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Post by Gods on Oct 11, 2015 11:26:26 GMT
1985. A truly awful 0-0 draw at home to Wimbledon which for some reason was on a Friday night. They went up that season and the Crazy Gang was born. I remember an early season home game against Grimsby that season. Tony Ford ripped Mick Mills to pieces and MM ended up buying him and he became one of my favourite ever Stoke players. Just looked that up on Wiki. Vale played at home the following the day, so obviously the Staffs. Police couldn't handle both teams being at home on the same day. Our crowd v Wimbledon was 6,708 and Vale's crowd v Swindon was 5,073. Vale were in Division 4 at the time. Boy, that really is something, must admit I never believed they could really ever reign us in as the Potteries #1 club but those stats would perhaps suggest otherwise
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2015 11:54:45 GMT
Just looked that up on Wiki. Vale played at home the following the day, so obviously the Staffs. Police couldn't handle both teams being at home on the same day. Our crowd v Wimbledon was 6,708 and Vale's crowd v Swindon was 5,073. Vale were in Division 4 at the time. Boy, that really is something, must admit I never believed they could really ever reign us in as the Potteries #1 club but those stats would perhaps suggest otherwise There was a time when they were a league above us. Not sure how the attendances stacked up during that time but they were definitely the highest placed club... and didn't they let us know about it. That was the turning point for many of us, no longer our friendly neighbours and a bitter hatred ensued. Still does for many of us older lads. Who remembers that darkened walk from the Talisman in Tunstall along the Greenway for that midweek game while the police sat outside in vans waiting for us to leave the pub ?
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Post by Davef on Oct 11, 2015 12:06:08 GMT
Just looked that up on Wiki. Vale played at home the following the day, so obviously the Staffs. Police couldn't handle both teams being at home on the same day. Our crowd v Wimbledon was 6,708 and Vale's crowd v Swindon was 5,073. Vale were in Division 4 at the time. Boy, that really is something, must admit I never believed they could really ever reign us in as the Potteries #1 club but those stats would perhaps suggest otherwise Our average home attendance in 85/86 was 8,288. Vale's was 3,581.
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Post by Northy on Oct 11, 2015 14:22:41 GMT
That year at Hull, the 'Silver Cod' incident. After the game we were told to move on by the police who seemed concerned we were attracting the natives attention. Problem was, our van driver had been arrested and he had the van keys. That look of panic on the coppers face as it dawned on him he couldn't move us on to anywhere was priceless. Eventually we got a lift to Priory Road police station with a van load of Stokies who were minus a couple of their mates who'd suffered a similar fate to our driver. Must of been nearly 30 of us crammed in the back of that van, police couldn't pack us in quick enough. I made the journey standing on one leg holding a piece of rope that was attached to the roof, no room to get both feet on the floor. Arrived at the station only to be told to go to the pub across the road and wait until they were released. I think they'd got the pub to open just to keep us off the streets as when we walked in it was full of Stoke lads all of whom who'd had mates detained. Eventually we got on the move again and found some country hotel that had a disco going til 1am. We weren't exactly dressed for the occasion but they let us in. All of us were looking a little rough, some torn clothing and one or two of us with blood stained jeans. Must have looked a bit of a sight to the locals and it wasn't long before we found trouble again, resulting in the bars putting the shutters down and the evening ending well before 12. One of the doormen said to us ' we had a coach load from Chelsea in here the other week and they weren't anywhere near the trouble you lot have been'. We took that as a compliment and headed of into the night, hurling various items stolen from the venue out of the van as we left. That day was nothing but trouble from the moment we arrived at the Cross Keys in Hull. The only lull was when the game was on ! My brother was one of those nicked at the silver cod that year, he had very spiky/punk style hair and stuck out like a beacon to the coppers
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Post by Northy on Oct 11, 2015 14:28:59 GMT
Yep that's the one, I think it was about 15 minutes late, I remember 1 lad with us on new cross from goldenhill but a chelsea fan, he got nicked for having a spray he sprayed in a few peoples faces, lively on new cross, did we change at london bridge to get the tube to euston, had to go down the platform and across a concourse where they were? Not you as well Northwich. I thought you were a john Deere type from the sticks Anyway I see you've all been busy on the interwireless all Saturday night/Sunday morning, what's up, haven't you got pubs to go too. That TVGC is like the Pied Piper I can't hang around on here all morning talking to the likes of you, I'm taking the kids to church to pray for your sinsXx different back then, but all sensible now The wife and mother in law pray for me at the left footers place to stop me reverting, i went out and ran 12 miles, it keeps the testosterone levels low during daylight hours
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2015 16:26:40 GMT
Hull/Cod....
Chris was a nice quiet guy. RIP
Hull was a bad vibe for me. One year thrown out of the ground. Another year nabbed and taken under their end to the police box, being spat at. The first year we went with Rental Mental, the coppers told us to park "over there", pointing vaguely into the distance, along with various unmentionables like "fuck off".
So we obliged, parked up after stuffing empty bottles into our jackets, and went on the warpath away from the ground towards what resembled civilisation, or similar to it. Scattering small groups. Didn't even reach a pub before the same coppers were troubled to attend to us.
We were locked in the back of the van (shutter door box van) before they decided what to do with us. Fucked us off again to park somewhere else. Another running battle before we got to the ground and stand offs outside.
Crazy when you think how we used to travel to games back then. Health and Safety would have a heart attack.
Boothferry Park, another windswept desolate crap hole. Crumbling, only 3 sides open. You could be watching Barca play Real Madrid and it would be a miserable experience. The glamour of the 80's.....
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Post by hoekstramasterclass on Oct 11, 2015 18:17:32 GMT
Cracking guy Chris , went school with my brother one of his best mates . Lost his eye when glassed in the cod , spent a lot of time with Chris before he tragically took his own life RIP mate
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Post by CalgaryPotter on Oct 11, 2015 18:34:35 GMT
Hull was a nightmare of a day.
We arrived in multiple unofficial coaches and were stopped as we barely got through the city limits. Had us all off the coaches, searched them, searched us then realized lads were breaking away in large numbers and making their own way in all different directions. They were clueless.
Think I walked about 10 mile that day and came back on a different coach than I went.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2015 18:43:14 GMT
Not sure what happened at the Cod, we just heard that Stokies were getting a rough time up there. A fair few made their way up from around the ground but it was all over by the time we got there. We'd been in the Cross Keys, the police feared trouble as there were a lot of locals gathering outside and we were preparing for the inevitable onslaught. They got all our van drivers and got them to pull up outside the pub doorway one at a time. We were herded out and into the next available van before being escorted to the ground. I think there was five or six van loads of us. TG and the Ches lads were there as I recall.
Once at the ground I think their plan was to get us inside asap. At this point their radios went mental and they all headed off to the Cod leaving us to our own devices. We followed to the Cod but the police had it surrounded so we headed back, got just outside the ground and it all kicked off again, presumably with the Hull lot who'd just left the Cod. That was a crazy 5 or 10 mins I can tell you that. That's when our driver got nicked, for piling in on a youth that was just about to broadside me. I'm thankful for that one, I never saw him coming at me. Not sure that Hull lad will remember too much of the incident.
It's weird, although we were enemies in those minutes, I felt genuine concern for him. Had I not been arguing with the officer that held my mate I think I may have gone to his aid and check he was ok. You're right though, there was something in the air that day, right from the off.
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Post by Caerwrangonpotter on Oct 11, 2015 18:46:07 GMT
Finest establishment of its era... ...with "Maid Marion" as bar lady extraordinaire My Vic in the 80s memories are the night games & approach to The Vic from either Heron Cross, or the 24 from Foley Arms. Looking at it from another perspective, it must have been horrible for away fans in all honesty. The walk from the Station, via Glebe St. The warming presence of The Cemetery, and the maze of side streets & parallel roads towards the chosen destination. Hot dog wagon on the corner by the Stoke End, a crescendo of noise & smoke coming from The Vic on the corner. Guaranteed horse shit outside the programme shop, and the walk up the steps to The Boothen. Click of the turnstiles, the usual question of age (was a tall un for a young un!) & onto the middle, Boothen End. Criminal to see nothing done to that sacred land still....
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2015 18:55:43 GMT
Finest establishment of its era... ...with "Maid Marion" as bar lady extraordinaire Some characters in there. A pub where you could buy anything. Actually saw a bloke run through the front door and straight out the back with half a pig lifted from the butchers round the corner. Think they cut it up with a hacksaw and sold very thickly cut bacon an hour or so later !
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Post by Caerwrangonpotter on Oct 11, 2015 19:02:34 GMT
Finest establishment of its era... ...with "Maid Marion" as bar lady extraordinaire Some characters in there. A pub where you could buy anything. Actually saw a bloke run through the front door and straight out the back with half a pig lifted from the butchers round the corner. Think they cut it up with a hacksaw and sold very thickly cut bacon an hour or so later ! Very well known was Marion, went onto look after The Butchers Arms in Forsbrook. Also she is one of my godparents (rofl)The Shammy was a regular haunt of my Dad (long gone) when he was able to get out. Many a time did he roll in at stupid o clock, worse the wear from Bass. As for the butchers story, I know of a similar tale of a chap who we will call Mr S, who liberated some rabbits & other poultry that hung outside (Butchers by Williamsons) The liberated meat was hidden for a while, until thought fit to recollect.. Mr S went to retrieve his bounty, only to walk back in to the bar cursing the thieving sods who had walked off with his thieved goods!
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Post by Northy on Oct 12, 2015 5:57:58 GMT
The petrol station on the corner opposite the old stoke end entrance.
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Post by bristolpotter on Oct 12, 2015 7:03:55 GMT
Inflatable panthers, losing to Cov in the cup, 0-6 defeat at Swindon but still doing the Congo up and down the away end, pitch invasion at Oldham, Tansy squaring up to the West Ham mob and none of them wanting to know, on the pitch after beating Vale at home or was that in 1990?
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Post by norters on Oct 12, 2015 9:50:43 GMT
- Wedge hair cut.. even had it crimped once.. what a tool!! - Striped 'perry' long sleeved shirts - Yellow elephant cords.. an absolute disgrace - Elasticated leather jacket.. What on earth! - 1980.. Supposed to watch Discharge in Holland .. never even found the gig due to other local distractions and a serious lack of attention to logistics.. - Coming back from Ipswich in a van and ending up 8 miles south of Sunderland due to the proceeds of the aforementioned Discharge gig! - Man Utd at home on Boxing Day.. Stoke End stand mayhem when we hit the winner.. Grest rendition of 'Who's that dying' - Setting fire to the old wooden stand at Ewood Park to keep warm.. Lancashire was always dysfunctional.. - Someone mentioned Arsenal away first game of the season.. Think it was 81 on a bus from the Candle.. Always a bit hairy against Arsenal.. made hairier when Mike Doyle nodded one in near the end for a 1-0 win.. Completely stripped Spudder on the way back and stopped for a drink in Northampton.. He had 'Sharon's tattooed on his foreskin but I think his squeeze at the time was Sue..went down well with the locals..! - Same year I think.. Arsenal at home in Stoke market after.. The councillor did well against Denton & co.. - The councilor's 'party' of the same year.. Could have predicted that.. - The early Candle / Glebe coach trips.. Just missed Brendan really.. Sheff Utd in the cup, Villa in their paddock, Coventry on a PMT double decker with 'Hanford Man In Space' on the front.. That threw the locals! - The Silver Coin in Stoke town centre.. Scousers ruined my asteroids 'high score' in 1982.. - London Grill and Hill St caff... a gastronomic delight.. - Finnegan and Pickled Pete on a Friday night round Stoke.. you just couldn't make it up..
Loved it all..
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Post by dexta on Oct 12, 2015 10:51:32 GMT
- Wedge hair cut.. even had it crimped once.. what a tool!! - Striped 'perry' long sleeved shirts - Yellow elephant cords.. an absolute disgrace - Elasticated leather jacket.. What on earth! - 1980.. Supposed to watch Discharge in Holland .. never even found the gig due to other local distractions and a serious lack of attention to logistics.. - Coming back from Ipswich in a van and ending up 8 miles south of Sunderland due to the proceeds of the aforementioned Discharge gig! - Man Utd at home on Boxing Day.. Stoke End stand mayhem when we hit the winner.. Grest rendition of 'Who's that dying' - Setting fire to the old wooden stand at Ewood Park to keep warm.. Lancashire was always dysfunctional.. - Someone mentioned Arsenal away first game of the season.. Think it was 81 on a bus from the Candle.. Always a bit hairy against Arsenal.. made hairier when Mike Doyle nodded one in near the end for a 1-0 win.. Completely stripped Spudder on the way back and stopped for a drink in Northampton.. He had 'Sharon's tattooed on his foreskin but I think his squeeze at the time was Sue..went down well with the locals..! - Same year I think.. Arsenal at home in Stoke market after.. The councillor did well against Denton & co.. - The councilor's 'party' of the same year.. Could have predicted that.. - The early Candle / Glebe coach trips.. Just missed Brendan really.. Sheff Utd in the cup, Villa in their paddock, Coventry on a PMT double decker with 'Hanford Man In Space' on the front.. That threw the locals! - The Silver Coin in Stoke town centre.. Scousers ruined my asteroids 'high score' in 1982.. - London Grill and Hill St caff... a gastronomic delight.. - Finnegan and Pickled Pete on a Friday night round Stoke.. you just couldn't make it up.. Loved it all.. these young ones don't know what they have missed....know its jester hats and face paints...give me a wedge head hair cut and a Patrick kagoole any day of the week...
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Post by PB1863 on Oct 12, 2015 11:12:16 GMT
What year was it ? 2-0 up in the cup against Oldham with 2 X goals from Sammy Irvine at half time on a snowbound pitch. Dominated the first half then the ref abandons the game ..... Says the ground was too hard and freezing over. We then lost the replayed game 1-0 on a very wet pitch and from memory Roger Jones in goal had a shocker.
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Post by JoeinOz on Oct 12, 2015 11:20:52 GMT
What year was it ? 2-0 up in the cup against Oldham with 2 X goals from Sammy Irvine at half time on a snowbound pitch. Dominated the first half then the ref abandons the game ..... Says the ground was too hard and freezing over. We then lost the replayed game 1-0 on a very wet pitch and from memory Roger Jones in goal had a shocker. January 1979. Ref was Tony Morrissey. Not that I'm carrying it of course.
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Post by KevinWhimper on Oct 12, 2015 12:15:38 GMT
Well most of all it was a great time for the much maligned mullet. With Chris Waddle, Brian Robson and Mark Hateley leading the charge nationally we had our own protagonists too. Adrian Heath with the boy-band version and Dave Watson with an altogether more manly number. I even joined the party myself at one stage but I can't find any pictures! These days you really have to go to the most far flung outposts of Eastern Europe or Crewe to find examples of the genre. Anyway below are Adrian Heath and the defensive colossus that was Dave Watson. Think the Ryan Shawcross of his day although we only got to enjoy him in his late career. In fairness you only have to look at his face to see the kind of no frills stopper he was That kit is the greatest thing I've ever seen.
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Post by dexta on Oct 12, 2015 16:00:12 GMT
What year was it ? 2-0 up in the cup against Oldham with 2 X goals from Sammy Irvine at half time on a snowbound pitch. Dominated the first half then the ref abandons the game ..... Says the ground was too hard and freezing over. We then lost the replayed game 1-0 on a very wet pitch and from memory Roger Jones in goal had a shocker. its when the Oldham goalkeeper was being pelted with snowballs....outside was absolutely mayhem think the old bill got a lot of frustration taken out on them by the abandonment they came under a constant barrage of snowballs...all in good fun I thought the old bill didn't see the funny side though... If memory serves me right they sent in the horses...
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Post by bathstoke on Oct 12, 2015 16:10:18 GMT
Not paying for train travel. When we went Leeds in the 85/86 season, jumping over the wall out of Leeds stn only to be confronted by knife wielding Leeds fans. Bit hairy! Strangely enough, one of the dads at my kids school worked in Goth shop right where it happened & witnessed the whole thing. Oh how we laughed...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 16:37:58 GMT
The evolution of casual culture. Depending where you stood in the ground (Boothen Middle) when you adopted casual gear for the match there'd be a period where you stayed in comfortable surroundings, before surveying your donkey jacket and Doc clad peers. Then you'd migrate to Boothen Paddock where you felt more at home.
Seeing one skinhead lad who at the end of one season was still wearing an NCB donkey with the fluorescent orange shoulder piece. Beginning of the next season he had a Tacchini track top and beginnings of a wedge growing in. Migrated to the Paddock like me, then after a short while the more adventurous in spirit moved to the Stoke End side of the Paddock. Later, the Stoke End Seats were the only place to be. Guaranteed to be lively, and segregation was a mild effort not heavily enforced. Half time entertainment in the concourse was usually a lot more exciting than the game. You'd go for a piss and there'd often be several dozen people fighting.
Wheatsheaf & Charlie's became the places to drink. A routine was born.
Bourne Sports generally sold crap, the only useful item was bats, heavily discounted for our convenience.
Scousers trying to rob Bournes? '84 '85.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 17:54:23 GMT
I loved the Boothen paddock near the away end... Mainly for the fact you could gain entry cheaply through the juvenile turnstile. Chuck the exact money under, quick push and in you went. Some good times in there...
For bigger away followings it was Stoke End seats, sourcing lads n dads tickets for a quid was always easy. Even spent a season in the Butler Street seats when away fans sat in the corner, again cheaply. I knew a lad that operated the same turnstile every game. He never liked football but welcomed the extra cash.
And then there was the season where copied season tickets were available for door x in the Boothen, not to mention the dodgy tenners ! Of course, none of us ever used them to fund away trips.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 18:12:04 GMT
not to mention the dodgy tenners ! Of course, none of us ever used them to fund away trips. A certain Welshman!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 18:27:57 GMT
not to mention the dodgy tenners ! Of course, none of us ever used them to fund away trips. A certain Welshman! You know it OS. I remember shuffling out of the Boothen after one game and deciding to nip in the Vic for one before going the Talbot. The Welsh one was already in there having a pint with his minder !
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 18:47:02 GMT
You know it OS. I remember shuffling out of the Boothen after one game and deciding to nip in the Vic for one before going the Talbot. The Welsh one was already in there having a pint with his minder ! His minder was a useful chap. Hands like shovels. Seemed like back then, even our "stars" were a lot more down to earth. As supporters we seemed a lot more connected to them. Everything was more within a reachable distance. Moving into the 90's if you think back to how Lou conducted himself, Nello's story seemed to be a perfect reflection of those times. Now, every random reserve player has a collection of Ferraris, they don't seem to want to rub shoulders with the muck that pays their wages. Actually we don't pay their wages, because it's all TV money and personal sponsorships for the stars. Actually it makes sense why we're so irrelevant to them. The touch of humility where PC And TS had a pint with fans in Singapore was pretty cool. We are a little bit different. I'm sure clubs like Norwich Leicester and Bournemouth haven't lost that small club feel.
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Post by NassauDave on Oct 13, 2015 3:27:18 GMT
Shef Utd away, the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, but we were there all day running the gauntlet.Left Sheffield after 5pm!
Northampton and Charlton in the Cup night games were madness too. All sorts of shit kicking off. Pitch invasion at Northampton after we rolled in...
Just fucking nuts! Yet, it seemed so normal then......
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2015 3:34:09 GMT
Just fucking nuts! Yet, it seemed so normal then...... That's the thing for me, the sheer contrast to today. The normality of the insanity. Freedom to roll up pissed, pay on the gate, or jib in as some did. Leave the pub at ten to three. Wander the terrace, hop up into the seats, wander around. Go in seemingly impenetrable away ends. The worst thing, you'd get thrown out. Nobody looking at you minding your business, just the freedom of youth. 50 coaches to Sheff Utd away in the cup. Madness, chaos. Oldham away cup game postponed due to snow, so we still went Manchester for a drink. It was...rambunctious.
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Post by NassauDave on Oct 13, 2015 3:41:45 GMT
Was anyone else at the Battle Of Burnden? That whole season was just insane...?
It seemed to happen every week.
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Post by NassauDave on Oct 13, 2015 3:44:58 GMT
Just fucking nuts! Yet, it seemed so normal then...... That's the thing for me, the sheer contrast to today. The normality of the insanity. Freedom to roll up pissed, pay on the gate, or jib in as some did. Leave the pub at ten to three. Wander the terrace, hop up into the seats, wander around. Go in seemingly impenetrable away ends. The worst thing, you'd get thrown out. Nobody looking at you minding your business, just the freedom of youth. 50 coaches to Sheff Utd away in the cup. Madness, chaos. Oldham away cup game postponed due to snow, so we still went Manchester for a drink. It was...rambunctious. This Is England summed it up pretty well man. It was intoxicating at the time, like it or not.
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