Everyone did know what was going to happen, it was way too common knowledge City were meeting there as we'd done it the time before! It split the mob that day as loads wouldn't return to the scene of the crime so to speak, I was one, we went into stretford iirc, utd turned up with 100s and chaos ensued, tho City gave it them worse the year before ,The Star, and chester rd!!Not sure it was an ambush as everyone knew what was going to happen, think it was the numbers that surprised everyone. Think there are at least a couple on this site that were at the Whalley that day and in K stand
I've seen lots of comments down the years about Maine Road being an ambusher's dream, particularly at night matches, with all those back alleyways in the area. I can imagine it'd make "innocent" oppo fans nervous.Number 1, Naples the first time we went, genuinely sinister. Number 2, would you believe Wigan at Springfield Park in League Cup about 1983, saw a number of blues slashed afterwards walking back to the station. I wonder if we appreciate how often Maine Road gets the vote when other clubs pose this question. I loved everything about the place, but then again I was a local.
We were sometimes out at 10am for a 3.00 kick off, nobody got an easy ride at Maine rdNumber 1, Naples the first time we went, genuinely sinister. Number 2, would you believe Wigan at Springfield Park in League Cup about 1983, saw a number of blues slashed afterwards walking back to the station. I wonder if we appreciate how often Maine Road gets the vote when other clubs pose this question. I loved everything about the place, but then again I was a local.
Agreed. No team fancied the Moss. We were not the biggest..the best...the hardest.. . the best organisation.. but we were game.We were sometimes out at 10am for a 3.00 kick off, nobody got an easy ride at Maine rd
Lads from fallowfield , moss side , Rusholme had every street staked out for some games, the season a City dadnlad got battered at Elland rd was particularly bad , many many Leeds fans didn’t get too far from their cars at M.RdAgreed. No team fancied the Moss. We were not the biggest..the best...the hardest.. . the best organisation.. but we were game.
Agreed. No team fancied the Moss. We were not the biggest..the best...the hardest.. . the best organisation.. but we were game.
I still believe that is the case. City supporters want to be friendly.Yes an odd mix of die hard hooligans, beer monsters and lads ( And Debbie) who would fight if pushed. Typical Mancs really, quite laid back but woe betide any wankers who tried to take liberties.
I still believe that is the case. City supporters want to be friendly.
I was in it too, but in the mob at the bottom left of the Kop. Nobody touched us, maybe a hundred or so. We could see/hear that familiar “roar” from the top of The Kop every now and again but couldn’t really see what was going on.I was in that end and can't remember a thing about the match. It was, charge, stand off, charge all game. Loved it.
I think I might have met you. But I have got a lad from Boro in my memory. Early 80s. Some top lads from Shewsbury too.
Not sure, Ive been going for years to Darlo but it was only maybe 5/6 games a season as it would clash with City.
As City have been on TV more I find myself doing both clubs most weekends although I do 80% aways v home games with Darlo.
Go with some lads from Darlo that do every game home and away.
Its a crime what happened to the club and cant see them making it back the league as a fan owned now.
Ps My Dads from West Gorton, I was christened at the Monastery.
One of my scariest away days ever,was at Darlo...pre season friendly v the monkey hangers ; )I have followed City and Darlo (im a Manc 2 club wanker)for more years than I can remember.City as born in St Marys and Darlo too long a story for now.
Darlos not a place to mess around in if they bring everyone out.
Hereford is similar, you would imagine.
I have followed City and Darlo (im a Manc 2 club wanker)for more years than I can remember.City as born in St Marys and Darlo too long a story for now.
Darlos not a place to mess around in if they bring everyone out.
Hereford is similar, you would imagine.
Or understand.....I hated Barnsley too but Sheffield, York and other parts of Yorkshire have been fine. There’s a big tribal mentality in Leeds that I don’t really like.
I think some of us oldies aren't reminiscing about the violence. Just looking back on the fond memories of following City and things you had to endure to do that. Violence was part and parcel so inevitably the subject will come up. As you say, it was a different era and unless you actually lived through it, it is hard to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it and for them to understand. I lived through it and think to myself now, why would I willingly endure something that had the high possibility that I could be seriously assaulted, just to watch a football match! I can't explain it. Violence came with the territory. It's something you knew you were likely to encounter and you felt lucky if you didn't. The demograpic of the match going fan was a lot younger than today, as it was more affordable. I was 13 when I went to my first away match with my mates. I didn't go looking for trouble, but the odd occasion it couldn't be avoided. Ended up in Birmingham hospital in 1978, about an hour before kick off having stitches. Missed the coach home so my brother came down in his little Fiat 126 with my mum to pick me up. Travel, communications etc were a lot less convenient as nowadays. Remember going to an away match at Bristol City on a Friday night! Don't know why played on a Friday unless Rovers were in FA Cup the next day. That was either 77 or 78. Maybe Gary James could through some light on it. Snowing all the way and not knowing if the match was going to be on. Mr Bennett who took us in his car and nearly wiped us all out on way home when he dozed off at the wheel.The buzz of getting on the Special at Piccadilly and trundling off to places like Ipswich, Norwich with the journey seeming to take half a day. I'm almost certain the Norwich game in 1978 was when we adopted the "Vikings" theme. As the train rolled out someone stuck their head out of the window and started "Da da da" etc. In no time the whole train was doing it, must have looked like a cattle truck, and still are today with lyrics. But as a teenager, going to places you'd never been before, and apart from football reasons never gone to again, it was an adventure. Not knowing what to expect as you walked out of the station or coach park. Having to have your wits about you at all times. The adrenaline rush, worrying if you'd get jumped or not. And all for what? Just to watch your team in all parts of the country. All part of the match day experience. I went for the football, but the possibility of violence was always there. Wished it wasn't. My only worry now when I go a game is that they don't run out of chips again before half time! Scariest for me. Swamp for Denis's backheel. Me and my mates were only 13, the rag hoardes seemed like grown men with long hair, sideburns, tash's, suit jackets, trousers and platforms, dressed more for Pips than a match, as they chased us. In reality they were probably only 18 or 19. Don't regret a minute of the times I spent, more often than not, scared shitless at an away ground. It's just something you had to endure for your passion.Dont condone violence, but as others said, it was a different time and sometimes unavoidable if you wanted to stay in one piece. that being said i wouldnt swap those times, scrapes, warts and all for the sanitised orwellian offering we have today. Give me a battered old Football Special Saturday afternoon jaunt to Brum/ Leeds etc anyday of the week
Yep.we have spoke before re DarloI have followed City and Darlo (im a Manc 2 club wanker)for more years than I can remember.City as born in St Marys and Darlo too long a story for now.
Darlos not a place to mess around in if they bring everyone out.
Hereford is similar, you would imagine.
I lived in Hereford for a while as a kid, always had a soft spot for them and watched them away quite a lot in the 80s & 90s. They certainly have plenty of nutters and could easily hold their own and kind of knew a few of their lads. At the end of the day though, it’s not that big a town and there’s not that many of them. I went to Edgar Street a couple of years ago for the first time in a while and it seemed a lot more genteel now though. That could be National League vs Football League though.