Hooliganism and Violence Maine Road 80's/early 90's

Always thought you were safer at aways back in the day if you were in a big City. In a smaller town you stuck out like a sore thumb as a stranger you might as well have had target on your back. In big City's you could usually find a pub for a peaceful drink. The exception was Birmingham when you never had a moments peace from getting off the train at New St. This mainly applied if playing Birmingham more so than Villa or West Brom possibly as their ground was much nearer the centre. Always glad to get on the train home safely hated the walk back through the shopping centre.
 
Spurs quarter 69 said:
Always thought you were safer at aways back in the day if you were in a big City. In a smaller town you stuck out like a sore thumb as a stranger you might as well have had target on your back. In big City's you could usually find a pub for a peaceful drink. The exception was Birmingham when you never had a moments peace from getting off the train at New St. This mainly applied if playing Birmingham more so than Villa or West Brom possibly as their ground was much nearer the centre. Always glad to get on the train home safely hated the walk back through the shopping centre.
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Even the relatively peacetime days of the late 90s bore this out.

Some of these poxy villages we were rocking up to in the third division, if you weren’t mincing around in Lonsdale tracky bottoms and a Tapout vest you were quite clearly an outsider that wasn’t welcome.
 
Stephen230 said:
Even the relatively peacetime days of the late 90s bore this out.

Some of these poxy villages we were rocking up to in the third division, if you weren’t mincing around in Lonsdale tracky bottoms and a Tapout vest you were quite clearly an outsider that wasn’t welcome.
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Even places we stopped off at for a piss up going home from the likes of Ipswich and Norwich.

Stopped in Kings Lynn once.....one of the biggest pub fights we ever had.

Local dicks in a pub all stopped drinking as soon as we walked in.
 
mancityvstoke said:
Even places we stopped off at for a piss up going home from the likes of Ipswich and Norwich.

Stopped in Kings Lynn once.....one of the biggest pub fights we ever had.

Local dicks in a pub all stopped drinking as soon as we walked in.
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Had a similar experience in Boston on the way back from Norwich late 70's, wild west vibes, police escorted our minibus out of the town, minus 2 windows, long cold ride home.
 
nw42 said:
Had a similar experience in Boston on the way back from Norwich late 70's, wild west vibes, police escorted our minibus out of the town, minus 2 windows, long cold ride home.
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Boston came to Mossley for the semi final of the FA trophy it was absolutely mental , carnage for a couple of hours with only a few local bobbies till they got reinforcements . Didn’t bother going to the return leg went watching the Cockney Rejects instead
 
Pablo123 said:
Boston came to Mossley for the semi final of the FA trophy it was absolutely mental , carnage for a couple of hours with only a few local bobbies till they got reinforcements . Didn’t bother going to the return leg went watching the Cockney Rejects instead
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When watching The Cockney Rejects is the peaceful option, you know you’re in trouble!
 
I travelled up from Pompey for the 4-3 win at Swindon. Surprised to be told it wasn’t pay on gate but such was the following we had that day they opened side paddock and in we went. After the game Swindon walked down side of pitch and were somewhat surprised by the number of (very game) lads in the City seats. Running battles after the game. I found myself standing under a bus shelter (it lashed it down all day) watching the mayhem and wondering how to get back to train station with all my limbs intact. Car pulled up and a fellow Blue who I’d met in Pompey shouted , “Do you want a lift back?”. I was half way inside the car before he’d finished asking.
Think legend has it Swindon made the mistake of attacking Guvnors’ minibus that day, thinking it was probably full of scarfers/ easy targets. Don’t think they were quite anticipating the van’s inhabitants.
Loved watching City play away that season, especially around November/December when Stewart was on fire.
 
johnnytapia said:
I travelled up from Pompey for the 4-3 win at Swindon. Surprised to be told it wasn’t pay on gate but such was the following we had that day they opened side paddock and in we went. After the game Swindon walked down side of pitch and were somewhat surprised by the number of (very game) lads in the City seats. Running battles after the game. I found myself standing under a bus shelter (it lashed it down all day) watching the mayhem and wondering how to get back to train station with all my limbs intact. Car pulled up and a fellow Blue who I’d met in Pompey shouted , “Do you want a lift back?”. I was half way inside the car before he’d finished asking.
Think legend has it Swindon made the mistake of attacking Guvnors’ minibus that day, thinking it was probably full of scarfers/ easy targets. Don’t think they were quite anticipating the van’s inhabitants.
Loved watching City play away that season, especially around November/December when Stewart was on fire.
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Remember that season well 87/88
Swindon was the first time I ever saw us win away
Think the 10-1 was just after
 
johnnytapia said:
I travelled up from Pompey for the 4-3 win at Swindon. Surprised to be told it wasn’t pay on gate but such was the following we had that day they opened side paddock and in we went. After the game Swindon walked down side of pitch and were somewhat surprised by the number of (very game) lads in the City seats. Running battles after the game. I found myself standing under a bus shelter (it lashed it down all day) watching the mayhem and wondering how to get back to train station with all my limbs intact. Car pulled up and a fellow Blue who I’d met in Pompey shouted , “Do you want a lift back?”. I was half way inside the car before he’d finished asking.
Think legend has it Swindon made the mistake of attacking Guvnors’ minibus that day, thinking it was probably full of scarfers/ easy targets. Don’t think they were quite anticipating the van’s inhabitants.
Loved watching City play away that season, especially around November/December when Stewart was on fire.
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Didn't it piss down throughout that game?
Also, wasn't Lou Macari the Swindon Manager?

I've got memories of City fans singing an earthier version of "Skip to the Loo my darling"

As you say, some great trips around that time: I think it was my first visit to Hull Bradford Swindon Reading Bournemouth Millwall and Plymouth in 87-88
 
Scaring Europe to Death said:
Didn't it piss down throughout that game?
Also, wasn't Lou Macari the Swindon Manager?

I've got memories of City fans singing an earthier version of "Skip to the Loo my darling"

As you say, some great trips around that time: I think it was my first visit to Hull Bradford Swindon Reading Bournemouth Millwall and Plymouth in 87-88
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Torrential
Remember getting off the special train greeted by the local plod saying they think the game will go ahead
Also remember the view of half the pitch
 
Scaring Europe to Death said:
Didn't it piss down throughout that game?
Also, wasn't Lou Macari the Swindon Manager?

I've got memories of City fans singing an earthier version of "Skip to the Loo my darling"

As you say, some great trips around that time: I think it was my first visit to Hull Bradford Swindon Reading Bournemouth Millwall and Plymouth in 87-88
Click to expand...
I think the 4-2 away at Bradford was out first away win for over a season - we’d been relegated season before and don’t think we won away all season.
Bradford were flying at the time and Stewart was unstoppable that night.
Bournemouth away - City fans setting fire to the seats. Great days!
 
Scaring Europe to Death said:
Didn't it piss down throughout that game?
Also, wasn't Lou Macari the Swindon Manager?

I've got memories of City fans singing an earthier version of "Skip to the Loo my darling"

As you say, some great trips around that time: I think it was my first visit to Hull Bradford Swindon Reading Bournemouth Millwall and Plymouth in 87-88
Click to expand...
5h1t on lou macari is my all time favourite football chant ever!
 
Speaking of that 87-88 season West Brom away at the end of the game was absolute bedlam. Cold as fuck but City's firm were hot stuff that day, lol
 
Fordyboy46 said:
Speaking of that 87-88 season West Brom away at the end of the game was absolute bedlam. Cold as fuck but City's firm were hot stuff that day, lol
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I remember walking into a brawl after the game as everyone walked towards the M5 bridge.

We found ourselves amongst some baggies who'd just been charged by the Guvnors on the other side of the street. A couple of lads were admirably trying to rally the troops, but it soon became apparent that not only were they outnumbered, but they were also surrounded.
 
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