Who misses the football special?

[east2]

Cheap and free at times. ;-) Very rarely did the train arrive back in the condition it set off in.

The shop was always at the back of the train, a ball ache if you were sat or more likely stood up at the front of the train.

One of the best bits of the journey was getting off the train in another city, hundreds of lads walking down the platform chanting City, City, getting out of the train station, with a heavy police presence waiting outside for you, being penned in, and then being escorted to the ground, with the hooligans from other clubs waiting, looking on, and trying to get to you. Even if you weren't a proper hooligan in the day, which was pretty much the norm, it was a real buzz and a top day out. Never to be repeated again.

Not just the away days, being part of the young & foolish welcoming committee that would meet up at the Wimpy before making our way to Piccadilly approach, knowing exactly what time Leeds, Newcastle or whoever were due in, it was a real buzz back then, never to be repeated, nor would I want it to.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

Exactly how it used to be until football specials were stopped.

70's?

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Funnily enough, if you click the link in the top tweet it goes to the Grauniad and this:

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[jrb]

What was the name of the Police Sergeant who was a right twat who always travelled on them way back in the late 60/70`s. What a horrible cnut he was.

They all were. They treated us like sh*t. Saying that, when you had to control hundreds of lads who were up for a bit of aggro and mischief, how else were they going to treat us?

 

[jrb]

Not just the away days, being part of the young & foolish welcoming committee that would meet up at the Wimpy before making our way to Piccadilly approach, knowing exactly what time Leeds, Newcastle or whoever were due in, it was a real buzz back then, never to be repeated, nor would I want it to.

Wimpy. :-) Lol!

 

[bavarian blue]

Remember the station master at Victoria, adorned in bowler hat and overcoat.

 

[PistonBlue]

My first special was crystal palace away, last game of the season when they were olaying united the week after in the cup final! Was that 1990?

Anyway as a 15 year old it was an amazing experience , the whole day. Brilliant

Remember it well, I was on that train too. Crazy, crazy day

 

[Bluesince1979]

Remember it well, I was on that train too. Crazy, crazy day

On the pitch at the end with the palace fans

YOUR GONNA WIN THE CUP!!

 

[Manncity]

December 79, Ipswich away. Lost 4-0. That was a long day.

 

[Platt Lane veteran]

I suppose we do look back with rose tinted glasses sometimes. We were treated abominably on those specials, herded like sheep and viewed as scum by the authorities. However, if I had a time machine, would I go back and do it all again? Like a shot I would.

 

[nw42]

Luton away last game of the season about 74 75 never laughed as much as I did on that special :) bring back the special !!

I remember a midweek game in the League Cup I think, later 70s, there were only about 50 on the special and it was mayhem getting back to the station after the game. Also recall going to Sunderland on a Saturday and there were 34 on the special.
As others have said the specials were a great way to go when you're young and learning the routine, landing in other towns and making a racket as you leave the station. My first away on the special was Burnley, great day out.