. It told of the many ejections from the ground, of youths throwing sharpened steel washers and carrying flick-knifes… but no mention of any eggs."

 

[Jon B]

Years ago I went to Zenith data blades vs old el rusticos sat in the front row 1-0 down and we scored, me and the lad I was sat with just jumped up screaming and shouting then that moment of shit we’ve fucked here, was about to jump over the hoarding to go on pitch as this seemed a better prospect but we turned around and there were 100’s of us in the stand, unfortunately we ended up losing 2-1.
I would say sit on your hands or go full mental case ( hopefully they won’t go near u)

We lost 3-2.

 

[Bill puntin]

I did in 1991, won a raffle in pub it was in south stand so i was with older wendys i kept quiet till 3rd goal went in then couldnt old it any longer jumping up and going mad, got s few growls but i didnt bother

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

In their Kop for Zenith Data and North stand when we lost 1-0 under Robson

 

[Nonamedhorse]

Coming up to the big match in two weeks - I’m slightly intrigued if any blades on here have sat in the home end at hillsborough before, and if so what was it like? What did you do when we scored? Or they scored? How did you feel about the whole thing in general in terms of difficulty?

UTB

I have been in the sty ‘home end’ every single time I have visited the theatre of rust.
My first time was the crap cup game, on their Cop. Every other league game, I have gone on their stand, then got moved to the away end.
The next game against the unwashed, will be the first time I’ve actually gotten a ticket in the away end.

 

[ormester]

Usually been on the Leppings Lane end but been on their end for the derby 4 times.

Boxing 79 KOP
I was a young teenager and stood right at the back of their Kop. Not tall enough to see the pitch and all the gangways were totally packed. Remember thinking if anyone stood down at the bottom needed the toilet, it would take them 15-20 minutes to get through the crowd. Also remember 2 or 3 people wearing red and white scarves at the back of their Kop. So it was obviously more acceptable to mix back then.

93 Date Zenith cup NORTH STAND
I was on the North stand close to the Leppings Lane end and that was the unofficial away end overflow area.
Must have been at least 1000 Blades some wearing red scarves making themselves clearly visible.
Think we lost 3-2, when we scored I stood up cheering. Again it was more acceptable to mix.

Early 00’s KOP twice
I knew Wednesdayites who simply just bought extra tickets….those were the days eh?
Remember a game when D’`Jaffo and maybe Asaba scored. I almost stood up to celebrate but just managed to control myself.

Not been to a steel city derby at Hillsboro for about 20 years.

Last one I went to….i remember walking up Herries Road after the match.
Obviously loads of Wednesday fans but I saw this big bald headed guy taking his dog for a walk near the bottom of Herries Road.
He had a massive Rottweiler and his dog was wearing a red and white striped Blades shirt….thought it was hilarious….wish I’d taken a photo.

Oh I remember this

 

[Shakespeare blade]

We lost 3-2.

did we, Jesus my memory

 

[Rusty view]

2001 , 3 of us front row north stand then moved to end block next to leppings lane with police / stewards surrounding hundreds of blades - they even escorted me for a piss and brought me back..
How times have changed

I recall that, was on LL top tier. Looked ace with so many Blades all getting moved to end gangway.

 

[HillStreet Blade]

I’ve stood on their Kop when we drew 0-0 with Wendy , Hope was in goal with his Gonk just behind the post
Can’t remember the year, probably 1973 ish

Think that would be Easter 1971.

 

[KeyffSmyff]

North Stand when Hodges got sent off. Loads of us in there, all stood up and cheered and a mate I played cricket with was pleading with the stewards to get us all thrown out. Funny, he was desperate.

 

[Stevo71]

Years ago I went to Zenith data blades vs old el rusticos sat in the front row 1-0 down and we scored, me and the lad I was sat with just jumped up screaming and shouting then that moment of shit we’ve fucked here, was about to jump over the hoarding to go on pitch as this seemed a better prospect but we turned around and there were 100’s of us in the stand, unfortunately we ended up losing 2-1.
I would say sit on your hands or go full mental case ( hopefully they won’t go near u)

I was at that game, top of their kop along with half a dozen blades and wednesday mates. I was wearing the yellow tee shirt with the Blades badge on the front and 100% Blade on the back, couple of mates had Blades shirt on obviously had us jackets over the top but didn't jump around when we scored as we were shitting us sens.Can also remember quiet a few blades on that daft little corner bit adjacent to their kop

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Yes unfortunately at the infamous Boxing Day game with my mum and dad and a mate who gave Curran the fingers when he ran over to the North Stand after scoring

I was at one night game in the Leppimgs Lane where we had a massive mob in their north stand who were all moved down to the end nearest the away end. We ended up with about one fifth of their north stand, think it may have been the Bibby Davidson game but they all start merging into one in my memory nowadays

Was on there kop with a small crew of Blades when Dane scored in the 3-1 win , got chucked out after a lot of fisty cuffs between us and them , met Dane few year back in Roebuck and thanked him for that goal

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

On their Kop for a county cup game in early 70’s as a youngster. Had my red and white bobble hat knicked by one of theirs and hated them since!

In one of the side stands (North I think) in that Zenith Cup game too.

Hate it there every time but not missed a derby game since early 70’s in any competition.

 

[Tazzy]

Only once The boxing day massacre not been since that day i refuse to give them my money

 

[Sandygate Blade]

I sat with my Dad in the South Stand in April 1971. It was a 0 v 0 draw where they nullified our creative players. I remember looking at their Kop where there was a massive mob of red and white in the top corner. This was in the days before segregation.

I was in the now closed Leppings Lane corner in 2001 for the D'Jaffo/Asaba win. As well as Blades having all of the Lepping Lane end, I recall that end of the North Stand being all Blades so assumed it was part of our allocation.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

Years ago I went to Zenith data blades vs old el rusticos sat in the front row 1-0 down and we scored, me and the lad I was sat with just jumped up screaming and shouting then that moment of shit we’ve fucked here, was about to jump over the hoarding to go on pitch as this seemed a better prospect but we turned around and there were 100’s of us in the stand, unfortunately we ended up losing 2-1.
I would say sit on your hands or go full mental case ( hopefully they won’t go near u)

I too was on their Kop that day. The only reason it sticks in my head for some reason is some old hag on the way out cackled something like “ the kings win again”

Don’t know why that stuck in my memory like it did, I can remember eff all about the match, just that.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Sat and stood.

Stood on the Kop when it used to be shared.
Sat in North stand with broinlaw and watched Sabella get kicked all orr place.
Away end a few times,most memorable event for me Bobby D.

 

[CrookesBlade]

Both games at their place in 00/01 Blades fans all got shoved to the block nearest to Leppings Lane. Must have been at least a thousand.

Not been able to get a ticket for this one for the first time ever so having to make do with the boozer (assuming it’s on). Bit of a silver lining though not having to tackle the death trap or indeed listen to fucking Hi Ho Silver Lining

 

[Addison]

1966 2-2- stood on their Kop at a young age taken by a neighbour. Blades had all of the top. A mixture of fascination and terror with missiles of all shapes and sizes raining down on the pig fans below.

1971 -0-0 Promotion year. Took girlfriend to game stood on their Kop Blades had top corner again. Didn't last with girlfriend not sure she was a football fan.

1979 - lost 4-0 the dreaded boxing day game. Didn't buy a ticket but mate was setting up for disco in Castle pub near Sty so we went down on the off chance. Turnstile operator let us in for a few quid each onto their Kop. Lots of Blades down at front.

1989 - Zenith data lost 3-2 aet. On their North Stand Blades everywhere.

2001 - Won 2-1 April fools day. Sat in their South Stand on my hands on my own. Blades were standing up when we scored but were getting attacked and the stewards were joining in throwing out Blades. Left when gates opened and walked onto the Leppings Lane end. Gave a finger to the twats who were sat at the side of me on the South Stand. The look of confusion on their faces was a picture.

All the other times I've been on the Leppings Lane End be it with my Dad in 1968 1-1 Mick Hill equalised or the best day of all Bobby Davison night. Followed the next year by a 1-1 draw.

Returned for Duffy day in 2017 the second best performance I've ever witnessed. In all I've never seen us lose when I've bought a ticket over 90 minutes. Not going this year due to ill health but turning up at the Sty and letting them know you are here is one of the best feelings a Blade could experience imo.

 

[gaz kay]

Was on there kop with a small crew of Blades when Dane scored in the 3-1 win , got chucked out after a lot of fisty cuffs between us and them , met Dane few year back in Roebuck and thanked him for that goal

Deano was injured for that game but he scored season after just before half time. Game ended 1.1. We'd just gone 1 0 up and at half time Wednesday dj put simply the best on. All unitedites singing and looking at the glum faces in the Wednesday end

 

[ancientblade]

january 1968 relegation season drew 1 - 1 mick hill after willie carlins jinky run most blades ive ever seen on wednesdays kop that day must have been 4/5k missiles backwards and forwards just like in the first game at the lane september 67

 

[Blade for Sale]

Deano was injured for that game but he scored season after just before half time. Game ended 1.1. We'd just gone 1 0 up and at half time Wednesday dj put simply the best on. All unitedites singing and looking at the glum faces in the Wednesday end

Deane definitely played in the 3-1 win. He assisted Dane's 1st.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Yes the 1-3 in the 90's. I was one of loads of us on their North Stand. What a day that was.

'3-1, we bet the scum 3-1 '

That game saw the very last rendition at the Rustbucket of their then theme song, Always look on the bright side of life. Sung by a packed away end and Blades in the North as the last of them exited the ground.

 

[cahill]

I’ve stood on their Kop when we drew 0-0 with Wendy , Hope was in goal with his Gonk just behind the post
Can’t remember the year, probably 1973 ish

In those days it was normal, not the psychodrama it is these days. I was at the game was 1971 I think