Memories of Newcastle May 1968, title decider.

Sadly before my time, and it’s a shame the footage is so grainy and just in b/w.

I’ve seen plenty of sharp photographs from this momentous day that kind of brings it to life, and stories with older Blues who were there.

Did it mean just as much pipping United back then, as it did in 2012 I wonder or are things far more tribal now?
 
Was 10 at the time, took forever to get there in my brother's mates car. Spewed up 3 times in the car on the way there, car sickness (unheard of now). Just missed out being on the photo, when Franny stood on the wall after scoring. The same picture was used on a huge banner that was hung from the East Stand recently. After the game my brother and his mates got pissed at a Newcastle pub while I waited in the car. Don't remember why I waited in the car. Maybe to practice my spewing for the trip back.
 
Got there before the gates opened and the ground looked half full by 1:45. Crowds outside tryingto get in.

We took at least half the attendance, no segregation, shoulder to shoulder with opposition fans, and no bother whatsoever.

Football fans enjoying a great day. One I'll never forget.

Better times in society.
 
The Norfolk Blue said:
Sadly before my time, and it’s a shame the footage is so grainy and just in b/w.

I’ve seen plenty of sharp photographs from this momentous day that kind of brings it to life, and stories with older Blues who were there.

Did it mean just as much pipping United back then, as it did in 2012 I wonder or are things far more tribal now?
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It meant just as much then, probably more, we'd been in div 2 a couple of years before and had one of our lowest league attendances of about 8000 against Swindon. They had a an all star team including including Best, Charlton, Law, Crerend and Stepney. Newcastle was an epic never to be forgotten day for the many thousands of us Blues the were there.
 
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Before my time, but somebody I know was there. He was a young lad at the time

He told me he and his mates went up on a coach, getting to Newcastle hours before the game. All the men dissapeared into the city centre pubs, leaving the lads to roam about

They bought a football, broke into the ground and had a full scale game of football on the pitch until they were chased off
 
Travelled up with my dad on a coach from a street close to Maine Road - I was a kid and the journey seemed to take days - dad sat me on a stanchion barrier and I had to piss on the terrace through a rolled-up Daily Mirror as dad wouldn't lose his place and didn't trust me to make it back on my own. Grapefruit segments for breakfast - very odd, something we never had. Dad wept tears of joy (for the win, not the fruit). Was my first away game - been glory-hunting ever since ;)
 
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Fingland's coaches departing en masse early doors for Newcastle.. City and Toon fans all mixed together around the ground.. Toon fans on the Leazes stand aiming playing cards with razor blades sellotaped to them at groups of City fans.. going 4-2 up and hearing on the radio that United were losing at home to Sunderland, so we were going to win it by 2 points.. going mental with my pals at the final whistle after we'd held on for what seemed an eternity after Toon made it 3-4.. all the old guys on the coach home smuggling crates of ale on to celebrate.. home knackered, getting my kit ready for playing on Sunday morning.. just smiling silently at my Red team mates, knowing I'd actually seen my team win the title, at last!

Eeee, 'appy days!
 
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Stuck on guard duty in Bordon, Hants whilst all my mates went up. Sick as a parrot. The next year stuck in Sennelager on cup day. Had to follow on a crap BFBS. Took nearly 4 months to see the goal when it came around to the local SKC Pathe News. Ah, the days before Sky and the Internet.
 
Before my time but my dad went, never stopped going on about it until his dying day. Shame the footage is like it was from 1938 instead of 68.
 
Travelled up to St James Park via a Finglands coach as a 14 year old with my mate. Jack Godfrey was our minder that day (neighbour) as my Dad couldn’t make it. I must admit I had to watch the game on tip toes amongst the Geordie’s but they were great lifting me up higher every now and then after we scored.
The coach parked up at a pub on the way back and a coach load of Sunderland fans turned up and we all celebrated together. We went through Leeds on the way back and our coach got pelted but it didn’t stop the celebrations. What a day!!
 
The Norfolk Blue said:
Did it mean just as much pipping United back then, as it did in 2012 I wonder or are things far more tribal now?
Click to expand...
More tribal now?? You're having a laugh, it even kicked off at testimonial derby matches back then, or the cricket match at the real Old Trafford in 1968.

Unfortunately my parents didn't allow me to travel to longer distance aways then so I was resigned to listening to the radio for updates or the score flashes popping up on the rugby league Challenge Cup final screening. Not as good as being there but I was still buzzing at full time.
 
ColinBellsjockstrap said:
I as a fourteen year old, along with thousands of other blues made the trek up to St James Park for the title decider. One of the best days of my life, (Catching the train from Stalybridge by myself (32s/6d).

Share your memories of the day,

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£1 12s/6d lot of money back then you must have gone 1st class lol, I was 16 then on £5 a week wages.Me and my mates stood on the Lezers covered end behind the goals no trouble great day then on pitch after celebrating.Went from Gorton near the Plough pub on the coach.56 years ago,unbelievable.
 
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I was 8 and went on the coach with my dad

Older brother sat at the back with his cool mates , me near the front with dad

We left late as we had to wait for Ernie from the pot shop closing up before we could leave

For years afterwards I would recognise the faces of others on the coach

I was perched on the perimeter wall by the edge of the leazes penalty area with my feet in the pitch drainage pipes
 
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