Nuttiest Terrace!?

[Alan Dicks]

Was there that day although my memory is faded, did we overturn the burger caravan that day?

[reddoh]

4 hours ago, BobBobSuperBob said:

Bradford in 89 1/4 Final ?   

and Forest definitely

Id add Sheffield United definitely , and Walsall twice , all in 88/89 play offs

 

Ohhhhhh and Reading 84 .....craziest terrace I’ve ever been on 

was that the year we relegated sheff U(nice pie) and David f in Kelly?

[Bristol Oil Services]

Was only a kiddie at the time but made the long walk from the middle of town, latching onto many other Ciderheads going the same way, through St. Paul's (probably least said about that now the better) and up the Stapleton Road, more and more red and white, everyone getting louder, arms aloft, rhythmic clapping, going through all the songs, like the East End out for a walk, making ourselves heard, obvious signs of some disturbance in a boozer on the right (I think. Boozer gone now, also think. What was the one on the left? Think that was their main pub), loads of coppers, horses and dogs now, hundreds of us marching past the dump on our left, nervous gas lurking in sideroads, having a look, the adrenalin pumping now, into what they liked to call a "car park" but from memory was a large, non-maintained space full of potholes, puddles, stones and gravel. The environment, the occasion, the behaviour and the atmosphere: all coming to a head. Fever pitch. We had sung more on the way to the ground than in a season now, in 2018. Probably.

I think the crowd was 14k, with 6k City there, officially, on the Muller Rd. There was much Evening Post talk of forgeries by City fans in the week building up to the game, and police efforts to thwart this. It was uncomfortably rammed at that end, and the capacity and our allocation was reduced for our next two and last visits. The last derby there in 86 was 9,900 and I was on the open terrace on the side in the rain and on the pitch when Stevie Nevs scored. When Rovers came to AG in the league the following season, they barely brought 3k, only needing the one third of the Open End (they brought a few more than this a month or so later, unfurling an optimistic "Rovers rule city shit" banner, for the cup game - they knocked us out of the cup, we finished above them in the league) and as their following at AG became pitifully small for derby games through the mid 80s  (ie until they started winning derby games in late 80s) so the "Blue Few" came about.

The Tote seemed so far away that day, and barely could be heard. It was innocuous. They were completely lost in that big space and moving to Trumpton suited them massively. Small crowd in a small, tight space, on top of the opposition, hoofing the ball up the park. We had a big and raucous (and probably a bit intimidating) following that day, the like of which I doubt they have ever brought to our place, it was football that would seem unrecognisable to today's game, and a bit untamed for Bristol Sport, but as a young 'un, thrilling and memorable. Eastville was ours that day.

Coming back from a goal down it was a turning point in one game, and you could say, for us as a club. Everyone felt it and the scenes of celebration reflected that. A big **** you to Rovers and their short lived delusions of local superiority and their sly, underhand behaviour the year before. And to the WRONG prediction of the Evening Post. Which we had to wait until the Monday to buy and saviour (Godsiff's grovelling apology!) 

"City are back" we used to sing back then. Nowadays: we've got too much and we're a bit "fat" and spoilt on SL's millions and a bit complacent. I wouldn't want all that back now at my vintage but it would be good for the under 30s  (if you could eliminate the worst stuff from those days too),just to experience it. It was raw that day - and that ****ing "car park" was a nightmare on the way out in the dark, people losing shoes but unable to stop to look for them, with coppers and dogs snarling at you, and hundreds pushing from behind you - but it was ALIVE and earthy and exciting, and tribal, in a way that AG will probably never be now.

 

[Portland Bill]

6 minutes ago, Moments of Pleasure said:

Was only a kiddie at the time but made the long walk from the middle of town, latching onto many other Ciderheads going the same way, through St. Paul's (probably least said about that now the better) and up the Stapleton Road, more and more red and white, everyone getting louder, arms aloft, rhythmic clapping, going through all the songs, like the East End out for a walk, making ourselves heard, obvious signs of some disturbance in a boozer on the right (I think. Boozer gone now, also think. What was the one on the left? Think that was their main pub), loads of coppers, horses and dogs now, hundreds of us marching past the dump on our left, nervous gas lurking in sideroads, having a look, the adrenalin pumping now, into what they liked to call a "car park" but from memory was a large, non-maintained space full of potholes, puddles, stones and gravel. The environment, the occasion, the behaviour and the atmosphere: all coming to a head. Fever pitch. We had sung more on the way to the ground than in a season now, in 2018. Probably.

I think the crowd was 14k, with 6k City there, officially, on the Muller Rd. There was much Evening Post talk of forgeries by City fans in the week building up to the game, and police efforts to thwart this. It was uncomfortably rammed at that end, and the capacity and our allocation was reduced for our next two and last visits. The last derby there in 86 was 9,900 and I was on the open terrace on the side in the rain and on the pitch when Stevie Nevs scored. When Rovers came to AG in the league the following season, they barely brought 3k, only needing the one third of the Open End (they brought a few more than this a month or so later, unfurling an optimistic "Rovers rule city shit" banner, for the cup game - they knocked us out of the cup, we finished above them in the league) and as their following at AG became pitifully small for derby games through the mid 80s  (ie until they started winning derby games in late 80s) so the "Blue Few" came about.

The Tote seemed so far away that day, and barely could be heard. It was innocuous. They were completely lost in that big space and moving to Trumpton suited them massively. Small crowd in a small, tight space, on top of the opposition, hoofing the ball up the park. We had a big and raucous (and probably a bit intimidating) following that day, the like of which I doubt they have ever brought to our place, it was football that would seem unrecognisable to today's game, and a bit untamed for Bristol Sport, but as a young 'un, thrilling and memorable. Eastville was ours that day.

Coming back from a goal down it was a turning point in one game, and you could say, for us as a club. Everyone felt it and the scenes of celebration reflected that. A big **** you to Rovers and their short lived delusions of local superiority and their sly, underhand behaviour the year before. And to the WRONG prediction of the Evening Post. Which we had to wait until the Monday to buy and saviour (Godsiff's grovelling apology!) 

"City are back" we used to sing back then. Nowadays: we've got too much and we're a bit "fat" and spoilt on SL's millions and a bit complacent. I wouldn't want all that back now at my vintage but it would be good for the under 30s  (if you could eliminate the worst stuff from those days too),just to experience it. It was raw that day - and that ****ing "car park" was a nightmare on the way out in the dark, people losing shoes but unable to stop to look for them, with coppers and dogs snarling at you, and hundreds pushing from behind you - but it was ALIVE and earthy and exciting, and tribal, in a way that AG will probably never be now.

 

Great post mate, I was back there when reading it

[weepywall]

4 hours ago, Ska Junkie said:

Now that was MENTAL, absolutely nuts.

Old Winny got nicked at the game and had to appear in court in Reading a week or so later. I was told he was interviewed by HTV to find out what happened and they eventually gave up as every other word was ****!

Whatever happened to him I wonder? I was told he changed his name to Neil Down for a laugh but was never sure if it was true. It was typical Winny though. 

Winny what a legend !! I also heard he changed his name to Neil Down, he made a court appearance and the judge said "Neil Down stand up" he replied " so what do you want me to do kneel down or stand up"

[Bristol Oil Services]

55 minutes ago, Alan Dicks said:

Was there that day although my memory is faded, did we overturn the burger caravan that day?

Either that day, or the following season in the league, at Easter, when the wind was blowing sand off the dog track into our eyes. What a shambles and an appalling club they are. They still cannot offer covered viewing for visiting supporters even now, those not taking their chances in one of their tents. 

There must've been sand in the burgers they were flogging too. 

[One Team In Keynsham]

11 minutes ago, Moments of Pleasure said:

Was only a kiddie at the time but made the long walk from the middle of town, latching onto many other Ciderheads going the same way, through St. Paul's (probably least said about that now the better) and up the Stapleton Road, more and more red and white, everyone getting louder, arms aloft, rhythmic clapping, going through all the songs, like the East End out for a walk, making ourselves heard, obvious signs of some disturbance in a boozer on the right (I think. Boozer gone now, also think. What was the one on the left? Think that was their main pub), loads of coppers, horses and dogs now, hundreds of us marching past the dump on our left, nervous gas lurking in sideroads, having a look, the adrenalin pumping now, into what they liked to call a "car park" but from memory was a large, non-maintained space full of potholes, puddles, stones and gravel. The environment, the occasion, the behaviour and the atmosphere: all coming to a head. Fever pitch. We had sung more on the way to the ground than in a season now, in 2018. Probably.

One of the only things I DO recall was the walk from, and the escort back to, Temple Meads.

[BobBobSuperBob]

6 minutes ago, Moments of Pleasure said:

Either that day, or the following season in the league, at Easter, when the wind was blowing sand off the dog track into our eyes. What a shambles and an appalling club they are. They still cannot offer covered viewing for visiting supporters even now, those not taking their chances in one of their tents. 

There must've been sand in the burgers they were flogging too. 

That was a year or so later when we had Steve Rambo Johnson up fron and the screaming skull got the winner for them in a dire game spoilt by the wind

[Bristol Oil Services]

6 minutes ago, BobBobSuperBob said:

That was a year or so later when we had Steve Rambo Johnson up fron and the screaming skull got the winner for them in a dire game spoilt by the wind

April 85. 

[Offside]

I wasn't at that cup win at Eastville. Would love to have been there.

Nuttiest terrace in my experience was behind the goal in the East End in the "Donowa" derby - first when Skeletor missed the penalty and then with the late winner.

 

 

[INCRED]

22 hours ago, REDOXO said:

I know this has been done before but I have read a couple of things recently that made me look at the FA Cup at Eastville in 83, We had nothing and a cobbled together team of ex players and kids. 

Martin (God Bless You I am about your age) Hirst scored that goal at the Dog track and it went mad....Yes Man U was close Christian Roberts closer Coventry away and Liverpool at home three days earlier even closer.....But that was Funking mayhem...JUST NUTS...any other thoughts of what it was like on Muller Road that afternoon! 

Was a great day and seems strange that we were the underdogs that day but a packed Muller rd end was a great sight and to win just capped it off, I think cars were stopping on the M32 as I recall to watch the game

[Bristol Oil Services]

14,000 (I think it was 14,800 or thereabouts). The biggest crowd I have been in for an away Bristol derby. And almost half of them were us. Dear me....

[eardun]

A memorable day! I vividly remember how packed the terrace was. All the sweeter as we came from behind and were the underdogs. Strangely I also have a clear memory of Archie Stephens’ header, probably because I was quite close to it.

[myol'man]

10 hours ago, Ska Junkie said:

The locals weren't too happy with us afterwards as I remember it. 

That was a mental night!

I still have the scar on my chin from a well placed Bradford pool cue !

[slartibartfast]

1 hour ago, Moments of Pleasure said:

Was only a kiddie at the time but made the long walk from the middle of town, latching onto many other Ciderheads going the same way, through St. Paul's (probably least said about that now the better) and up the Stapleton Road, more and more red and white, everyone getting louder, arms aloft, rhythmic clapping, going through all the songs, like the East End out for a walk, making ourselves heard, obvious signs of some disturbance in a boozer on the right (I think. Boozer gone now, also think. What was the one on the left? Think that was their . The last derby there in 86 was 9,900 and I was on the open terrace on the side in the rain and on the pitch when Stevie Nevs scored.

Me too !

[myol'man]

43 minutes ago, Moments of Pleasure said:

14,000 (I think it was 14,800 or thereabouts). The biggest crowd I have been in for an away Bristol derby. And almost half of them were us. Dear me....

1976 promotion season, crowd was over 25k , we had half. Packed on the Muller bank

[Davefevs]

3 hours ago, Red Right Hand said:

Nope, Definitely Norman Glover. I only found out recently that he was the ref for the Bradford fire game,

Yeah, you’re right. Norman Gifford was a slow left arm bowler!  When you posted Glover I was thinking Brian Glover !!!!

Doh!!!!

[slartibartfast]

1 hour ago, myol'man said:

1976 promotion season, crowd was over 25k , we had half. Packed on the Muller bank

More than half................and not ALL in the open end !

[Tin Soldier]

I was at the Bradford away night game in the cup.

Sat a few seats along was Ralph Milne who had just signed a moneybags deal for Man U from us. We were is the stand on the side of the pitch and you could feel it rocking at times. Bit tasty outside also, what a shit hole!

Millwall away Cold Blow in 80s scariest, the ground was sprayed up the night. Before by some nutty City fans who will remain nameless on here. Reading riot was just down right naughty.

All these games were when Bristol City was on the way back up from the dark ages of 82! Those that watch the club today will never know what football was like in those days! Great memories.

You can keep your prawn sandwiches today.

[Guest]

 

 

[Bristol Oil Services]

10 hours ago, myol'man said:

1976 promotion season, crowd was over 25k , we had half. Packed on the Muller bank

 

8 hours ago, slartibartfast said:

More than half................and not ALL in the open end !

Probably a good job, from a Health & Safety perspective, that we didn't score that day....

[Tin Soldier]

2 hours ago, Tomarse said:

 

 

That Hirerite shirt was and still is an iconic shirt. 

[reddoh]

11 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Yeah, you’re right. Norman Gifford was a slow left arm bowler!  When you posted Glover I was thinking Brian Glover !!!!

Doh!!!!

Don't blame me.

[Redtrojan]

Fantastic memories of some great away games. I’m not sure why they seemed so much more exciting back then,perhaps because we were all a bit younger ,perhaps because of terraces ,perhaps because away days were a bit edgier then.

I was at Eastville that day and I think anyone there would find that hard to top,the lack of expectation especially after they went one up and that crush getting out.The Reading game 84 was in this politically correct age mental for all the wrong reasons ,the police dog on the pitch getting loose!!! and why it got loose!

I would like to throw in the Hereford away game when we were either bottom or close to bottom of the whole football league.It was sometime near Xmas and memorable not only for a first? away win of the season 3-0 I think-kelly brothers scored.But the 50plus City fans in fancy dress that invaded their stand and sat through the match until kicked out .A chap in suit and bowler hat was left alone by the old bill thinking him kosher.But he was City as well.Happy days.

[Ska Junkie]

29 minutes ago, Redtrojan said:

Fantastic memories of some great away games. I’m not sure why they seemed so much more exciting back then,perhaps because we were all a bit younger ,perhaps because of terraces ,perhaps because away days were a bit edgier then.

I was at Eastville that day and I think anyone there would find that hard to top,the lack of expectation especially after they went one up and that crush getting out.The Reading game 84 was in this politically correct age mental for all the wrong reasons ,the police dog on the pitch getting loose!!! and why it got loose!

I would like to throw in the Hereford away game when we were either bottom or close to bottom of the whole football league.It was sometime near Xmas and memorable not only for a first? away win of the season 3-0 I think-kelly brothers scored.But the 50plus City fans in fancy dress that invaded their stand and sat through the match until kicked out .A chap in suit and bowler hat was left alone by the old bill thinking him kosher.But he was City as well.Happy days.

Talking of fancy dress, I remember Watford away (must have been the last game of the season) 20 odd years ago when we lost 5-3 (??) and Atteveld, Aizlewood and Allison were all sent off.

A load of us went in fancy dress that day and Irish Dennis was superbly dressed as an arab sheik. Towards the end of the game and post many, many beers, we all thought it was a great idea to invade the pitch (we were getting stuffed and down to 8 players so it seemed a good idea).

Dennis, being the man he is, was first over the barrier by which time, the local plod had sussed us out and stopped anyone else getting on. Off went Dennis, in his white flowing gown and gold head dress, frantically pursued by Hertfordshire's finest, all on his lonesome. To this day I can still picture him diving back into a crowd of father Xmas, where's Wallies, cavemen and blokes dressed in pyjamas. It was absolutely hilarious.

As I remember it, the stewards knew where he was (he was the only arab in the away end after all) but showed good humour and let it go.

Happy memories. 

Wigan away at Springfield park with the grass bank in the rain was a good one too, that was a long time ago!

[Tin Soldier]

54 minutes ago, Redtrojan said:

I would like to throw in the Hereford away game when we were either bottom or close to bottom of the whole football league.It was sometime near Xmas and memorable not only for a first? away win of the season 3-0 I think-kelly brothers scored.But the 50plus City fans in fancy dress that invaded their stand and sat through the match until kicked out .A chap in suit and bowler hat was left alone by the old bill thinking him kosher.But he was City as well.Happy days.

I went to Hereford away (night game Freight Rover semi) back in the 80s when there were more golf balls in the ground than at my local golf club (know what I mean). Plus quite a few pool balls for good measure. Definitely edgey outside that one - police riot van was tipped up by certain faces from Shire & KW - if memory serves me right?

Other “edgey games” which deserve a mention are Walsall away (we know which one), Aldershot away (we also know which one). Then the usual Cardiff in the 80s, Newport in the 80s, all with good stories to tell. Gas games were often a “non event”, but certain pub near Evil Post had a visit from City prematch. Then there was the game when a load of City managed to break the gates open to the old Eastend and get in amongst the scum post match - eventful!

Thing is we all played under a different set of rules in the 80s, early 90s, compared to today. You also had iconic music such as Undertones, Sex Pistols, Sham 69 to motivate and drive the rebellion to Thatcher etc, I usually played it on the way down to AG, so by the time I got there I was like a “caged lion just let out”. 

Then you mix all that in with the Troubles! Compare to today? 

You only have to knock a chair over and you are all on BBC News/CrimeWatch/Evil Post blah blah blah....

Loved the 80s but it was a mean old world IMO!

[BobBobSuperBob]

3 hours ago, Ska Junkie said:

Talking of fancy dress, I remember Watford away (must have been the last game of the season) 20 odd years ago when we lost 5-3 (??) and Atteveld, Aizlewood and Allison were all sent off.

A load of us went in fancy dress that day and Irish Dennis was superbly dressed as an arab sheik. Towards the end of the game and post many, many beers, we all thought it was a great idea to invade the pitch (we were getting stuffed and down to 8 players so it seemed a good idea).

Dennis, being the man he is, was first over the barrier by which time, the local plod had sussed us out and stopped anyone else getting on. Off went Dennis, in his white flowing gown and gold head dress, frantically pursued by Hertfordshire's finest, all on his lonesome. To this day I can still picture him diving back into a crowd of father Xmas, where's Wallies, cavemen and blokes dressed in pyjamas. It was absolutely hilarious.

As I remember it, the stewards knew where he was (he was the only arab in the away end after all) but showed good humour and let it go.

Happy memories. 

Wigan away at Springfield park with the grass bank in the rain was a good one too, that was a long time ago!

That fantastic story  sort of epitomises all the fun of football and following City 

Fantastic

[1960maaan]

4 hours ago, Ska Junkie said:

Talking of fancy dress, I remember Watford away (must have been the last game of the season) 20 odd years ago when we lost 5-3 (??) and Atteveld, Aizlewood and Allison were all sent off.

A load of us went in fancy dress that day and Irish Dennis was superbly dressed as an arab sheik. Towards the end of the game and post many, many beers, we all thought it was a great idea to invade the pitch (we were getting stuffed and down to 8 players so it seemed a good idea).

Dennis, being the man he is, was first over the barrier by which time, the local plod had sussed us out and stopped anyone else getting on. Off went Dennis, in his white flowing gown and gold head dress, frantically pursued by Hertfordshire's finest, all on his lonesome. To this day I can still picture him diving back into a crowd of father Xmas, where's Wallies, cavemen and blokes dressed in pyjamas. It was absolutely hilarious.

As I remember it, the stewards knew where he was (he was the only arab in the away end after all) but showed good humour and let it go.

Happy memories. 

Wigan away at Springfield park with the grass bank in the rain was a good one too, that was a long time ago!

The rest of 'US" Arabs were in the stand  Still wind Denis up these days, asking why he was dressed as the Pope. Had a decent body swerve for a , umm , less streamlined guy. 

Not Denis, but a few of us from our coach in the pub opposite the ground prematch. They stopped away fans going in there just after, don't think it was anything we did. It was supposed to be Arab themed, some people didn't get the memo, still not sure about my mate's brother going as a St Trinians girl .

[cidered abroad]

The 1976 game wasn't the best local derby. Funniest thing was the guy in a van selling lemonade/soft drinks from the hard shoulder of M32. Police car kept moving him on but he just went away and reappeared a few minutes later. This continued for most of the game.

There was another derby which also ended 0-0, when the only thing of interest was spotting Concorde a long way out over the Bristol Channel. It seemed to take a long time to get any closer and then it was suddenly a magnificent view overhead and gone. 

Don't start me off on derby days because my post will be the longest ever seen on here.

[BTRFTG]

Nuttiest Terrace? De Facto has to be Filbert Street.....