Some have said that there were blue and red in the scoreboard end that day, don't think I saw any reds. It seemed packed to me.In the aftermath of the goal I could swear I felt waves of hate drifting over us. I swore I would never set foot in that shithole again. I broke my vow once for Luton Town, but don't ask what I did on the Stretford End.
Definitely reds in there mate. Have a look on the youtube after the goal which is on about 6 minutes in:
Please make that number three fan who was there that day.Me and my mate were right in the corner of the score board end and the paddock and remember that day extremely well.Hardly any Rags got through to us from the pitch invasion but outside the ground was mayhem.Coppers seemed to turn a blind eye to the "aggro" that was taking place and I remember walking back into town with all the other Blues who kept together for safety.Bricks,bottles etc were the order of the day from both sides and it really was frightening.I've heard lots of bullshit from blues who reckoned they were there that day, doing congas after the goal went in, taking on the Stretford End, that kind of thing.
There was no section of the ground in those days as there was no segregation. You went where your ticket said you were going to go, and unlike today, tickets for games there were easy to obtain. I went to every derby between 1972 and 1976, including that game in 1974.
I was there, and it's not a day I remember with any great affection. I saw too many people getting their heads well and truly kicked in, some of whom never moved after being assaulted, and that was red on red.
It was not a place to be advertising you were a blue, let's put it that way, and I can well understand your friend taking cover in the scoreboard end toilets.
Of the many people I have met over the years saying they were there, I have only met two who I have believed were at the game. One said they were so shit scared they kept very quiet and left, and the other said pretty much the same thing.
I also kept very quiet as well.
As for getting away after the game, it was probably easier then than it is now due to there being no away section which could be targeted by the home fans.
You didn't wear colours at away games in those days, so you could just blend in, and I didn't have any problems going home.
It may seem a bit of a giggle on youtube these days, but it was without doubt the scariest moment I have ever known at a football match in my life.
Old age must be playing tricks. I must also be braver than I thought I was. I was giving it large that day.
Me and my mate were in the Cantilever Stand paddock (now the GPC stand), and had a great laugh with the rag fans around us, who all realised how shit they were. From memory, City did their best to try and lose that match, with Law putting about 4 headers 6" wide of the post each time in the first half alone. When he finally did score, one of them said "about bloody time"!
We all watched the goings-on in the Scoreboard End with both amusement and horror, but there was no animosity amongst us. When the match was abandoned, we all wished each other well.
It was difficult going out trying to keep a straight face, despite our elation, especially when we bumped into other blues, but we got away unscathed, and had a great night in the Fletchers in Denton.