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Once the problems kicked off, it was difficult to do otherwise. But you are right that segregation has set in concrete the ‘us v them’ mentality. I have never understood the hatred; it seems to me our common interest (love of football) should outweigh the differences (which particular team we support). Much as I dislike Leeds, I would rather youngsters in Leeds grow up supporting Leeds rather than Liverpool or Real Madrid, depending on who has just won the Champions League. I love sitting with a pint arguing with Wednesday, Leeds, West Ham, etc., fans, but why would I want to fight them? Still can’t get my head round that one.Great post. I often wondered whether the segregation over the years has made the problem much worse
yeah early 70s often yards of terracing on kop with lines of police down either side of ours and opposition fans sort of no mans land newcastle chelsea man city amongst em then every now and again blades fans would surge as one in to them usually ending up with coppers helmets flying everywhereI seem to remember lots of fans coming on our kop but one in particular sticks in my fragile mind, it was Liverpool and there was what is known as a battle royal.
I'm almost certain as a result of this violence the kop had fence put up round pitch perimeter, and the kop itself was like split into segments by white railings. I hope my memory not playing tricks on me as someone has said I can remember being able to walk the ground when 3 sided.
opposition fans automatically went on each others ends from mid 60s onwards we did it at away games and visiting teams did it at the laneOnce the problems kicked off, it was difficult to do otherwise. But you are right that segregation has set in concrete the ‘us v them’ mentality. I have never understood the hatred; it seems to me our common interest (love of football) should outweigh the differences (which particular team we support). Much as I dislike Leeds, I would rather youngsters in Leeds grow up supporting Leeds rather than Liverpool or Real Madrid, depending on who has just won the Champions League. I love sitting with a pint arguing with Wednesday, Leeds, West Ham, etc., fans, but why would I want to fight them? Still can’t get my head round that one.
I went regularly to away matches in the late 50s/ early 60s with a group of lads, all of us with scarves, rattles and loud voices, and we usually went behind one goal, often on the Kop (or equivalent), and for years we felt more welcome there than when we moved round at half-time in home matches if Utd were kicking towards the Lane End in the second half. The miserable old gits at the Lane End didn’t like their peace disturbing. Visits included Liverpool, ManU, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, etc., without a problem. The first I recall was at Leeds in 1961, a match I am covering in a couple of weeks in the 60 Years Ago thread. A group of ‘hard’ Leeds lads came over looking for trouble, and the older Leeds supporters told them to bugger off, which solved the problem. I would say it was 1964-ish when things began to change.opposition fans automatically went on each others ends from mid 60s onwards we did it at away games and visiting teams did it at the lane
and the kop itself was like split into segments by white railings.
My uncle recalled walking across High Street in the city centre on semi final day in 1956 and he saw a big punch up between Sunderland and Birmingham fansI went regularly to away matches in the late 50s/ early 60s with a group of lads, all of us with scarves, rattles and loud voices, and we usually went behind one goal, often on the Kop (or equivalent), and for years we felt more welcome there than when we moved round at half-time in home matches if Utd were kicking towards the Lane End in the second half. The miserable old gits at the Lane End didn’t like their peace disturbing. Visits included Liverpool, ManU, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, etc., without a problem. The first I recall was at Leeds in 1961, a match I am covering in a couple of weeks in the 60 Years Ago thread. A group of ‘hard’ Leeds lads came over looking for trouble, and the older Leeds supporters told them to bugger off, which solved the problem. I would say it was 1964-ish when things began to change.
In case you’re not aware , Upton is the place where Joe Shaw played his football before joining the Blades .
That alone entitles anyone living in that fair village to be proud to be a resident .
We stayed in Upton for a few days last year. Lovely little town on the River SevernIn case you’re not aware , Upton is the place where Joe Shaw played his football before joining the Blades .
That alone entitles anyone living in that fair village to be proud to be a resident .
You used to be able to walk round by the Pavilion. You couldn't go through the John Street Terrace without paying extra.I seem to remember lots of fans coming on our kop but one in particular sticks in my fragile mind, it was Liverpool and there was what is known as a battle royal.
I'm almost certain as a result of this violence the kop had fence put up round pitch perimeter, and the kop itself was like split into segments by white railings. I hope my memory not playing tricks on me as someone has said I can remember being able to walk the ground when 3 sided.
There obviously wasn’t the information around at the time, and I was too young then to read about such things if they were reported. Do you think it was serious violence, or perhaps just goading? I am going entirely on memory of my own experience: I have always been a coward, but felt comfortable standing behind the goal at grounds around the country. It helped that Hodgy often invited a young home fan to join him in goal for the pre-match warm-up. Great PR, but I suspect he did it simply because he was a nice guy.My uncle recalled walking across High Street in the city centre on semi final day in 1956 and he saw a big punch up between Sunderland and Birmingham fans
I was asking my Uncle about the first football related violence he saw, he said he saw a punch up between Sunderland and Birmingham fans on High Street when he was crossing the road around lunch time. He didnt go into great detail about it. I assume both fans were drinking at pubs before going to the semi final and then something happened which caused the punch up.There obviously wasn’t the information around at the time, and I was too young then to read about such things if they were reported. Do you think it was serious violence, or perhaps just goading? I am going entirely on memory of my own experience: I have always been a coward, but felt comfortable standing behind the goal at grounds around the country. It helped that Hodgy often invited a young home fan to join him in goal for the pre-match warm-up. Great PR, but I suspect he did it simply because he was a nice guy.
We stayed in Upton for a few days last year. Lovely little town on the River Severn
Well said Hodgie ,couldnt agree more!Once the problems kicked off, it was difficult to do otherwise. But you are right that segregation has set in concrete the ‘us v them’ mentality. I have never understood the hatred; it seems to me our common interest (love of football) should outweigh the differences (which particular team we support). Much as I dislike Leeds, I would rather youngsters in Leeds grow up supporting Leeds rather than Liverpool or Real Madrid, depending on who has just won the Champions League. I love sitting with a pint arguing with Wednesday, Leeds, West Ham, etc., fans, but why would I want to fight them? Still can’t get my head round that one.
was a ritual in the 60s to walk round to the lane end if united lost the toss and kicked towards the kop first half and yes your right the old fogies which i am one of thesedays didnt like it at all lolI went regularly to away matches in the late 50s/ early 60s with a group of lads, all of us with scarves, rattles and loud voices, and we usually went behind one goal, often on the Kop (or equivalent), and for years we felt more welcome there than when we moved round at half-time in home matches if Utd were kicking towards the Lane End in the second half. The miserable old gits at the Lane End didn’t like their peace disturbing. Visits included Liverpool, ManU, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, etc., without a problem. The first I recall was at Leeds in 1961, a match I am covering in a couple of weeks in the 60 Years Ago thread. A group of ‘hard’ Leeds lads came over looking for trouble, and the older Leeds supporters told them to bugger off, which solved the problem. I would say it was 1964-ish when things began to change.
Did you start on the hill? We started on the hill and tried blagging our way in after 30 mins and again on about 70 mins with no luck until it got to the 88th min where I didn’t care about a stewards opinion on me entering I was going in no matter what.I ended up in the home end at Northampton on 8th April 2017 for an hour, kept my mouth shut, no trouble whatsoever, then Leon Clarke scored the equaliser and I was straight on the pitch celebrating and in the away end before you could say "Johny Fleck is our Scottish hero ... "
You used to be able to walk round by the Pavilion. You couldn't go through the John Street Terrace without paying extra.
Sadly inevitable but ultimately counter productive. One for the sociologists and psychologists I thinkOnce the problems kicked off, it was difficult to do otherwise. But you are right that segregation has set in concrete the ‘us v them’ mentality. I have never understood the hatred; it seems to me our common interest (love of football) should outweigh the differences (which particular team we support). Much as I dislike Leeds, I would rather youngsters in Leeds grow up supporting Leeds rather than Liverpool or Real Madrid, depending on who has just won the Champions League. I love sitting with a pint arguing with Wednesday, Leeds, West Ham, etc., fans, but why would I want to fight them? Still can’t get my head round that one.
I was once allowed to go onto the JS terrace as our kop was rammed full of Man Utd fans they didn't charge me on that occasion, but I do remember yes.You used to be able to walk round by the Pavilion. You couldn't go through the John Street Terrace without paying extra.
Oh yes the SRA I can recall Newcastle fans coming on kop and they battled for ages, in end coppers took them off as they would not back down.Yes you are correct, although from my memory it was only the section above the walkway - but that was where I stood in those days.
Sectioned off with white railings as you mentioned - can specifically remember one particular Saturday, I was in very early and some Newcastle fans came in very early making lots of noise and you tended to get trapped in these pens - didn't last long once the SRA got involved (think it was the SRA at that time not the BBC)
UTB
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