LRBC Posted January 7 Posted January 7 I put it in another thread but I read a book over Christmas about a DJ called Milo Johnson who was part of the sound system that became Massive Attack. He was a city fan and was a scrapper during the late 70s. There's lots of accounts of fights with Rovers in town and others vs West Ham and Chelsea. Was interested to hear how terrotorial things used to be in those days with certain pubs and clubs in town being 'run' by City. He ended up going to prison for a few years for a stabbing at a derby in Eastville which he apparently didn't do. Has anyone ever heard of him during those days, it's all a bit before my time but quite mad to hear how hectic the rivalry was in those days.. 3 Quote
Natchfever Posted January 7 Posted January 7 45 minutes ago, LRBC said: I put it in another thread but I read a book over Christmas about a DJ called Milo Johnson who was part of the sound system that became Massive Attack. He was a city fan and was a scrapper during the late 70s. There's lots of accounts of fights with Rovers in town and others vs West Ham and Chelsea. Was interested to hear how terrotorial things used to be in those days with certain pubs and clubs in town being 'run' by City. He ended up going to prison for a few years for a stabbing at a derby in Eastville which he apparently didn't do. Has anyone ever heard of him during those days, it's all a bit before my time but quite mad to hear how hectic the rivalry was in those days.. Know him well. Great bloke. 1 Quote
1960maaan Posted January 7 Posted January 7 (edited) 1 hour ago, LRBC said: I put it in another thread but I read a book over Christmas about a DJ called Milo Johnson who was part of the sound system that became Massive Attack. He was a city fan and was a scrapper during the late 70s. There's lots of accounts of fights with Rovers in town and others vs West Ham and Chelsea. Was interested to hear how terrotorial things used to be in those days with certain pubs and clubs in town being 'run' by City. He ended up going to prison for a few years for a stabbing at a derby in Eastville which he apparently didn't do. Has anyone ever heard of him during those days, it's all a bit before my time but quite mad to hear how hectic the rivalry was in those days.. What was the name of the book LRBC ? Those were interesting times and I remember when he was sent down. Edited January 7 by 1960maaan Quote
Natchfever Posted January 7 Posted January 7 5 minutes ago, 1960maaan said: What was the name of the book LRBC ? Those were interesting times and when he was sent down. Stray . He did a book signing up Stokes Croft as I recall. Miles has been down AG this season im pretty sure. 1 1 Quote
Merrick's Marvels Posted January 7 Posted January 7 His sister is a lovely girl. But I ain't paying for no hardbook book! When's it free to download? Quote
Lrob Posted January 7 Posted January 7 41 minutes ago, Never to the dark side said: 6 postings, I smell at rat. What does that mean? 1 Quote
Lrob Posted January 7 Posted January 7 28 minutes ago, Natchfever said: Know him well. Great bloke. That’s good to hear as he came across as a top guy in the book. I grew up in Montpelier in the 80s and 90s and there weren’t many of us city fans around the area so was surprised and pleased to read that he chose the right path! Quote
Natchfever Posted January 7 Posted January 7 44 minutes ago, Lrob said: That’s good to hear as he came across as a top guy in the book. I grew up in Montpelier in the 80s and 90s and there weren’t many of us city fans around the area so was surprised and pleased to read that he chose the right path! Many black lads in the late 70s onwards who followed football were City as they werent made welcome at Rovers. 3 Quote
Alan Dicks Posted January 7 Posted January 7 I remember being in the Tote, possibly 1978 when it was Rovers v Wham. Loads of City fans in there that day giving it to the Gas, cops broke it up and escorted the City mob to the enclosure whereby they started having it with Wham fans who had made it up to that vicinity from the Muller Rd end, wild days!!! No idea who City were away to on that particular Saturday in the First Division, but a hell of a lot of City went to Eastville instead. 1 Quote
weepywall Posted January 7 Posted January 7 36 minutes ago, Natchfever said: Many black lads in the late 70s onwards who followed football were City as they werent made welcome at Rovers. Very true..a fair few Rovers were NF back in the day and the NF were always about at Eastville recruiting, never at City tho. 1 Quote
Natchfever Posted January 7 Posted January 7 22 minutes ago, weepywall said: Very true..a fair few Rovers were NF back in the day and the NF were always about at Eastville recruiting, never at City tho. 100%. 1 Quote
archie andrews Posted January 7 Posted January 7 3 minutes ago, Natchfever said: 100%. Bar roni size and half of smith and mighty for starters... Quote
Natchfever Posted January 7 Posted January 7 5 minutes ago, archie andrews said: Bar roni size and half of smith and mighty for starters... I did say very few Quote
Lrob Posted January 7 Posted January 7 1 hour ago, Alan Dicks said: I remember being in the Tote, possibly 1978 when it was Rovers v Wham. Loads of City fans in there that day giving it to the Gas, cops broke it up and escorted the City mob to the enclosure whereby they started having it with Wham fans who had made it up to that vicinity from the Muller Rd end, wild days!!! No idea who City were away to on that particular Saturday in the First Division, but a hell of a lot of City went to Eastville instead. In the book he talks about a game against Chelsea and a car of Chelsea fans driving into them near the coliseum and then scrapping all round the flats at st Mary Redcliffe. Sounds nuts in those days! Quote
Nogbad the Bad Posted January 7 Posted January 7 3 hours ago, Alan Dicks said: I remember being in the Tote, possibly 1978 when it was Rovers v Wham. Loads of City fans in there that day giving it to the Gas, cops broke it up and escorted the City mob to the enclosure whereby they started having it with Wham fans who had made it up to that vicinity from the Muller Rd end, wild days!!! No idea who City were away to on that particular Saturday in the First Division, but a hell of a lot of City went to Eastville instead. January '79. I was at the game, pretty sure we only went after the City game was called off after we'd met up in the morning. Remember fighting in the Tote End and a mob being escorted past us in the Enclosure towards the open end but didn't see what happened after that. No colours but have always assumed they were West Ham fans. Quote
Flamin Groovy Posted January 8 Posted January 8 10 hours ago, Alan Dicks said: I remember being in the Tote, possibly 1978 when it was Rovers v Wham. Loads of City fans in there that day giving it to the Gas, cops broke it up and escorted the City mob to the enclosure whereby they started having it with Wham fans who had made it up to that vicinity from the Muller Rd end, wild days!!! No idea who City were away to on that particular Saturday in the First Division, but a hell of a lot of City went to Eastville instead. 7 hours ago, Nogbad the Bad said: January '79. I was at the game, pretty sure we only went after the City game was called off after we'd met up in the morning. Remember fighting in the Tote End and a mob being escorted past us in the Enclosure towards the open end but didn't see what happened after that. No colours but have always assumed they were West Ham fans. Remember this day….we were due to play Southampton at the Dell, got an early train only to find the match postponed when we got there. Didn’t even get off of the train, just turned around and brought us back home. Loads of City with nothing to do. I didn’t go to Eastville but do remember lots of talk about it later. 2 Quote
SecretSam Posted January 8 Posted January 8 Ah, the good old days of football violence. Going to my first away game at Eastville as a teenager was one of the most scary events of my life. It was narrowly beaten by a night match at the old Den. I don't personally have fond memories of being threatened with physical violence, but each to their own. 3 Quote
Silvio Dante Posted January 8 Posted January 8 11 minutes ago, SecretSam said: Ah, the good old days of football violence. Going to my first away game at Eastville as a teenager was one of the most scary events of my life. It was narrowly beaten by a night match at the old Den. I don't personally have fond memories of being threatened with physical violence, but each to their own. Don’t worry - someone will be along in a minute to confirm that people only fought with like minded individuals. Then someone else will come along to say how you were lucky that our firm were there to protect you from rival squads. These threads always go that way - and yet, in the history of this forum any of our “top lads” have never been able to square off this dichotomy. Plus ca change. 5 Quote
TV Tom Posted January 8 Posted January 8 1 hour ago, Flamin Groovy said: Remember this day….we were due to play Southampton at the Dell, got an early train only to find the match postponed when we got there. Didn’t even get off of the train, just turned around and brought us back home. Loads of City with nothing to do. I didn’t go to Eastville but do remember lots of talk about it later. That’s exactly what happened, straight from the train at TM to Eastville 1 Quote
supercidered Posted January 8 Posted January 8 13 hours ago, Alan Dicks said: I remember being in the Tote, possibly 1978 when it was Rovers v Wham. Loads of City fans in there that day giving it to the Gas, cops broke it up and escorted the City mob to the enclosure whereby they started having it with Wham fans who had made it up to that vicinity from the Muller Rd end, wild days!!! No idea who City were away to on that particular Saturday in the First Division, but a hell of a lot of City went to Eastville instead. There were Bad Boys and Young Guns in that end in 1978. 2 Quote
1960maaan Posted January 8 Posted January 8 That G*s V West Ham game I was in the Pub with another City lad , a g*s mate and a mate who supported West Ham , so we decided to go. We were in the enclosure when we noticed some City lads trying to provoke the West Ham lads, quite funny , then R*vers mob came in the back of the enclosure and looked completely confused with what was going on. Quote
TDarwall Posted January 8 Posted January 8 15 hours ago, Alan Dicks said: I remember being in the Tote, possibly 1978 when it was Rovers v Wham. Ridgely & Michael were young then, but prob still had enough about them to beat Rovers. 7 Quote
TedsHeadIs Red Posted January 9 Posted January 9 21 hours ago, TDarwall said: Ridgely & Michael were young then, but prob still had enough about them to beat Rovers. They were young guns and went for it. 1 2 Quote
NOTBLUE Posted January 9 Posted January 9 On 08/01/2025 at 06:43, Flamin Groovy said: Remember this day….we were due to play Southampton at the Dell, got an early train only to find the match postponed when we got there. Didn’t even get off of the train, just turned around and brought us back home. Loads of City with nothing to do. I didn’t go to Eastville but do remember lots of talk about it later. Yeah, Southampton away,it snowed,game off,was with Miles and a load of others and decided to go to Eastville,met a group of Pompey fans,their game was also called off,Port Vale if I remember rightly,had a right brawl with R***** mob under the flyover.A few of our lads got nicked,the Tote end boys scuttled off tho the ground,only to be chased off by their own end by what was,to be fair,an absolute huge WHU mob. 2 Quote
NOTBLUE Posted January 9 Posted January 9 On 07/01/2025 at 18:35, Lrob said: That’s good to hear as he came across as a top guy in the book. I grew up in Montpelier in the 80s and 90s and there weren’t many of us city fans around the area so was surprised and pleased to read that he chose the right path! Late 70’s early 80,s there was a large group of us up along the Gloucester Rd,used to frequent Mr Pringles pool hall,some of whom used to be Sags,but as been mentioned,the sags had large group of NF followers,as a couple of our ladswere black ,and the rest of us just hated the NF,it was City.Also remember the NF holding a meeting in Sefton Park,we were part of the counter group,it was carnage. 1 Quote
Oizys Posted January 9 Posted January 9 I'm more intrigued as to why the OP seems to be using two accounts to reply on the same thread..... unless we've got two posters with 6 & 5 posts each and very similar names having read the same book....? Quote
Lrob Posted January 9 Posted January 9 3 hours ago, Oizys said: I'm more intrigued as to why the OP seems to be using two accounts to reply on the same thread..... unless we've got two posters with 6 & 5 posts each and very similar names having read the same book....? Haha - I’ve got no idea. I signed up years ago and never used it so may have two accounts one of which logs in automatically on my laptop. Both me though.. Quote
Elruliri Posted January 9 Posted January 9 Anyone remember Reading away? I was about 10 years old and it was absolute carnage. It would of been 1984. Quote
Lrob Posted January 9 Posted January 9 4 hours ago, NOTBLUE said: Late 70’s early 80,s there was a large group of us up along the Gloucester Rd,used to frequent Mr Pringles pool hall,some of whom used to be Sags,but as been mentioned,the sags had large group of NF followers,as a couple of our ladswere black ,and the rest of us just hated the NF,it was City.Also remember the NF holding a meeting in Sefton Park,we were part of the counter group,it was carnage. Yeah we used to go to Pringles in the 90s. No signs of any NFs although I was probably too busy losing all my money in the fruitys to notice if there were 1 Quote
TV Tom Posted January 9 Posted January 9 9 minutes ago, Elruliri said: Anyone remember Reading away? I was about 10 years old and it was absolute carnage. It would of been 1984. Was that the game where fans of both clubs were having picnics in the car park and dancing merrily together on the pitch? 1 Quote
Elruliri Posted January 9 Posted January 9 1 minute ago, TV Tom said: Was that the game where fans of both clubs were having picnics in the car park and dancing merrily together on the pitch? That's the one but I remember one bloke fell over his glasses and hurt his nose. Quote
TV Tom Posted January 9 Posted January 9 12 minutes ago, Lrob said: Yeah we used to go to Pringles in the 90s. No signs of any NFs although I was probably too busy losing all my money in the fruitys to notice if there were Remember attending an anti NF meeting outside of Knowle Park school in late '70s where "leader' of the Tote End 'Bob Dolan' was ushered out by tons of OB, he got tons of abuse for two reasons, wtf a primary school was doing allowing an NF meeting on their grounds is another matter 1 minute ago, Elruliri said: That's the one but I remember one bloke fell over his glasses and hurt his nose. Carnage Quote
Norn Iron Posted Friday at 10:55 Posted Friday at 10:55 On 07/01/2025 at 19:42, Alan Dicks said: I remember being in the Tote, possibly 1978 when it was Rovers v Wham. On 08/01/2025 at 09:02, supercidered said: There were Bad Boys and Young Guns in that end in 1978. It didn't happen in 1978, it was Last Christmas. 3 Quote
slartibartfast Posted Friday at 12:33 Posted Friday at 12:33 On a similar theme, anyone remember highjacking a sag special train, they were going to Fulham for an FA cup game,we were off to Millwall. It seemed sensible to use their train to get to Pad cheaper than British Rail. It was Nov 70 (just looked it up). It was funny in as much as the gash were all confined to the last two coaches by the transport police and we had the run of the rest of the train, first time gash ever did us a favour! 1 1 Quote
TV Tom Posted Friday at 15:31 Posted Friday at 15:31 2 hours ago, slartibartfast said: On a similar theme, anyone remember highjacking a sag special train, they were going to Fulham for an FA cup game,we were off to Millwall. It seemed sensible to use their train to get to Pad cheaper than British Rail. It was Nov 70 (just looked it up). It was funny in as much as the gash were all confined to the last two coaches by the transport police and we had the run of the rest of the train, first time gash ever did us a favour! That is a funny story which I’ve never heard before 1 1 Quote
sticks 1969 Posted Friday at 15:41 Posted Friday at 15:41 (edited) 3 hours ago, slartibartfast said: On a similar theme, anyone remember highjacking a sag special train, they were going to Fulham for an FA cup game,we were off to Millwall. It seemed sensible to use their train to get to Pad cheaper than British Rail. It was Nov 70 (just looked it up). It was funny in as much as the gash were all confined to the last two coaches by the transport police and we had the run of the rest of the train, first time gash ever did us a favour! I must admit you have some fantastic stories to tell I take it you must be late 60,s in age to be able to go back so far with games you have attended Edited Friday at 15:42 by sticks 1969 Quote
slartibartfast Posted Friday at 15:42 Posted Friday at 15:42 7 minutes ago, TV Tom said: That is a funny story which I’ve never heard before Yes, it wasn't actually chartered by the gash, but put on and advertised by B Rail, but it started at Stapleton Rd which was handy for me! Quote
slartibartfast Posted Friday at 15:44 Posted Friday at 15:44 1 minute ago, sticks 1969 said: I ****** wish.................just turned 73 actually ! 1 Quote
supercidered Posted Friday at 17:08 Posted Friday at 17:08 6 hours ago, Norn Iron said: It didn't happen in 1978, it was Last Christmas. I thought I heard the same .......... but I thought it was just a Careless Whisper. 1 Quote
TV Tom Posted Friday at 17:13 Posted Friday at 17:13 1 hour ago, slartibartfast said: Yes, it wasn't actually chartered by the gash, but put on and advertised by B Rail, but it started at Stapleton Rd which was handy for me! Funny enough I was looking through a 67/68 programme where there is a post stating “For the third successive season we have reached an agreement with BR to run special trains to away games, next trip Blackburn and then going on to Blackpool for the illuminations leaving Blackpool at Midnight all for 35 Shillings”” !!! Quote
slartibartfast Posted Friday at 20:45 Posted Friday at 20:45 3 hours ago, TV Tom said: Funny enough I was looking through a 67/68 programme where there is a post stating “For the third successive season we have reached an agreement with BR to run special trains to away games, next trip Blackburn and then going on to Blackpool for the illuminations leaving Blackpool at Midnight all for 35 Shillings”” !!! Yes, i can remember that, didn't go myself, I wonder how many did ? Quote
TV Tom Posted Friday at 22:19 Posted Friday at 22:19 1 hour ago, slartibartfast said: Yes, i can remember that, didn't go myself, I wonder how many did ? Also read a 68/69 programme where there next “BR” special is away to Oxford in Sept’ ‘68 Quote
handsofclay Posted Friday at 22:22 Posted Friday at 22:22 5 hours ago, TV Tom said: Funny enough I was looking through a 67/68 programme where there is a post stating “For the third successive season we have reached an agreement with BR to run special trains to away games, next trip Blackburn and then going on to Blackpool for the illuminations leaving Blackpool at Midnight all for 35 Shillings”” !!! I always find it odd that they announced the fare as 35 shillings. As 20 shillings was one pound so why not £1 15/ (one pound and fifteen shillings). Maybe 35 shillings sounded less. In which case had we not gone decimal in 1971 Sinclair Armstrong's transfer fee might have been announced as 40 million shillings rather than £2m. 1 Quote
Med/MadHatter Posted Saturday at 01:48 Posted Saturday at 01:48 The NF connection to Rovers is the reason I support City. We grew up in Frampton/ Winterbourne which for my age group was mostly Gas, my older brother, who was my hero, absolutely hated racism and drummed that in to me and also his eclectic musical tastes. thankfully he was City through and through,didnt miss a game home or away for years and he paid for me to go to home and away games from 1973 onwards. Miss those days 3 Quote
TV Tom Posted Saturday at 08:39 Posted Saturday at 08:39 10 hours ago, handsofclay said: I always find it odd that they announced the fare as 35 shillings. As 20 shillings was one pound so why not £1 15/ (one pound and fifteen shillings). Maybe 35 shillings sounded less. In which case had we not gone decimal in 1971 Sinclair Armstrong's transfer fee might have been announced as 40 million shillings rather than £2m. What’s that in Guinea’s ? 1 Quote
Nomad Posted Saturday at 11:19 Posted Saturday at 11:19 2 hours ago, TV Tom said: What’s that in Guinea’s ? 35 shillings is 1 guinea and 14 shillings. But I wasn't there so could be wrong. 1 Quote
Bristol Oil Services Posted Saturday at 16:43 Posted Saturday at 16:43 I do believe myself and @Merrick's Marvels were at Eastville for that West Ham game, January 79. 'Pop' Robson with the only goal. Merrick might've had a liking for the 'ammers back then, them and Man City, a schoolboy error. We were stood in the south enclosure under the old wooden stand that must've gone up in flames a la half of LA only months later. I do, still, have a vague recollection of a "commotion" high up in the corner to our left, in the Tote end. Our dear old dad took us to this, he began life a stone's throw away just off the Stapleton Rd in the 1930s and had no interest in Bristol Rovers or football whatsoever. He never took us again. I understand Steve Lansdown had a similar reaction to attending a match at Eastville. Merrick and myself just decided to go to Ashton Gate instead (a bit like Steve Lansdown, well, kind of ...) I think the next time I went to Eastville was December 83. 1 Quote
Cityboy1954 Posted Sunday at 13:52 Posted Sunday at 13:52 On 07/01/2025 at 18:04, Natchfever said: Know him well. Great bloke. Top bloke Quote
Cityboy1954 Posted Sunday at 14:01 Posted Sunday at 14:01 On 07/01/2025 at 18:19, Natchfever said: Stray . He did a book signing up Stokes Croft as I recall. Miles has been down AG this season im pretty sure. Saw him 6 months ago on a kingswood bus great bloke Quote
Hello Dave Posted Sunday at 15:28 Posted Sunday at 15:28 22 hours ago, Bristol Oil Services said: I do believe myself and @Merrick's Marvels were at Eastville for that West Ham game, January 79. 'Pop' Robson with the only goal. Merrick might've had a liking for the 'ammers back then, them and Man City, a schoolboy error. We were stood in the south enclosure under the old wooden stand that must've gone up in flames a la half of LA only months later. I do, still, have a vague recollection of a "commotion" high up in the corner to our left, in the Tote end. Our dear old dad took us to this, he began life a stone's throw away just off the Stapleton Rd in the 1930s and had no interest in Bristol Rovers or football whatsoever. He never took us again. I understand Steve Lansdown had a similar reaction to attending a match at Eastville. Merrick and myself just decided to go to Ashton Gate instead (a bit like Steve Lansdown, well, kind of ...) I think the next time I went to Eastville was December 83. We used to go to Eastville with the away fans when City were away. There was some proper mobs in the second division then. Tottenham, Chelsea, Forest, Wolves, Sheff Utd, West Ham, Southampton etc. Good laugh, but always got spotted by our Rovers mates Quote
Natchfever Posted Sunday at 16:50 Posted Sunday at 16:50 2 hours ago, Cityboy1954 said: Saw him 6 months ago on a kingswood bus great bloke Yes he is mate absolute diamond. 1 Quote
Bowlegchicken Posted Sunday at 18:42 Posted Sunday at 18:42 Had a drink with him in supporters club down the gate couple months ago still loves the city top top man Quote
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