Your memories going to BDTBL when a kid

[brownie4583]

My earliest memories are going to the games at BDTBL around 1974,when i was 9 years old.
My dad and my mates dad,who lived 2 doors away,used to take us to alternate home games,we had a car so we went in that but his dad didn't drive so we used to catch the 20 or 34 bus and walk to the ground.
It was about 25p or 50p to get in then,and we used to stand at the front of the kop usually.
I remember Jim Brown in goal,Tony Currie,Woody,Tony Field,Keith Eddy,Eddie Colquhoun etc and me and my mate both had the replica kit,still have a photo of us on the back garden with the football(he has No.7 on his shorts,and i have No.10,thought i was TC with my blond hair)
I remember once going on the Lane end against Newcastle and fans of both teams stood together,around 1975 ish.I also thought Chris Guthrie was good!
If we couldn't go for any reason we would be proper gutted and would stand in my back garden,we could see the ground in the distance and hear the crowd sometimes.
What are your childhood memories of BDTBL?

 

[Karaoke Blade]

My Dad started taking me regularly in 1970-71 season and we always stood on the Lane End lower. Happiest memory was at end of Watford match when the old man gave me the nod to run on the pitch to celebrate promotion.
Never saw any trouble that end and home and away fans seemed to mix. All the trouble I saw in later years seemed to be on the Kop (notably Man U, Leeds and Newcastle).
I carried on for a couple of years on my own on Lane End but remember nearly getting crushed when my legs left the floor at the end of a Chelsea match. Think we won 1-0 (Darren?). After then, I usually stood on kop, although remember a few matches in the old wooden John Street seating when my Dad came with me.

 

[Darren]

My Dad started taking me regularly in 1970-71 season and we always stood on the Lane End lower. Happiest memory was at end of Watford match when the old man gave me the nod to run on the pitch to celebrate promotion.
Never saw any trouble that end and home and away fans seemed to mix. All the trouble I saw in later years seemed to be on the Kop (notably Man U, Leeds and Newcastle).
I carried on for a couple of years on my own on Lane End but remember nearly getting crushed when my legs left the floor at the end of a Chelsea match. Think we won 1-0 (Darren?). After then, I usually stood on kop, although remember a few matches in the old wooden John Street seating when my Dad came with me.

The only home 1-0 win over Chelsea in the 70's was the Friday night 3/12/76. Hamilton (pen) scored.

 

[Sharrowblade]

Stood on the Cricket pavilion Balcony for the last game of the season May 73 against Spurs (3-2) for the last 10 minutes. The old man knew it would be the last opportunity to do so.

Running up and down the steps on the Kop during the winter months in me Parka trying to keep me feet warm

 

[judge]

Dont remember much about the games just remember running around on the front of tge kop with my mstes from school

 

[blade too long]

having a proper wooden rattle , with one red and one white clapper, who needed a ipad

 

[sitwell]

Going with my Grandad in 1970 ,on the BLUT ,first time I saw the pitch it seemed so steep and amazing , he was ill and even though the weather was warm he had a vest ,shirt ,cardy ,jumper , jacket ,overcoat and flat cap on , and I still remember he had a dew drop hanging on the end of his nose but I wouldn't tell him. He died at the end of the promotion season.

 

[highpeakblade]

I remember squeezing my way down to the front of the kop with my buddies and the old man on about 3 occasions forget I was with him and headed off to the boozer post match. I used to then have to trawl his known hangouts until I found him. Once had to walk all the way back up to The Captive Queen on the norfolk parkl to find him on a dark, cold, winter night. I remember I was happy enough at the start because we had won but then I took the shortcut through Norfolk Park itself and my leisurely stroll turned into a brisk jog and then sprint.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I remember all of the steps in the John Street stand being worn down. Must have been fixed at some time in the mid-80s, but I completely fell for the place with the run-down press box at the back (shouts of "will someone answer that bloody phone!" and "tell 'em it's fer me" from the terrace), wooden seats and wooden floor that made a right old racket when everyone stamped their feet.

Sat in there for the Everton night match in the Milk Cup - what an atmosphere. As a 9 year old I was completely in awe. I'd only been in small crowds in the D3 promotion season before and it felt like the place had come alive.

 

[munich]

sometime in the mid - late sixties against Sunderland. Stood on the kop with my (wednesday fan) dad next to a couple of Sunderland fans. It was the first time I had heard a regional accent other than local and was a bit confused by the fact that I couldnt understand a word they were saying. Other abiding memory is as a ten year old (again late sixties)being mugged for my scarf by a Chelsea fan when swapping ends - Lane - direction Kop - at half time.

 

[super_pig]

i used to go with a mate of mine. his grandparents were shareholders (or something) and his dad counted the money (i once went in the boardroom in the cricket pavillion with the money piled on the table) so he used to get us free tickets.. we usually stood on the white fence on the kop (or sometimes even in the cricket pavillion) but this one time we were in John Street. it was against leeds and we were surrounded by aggressive Leeds types (i was about ten) which was a bit pathetic as we were just kids.. anyways a young couple befriended us and were looking out for us. leeds scored early and spent 80 odd minutes timewasting until Steve Cammack scored with a long range shot(that gets further out every time i tell the story!) in about the 5th minute of extra time. the leeds players and fans were furious but this bloke that was looking after us he picked me up and was holding me aloft in the middle of the leeds fans.. fucking brilliant

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

Mine is fairly recent in comparison.

My Dad wasn't a huge part of my life to say the least so I didn't go to the games at the ages people usually start at (7 -10 years old). In fact (confession here), my Grandad seldom took me to Hillsborough! The only game I vividly remember was Jurgen Klinnsmans debut in English football, a hat trick at the sty, and a stand full of what I can now look back on as morons all humming the dambusters tune with both trotters spread out to mock a plane.

Anyway my first Sheffield United game was the 1997 P.O Final, aged 11. Long story short, my Uncle resurfaced after years being MIA and randomly bought me a ticket to said game. It was a great experience despite the dull game and even worse result. The atmosphere, the partisan crowds. Looking back I suppose I was hooked then. The following year I went week in/week out, home/away during the Nigel Spackman era and i'm sure you'd agree that was a great era to usher in a what would become a lifetime habit.

My first league game was against Sunderland, it was a beautiful August day and remember walking to the ground with my Uncle who was bouncing about like an excited kid in anticipation of Brian Deane's return. It seemed alien to me at the time but as we got closer to the ground buzzing adults yelling 'DEANOO' became more common. It was a great game with a great atmosphere; Fjortoft opened the scoring (forgot how but hazard a guess it was a header) and more memorably Borbokis hit a sublime 25 yard free kick. Brian Deane played a blinder and did everything but score, we comprehensively beat them. I immediately loved Borbokis, Quinn, McGrath, Whitehouse, Fjortoft and Deane.

That season was an emotional rollercoaster. In hindsight the 1997/1998 season was an ideal test for anyone wanting to become a Blade because it gave a true experience of what life would be like; early promise, real promotion aspiration, lies by the board resulting in best players (Deane/Fjortoft) being sold/cheaply replaced and play-off failure. All in one season.

 

[Barney Rubble]

sometime in the mid - late sixties against Sunderland. Stood on the kop with my (wednesday fan) dad next to a couple of Sunderland fans. It was the first time I had heard a regional accent other than local and was a bit confused by the fact that I couldnt understand a word they were saying. Other abiding memory is as a ten year old (again late sixties)being mugged for my scarf by a Chelsea fan when swapping ends - Lane - direction Kop - at half time.

This may well have been the same as my first match - we lost 2-1 in the relegation season of 1968. I went with a free ticket that they handed out via the schools and stood on the Bramall Lane End.
The only other match I went to that season was against Fulham when we lost 3-2 after leading 2-0. My memory of that match was my dad getting angry with the Pig fans had turned up to cheer Fulham on in the match that more or less got us relegated.
For the next couple of years my memories are more of messing about with my mates and waiting to get autographs after the game. It's only from the promotion season onwards that I seem to have any memories of what was happening on the pitch.

 

[Russ]

I had to go and stand on my own in the Junior Blades "pen" which was at the bottom right corner of the kop next to John Street. Was a cracking view. I stood at the top of it in front of the railings with my Uncle stood the other side of the railings. Used to cost 50p to get in with my Junior Blades card and George McCabe's wife was usually stood near the turnstyle making sure all the kids got in alright. I hated it for the first season, only went so I got fish n chips, but then I got into it!

 

[mattbianco1]

The first game I attended we beat Chelsea 4-2 on last day of the season - 08 May 1993.

But, my first real memories of going were always night games. My dad used to work saturdays but would always take us on Tuesdays. He used to park miles away on Park Grange Road under the now Supertram bridge. This was to get away from the ground easier at the end and also because he wouldn't get home from work till gone half 6. By the time he'd had his tea etc. we'd get down there with about 15mins to KO. He would be casually walking or maybe a gentle stride to the ground and me and my brother would literally be jogging to keep up. Whenever I park there, I always think of these night games.

 

[Kev Gee]

In the early 80s.
i remember being in in for free at half time on a few occaisions

 

[dublin 10 blade]

After my dad stoped taking me , think we'd been relegated and he would'nt take me to that rubbish his words not mine , could here the roar from guilford drive in norfolk park , so after getting a paper round , and helping the milk man was able to save enough money to start taking myself , mate used to live in one of those big house's inside the park and he used to sit in upper stand on the lane end , went with him and his folks a couple of times but it was too steep so used to go on kop with rest of me mates , beside one of fences in the middle above the moat so you would'nt get crushed when we scored , then when we grew up a bit John st terrace , cause we were hard fuckers ? then into seats above john st , then around 10 of us started sitting in south stand , donkey jackets , and them heavy duty pit gloves on { o dear } we thought we looked the dogs bollox , thinking about it now we just looked bollox . Sorry Martin & Steg .

 

[Menjo]

My first memory is when I was about 4 years old and my mother took me to BL to get a ticket for my Dad. As we knew someone who worked at the Lane I was allowed to stand on the window sill and watch the players train which they did at the Lane in those days. I clearly remember 'Hodgy' and still hold the memory in 'my mind's eye'. I was 'hooked' and as they say the rest is history!

 

[metalblade]

The only home 1-0 win over Chelsea in the 70's was the Friday night 3/12/76. Hamilton (pen) scored.

25th Sept 1971 Sheff Utd 1 Chelsea 0
Stewart Scullion low shot into the goal at the Shoreham end.

 

[Blade58]

My first memory as a lad in my first couple of seasons was standing on John St, walking down to the front and grabbing hold of the railings whilst standing on the wall. Then waiting for the copper to walk past, telling us all to get down and then when he'd walked past, we all climbed back up again. Repeat 47 times!

Don't ask me about the games. Can't remember f'k all

 

[Guesty]

My first league game was against Sunderland, it was a beautiful August day and remember walking to the ground with my Uncle who was bouncing about like an excited kid in anticipation of Brian Deane's return. It seemed alien to me at the time but as we got closer to the ground buzzing adults yelling 'DEANOO' became more common. It was a great game with a great atmosphere; Fjortoft opened the scoring (forgot how but hazard a guess it was a header) and more memorably Borbokis hit a sublime 25 yard free kick. Brian Deane played a blinder and did everything but score, we comprehensively beat them. I immediately loved Borbokis, Quinn, McGrath, Whitehouse, Fjortoft and Deane.

That season was an emotional rollercoaster. In hindsight the 1997/1998 season was an ideal test for anyone wanting to become a Blade because it gave a true experience of what life would be like; early promise, real promotion aspiration, lies by the board resulting in best players (Deane/Fjortoft) being sold/cheaply replaced and play-off failure. All in one season.

Borbokis' goal in the game against Sunderland was actually from open play, though it was from a decent way out. He had set up Fjortoft for the first I think, and Fjortoft in return played Borbokis in for the second.

Vas did score a free kick against Sunderland though when we won 2-1 in the Play-off first leg.

 

[Darren]

25th Sept 1971 Sheff Utd 1 Chelsea 0
Stewart Scullion low shot into the goal at the Shoreham end.

Bloody hell, you're right. Alzheimers strikes again...

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

Borbokis' goal in the game against Sunderland was actually from open play, though it was from a decent way out. He had set up Fjortoft for the first I think, and Fjortoft in return played Borbokis in for the second.

Vas did score a free kick against Sunderland though when we won 2-1 in the Play-off first leg.

Amazingly well remembered, that's right. Borbokis was a great player, his set pieces were Beckham-esque. Didn't we sign another greek at the time? Dimitri Markos? He never played I don't think. Also from that season I remember Marcello coming off the bench and scoring on his debut against QPR. Borbokis, Dellas, Marcello; Whoever was responsible for international scouting at that time did an excellent job.

 

[Silent Blade]

Mine is fairly recent in comparison.


My first league game was against Sunderland, it was a beautiful August day and remember walking to the ground with my Uncle who was bouncing about like an excited kid in anticipation of Brian Deane's return. It seemed alien to me at the time but as we got closer to the ground buzzing adults yelling 'DEANOO' became more common. It was a great game with a great atmosphere; Fjortoft opened the scoring (forgot how but hazard a guess it was a header) and more memorably Borbokis hit a sublime 25 yard free kick. Brian Deane played a blinder and did everything but score, we comprehensively beat them. I immediately loved Borbokis, Quinn, McGrath, Whitehouse, Fjortoft and Deane.

That season was an emotional rollercoaster. In hindsight the 1997/1998 season was an ideal test for anyone wanting to become a Blade because it gave a true experience of what life would be like; early promise, real promotion aspiration, lies by the board resulting in best players (Deane/Fjortoft) being sold/cheaply replaced and play-off failure. All in one season.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

My Dad started taking me (aged 12) and my brother in 1977. We went in the kop "pen" - silk scarves tied to wrist - whilst my Dad stood behind. My Grandad came too until his health deteriorated. And when United were away we'd generally go to watch Rotherham or the pigs. We would go on the pig kop but we always supported the opposition of course. I recall my Dad openly celebrating more than once when the pigs lost - how we got away with it I'm not sure!

Happy days in many ways - but unfortunately coincided with our decline and sadly my Dad & Grandad had both passed away before the Bassett "glory days".

 

[Darren]

Amazingly well remembered, that's right. Borbokis was a great player, his set pieces were Beckham-esque. Didn't we sign another greek at the time? Dimitri Markos? He never played I don't think. Also from that season I remember Marcello coming off the bench and scoring on his debut against QPR. Borbokis, Dellas, Marcello; Whoever was responsible for international scouting at that time did an excellent job.

Dellas was the other Greek we signed. Markos had a trial but we didn,t sign him.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

Started going in the 57/58 season when I was 17. the only interest my dad had in football was the pools, in fact I don't think he knew one end of a case ball from the other, so the only reason I was a Blade was from the school yard where you had to be one or the other and my favourite colour was red..
A gang of us used to go down town Saturday round the music shops and listen to the latest records, the last shop we went into was Wilson and Pecks on London road and then we'd walk on home.
One day some said "United are at home lets go there", and in those days they used to opened the gates on Bramall lane at half time so you could see the second half for free. We did this a few times until they stopped it. but by then we were hooked so we started paying 1/6d ( 7and a half pence ) to get on to the kop.
I remember,they had just bought Doc Pace and Joe Mercer was the manager, he left the following year to manage Villa, and John Harris took over, the rest is history..

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

Goal, Assist and generally ran the opposition ragged. Possibly the best ever debut by a Blade?

 

[Grecian2000]

I remember my early visits thinking the ground was enormous. Getting off the bus and walking up Shoreham Street with my Dad (especially if it was dark and the lights were on) was just the most exciting thing ever.
We went on either the Kop or the Lane End (I've no idea why each end was chosen for a particular game) and I'd hang off the white railings whichever end we were at. Enjoyed the kop most due to the hundreds of steps we had to climb. If it was a huge crowd then I might even spend most of it on my dads shoulders if we couldn't get near the front (e.g when Billy Punton scored against the pigs).

I used to love BDTBL when I was a kid (summer or winter, cricket or football) and, although it looks fantastic and modern now (except for the Kop!) I'd go back to how it was in a heartbeat.

 

[Dnblade]

I remember waking up Saturday morning and singing United songs while still layed in bed,in anticipation of going to the Lane to watch the Wizards.
Kids used to go in through separate turnstiles,and I always had an uncertain feeling of not being able to find my Dad on the inside.
Standing on the White Fence on the Kop..getting there early to get behind the goal,and watching the atmosphere build....same songs used to be played on the Tannoy(Magic,Rose Garden,Sweet Caroline etc)then the first songs would go up( probably an hour before K.O.)..until we ran out from the John Street towards the Kop.Hodgy would be greeted to the goal with the 'Aye Aye Hodgy' song as he ran to the goal....remember him doing the Shoot the Kop gesture...then a big roar as we kicked off.
Sometimes we'd walk round from the Kop to the Lane End via the Pavillion at Half Time.
Standing on the Lane End..Blades and away fans mixed in..Bog rolls being thrown from the BL upper..the bloke at the back of the Kop who used to shout COYRAWW..usually in a quieter moment,and then the 'aaaarrrgh' in mock response to the way he shouted the Wizaaaaaards part....That crush to get out the gate and onto the street
Night games and the flicker of lights in the crowd from people lighting up...Great Days.