Leicester 1990

[diplomat]

Leicester fans didn't sing anything. There weren't enough of them in the stadium to get a song going.

We officially had 7,500 tickets, but this was back in the day when segregation wasn't as heavily controlled. United fans bought thousands of tickets in the Leicester sections. And many others went without tickets and bought the last ticket stub from the Leicester fans season tickets in the boozers and in the streets.

Leicester's last game at home before playing us had a 10,000 attendance against Oldham, who were in the hunt for a play off place themselves and brought 2,000 meaning there was about 8000 Leicester fans for their second to last home game.

There was around 22,000 at Filbert Street the day we played them

The stand behind the goal was supposed to be split I think. My mate was in the Leicester half keeping quiet but realised there were about five Leicester fans there. It was about as much of a takeover as you could possibly imagine.

 

[spongebobblade]

One of the all time great days out as a blade topped only by the ridiculous goings on and amazing, never to be repeated day out at Darlington. Anyone else in the pub full of blades whose windows were put through by Leicester fans before the game?

 

[Sheffsteel]

The stand behind the goal was supposed to be split I think. My mate was in the Leicester half keeping quiet but realised there were about five Leicester fans there. It was about as much of a takeover as you could possibly imagine.

Yeh it was a common trend with many clubs putting the away end and home end being next to each other behind the same goal.

Leicester’s Filbert Street, Wolves Molineuax, also think Villa Park all had fencing down the middle of the Kop, so home and away fans stood next to each other separated by a small no mans land, Bradfords Valley Parade, Man Citys Kippax stand were the same.

 

[Weasel]

The Shoreham used to have white fencing splitting it into sections too.

I'm sure I remember the main home fans area at the Old Show Ground at Scunnie also being split. Memories could be playing tricks with me though so I could be wrong.

Remember being stood on the Kippax though.

 

[Bert]

That's where I was. I'd driven down to Leicester the week before and easily got a ticket - no databases, loyalty points and all that crap back then. Before KO in that upper tier, nobody was sure who was who so - as was my wont back then - I got up on my seat and started 'We're on the march with Bassett's Army!' Cue a mass brawl but it was mostly Blades up there. After the final whistle, thousands of Blades invaded the pitch but a small bunch of Leicester fans charged in (obviously aggrieved that we were on 'their' pitch). They didn't last long.

A top, top day of the kind that probably wouldn't happen nowadays. Made all the better when we heard the pigs had gone down!

That was exactly where Bert and Co were sat. There were some Scottish Unitedites the row behind us. Most strange hearing Unitedites with Scottish accents.

 

[Newbury Blade]

Leicester fans didn't sing anything. There weren't enough of them in the stadium to get a song going.

We officially had 7,500 tickets, but this was back in the day when segregation wasn't as heavily controlled. United fans bought thousands of tickets in the Leicester sections. And many others went without tickets and bought the last ticket stub from the Leicester fans season tickets in the boozers and in the streets.

Leicester's last game at home before playing us had a 10,000 attendance against Oldham, who were in the hunt for a play off place themselves and brought 2,000 meaning there was about 8000 Leicester fans for their second to last home game.

There was around 22,000 at Filbert Street the day we played them

I was in the Leicester kop with 3 young children and their fans attacked us ...


Great day though!

 

[Weasel]

Me and some of the boys bumped into some of the LBS on the way back to the train station after the match.

We were all ecstatic and wasn't looking for any bother but some of them were a bit of a pain in the arse. Needless to say, it kicked off a bit but they were soon moved on - no one was going to spoil our enjoyment that day! We had a great drink and sing song all the way back to London Road with the red hot weather. Wonderful day. Top memories, which I will take with me till the day I drop.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Another thing about that day of the Leicester game that many might not be aware off.

Wednesday would be relegated if they lost at home to Forest
But also Luton needed to win away at Derby to escape their relegation.

Wednesday never turned up home to Forest and lost 0-3, think they expected Derby to do them a favour. So all eyes were on the Derby v Luton match. All the Wednesday fans had their radios listening to the updates from the Baseball ground.

Luton were 2-0 up, so looked like Wednesday would be relegated
But Derby managed to pull it back to 2-2 and even though Wednesday were losing it seemed they would be safe.

Then in the 90th minute Radio Sheffield reported a GOAL FLASH.
They said there was unconfirmed reports that Derby had scored in the last minute meaning Wednesday has escaped relegation.
Many were listening on radios at Hillsboro and for about 30 seconds there was cheering all around the ground.

A minute later Radio Sheffield apologised and said they’ve now received confirmation and it was actually Kingsley Black of Luton that scored in the last minute. The match ended Derby 2 Luton 3, meaning Luton leapfrogged Wednesday to push them down into div 2.
Classic day...double celebration.

 

[Topplayersleave]

We regularly sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone' throughout the 80s; once normally followed by a clapping version. It took on added poignancy when we sang it against Brentford in the first game to be played in Sheffield after the Hillsborough disaster. We also regularly sang 'Marching On Together' but with 'Blades' instead of 'Leeds'.

I can still remember the "Walk On" at Grimsby in the last game of 1979-80 season (I think), Grimsby got promoted along with the pigs

Walk on started mid way through the first half, carried on through the half time break, carried on all the way through the second half and carried on all the way through each of Grimsby's four goals.

I was only a young un, but I can still remember when it sounded for a split second like it was going to stop, Cooper, Herman, Dinky Dawson and a few others running around the place making sure people carried on singing it.

Reg "Victor Kiam" Brearley was so impressed he bought the club.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Another fact about the Leicester game is

Before the match the result was important because if Newcastle has the chance to overtake us on the last day
And also if we bettered the Leeds result we could have topped the table.

In the end our win (which was never in doubt) was irrelevant because Leeds won and Newcastle lost.

 

[Revolution]

Another fact about the Leicester game is

Before the match the result was important because if Newcastle has the chance to overtake us on the last day
And also if we bettered the Leeds result we could have topped the table.

In the end our win (which was never in doubt) was irrelevant because Leeds won and Newcastle lost.

It was all over by half time, as we were 4-1 up and Newcastle were 3-0 down. This made it easier to enjoy what happened at the Sty.

The Leeds game was close - they only won 1-0 at Bournemouth. Their fans destroyed the town centre, as was typical in those days.

 

[grafikhaus]

A more condensed, Blades-centric vid. here:

 

[grafikhaus]

Yeh it was a common trend with many clubs putting the away end and home end being next to each other behind the same goal.

Leicester’s Filbert Street, Wolves Molineuax, also think Villa Park all had fencing down the middle of the Kop, so home and away fans stood next to each other separated by a small no mans land, Bradfords Valley Parade, Man Citys Kippax stand were the same.

Blackpool and Burnley both used to split stands between home & away fans. (Burnley's was down the side of the pitch, Blackpool's behind one of the goals). The dividing wall was about 8 feet high corrugated iron with no netting above. The stuff that got lobbed between rival fans was incredible - bricks, darts and pool balls (nicked from some pub before the game), coins, lumps of angle iron etc. Derby's Baseball Ground and Bolton's old Burnden Park also had rival fans standing literally a few feet apart.

Derby day at Hillsborough in the 60s and 70s saw their kop split between Blades and pigs, separated by the width of a gangway and no coppers in between. It was a form of 'mutually assured destruction' where nobody wanted to kick off or the consequences would be alarming.

 

[Dkc]

I can still remember the "Walk On" at Grimsby in the last game of 1979-80 season (I think), Grimsby got promoted along with the pigs

Walk on started mid way through the first half, carried on through the half time break, carried on all the way through the second half and carried on all the way through each of Grimsby's four goals.

I was only a young un, but I can still remember when it sounded for a split second like it was going to stop, Cooper, Herman, Dinky Dawson and a few others running around the place making sure people carried on singing it.

Reg "Victor Kiam" Brearley was so impressed he bought the club.

Eventually it turned into There's only One Happy Harry'

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I was only 10 but it's still a day I will never forget.

Me & my dad were in the upper tier behind the goal, all Blades chants & shirts. No Leicester to be seen or heard.

It was only a couple of years ago, when I found the ticket in the programme, that I realised we were in the "home" end!!

I was up there as well, though I was a bit older than you and fully aware I was in the home end. There were 3 Leicester fans sat in front of us, shitting themselves the whole game but also quite awed by the number of Blades fans in the ground. I still got on the pitch at the end of the game

 

[INTAKE BLADE]

I was committed to a job I had to do, still regret it to this day, but, I enjoyed getting pissed in a pig run pub, I got a warning off the pig landlord to behave myself before he pulled my first pint, let's just say he went to bed that night well pissed off.

 

[South Bucks]

Great day and before the game dozens of us exiles descended on a pub in Dunton Bassett just outside Leicester and indulged in a mass game of p*ssed up footy. Remember being on the lower tier of their split end and apart from when they scored early on it was a great atmosphere and game. Leicester fans threatening GBH on the way home but only when they vastly outnumbered us. I still read that copy of the star from time to time for a laugh.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Ahhh Leicester. Nothing beats Leicester not even Darlo......

 

[Billyblade]

Covered this in a few threads about this day but don't mind doing it again!!
One of the greatest days of my life (not withstanding the birth of my 2 kids and my marriage to my beautiful Wife - just in case they've registered on here without me knowing )
Myself and my Brother had followed the Blades home and away all season, only missing about 3 games and spending an absolute fortune in the process. I was 19 at the time, heavily into music and alcohol and bursting with spunk.
May 5th came round and of we went on the Supporters Club coach. The only thing I regretted about our away travel was going with the pop and crisps brigade and not with Mr Shepherd.
We took our place in the Blades stand at the side of the pitch and awaited our inevitable promotion, then disaster. Leicester scored. That feeling of dread was welling up and I said to my Brother "All this time, money and effort spent on this season and they're going to fuck it up in last game".
Fast forward a few minutes to absolute hysteria. 4-1 up. I seriously didn't know what to do with myself and seriously thought I was going to have a heart attack. Everything was brilliant - Wilf scoring, the pinball goal, Martin Hog taking one in the kite and getting concussed, no substitute keeper so an outfield player had to go in the net to replace him, pitch invasions after every goal, fancy dress everywhere (especially Fatman and Robin), going on the pitch myself at the end and ruffling Harry's hair while telling him I loved him! Then we found out the pigs had got relegated. Awesome, awesome, awesome.
The coach dropped us off outside Ponsfords and we legged it up to the Shakey (Brothers Arms). I ran home from there to change my shoes. I'd stupidly gone in a brand new pair of Converse with no socks and they'd cut my feet to ribbons. I spent about 30 seconds in the house while unbelievably managing to not rip the living shit out of my Wendy supporting Dad.
Back up to the Shakey then to slake my thirst. We sat in the beer garden and there were a few pigs looking suicidal whilst reading "that" iconic Green 'Un. The atmosphere was "tense". Blades were dying to take the piss. We moved on down to the White Lion and in the back room where the Bar Football table used to be was an uneasy stand-off. Pigs on one side, us on the other. One Blade decided to break the stand-off by singing at the top of his voice to the tune of "Da Doo Ron Ron" (bearing in mind the Pigs manager was that cuddly racist Ron Atkinson) -

"Ooooooh, the Forest went to Hillsborough and they beat the pigs.
You're down Ron, Ron, Ron, you're down Ron, Ron.
The Forest went to Hillsborough and they beat the pigs.
You're down Ron, Ron, Ron, you're down Ron, Ron.
Oooooooh, division 2
Oooooooh, that's the place for you
Oooooooh, division 2
You're down Ron, Ron, Ron, you're down Ron, Ron"

That broke the tension and everything was fine and dandy after that (well the pigs went home)

I proceeded to get right royally slaughtered that evening and finished off with a curry.

Stuff of dreams.

I have on DVD the "United" documentary aired at the time including highlights of the Leicester game and other highlights from the season too. I still get it out every now and then to relive those hedonistic days.

 

[Maidenhead]

Ahhh Leicester. Nothing beats Leicester not even Darlo......

I was at both and tbh I can't separate them but I do know that they will never be matched.

Northampton/ MK not a patch on them.

I'm sure of this even though I didn't get to Northampton as I couldn't get a ticket gor my son and being a good dad I really didn't want to rub his nose in it.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Martin Hog taking one in the kite and getting concussed, no substitute keeper so an outfield player had to go in the net to replace him...

This is it.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I was at both and tbh I can't separate them but I do know that they will never be matched.

Northampton/ MK not a patch on them.

I'm sure of this even though I didn't get to Northampton as I couldn't get a ticket gor my son and being a good dad I really didn't want to rub his nose in it.[/QUOT

I was at both and tbh I can't separate them but I do know that they will never be matched.

Northampton/ MK not a patch on them.

I'm sure of this even though I didn't get to Northampton as I couldn't get a ticket gor my son and being a good dad I really didn't want to rub his nose in it.

I probably too young to fully appreciate the Darlo game. But if you consider the prize at the end of both. The Blades back in the top flight after 14 years and the pork relegated tops it all for me.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I was at both and tbh I can't separate them but I do know that they will never be matched.

Northampton/ MK not a patch on them.

I'm sure of this even though I didn't get to Northampton as I couldn't get a ticket gor my son and being a good dad I really didn't want to rub his nose in it.

Darlington just about shaded it for me. We'd had years of slide since the Currie era of the early 70s, never looked like winning owt. So even though it was the 4th division, the sheer joy/relief of that season made it very special. Besides, jumping up and down with a baby, a gorilla and Zorro was just weirdly great.

 

[Goody]

My eldest lad and i went with the wadsley bridge supporters club run from the new bridge inn.
When we got back pigs were waiting for our 2 buses with a vast arsenal of rubble and bottles. We were on the 1st coach which had all the famillys on so we didnt stop at the bridge but got off up the rd at the white horse.
The other bus did stop and was dropped off there. The bobbys were there by then tho.
Anyone else go with the bridge?

 

[Liverpool blade]

Leicester was brilliant. I went to the game on a double decker bus from the white hart in greenhill dressed as a gorilla!!. There was a game of football amongst the fans before we set off with pints of beer in hand and running round trying not to spill any.
I missed the last 5 mins as I received a 50 p coin in my forehead thrown by the Leicester fans in the corner on the bottom tier of the stand behind the goal!!. I was led away on the touch line to have the wound stitched up. It was still a hell of a great day. UTB

 

[dazzlingblade]

It was my first ever away game, with my dad, uncle and cousin, not a bad game for my first one, still yet to sample a day quite like it

 

[RammyBlade]

A more condensed, Blades-centric vid. here:

God Ive seen that many times and it still brings tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. I was at Leicester and got back to London Road to celebrate - never seen such scenes since the 1971 promotion but the Leicester one was really special given we had just got promoted the season before.
The League one title was nearly as good especially as there was more media coverage to watch

 

[diplomat]

It was all over by half time, as we were 4-1 up and Newcastle were 3-0 down. This made it easier to enjoy what happened at the Sty.

The Leeds game was close - they only won 1-0 at Bournemouth. Their fans destroyed the town centre, as was typical in those days.

They tried to burn down the pier as well, the pesky little scally wags. (Scum)

 

[Tony]

Leicester fans didn't sing anything. There weren't enough of them in the stadium to get a song going.

We officially had 7,500 tickets, but this was back in the day when segregation wasn't as heavily controlled. United fans bought thousands of tickets in the Leicester sections. And many others went without tickets and bought the last ticket stub from the Leicester fans season tickets in the boozers and in the streets.

Leicester's last game at home before playing us had a 10,000 attendance against Oldham, who were in the hunt for a play off place themselves and brought 2,000 meaning there was about 8000 Leicester fans for their second to last home game.

There was around 22,000 at Filbert Street the day we played them

Three sides of the ground were full of Blades, only Leicester fans were in the side terrace and couldn't have been more than 7/8000.