i think what helped make it intimidating was the fact you would hear lots of noise, sometimes without anyone seemingly around, especially down the alleys.

his name is colin bell and from bury he did come, to play for old joe mercers team, back in division one, and when you come to maine rd, you'll always see a smile, we're the best team in the land, which know one can deny, na na na na

sorry about that, made me think of maine rd ha.

i have travelled fookin loads, it is supprizin how many fans from other clubs found maine road intimidating, i fookin loved the place, even now ,when i have a burger the smell reminds me of maine road, a mr whippey ice cream same thing.
there will never be another place like it, for me it was always warming, but to a vissiting fan , as soon as they heard the crowd echoing around the streets of moss side , esspecialy at night , they would start feeling scared...honestly i never got that.
the floodlights used to throw shaddows accross the streets it had a well, fasanating feel to it.

The night matches really were something special,

The streets around Maine Rd were a maze and as kids we new them all and which gates opened and alleyways were blocked.

There were a few grounds around the country like that, Goodison and Anfield still are, think the Old Den was the worst tho`.

half of villa park is still on the estate.

Yes, there are still quite a few around the country, remember Upton Park being pretty intimidating as well.

When i moved down to the Midlands with the job, i brought a couple of Brummie mates with me for the Birmingham game and as we came up early on the train, i took them into the Claremont just after 11.00am. My mates lad who was about 18-19 at the time fancied himself as a bit handy and he properly crapped himself in there.

An old guy asked him for a light and he said "i dont smoke mate" in the highest voice i have ever heard in a guy!! Me and his dad pissed ourself laughing and his lad didnt say another word all lunchtime!!

Great days - great days!!

even now i drive past and have to stop for 5 mins to remember the magical times the 5-1 kinkie rossler bell deyna helen with her bell r.i.p the 10-1 three hatricks in one game would love to be able to go back in time give up all the wealth eastlands everything just to be able to have a beer back outside claremont that walk down curry mile for me it always has and always will be the home of mcfc

Not read his pile of drivel but did he mention getting his head rammed into the front of a bus on lloyd st at all after a city v west ham game in the early 80's?

Or did he follow to type in Cass Pennant mode and state 'he's never been done?'

Steve, you must of been 11 when we last played there! ha ha

An old Everton friend of mine got a trapped nerve in his neck, because him and his mates where being chased from pillor to post around the Oxford road area. Fuck me, Oxford rd, they still had miles to go, lol. Hey what about the bricks being picked up on the hill at the back of the kippax and launced at the away fans, they would launch them back, police helping people out with blood pouring from the head was a common site at some games.