Maine Road For Visiting Fans

[The_Maverick]

A couple of years ago I had an article that was from a Villa site about a game at Maine Road circa around 1977. It was dark once the game had finished and the Villa lads were attacked on the Kippax car park and ended up missing the coach back to Birmingham. The tale then continued with them getting chased all the way to a local park (I assumed Platt Fields but the Villa lads claimed it was Alexandra Park) where they were attacked by black youths armed with knifes who chased them around until it was getting light again.

That's the general gist of it anyway but it was quite an intense read and obviously a harrowing experience for those involved. Almost understandably they didn't shed any tears when our old ground met the wrecking ball. But to put it in perspective I think a lot of the 'Maine Road Experience' was psychological as well, as the words Moss Side sent fear through most people.

Some good points there

BTW 'Moss Side' seems to be shrinking to the point where I can't spot anything designated as 'Moss Side' apart from the Leisure Centre !

It's intentional mate. The council are slowly but surely pulling in the boundaries. It's like a scab they finally want removed. Give it 20 years and you'll see.

That brought back some memories of an old boss of mine. He fancied himself as creative stand up comedy guy. In short, well in fact he was short, he was such a dickhead his partner kicked him out.

As he was really down about the situation and complaining that he had to redecorate and refurnish his new house in Withington I offered to go and help one Saturday. He was quite adamant it was in Withington.

The address was Markington Street, which is off Cranswick Street.

I was pissing myself laughing when he was in the Circle club trying to impress the luvvies and proclaming the "creative atmosphere of the kerbside culture in South Manchester" or similar shite whilst he was living in a 2up terrace in Moss Side.

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

I know a couple of Newcastle regular away supporters. Main Road is there worst memory ever, and not just once. They hate City as a result. They think we are animals. Their favourite ground/ supporters is Upton Park.

That is rich coming from Geordies...... I went everywhere with City on the 80's and only one ground did I visit and say ''never again'' and I never did. St James Park.
Went when we lost 5-0 in 83. They were bricking / attacking the minibuses and coaches before the game, grown men, not teenagers / early 20's lads.
The game was all ticket yet still there were a few in the away terrace. After the game we were kept in an hour and the hairy hoards were still waiting for us - the cops just said ''there are your coaches get on them''. ''What about that big mob up the road?'' we asked. They weren't interested and we were attacked as we got on.
Fuck knows what they would have done to us had we drawn.......

Never went again to that place......

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Does anyone know anyone that lived on Maine road? I'm sure there was a lad /lass that used to go to our school(Wilbraham)that lived in one of the houses facing the ground. Plus who lived in the sky blue house?

Eric Wirral. Used to play for City and became Jimmy Grimble's PE teacher

 

[hateutd]

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBNi2dxqKus[/video]

 

[scotty123]

Love this one:

'Maine Rd was bad for abuse from the terraces (and I mean the houses around the ground not the stands!)'

''Greeted by people with coshes coming out of their houses''
I'v talked to loads of fans of other clubs on hols etc and Maine Rd was one of their nightmares, took my Nephew from Newcastle onto the Kippax about 1977 can't remember who we played but he wanted to go, after being pissed on twice in the crush, attempted mugging in the bogs at half time, bottles and coins whizzing past his head and meeting Bulldog for 5 minutes he had enough and left at three quarter time and said I will meet you in 'The Clarence' when I got there he was stood outside shaking his head ''this place is a fucking loony bin can we go'' he was in the Army at the time so he wasn't soft, thought Maine Rd was frightening

This story made me laugh.

Sorry I got it wrong it was my Cousin not my Nephew, he got shot in the arse in the Falklands a few years later, when I last seen him I asked how it was in the South Atlantic, ''not as scary as that day at Maine Rd''

 

[hateutd]

''Greeted by people with coshes coming out of their houses''
I'v talked to loads of fans of other clubs on hols etc and Maine Rd was one of their nightmares, took my Nephew from Newcastle onto the Kippax about 1977 can't remember who we played but he wanted to go, after being pissed on twice in the crush, attempted mugging in the bogs at half time, bottles and coins whizzing past his head and meeting Bulldog for 5 minutes he had enough and left at three quarter time and said I will meet you in 'The Clarence' when I got there he was stood outside shaking his head ''this place is a fucking loony bin can we go'' he was in the Army at the time so he wasn't soft, thought Maine Rd was frightening

This story made me laugh.

Sorry I got it wrong it was my Cousin not my Nephew, he got shot in the arse in the Falklands a few years later, when I last seen him I asked how it was in the South Atlantic, ''not as scary as that day at Maine Rd''

i just don't give a shit for Falklands,but i missed Maine Road ...... :(

 

[wythenshaweblue£££]

Some interesting bits on the boro site Maine road was ruff as we all know back in the day

 

[shakermaker85]

I dont know about away fans experience but I remember in the mid 90's my dad having to Pay the local kids a fiver to "look after" our car.

 

[silverback]

Always be Maine Road for me. People coming out of houses with coshs to 'greet' the away fans. Also had a knife pulled on us and a fire extinguisher thrown at us

My old stomping ground. Spent my first ten years on this wretched planet living on Claremont Road, near the junction with Broadfield Road. Ah; those were the days!

*wipes tear from eye*

Jim,
Used to knock about down your old patch, two of my mates lied on Rosebury St. One at the bottom near the bus depot and the other one at the top near Gt. Western. I lived in Aston Avenue.

 

[ped]

i worked with leeds fans many years ago and they told me maine rd was with out doubt the worst place for them to visit,