March 1968. United 1-3 City. Crowd trouble?

[Blue Streak]

Been having a chat with a few people earlier who were at that famous game and a few have admitted a few City fans got a serious clubbing by Police that night in the Scoreboard End and I have seen a few photos online. My Dad was at that game and didn't see anything, although going from the pictures I've showed him he was stood further back. Anyway I'd love to hear some stories from that game especially in and around the ground? My Dad does recall a lot of United fans had moved down to the tunnels to attack City fans after the game had ended but were swept away in the sheer numbers.

 

[blue_paul]

Good thread in the history section on this.

 

[rossie]

slightly off topic but still about this game, was there any tv footage of the goals ? , I have never seen them and ive always wanted to see these goals

 

[sir baconface]

I seem to recollect the rag fans running the length of the pitch and charging us in the Scoreboard End. Obviously there was scrapping but I think it settled down without major incident.

Contrary to some reports, they've always been c**ts.

Anyone remember the City v rags cricket match at the OT cricket ground around the same time? I jest not - a "friendly" cricket match! The ragtards invaded the pitch after being bowled out and tried to storm the City end. They were repelled by a hail of bottles.

Did I mention they've always been c**ts?

P.S. City won the cricket too!

 

[mancunial]

I was in the scoreboard that night, their was some trouble at the back of the stand, but it was crammed in that end, I remember walking out after the game and city just marched up Warwick rd like caesars praetorian guard, this was the game that won city the title in my eyes, their were no cameras their that night only photographers, as for the cricket match me and a few friends were there, as S B says as soon as the rags were bowled out they just ran across the pitch at the city fans, thing was their were some real tasty lads in city's ranks especially from gorton Langley withenshaw etc, franny Colin buzzer tony Coleman were all good cricketers and played all over in testimonials and smashed them, well a victory is a victory especially against them, if anyone remembers the fa cup game at Trafford 1970 when were well beaten 3/nil with goals from Brian Kidd 2 and Morgan, the walk back to town that day was interesting,

 

[I'm no cynic but...]

I was at the back of the Scoreboard End that night and I and a number of others went to ground in a crowd surge which could have ended in tragedy. I remember the Stretford End going into raptures as Colin Bell was stretchered off even though it resulted in a City penalty. Classy. Fortunately, his injury wasn't serious that time. I remember Stepney getting pelted with coins, and I know that it was kicking off behind his goal. I remember it being hairy crossing the railway bridge but our lads were well up for it. I remember driving around and around Piccadilly Gardens afterwards and whenever I saw any rag scarves, I shouted out "What was the score?" and when they replied, I laughed out and replied "I know, I was there!" and then I drove on looking for the next mug. In all, a great night but that was for me the first real taste of the bitterness that is part of rag DNA. Perhaps that bitterness had always been there, but my first derby game was our 3-0 victory in 1960 and I don't recall any bitterness in those days. If anything, football attitudes were different then and we may have been quite sorry for them with it being fairly soon after Munich.

 

[oakiecokie]

I seem to recollect the rag fans running the length of the pitch and charging us in the Scoreboard End. Obviously there was scrapping but I think it settled down without major incident.

Contrary to some reports, they've always been c**ts.

Anyone remember the City v rags cricket match at the OT cricket ground around the same time? I jest not - a "friendly" cricket match! The ragtards invaded the pitch after being bowled out and tried to storm the City end. They were repelled by a hail of bottles.

Did I mention they've always been c**ts?

P.S. City won the cricket too!

Completely wrong year mate.Yes I was there for the 1-3 game and saw no fighting,but then again I was sat in the main stand.I was at OT for the cricket game and that is correct.Plenty of agro that day all around the ground plus the pitch invasion.
It just isn`t cricket is it ?

 

[the blue panther]

I have a vague recollection of seeing some grainy TV pics of the goals, but maybe my memory's playing tricks with me. I remember being at home and there was an anouncement on Granada after the match, giving the derby score in an advert break. It definitely wasn't a match of the day or anything like that type of feature, but, maybe some of you might have a similar recollection.
Maybe it was just still pictures flashed up on Granada Reports, or North West tonight, or something.
I was only 11, and too young to go, so I know nothing about any crowd trouble. My eldest brother - a red - was in the Stretford End. I used to speak to him back then - not anymore though.

 

[sir baconface]

I seem to recollect the rag fans running the length of the pitch and charging us in the Scoreboard End. Obviously there was scrapping but I think it settled down without major incident.

Contrary to some reports, they've always been c**ts.

Anyone remember the City v rags cricket match at the OT cricket ground around the same time? I jest not - a "friendly" cricket match! The ragtards invaded the pitch after being bowled out and tried to storm the City end. They were repelled by a hail of bottles.

Did I mention they've always been c**ts?

P.S. City won the cricket too!

Completely wrong year mate.Yes I was there for the 1-3 game and saw no fighting,but then again I was sat in the main stand.I was at OT for the cricket game and that is correct.Plenty of agro that day all around the ground plus the pitch invasion.
It just isn`t cricket is it ?

Whoops. I do remember the attempted invasion of the Scoreboard End and that was defo 1968, on our way to the title.

The pitch invasion may well have been a different year. Apologies for the confusion.

You'll have to excuse my failing faculties but at least the cricketing reminiscences have been corroborated! It was one of only two cricket matches I ever attended.

 

[lancs blue]

I have a vague recollection of seeing some grainy TV pics of the goals, but maybe my memory's playing tricks with me. I remember being at home and there was an anouncement on Granada after the match, giving the derby score in an advert break. It definitely wasn't a match of the day or anything like that type of feature, but, maybe some of you might have a similar recollection.
Maybe it was just still pictures flashed up on Granada Reports, or North West tonight, or something.
I was only 11, and too young to go, so I know nothing about any crowd trouble. My eldest brother - a red - was in the Stretford End. I used to speak to him back then - not anymore though.

I think it was just b&w pics of the major incidents, I seem to recall one of Colin Bell being stretchered off and the amazing sight of George Heslop scoring!

I was down to go on the original Saturday date but the weather caused a postponement and my parents wouldn't let me go to the rearranged night game even though I went regularly to night matches at Maine Rd. I can't recall much mention of trouble at school the following day but then the rags were very quiet!

The derby I remember for trouble from that era was a night time testimonial (for Bill Foulkes maybe?) - it kicked off big style on Warwick Rd and Chester Rd after the match.