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Post by NassauDave on May 27, 2014 21:52:47 GMT
I was on the Special when we won 3-0 at Birmingham in 1975. Being a fresh faced and perhaps a little naive 19 year old I thought that me and my mates would have a few beers and a spot of lunch around New Street before grabbing a cab to the match. The Old Bill had other plans of which I was unaware, they marched us straight to St Andrews without so much as a buy your leave and made us go straight on the terrace. In those days the away fans were on the side terrace and waiting for us were a mob of blues fans chucking rocks at us from above. Thankfully there must have been around 800 of us so we ran up the steps towards them and they all scarpered. Got separated from my mates and with the match won decided to leave early and walk back through the back streets to the station it was in November so very dark with boarded up houses and quite threatening, my scarf was off and buried deep in the pocket of my sheepskin coat. The next minute a couple of lads who I recognised from the train came running past me shouting 'run! run! Birmingham fans' I looked behind and saw a mob running after them. If I had started running from a standing start I would have been behind them and probably caught and given a good hiding, decided to ignore them and carry on walking within a few seconds the chasing blues fans were level with me and shouted' come on mate they're Stokies' decided to join in the chase and genuinely hoped that we didn't catch them it would have been horrible having to kick a fellow fan! The lads we were chasing for quite a while eventually found some coppers who looked after them and I had to look pissed off that they had got away so my new found friends wouldn't smell a rat. I can honestly say I was a member of The Zulus for at least 5 minutes. They never write or send Christmas cards. This is very weird. I too was on that train and had the same experience in the ground and on the way back to New Street. It all kicked off on that terrace along the side of the pitch, and it was a very scarey walk back to the station! |
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Post by wizzardofdribble on May 27, 2014 21:55:51 GMT
I was on the Cardiff Special from Stoke station and it was only half full..some windows got put through about a mile from Ninan Park afterwards we were kept in the yard outside the paddock for half an hour. Then police escort to embankment where it all kicked off....
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Post by NassauDave on May 27, 2014 23:55:12 GMT
I was on the Cardiff Special from Stoke station and it was only half full..some windows got put through about a mile from Ninan Park afterwards we were kept in the yard outside the paddock for half an hour. Then police escort to embankment where it all kicked off.... You must have been on the third overflow train. The other two were rammed. That will teach you to make an early decision to travel :-) |
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Post by The Stubborn Optimist on May 28, 2014 9:25:15 GMT
There was definitely a special to Palace in the promotion season 78-79, I was on it, pretty sure the station we got off at was Thornton Heath. There were quite a few specials that season, the most infamous was the Cardiff trip, we actually took 3 trains that day. Well that's not the way I remember it.. I went to Cardiff from Stoke station.on a special to Ninian Park that year and it was only half full..and a load of windows went through about a mile before the ground & it all kicked off by the embankment by Ninian Park station after the game..about an hour after..There was no more than 250/300 Stokies there. Definitely three trains went, I was on the first going and the third coming back which, as you say, was nowhere near full as most had jumped on the first 2. Stoke had a really good turnout that day, if you look up on YouTube you can see Stoke fans packed into the paddock. The previous season was a much smaller turnout of just a few hundred. |
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Post by The Stubborn Optimist on May 28, 2014 9:28:14 GMT
Pretty sure that was coming back from Burnley in about 75, think we were held up at Congleton for ages whilst they waited for an ambulance. That same trip we came back through Bolton and some one pushed a toilet door out of the window, it skimmed across the platform scattering all who were waiting on the platform. Throwing that toilet door was down right hazardous. I should know as I was taking a dump at the time . I too was on nearly every special mentioned on here. The Palarse one did indeed wind it's way to Norwood Junction I believe. Your memory is better than mine Dave, I think you're right it was Norwood Junction and not, as I thought, Thornton Heath. |
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Post by bathstoke on May 28, 2014 10:07:27 GMT
Remember how it was de rigueur on boarding one of these ‘services’ to remove all the light bulbs and shower them down on the heads of unsuspecting individuals on the platform at various station stops along the way? Conversely if you found yourself on a platform and under this kind of attack from a passing train carrying other teams fans you would put up the hood of your parka coat to protect you from the flying debris. But whatever happened you should not cower in the shadows, it was essential to hold your ground or all credibility was lost. None of this would really pass for civilized b ehavior these days but no one ever really questioned it at the time. You could say it added a certain "frisson" to an away day  Not sure what you found to 'dislike' about this account Mr. Cyprus? I am simply reporting things as they were and taking a wry look at the attitudes at the time. I don't have a better way of doing it. "de rigueur" WTF!?! |
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Post by Gods on May 28, 2014 10:13:53 GMT
Remember how it was de rigueur on boarding one of these ‘services’ to remove all the light bulbs and shower them down on the heads of unsuspecting individuals on the platform at various station stops along the way? Conversely if you found yourself on a platform and under this kind of attack from a passing train carrying other teams fans you would put up the hood of your parka coat to protect you from the flying debris. But whatever happened you should not cower in the shadows, it was essential to hold your ground or all credibility was lost. None of this would really pass for civilized b ehavior these days but no one ever really questioned it at the time. You could say it added a certain "frisson" to an away day Not sure what you found to 'dislike' about this account Mr. Cyprus? I am simply reporting things as they were and taking a wry look at the attitudes at the time. I don't have a better way of doing it. "de rigueur" WTF!?! As prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom. The phrase originated in France so you could say it is 'de rigueur' to use the French phrase in written English  |
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Post by str8outtahampton on May 28, 2014 10:44:56 GMT
As prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom. The phrase originated in France so you could say it is 'de rigueur' to use the French phrase in written English Bonus point also for "frisson". If my memory is right, the availability of a special was publicised in the Sentinel a week or so in advance. Hard to believe now, but you had to schlepp down to the station to buy a ticket - credit/debit cards and phone bookings did not exist. And a computer was a giant reel to reel IBM monster in 2001 A Space Odyssey. Seeing that advert was a big thing and added to the frisson (that is the mot juste, by the way) of the event. My personal favourite was Sheff Utd in the late 70s. Possibly the promotion season. Those were when awaydays really were awaydays. |
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Post by barnscfc1 on May 28, 2014 11:09:57 GMT
1983 Villa away ,got hammered 4 nil, then being chased back to the train station by Villa, coppers doing there best but failing.
I remember being penned in an old fashioned bus stop by to coppers on horseback. Seemed like 100 of us in a space for 20... never been so glad to get on the train, even tho is stank of urine, had little windows left etc.
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Post by Gods on May 28, 2014 11:11:16 GMT
As prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom. The phrase originated in France so you could say it is 'de rigueur' to use the French phrase in written English Bonus point also for "frisson". If my memory is right, the availability of a special was publicised in the Sentinel a week or so in advance. Hard to believe now, but you had to schlepp down to the station to buy a ticket - credit/debit cards and phone bookings did not exist. And a computer was a giant reel to reel IBM monster in 2001 A Space Odyssey. Seeing that advert was a big thing and added to the frisson (that is the mot juste, by the way) of the event. My personal favourite was Sheff Utd in the late 70s. Possibly the promotion season. Those were when awaydays really were awaydays. Thank you! "Frisson - a sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill." I think that does it very well! With regard to Sheffield United, I don't know if it is the specific game to which you refer, but I do recall a large piece of corrugated iron at the back of the away terrace being bent up and Stoke supporters crawling underneath it to enter the ground for free. It was a strange, crazy time on reflection. It was like the wild west and the mad hatters tea party all rolled in to one. When you got back and folks would ask you how it had been they weren't enquiring about the score. |
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Post by kevkj on May 28, 2014 11:19:56 GMT
So what was the year of the palace special,i certainly do remember trouble on the open end and rumours of a knife and trouble back athe station,so was it 79 or 82ish.
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Post by AlanHansen on May 28, 2014 12:21:11 GMT
Found the actual ticket from the Norwich Away special in 82. Can't upload though as over the limit. Any ideas?
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Post by lastoftheldk on May 28, 2014 13:46:28 GMT
Yes, they were eventful if I remember right it got to the stage that BR refuse to put them on for some clubs including ourselves Also remember coming back from somewhere and a long haired Stokie who was handcuffed to a bar in the guard carriage had to pull the emergency stop because who was watching him stuck his head out the window and got hit by a door which had been left open on a passing train Pretty sure that was coming back from Burnley in about 75, think we were held up at Congleton for ages whilst they waited for an ambulance. That same trip we came back through Bolton and some one pushed a toilet door out of the window, it skimmed across the platform scattering all who were waiting on the platform. Yeh, think your right about it been Burnley, long walk back to the train station |
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Post by werrington on May 28, 2014 14:38:53 GMT
Found the actual ticket from the Norwich Away special in 82. Can't upload though as over the limit. Any ideas? A small cardboard one about 2 inches by 1 inch in size ( smiley ) |
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Post by wizzardofdribble on May 28, 2014 17:05:28 GMT
Remember how it was de rigueur on boarding one of these ‘services’ to remove all the light bulbs and shower them down on the heads of unsuspecting individuals on the platform at various station stops along the way? Conversely if you found yourself on a platform and under this kind of attack from a passing train carrying other teams fans you would put up the hood of your parka coat to protect you from the flying debris. But whatever happened you should not cower in the shadows, it was essential to hold your ground or all credibility was lost. None of this would really pass for civilized b ehavior these days but no one ever really questioned it at the time. You could say it added a certain "frisson" to an away day Not sure what you found to 'dislike' about this account Mr. Cyprus? I am simply reporting things as they were and taking a wry look at the attitudes at the time. I don't have a better way of doing it. "de rigueur" WTF!?! That was the modus-operandi in those days ;-) |
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Post by wizzardofdribble on May 28, 2014 17:09:15 GMT
Went on some memorable specials to Notts County..Filbert Street..Bramall Lane at least 5,000 Stokies inside those grounds (15,000 @ Notts County)
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2014 17:25:16 GMT
1983 Villa away ,got hammered 4 nil, then being chased back to the train station by Villa, coppers doing there best but failing. I remember being penned in an old fashioned bus stop by to coppers on horseback. Seemed like 100 of us in a space for 20... never been so glad to get on the train, even tho is stank of urine, had little windows left etc. I was there. Ran down the road with this big villa lad by my side, then I darted in with the Stokies. A copper on a police horse was shouting "you're out numbered 10 to 1 and still you want to fight" it could of been worse, nearly went on a coach from the Glebe. |
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Post by kevkj on May 28, 2014 17:43:19 GMT
1983 Villa away ,got hammered 4 nil, then being chased back to the train station by Villa, coppers doing there best but failing. I remember being penned in an old fashioned bus stop by to coppers on horseback. Seemed like 100 of us in a space for 20... never been so glad to get on the train, even tho is stank of urine, had little windows left etc. I was there. Ran down the road with this big villa lad by my side, then I darted in with the Stokies. A copper on a police horse was shouting "you're out numbered 10 to 1 and still you want to fight" it could of been worse, nearly went on a coach from the Glebe. Someone mention a Glebe coach. |
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Post by bathstoke on May 28, 2014 19:10:16 GMT
I was there. Ran down the road with this big villa lad by my side, then I darted in with the Stokies. A copper on a police horse was shouting "you're out numbered 10 to 1 and still you want to fight" it could of been worse, nearly went on a coach from the Glebe. Someone mention a Glebe coach. Mmm, Opening a can of worms, but with the benefit of hindsight... |
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Post by greenbaize on May 29, 2014 1:21:14 GMT
Roman Candle and bassetts coaches anyone lol
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Post by greenbaize on May 29, 2014 1:25:43 GMT
Them specials going Sarth London to places like Charlton and I think Palarce, seemed to go right past Stamford Bridge and on that line that runs above Brixton Market. I remember on one, I think going to Charlton, the people in Brixton Market scattering for cover as missiles rained down, on the Saturday Market as the Special went through? That was indeed the Charlton away game when we won 4 1 promotion season I seem to remember, mad days out them. |
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Post by NassauDave on May 29, 2014 3:45:34 GMT
Roman Candle and bassetts coaches anyone lol Yes, me, many a time |
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Post by creweoatcake1 on May 29, 2014 5:32:21 GMT
Yes, the Burnley trip was very special, we took more than one train that day! Does any one remember the train coming to a stand in the middle line at Bolton on the way, Most of the doors opened (they could be opened manually in those days), Stokies clambering down onto the track, chucking ballast at scarpering Man U fans! Then on the way back someone has already mentioned the toilet door incident! However the train came to a stand in the platform at Stockport, door opened and the whole toilet pan went bouncing along the platform towards some very startled Leeds fans! Talking of Leeds, who was on the special to Leeds, the day of the station subway scurrmish? that was a very scary walk back to the station! As was the walk back to Lime street the day we took 3 (13 coach) specials to Liverpool! Great days, the specials used to start from Crewe if we were going south and call at Alsager and Kidsgrove on the way, i recall one day going to Leicester i think, the train was almost full leaving Kidsgrove! That was the day that a Leicester fan came out of their end ran all the way across the pitch to the corner where the Stokies were, a huge whole appeared amongst the Stokies almost inviting him in, he actually got his foot on the fence before thinking better of it! Special days indeed!
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