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Eastender or Parkender?


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6 minutes ago, RedLionLad said:

Kevin (Springer) Hardiman was a great bloke. Looked like he'd kill you rather than look at you, but he was a real nice bloke.

Ronnie was good for a laugh. He spent a lot of time in the 3 Lions 

I was doing a lot of football (home and away) for quite a few years in the 80s and 90s.

And wherever I went, Little Ronnie was always there. He would beg, borrow, hitch hike, whatever, to make sure he got to every City game - he had a great skill at bringing Billy Bollox “Know It All” characters back down to reality - with an almighty punchline!!! Had us all laughing on many an occasion.  Some great characters in the 80s & 90s. 

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1 hour ago, RedRock said:

Red beard man.... struth remember him! RIP fella.

There was normally a group at the top on the pen near to the dividing fence with a guy called ‘Tank’ I recall. Loads of South Bristol lads though, so us ‘Northerners’ seemed to be few and far between on the Park End in those days. The Southmead lot, who seemed to be sizeable in the earliest East End days, appeared to have thinned out a bit or at least didn’t transfer in large numbers to the Park End.    

Also remembering Clive, who died way to young. 

 

I got to know him from various away games, from KW if I recall correctly (or perhaps Southmead?).

There was also a bloke from Bath, Angus, who always seemed to wear a sheepskin coat - we were together at Luton, when he got arrested for carrying a huge butchers knife, stolen from, surprise, a butcher's shop en route to the ground from the pub .

Some of you may recall a bus driver from Winterbourne/Chipping Sodbury way by the name of 'Acker', who acted as a steward in the Open/Park End.

Wow! Talk about poacher turned gamekeeper - he drove the coach/minibus on some of the most 'exhilarating' away trips I remember from back in the day; saved my life at Wolves when he must have thrown almost an entire crate of milk bottles at the marauding Wolves fans in that subway - we must have got through twenty or so crates.

 

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4 minutes ago, GasDestroyer said:

I was doing a lot of football (home and away) for quite a few years in the 80s and 90s.

And wherever I went, Little Ronnie was always there. He would beg, borrow, hitch hike, whatever, to make sure he got to every City game - he had a great skill at bringing Billy Bollox “Know It All” characters back down to reality - with an almighty punchline!!! Had us all laughing on many an occasion.  Some great characters in the 80s & 90s. 

With regards to Ronnie, I've got to know a lad who was good friends with him back in the day - has told me a few times a story of Ronnie's trip to Torquay where he was featured in the local rag for hitting a hattrick - of consecutive nickings at Plainmoor :D I think the last one came about when he nicked a rowing boat or something!? :D 

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15 minutes ago, Sweeneys Penalties said:

remember that particular episode well. I'm not sure the Wednesday fans got that much notice though....iirc it was a case of "the last train has already left". 

I recall distinctly feeling slightly sorry for the Wednesday fans, thinking they had an awful decision to make - stay or go?

Perhaps the announcement you heard was some minutes later.

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4 hours ago, Banjo Island said:

This is getting abit spooky the exact same for myself think we need to meet and recall the good all days dirty necks and all

And we’ve never been seen in the same place at the same time!!!!

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11 minutes ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

I got to know him from various away games, from KW if I recall correctly (or perhaps Southmead?).

There was also a bloke from Bath, Angus, who always seemed to wear a sheepskin coat - we were together at Luton, when he got arrested for carrying a huge butchers knife, stolen from, surprise, a butcher's shop en route to the ground from the pub .

Some of you may recall a bus driver from Winterbourne/Chipping Sodbury way by the name of 'Acker', who acted as a steward in the Open/Park End.

Wow! Talk about poacher turned gamekeeper - he drove the coach/minibus on some of the most 'exhilarating' away trips I remember from back in the day; saved my life at Wolves when he must have thrown almost an entire crate of milk bottles at the marauding Wolves fans in that subway - we must have got through twenty or so crates.

 

I was good friends with Acker back in the day, top bloke!

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4 minutes ago, candygram for mongo said:

Hopefully my memory serves me well but feel free to correct me

Previous to the “Park End” in approximately 73/74 I remember some City lads being in the open end V Luton where it kicked off before the game and a City lad getting knifed.

Remember that. Think the start was held up whilst the lad was taken care off. Bloody long time ago that! Old Div 2 days I think?

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8 minutes ago, Med/MadHatter said:

I was good friends with Acker back in the day, top bloke!

Where were you from?

I thought you were Devon/Cornwall based before going off to the cold and barren North American wilds.

Acker was, indeed, a good bloke, very much up for a laugh in many ways.

Do you have any idea what he is doing now?

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1 minute ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

Where were you from?

I thought you were Devon/Cornwall based before going off to the cold and barren North American wilds.

Acker was, indeed, a good bloke, very much up for a laugh in many ways.

Do you have any idea what he is doing now?

I'm from Winterbourne/ Frampton Cotterell,  moved away from Bristol in early 80s and now live in Canada, have no idea where he is now though, only keep in contact with a few people from those days and that's because we've know eachother since we were at primary school, 50 years ago now! :laugh:

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4 hours ago, NOTBLUE said:

I’ve got a feeling I know quite a few of the posters on here,if not by name then by their faces.

I’m the same mate, there’s a few former b block lads I say hello too probably been to hundreds of the same games but wouldn’t have a clue what they’re names are, any body still go in b block because there’s 2 blokes who sit a couple of rows from the back who absolutely stink of fish, I can’t work out if there fish mongers or just dirty bastards.

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9 minutes ago, Med/MadHatter said:

I'm from Winterbourne/ Frampton Cotterell,  moved away from Bristol in early 80s and now live in Canada, have no idea where he is now though, only keep in contact with a few people from those days and that's because we've know eachother since we were at primary school, 50 years ago now! :laugh:

Then we possibly used to go in the same group, emanating from The Swan in Winterbourne.

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21 minutes ago, Med/MadHatter said:

I'm from Winterbourne/ Frampton Cotterell,  moved away from Bristol in early 80s and now live in Canada, have no idea where he is now though, only keep in contact with a few people from those days and that's because we've know eachother since we were at primary school, 50 years ago now! :laugh:

There used to be a few lads who drank in The Globe (?),Neil and his mates.

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30 minutes ago, GasDestroyer said:

Remember that. Think the start was held up whilst the lad was taken care off. Bloody long time ago that! Old Div 2 days I think?

Nice sunny day. Kick off delayed for ages while, it seemed, the police escorted every Luton supporter off the terrace for interview. 

If  memory serves me correctly a few odd groups went in the Open End initially - I remember a few of us vs Hull - think some did it for Portsmouth, then it escalated a bit with Stoke... and the rest is history. 

 

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I’ve been everywhere man. The open end, the covered end (as they were called in my early supporting years), the Williams stand, the Williams enclosure, the old Cow Shed stand enclosure and once in the Cow Shed stand itself (pre Dolman).  Once I even had a seat in the ringside.  This was a bench in front of the Williams enclosure fence next to the touch line. Sitting next to the touch line wouldn’t be allowed now. When I played football,  the matches started early in the winter as no floodlights. If the match was near to Ashton I used to get in free at the open end as City used to open the gates 20 minutes before the end of the match. 

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3 hours ago, GasDestroyer said:

Just reading through these posts makes you realise what an apprenticeship/journey Ashton Gate was for many of us.

I also started out in the East End as a young kid who was skint, the old man then bought me a season ticket when in the old 1st Div for the Dolman. Was then addicted to Bristol City. He got fed up when we got relegated from Div 1, Div 2, etc, so I then went in the Parkend for a year or two until I nearly died of pneumonia one game. It used to get bloody wet and when it was backed by a Force 9 gale from the East End/Dundry hills direction, it was bloody wet and freezing cold.

Met the legendary Ricky M from Bath (also now passed - RIP Ricky) in there a few times (too many stories to tell on here about Ricky who was a well known character down AG) and then ended up in B Block Dolman for many years with him watching some great City teams. Used to love how Dolman B Block would quietly fill up prior to kickoff, the away fans would be singing there songs thinking “where are there lads?”. At 2.59pm, the whole of Dolman B Block would stand up in unison and sing “Baaaristol”. Quite often, the look on the away fans faces was one of white fear when they realised what was waiting for them post match. 

Great thing about Dolman B Block is you always had a great view of the Parkend when it kicked off!

They were brilliant days - always remember how quite often the Parkend would start a song, followed by the Dolman, then followed by the East End & Enclosure. On a big game, quite literally the whole ground would be singing.

Makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about it here in 2020. Loved the old ground!

The noise in dolman when we used to smack the wooden chairs up and down........wow that racket!!!!

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2 hours ago, Ska Junkie said:

Schoolboys, enclosure (with my dad), then Crackers corner for me, especially in the first division days, before I migrated to the Dolman. Moved back across to the enclosure in the early 80's. Tried the South stand corner when it first opened but back in the Dolman now, where I'll stay. 

Surprised that this is the first referral to the famed Crackers Corner. Moved to Ashton Road in 1960 and recall that year calling up to someone at the back of Crackers Corner what the half time score was. His reply of 8-0 was met by us with a two word Anglo Saxon phrase with several Fs in it. I owe that guy an apology, it was Chichester in the Cup (11-0).

My journey was the Enclosure, East End (behind the centre of the goal with mates from Exeter United), Dolman, Williams and now South Stand (again behind the centre of the goal but further back).

Great to see reference in Bristol Post today to our great win at Leeds 46 years ago next week. I was there. Fair to say that it was a "lively" atmosphere outside the ground after the final whistle

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8 minutes ago, Red Moseley said:

Surprised that this is the first referral to the famed Crackers Corner. Moved to Ashton Road in 1960 and recall that year calling up to someone at the back of Crackers Corner what the half time score was. His reply of 8-0 was met by us with a two word Anglo Saxon phrase with several Fs in it. I owe that guy an apology, it was Chichester in the Cup (11-0).

My journey was the Enclosure, East End (behind the centre of the goal with mates from Exeter United), Dolman, Williams and now South Stand (again behind the centre of the goal but further back).

Great to see reference in Bristol Post today to our great win at Leeds 46 years ago next week. I was there. Fair to say that it was a "lively" atmosphere outside the ground after the final whistle

Indeed.

I remember, as a young, teenage schoolboy, having hidden my red and white scarf in the ground during the game putting it proudly around my neck en route to the Supporters Club coaches (Thank You Beryl) and being threatened by some very big adult Leeds fans.

I asked a 'friendly' Policeman whether he might escort us to our coach - some 50 metres away - and the charming man told me in no uncertain terms that I was on my own and it was my own fault for coming here.  

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13 minutes ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

Indeed.

I remember, as a young, teenage schoolboy, having hidden my red and white scarf in the ground during the game putting it proudly around my neck en route to the Supporters Club coaches (Thank You Beryl) and being threatened by some very big adult Leeds fans.

I asked a 'friendly' Policeman whether he might escort us to our coach - some 50 metres away - and the charming man told me in no uncertain terms that I was on my own and it was my own fault for coming here.  

You were luck long walk to the station

 

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Park Ender to start aged 6 i think, with my Dad, balancing on a white wooden stool that he made for me to stand on. Remained in the Park End for a few years before becoming an East Ender, where i began to start chants, real comaradarie and humour, many a surge too! Remember hearing about the Bradford fire and possibly Hillsborough over the tannoy whilst in there, sending chills through the bones. Chelsea in FA Cup 3rd round was something too....Then up to B block in the Dolman, happy times up there on the back row. Like others have mentioned, sometimes only known by face, hardly by name - 'Mad Mike' was the only one i knew!!

Not quite such a visitor these days due to work location and young daughter oop north, but my Dad is ST holder in the Dolman - watching his beloved City a stones throw from his former home on Coronation Rd. And it was he who took me for my first ever game.

Always got the memories - the ground might change and the atmosphere might be different but for those of us who remember those special days n nights...we wouldn't have it any other way!! #CTID #OTIB #COYR

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3 hours ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

If it is the same game, the snowball 'fight' was quite good-natured to be fair.

What I recall most, though, was an announcement over the tannoy at half-time (obviously, @Robbored wouldn't have heard it) that, due to the prevailing weather conditions, the last train to Sheffield would be leaving at? 16H30?, meaning the Wednesday fans would have to leave immediately or spend the night in Bristol - cue the chant: 

One Bed & Breakfast, there's only one Bed & Breakfast....

Yes, it was a good natured snowball fight!

You've a great memory to remember the announcement and subsequent chant!

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2 hours ago, RedRock said:

Nice sunny day. Kick off delayed for ages while, it seemed, the police escorted every Luton supporter off the terrace for interview. 

If  memory serves me correctly a few odd groups went in the Open End initially - I remember a few of us vs Hull - think some did it for Portsmouth, then it escalated a bit with Stoke... and the rest is history. 

 

As I was a Luton Town fan then and had come down with my Bristol City fan dad I can tell you what the fuss was all about. Nobody had got knifed that day BUT a five pointed star made out of pen knives had been found close to the pitch.

"It wasn't me wot threw it me lud, as I was sitting in the main grandstand."

 

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4 hours ago, poland_exile said:

 

 

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I used to stand for a couple of seasons during our div 4 days behind that small crash barrier just right of centre with a couple of older working colleagues. Derek died several years ago but his friend's claim to fame was that his son was Mr Fixit/road manager for Eric Clapton.

There was an older gentleman who was normally on coach one but sometimes coach two, who worked on the rebuilding of the SS Great Britain. I had the pleasure of sitting next to him on away trip to Halifax. Lovely person. He stood right in behind the railings normally to the left of the away pen. When I helped start the Junior Reds and was therefore a steward, the quickest way to the Dolman Stand was via the shale path between the pitch and railings. He would often wave out.

I decided to buy a season ticket after a couple of years so I could be with my mates again (should've stayed with Junior Reds in hindsight) but this time in the enclosure. That became the Lower Williams for me as a ST. 

My first regular spot from 77 onwards was in the EE but right at the front wall next to the Enclosure. It didnt have a roof covering either. It was great to stand with people who became friends just by standing there.

I then moved behind the goal of the EE but right at the back wall for a couple of years.

It seems many people have moved around from season to season.

 

 

 

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2 minutes ago, Norn Iron said:

I used to stand for a couple of seasons during our div 4 days behind that small crash barrier just right of centre with a couple of older working colleagues. Derek died several years ago but his friend's claim to fame was that his son was Mr Fixit/road manager for Eric Clapton.

There was an older gentleman who was normally on coach one but sometimes coach two, who worked on the rebuilding of the SS Great Britain. I had the pleasure of sitting next to him on away trip to Halifax. Lovely person. He stood right in behind the railings normally to the left of the away pen. When I helped start the Junior Reds and was therefore a steward, the quickest way to the Dolman Stand was via the shale path between the pitch and railings. He would often wave out.

I decided to buy a season ticket after a couple of years so I could be with my mates again (should've stayed with Junior Reds in hindsight) but this time in the enclosure. That became the Lower Williams for me as a ST. 

My first regular spot from 77 onwards was in the EE but right at the front wall next to the Enclosure. It didnt have a roof covering either. It was great to stand with people who became friends just by standing there.

I then moved behind the goal of the EE but right at the back wall for a couple of years.

It seems many people have moved around from season to season.

 

 

 

Now theres a familiar sight. I didnt spend a lot of time in the Open End (as a shortass, I always felt the terrace was too shallow), but I made the occasional venture if I thought  I may get a base for my tan for the forthcoming summer, People have said where the stood in The East, so I'll let on.....I was  stood on the wall at the back of The East 

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1 hour ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

Indeed.

I remember, as a young, teenage schoolboy, having hidden my red and white scarf in the ground during the game putting it proudly around my neck en route to the Supporters Club coaches (Thank You Beryl) and being threatened by some very big adult Leeds fans.

I asked a 'friendly' Policeman whether he might escort us to our coach - some 50 metres away - and the charming man told me in no uncertain terms that I was on my own and it was my own fault for coming here.  

Was this the game at Elland Road when we won 0-2?

If it was, I must have been right next to you (1978?) as I remember the policeman saying this only to receive complaints of a them vs a handful of us type comments! 

Eventually the police allowed us to be flanked by one or two policemen and escorted us towards the old greyhound stadium.

Our car was parked in a field opposite. I left the 'security' to make my way to the safety of our car only to find 2 leeds fans waiting to attack a defenceless 16 year old me! 

Amazingly, a PC and his helmet came to the rescue. His helmet had a silver nipple on top that made an amazing noise as he belted them on their heads with it.

If Julie H is going tomorrow, please thank your opposite number. Doubtful you'd be allowed to use this manoeuvre today!

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16 minutes ago, Norn Iron said:

Was this the game at Elland Road when we won 0-2?

If it was, I must have been right next to you (1978?) as I remember the policeman saying this only to receive complaints of a them vs a handful of us type comments! 

Eventually the police allowed us to be flanked by one or two policemen and escorted us towards the old greyhound stadium.

Our car was parked in a field opposite. I left the 'security' to make my way to the safety of our car only to find 2 leeds fans waiting to attack a defenceless 16 year old me! 

Amazingly, a PC and his helmet came to the rescue. His helmet had a silver nipple on top that made an amazing noise as he belted them on their heads with it.

If Julie H is going tomorrow, please thank your opposite number. Doubtful you'd be allowed to use this manoeuvre today!

Christ that brings back a memory..... kiddie me came out the old souvenir shop after a game v Pompey. I came out staring at my (cant remember) souvenir as Pompey turned toward us, "Get under the car Paul" "uh" My Dad (God rest his soul) was a Spreader, and like all Spreaders was not short of muscle turned toward a Pompey skin. The Gendarmes on horseback turned up and immediately saw the scene for what is was worth. One horse hit a gallop and the bloke who was about to tackle my dad was sent sprawling across a car bonnet by a Cop on horseback who whacked him with his baton across the back of the neck. He grabbed me and marched me off to a relative in Carrington Road til the situation cleared

 

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