1982

[Wanderingred]

Last night I got chatting to a fan of Torquay United. The poor bloke is facing up to the real possibility that he may not have a club to support by the end of the season. I imagined how I would feel if my beloved team were in such a dire situation and if I had to contemplate life without BCFC. Then I of course remembered that before my lifetime back in 82, so many of you went through this exact feeling.

So Id like to pick the brains of some of you older fans... What was going through your mind in the days leading up to that Newport game and on the day itself? Was there any talk of a phoenix club, or going to watch other teams? And where were you when you heard the news that the club had been saved? Id love to hear your stories!

[Offside]

I was only 8/9 years old at the time so even though I had started attending games by then I was too young to be fully aware of how dire a position the club was in. I do remember the "support Bristol City, now or never" stickers and the black shorts that I think I remember hearing were worn because they were cheaper than white ones (which sounds odd, so I'm not sure how true it is). I recall my dad saying that one of the things he found difficult was seeing the empty spaces in the ground as our attendances plummeted. I'm still not sure why so many fans stopped attending when the club desperately needed money.

[Gert Mare]

I remember the squatters circling like vultures poised to take "Trashton" from the dead club. (Another reason why I hold no affection for the blue 1/4 of Bristol).

It was dire times, apart from Jan Moller and Mick Harford. 

I remember the "Support Bristol City Now or NEVER" campaign.

No wonder we get the jitters with losing streaks because we fell like a stone. 

What I do remember is the comradery amongst supporters week in week out. We knew what was coming but we partied all the same.

 The thing was that the directors at the time haemorrhaged loads of money fighting for control of the club. Suits and football are always a problem, just look at the FA!

For me it wasn't about one game it was just a relief to know that I still had a club to support.

 I was gutted for the players as they were made to pay for the errors of the faceless suits behind the scenes. 

Going bottom of Division 4 delighted my Gas acquaintances as they saw another way for us to go completely, but we came back because there was no pressure any more.

Within 2 years Trevor Morgan was firing in the goal at Chester that finally confirmed our promotion back to Division 3. Great times. The closest I ever felt between club and fans was during the early 80's.

[ashton_fan]

I went to that Newport game, despite all the Press coverage at the time I don't think anyone believed the club would go under, maybe we were a bit naive but nothing like that had happened to other clubs at the time and there was talk of a takeover/rescue and the fans just expected somebody to sort it out although at the same time realised it might be the last game and so there was a good turnout. 

Shortly afterwards all the 'eight' left and we didn't have any experienced players. The following game at home to Fulham half the team was made up of youngsters making their debut, but a large crowd gave tremendous support and we managed a miraculous 0-0 draw (I think Roy Hodgson might have been in charge for that game). Scoring goals was a problem though and we went down to Div 4 at the end of the season and Terry Cooper took over as manager the following season, he managed to turn things around on a very small budget.

[archie andrews]

don't let cock robin die was the hashtag/buzzword at the time....

[22A]

For the build up to 1982, there were a few things I couldn't comprehend. During our third season in Div 1 there was muted talk of finishing high enough to qualify for Europe. but that didn't work out. At the end of the season Gary Collier arranged his own transfer to Coventry and we seemingly couldn't replace him in defence. At the end of 79-80 the club was relegated. Back in Div 2 and so many games we expected to be victories were draws and there came 1-0 defeats at Cambridge, Watford and Grimsby resulting in a second relegation. Results did not improve and at the risk of being branded a heretic, those players who had played so well just a few years before in Div 1 could not perform in Div 3.

Then came the news of the impending winding up. I too remember the stickers "Support Bristol City, now or never" and hundreds of programme collectors from all over the country went to Somerton Park to buy up copies of the programme of City's final game. National TV news showed City's equaliser against Newport and asking the question "Will this be Bristol City's last ever goal"? There was no talk of supporting any other club when City died and at the time, we didn't know about Phoenix clubs.

The following Wednesday, I was at work and at lunch time I asked if anyone had heard the news. A Leeds fan stated "Some players have left and you still have a club to support". I was just so relived, I wasn't too concerned about it's state, just so long as there was still a Bristol City. The final game saw City home to Chester; both teams were already relegated, but 3,200 turned up; to me every one of those is a TRUE supporter.

The second half of that season and the Div 4 days produced so much unity of fans and players. In the second season In Div 4, City beat York in October and went top of the Division. Over 10,000 attended Ashton Gate that night. At the end of the season City travelled to Chester and had to send their own Stewards here to help the home club cope with the vast number of travelling fans. City were back.

[KURTZ]

      An old friend of mine said the sags were trying to buy Ashton Gate for Peanuts, anyone know if that was true?

[Ciderhead433]

Remember it well went to last game at Newport went down the ground on the day a BBC and ITV were there interviewing then Stoney came out and said were ok deal sorted.

 

Lucky for me old man was a gashead i could have ended upthere

[Cowshed]

Finally old enough to earn a wage and donated a weeks to the club as did my friends.

Different times. BCFC were a club. Everybody mattered. The attendances completely collapsed but being there created a sense of pride, we have not given up as fans. That pride and spirit would have ensured BCFC continued. It did not appear realistic that there would be no BCFC even if a XI from the Rising Sun called themselves Bristol City FC people would have rallied round to support that instead.

Post Newport ..

Supporting City was a badge of honour. Competing v Liverpool, Arsenal then losing v anybody including Torquay.

At away games City were seen as a ex first division scalp. The local hooligans would appear in large numbers like vultures. You HAD to stick together. On occasions people would sheepishly ask to tag along for protection at train stations (no escorts) , hours later you were friends.

On this forum there is a thread about City fans being the worst - We were the best. Its was BCFC against the world. We had something that has sadly been generally lost now. A rare essence now in what was a very exciting time as a fan.

[Ivorguy]

47 minutes ago, Cheesleysmate said:

I remember the squatters circling like vultures poised to take "Trashton" from the dead club. (Another reason why I hold no affection for the blue 1/4 of Bristol).

It was dire times, apart from Jan Moller and Mick Harford. 

I remember the "Support Bristol City Now or NEVER" campaign.

No wonder we get the jitters with losing streaks because we fell like a stone. 

What I do remember is the comradery amongst supporters week in week out. We knew what was coming but we partied all the same.

 The thing was that the directors at the time haemorrhaged loads of money fighting for control of the club. Suits and football are always a problem, just look at the FA!

For me it wasn't about one game it was just a relief to know that I still had a club to support.

 I was gutted for the players as they were made to pay for the errors of the faceless suits behind the scenes. 

Going bottom of Division 4 delighted my Gas acquaintances as they saw another way for us to go completely, but we came back because there was no pressure any more.

Within 2 years Trevor Morgan was firing in the goal at Chester that finally confirmed our promotion back to Division 3. Great times. The closest I ever felt between club and fans was during the early 80's.

Was at that Chester game

 Magical  times with the incomparable Terry Cooper.  He,gave us our pride back.

The atmosphere generated by the few of us there is unforgettable.

My daughter was three, her first game, and kept shouting 'Come on City'. Terry acknowledged the support!

Happy days

 

[Ciderhead433]

4 minutes ago, Cowshed said:

Finally old enough to earn a wage and donated a weeks to the club as did my friends.

Different times. BCFC were a club. Everybody mattered. The attendances completely collapsed but being there created a sense of pride, we have not given up as fans. That pride would and spirit would have ensured BCFC continued. It did not appear realistic that there would be no BCFC even if a XI from the Rising Sun called themselves Bristol City FC people would have rallied round to support that instead.

Post Newport ..

Supporting City was a badge of honour. Competing v Liverpool, Arsenal then losing v anybody including Torquay.

At away games City were seen as a ex first division scalp. The local hooligans would appear in large numbers like vultures. You HAD to stick together. On occasions people would sheepishly ask to tag along for protection at train stations (no escorts) , hours later you were friends.

On this forum there is a thread about City fans being the worst - We were the best. Its was BCFC against the world. We had something that has sadly been generally lost now. A rare essence now in what was a very exciting time as a fan.

Got a tear in me eye

[Red Grovesy]

Had a quick look and found this in my pile of programmes......

 

[Portland Bill]

1 hour ago, Kim_il_sung said:

Last night I got chatting to a fan of Torquay United. The poor bloke is facing up to the real possibility that he may not have a club to support by the end of the season. I imagined how I would feel if my beloved team were in such a dire situation and if I had to contemplate life without BCFC. Then I of course remembered that before my lifetime back in 82, so many of you went through this exact feeling.

So Id like to pick the brains of some of you older fans... What was going through your mind in the days leading up to that Newport game and on the day itself? Was there any talk of a phoenix club, or going to watch other teams? And where were you when you heard the news that the club had been saved? Id love to hear your stories!

I'm not sure if I really knew what was happening behind the scenes at the time, but I knew we were in deep shit. I can remember discussions with my mates in the pub about what we would do if the club did fold. As we all lived in Bridgwater I think Exeter City's name came up, but I think we would have ended up watching Bridgwater Town!.

My only memories of Newport away are just watching it go 'off' in their end constantly for what seemed like 90 minutes. It was a surreal day thinking this could be my last time watching our beloved club. 

The following week's game v Fulham ( after we were saved by the AG8 ) was the dawning of the new era, a very young side played out of their skins and drew 0-0 ( I think?) with Fulham in front of 11,000 of us, a brilliant atmosphere and a real coming together of the fans. 

As others have said, us fans then became as one and stuck with each other through the really bad times. I will always remember about 500 of us away at places like Shrewsbury doing the 'dying fly' on the terraces!. We had hundreds of 'lads' going to away games and everyone stuck together, a real camaraderie.  These times were the best I've ever had with City even though we were pretty shite 'on' the pitch!

When we finally got promotion at Chester out of the fourth division it was as good a feeling as winning the Champions league, it was reward for the fans that had stuck behind the club, ( we went from 25,000 gates to 4,000 in three years!) it was a real feeling of it being 'our' club.

Terry Cooper deserves an award from our club for what he did, he pulled us up from nothing with a team of kids and a few experienced heads, he truly was an inspiration. Perhaps the club could name something at the ground after him. Because he and the AG8 were the saviours of this club and it should never be forgotten. 

 

[italian dave]

Well, for a start it helped put runs like the one we're currently on into perspective. Newport was the culmination of a poor run, and I mean a really poor run, when you just knew we were going to lose, that went on three years.

It was the first time anything like it had really happened, so I think everyone was just uncertain. It felt as though it shouldn't be possible for our club to go out of existence, but at the same time there was no tried and tested route out like there is today.

I remember doing a sponsored walk round the pitch to raise money. I remember buying shares, and even the wife buying some too! I remember the Rovers waiting in the wings to pick on the bones, wanting to buy the ground, objecting to the council baling us out. remember the game after we were 'saved' at Walsall, where we had only reserves and youth team players left to pick.

But most of all, Terry Cooper. Exactly right Ivor, he gave us our pride back, and he made football fun again. He did more for City than any manager I've known before or after and probably ever will do. Although it was in the third and fourth division, they were some of the best times watching City. Strange!

[BobBobSuperBob]

1 hour ago, Ivorguy said:

Was at that Chester game

 Magical  times with the incomparable Terry Cooper.  He,gave us our pride back.

The atmosphere generated by the few of us there is unforgettable.

My daughter was three, her first game, and kept shouting 'Come on City'. Terry acknowledged the support!

Happy days

 

The wire fence didn't last long as I remember !!! 

[Aberdeen Pete's Dad]

I flew from Sydney in Australia. My old man picked me up at Heathrow and we drove straight to Newport. I really thought it was going to be our last match. We should all be grateful to all of those - Coller, Sage, Boyd, Leslie Kew et all- who saved the club by forming the new company.

[Erithacus]

Looking at that teamsheet v Fulham - some good names on it! Served this (new) club well. But is that Fulham centre-half that Sean O'Driscoll? How times have changed...

[Sixtyseconds]

Still a kid barely into work and not getting the full sketch of what was going on.

But what was saved then was this "We had hundreds of 'lads' going to away games and everyone stuck together, a real camaraderie".

In nearly deserted Ashton Gate you would see Bikers, Mods, Punks, Skins, Bay City roller looking relics from the seventies scarves on wrists, characters shuffling round the EE whom all knew had health problems, people who had stood on their spot for aeons.

Saved.

No Bristol Sport.

It was BCFC.

We are red we are white we are ******* ... The football as it was there was no illusion of taking that tooooooooo seriously ... Think its bad now, you ain't seen proper poor ... It was all about fans.

[22A]

Five other points;

Ipswich & Southampton, two 1st Div clubs who played attractive football, staged a friendly at AG to raise funds for City. As has been posted above, Rovers did nothing to help us and indeed announced they'd buy AG for a pittance.

We didn't know if we'd have a club in ten months time, but as they were desperate for income, City offered a ten year season ticket for £500. Come 1992, anyone who had bought one would have realised they had a bargain.

After the Ashton Eight left, the Youth team were pitched in and the first game was a goal less draw home to Fulham. The final whistle was greeted with the cheers normally reserved for a massive win.

The Football League, were concerned for the integrity of the League and provided support and advice to help keep the club going. Many Rovers fans were and still are, annoyed by this which is why they believe City should have been kicked out of the League and not allowed to keep going.

At the start of 82-83 both clubs were in Div 3 and had poor attendances. City's then Chairman offered an open door if Rovers wanted to amalgamate in the interests of Bristol football in general. They declined the offer.

[Portland Bill]

6 hours ago, BobBobSuperBob said:

The wire fence didn't last long as I remember !!! 

We all undid the wire fence during the last 15 mins didn't we  as the final whistle went it literally collapsed!! 

[Star of a gunner]

9 hours ago, Kim_il_sung said:

Last night I got chatting to a fan of Torquay United. The poor bloke is facing up to the real possibility that he may not have a club to support by the end of the season. I imagined how I would feel if my beloved team were in such a dire situation and if I had to contemplate life without BCFC. Then I of course remembered that before my lifetime back in 82, so many of you went through this exact feeling.

So Id like to pick the brains of some of you older fans... What was going through your mind in the days leading up to that Newport game and on the day itself? Was there any talk of a phoenix club, or going to watch other teams? And where were you when you heard the news that the club had been saved? Id love to hear your stories!

me and my mates put are pocket money in the buckets before the game probably only came to  2 or three quid but it seemed like loads to us ,must admit though those years just after 1982 were some of my favourite .     Terry coopers red and white army ,one nil down two one up we knocked rovers out the cup.

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

9 hours ago, Cheesleysmate said:

I remember the squatters circling like vultures poised to take "Trashton" from the dead club. (Another reason why I hold no affection for the blue 1/4 of Bristol).

It was dire times, apart from Jan Moller and Mick Harford. 

I remember the "Support Bristol City Now or NEVER" campaign.

No wonder we get the jitters with losing streaks because we fell like a stone. 

What I do remember is the comradery amongst supporters week in week out. We knew what was coming but we partied all the same.

 The thing was that the directors at the time haemorrhaged loads of money fighting for control of the club. Suits and football are always a problem, just look at the FA!

For me it wasn't about one game it was just a relief to know that I still had a club to support.

 I was gutted for the players as they were made to pay for the errors of the faceless suits behind the scenes. 

Going bottom of Division 4 delighted my Gas acquaintances as they saw another way for us to go completely, but we came back because there was no pressure any more.

Within 2 years Trevor Morgan was firing in the goal at Chester that finally confirmed our promotion back to Division 3. Great times. The closest I ever felt between club and fans was during the early 80's.

That Div4 promotion campaign was miles better than the sanitised, insipid hogwash we get today.

[Red Exile]

Different world in those days. We went back to the Gate after the Chester match, waiting for the players bus. Tom Ritchie ran off the coach and into the arms of my late brother (a regular on OTIB in his day)...and then we joined the players in the Supporters Club bar (as I recall) for a spontaneous party. Alan Crawford stating on a table singing offensive songs about Aldershot.

Hard to imagine anything like that today...but I wouldn't have wished that drop down the divisions on anyone dressed in anything other than blue and white quarters.

On the up side the day we went bottom of the league was the last day of term at uni and I consoled myself by chatting with a very nice girl who became my wife...who is currently consoling me and my eldest after the latest City fiasco...

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

3 minutes ago, Red Exile said:

Different world in those days. We went back to the Gate after the Chester match, waiting for the players bus. Tom Ritchie ran off the coach and into the arms of my late brother (a regular on OTIB in his day)...and then we joined the players in the Supporters Club bar (as I recall) for a spontaneous party. Alan Crawford stating on a table singing offensive songs about Aldershot.

Hard to imagine anything like that today...but I wouldn't have wished that drop down the divisions on anyone dressed in anything other than blue and white quarters.

On the up side the day we went bottom of the league was the last day of term at uni and I consoled myself by chatting with a very nice girl who became my wife...who is currently consoling me and my eldest after the latest City fiasco...

Alan Crawford always seemed a nice fella...can`t imagine him singing bawdy ditties!

[Red Exile]

9 hours ago, archie andrews said:

don't let cock robin die was the hashtag/buzzword at the time....

I've still got the poster...

[Red Exile]

4 minutes ago, Mike Hunt-Hertz said:

Alan Crawford always seemed a nice fella...can`t imagine him singing bawdy ditties!

He was well away...and I think he and the others, like Tom and Terry, really cared...that promotion was one hell of an achievement and hard fought.

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

3 minutes ago, Red Exile said:

He was well away...and I think he and the others, like Tom and Terry, really cared...that promotion was one hell of an achievement and hard fought.

That team were mint!

[glynriley]

Not that I'd ever want City to be plying their trade in the basement again, but I loved it back then. Kids who weren't much older than I was, busting a gut for the shirt. Coops waving his magic wand, Glyn sticking it to defences up and down the land. Tom Ritchie returning, and along with John Shaw guiding the kids to a promotion.

Anyone under the age of 40, have no illusions, they were dark days but all of us who were there will never forget them.

 Those who talk of turning their back on the club because of the current malaise can't have been around then, because this is a walk in the ******* park in comparison.

[Lack of Action Man]

6 hours ago, 22A said:

Five other points;

Ipswich & Southampton, two 1st Div clubs who played attractive football, staged a friendly at AG to raise funds for City. As has been posted above, Rovers did nothing to help us and indeed announced they'd buy AG for a pittance.

We didn't know if we'd have a club in ten months time, but as they were desperate for income, City offered a ten year season ticket for £500. Come 1992, anyone who had bought one would have realised they had a bargain.

After the Ashton Eight left, the Youth team were pitched in and the first game was a goal less draw home to Fulham. The final whistle was greeted with the cheers normally reserved for a massive win.

The Football League, were concerned for the integrity of the League and provided support and advice to help keep the club going. Many Rovers fans were and still are, annoyed by this which is why they believe City should have been kicked out of the League and not allowed to keep going.

At the start of 82-83 both clubs were in Div 3 and had poor attendances. City's then Chairman offered an open door if Rovers wanted to amalgamate in the interests of Bristol football in general. They declined the offer.

Well I did not know that. Ooft it makes me feel a bit unwell...

[REDOXO]

I hate thinking about it!

Terrible times and some good ones too.

The day of the AG eight agreement I remember thinking, this could be it! What am I going to do. The Sags were hovvering around AG as has been mentioned and it looked bad. GG, Clive and Tom the only ones worth money were gone and we had nothing but kids and contracts that lasted into old age.

My old man came in from work and said the club have been reformed and the players were gone. 16 year olds in the first team on Saturday....we were 92nd before you knew it.

Terry Cooper should have something named after him....If not just for that cup win at Eastville....Christian Roberts against Hartlepool was mad....That was insane....Hirst has, it audible gasp........GGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL! The Muller road end was madness as were the blokes watching from the flyover!....Nearly in tears just thinking about it!!...