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Post by stokiejohn60 on Jan 24, 2023 22:59:54 GMT
I remember visiting Bramall Lane in the 70’s when Sheff Utd were top of the league and we won 3-2. Apart from the game my main memory was the cricket pitch and pavilion which occupied one side of the ground. Happy memories! I was there - I remember a mob of theirs walking around past the pavilion to our right with a few minutes left - Obviously something they did when losing !
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Post by NassauDave on Jan 25, 2023 1:36:30 GMT
I remember visiting Bramall Lane in the 70’s when Sheff Utd were top of the league and we won 3-2. Apart from the game my main memory was the cricket pitch and pavilion which occupied one side of the ground. Happy memories! I remember Northampton being like that, a night match in the league Cup I think, late 70s? Stoke chased Northampton fans onto the pitch during the game. Very eventful few cup games away at that time, including Charlton and Watford.
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Post by somersetstokie on Jan 25, 2023 2:05:32 GMT
I was brought up with a familiarity for most of the "old school grounds" and there was a good reason why some stadiums had fan areas with names like "the Shed" (Chelsea). By the time England hosted the World Cup however in 1966 there were some pretty substantial grounds around such as Villa Park and Old Trafford. As a young Stoke fan at the Victoria ground I used to stand on the old Stoke end as I liked to feel more "outdoors", but in reality I actually became embarrassed that we had an open or "unfinished" end that made the ground look quite primitive compared to many others that I visited. Even Wolves had 4 covered sides to their ground. I was quite chuffed when the new stand was built in the late 70's and we actually had a finished looking stadium, and I was quite proud to stand and look at it from my new home on the Boothen. (Same spot every game).
Nowadays there's even modern stadiums in Leagues I and 2, like Bolton and Derby.
I wonder if we are ever likely to get a bigger more modern stadium now, with a user friendly name, rather than the concrete mausoleum that is the BET 365.
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Post by bristolpotter on Jan 25, 2023 5:37:56 GMT
Never really found Man City , Birmingham, Wolves, Millwall , Cardiff, Burnley, Leeds etc that intimating back in the day as we always brought decent followings made up of plenty of lads it was places like Newcastle, Middlesbrough, West Ham, Spurs , Chelsea etc where our followings were normally poor with little in the way of large mobs from Stoke the only time I can remember us with a largish following at Spurs was the cup game in 1976 there was trouble after the game all the way back to the tube, I’ve been at West Ham with less than 300 Stoke before that was one of the worst days following Stoke we were getting picked off right and centre not sure why we always took more to Millwall even in the late 70s as we had a decent sized mob at both games but few went to West Ham and Spurs the same era, Everton in the 70s was another tough away day it wasn’t until the early 80s when we started taking larger followings and lads there !
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Post by nott1 on Jan 25, 2023 9:42:08 GMT
I hated Gigg Lane with a passion....one of theirs nicked my Stoke City hat during the never ending FA Cup saga! Gigg Lane 1990 was the first away match I was allowed to go to with just my mates. Didn't really register with me that there weren't any crush barriers in our end until we scored and our crowd resembled a tidal wave, proper scary stuff. But exhilarating! I was sat in a rickety old stand!
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Post by elystokie on Jan 25, 2023 10:26:15 GMT
I remember Northampton being like that, a night match in the league Cup I think, late 70s? Stoke chased Northampton fans onto the pitch during the game. Very eventful few cup games away at that time, including Charlton and Watford. I can remember getting bricked by Charlton fans outside the station after that game, think we were on one of the 'football specials'. It was quite funny on the day of the game at the place I worked, half the apprentices had a 'dental appointment' that day and the training manager didn't realise until we were all walking out at the same time, I can still remember him shouting after us as we studiously ignored him and broke into a run The football special got bricked pulling out of Watford station after the game there too iirc.
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Post by somersetstokie on Jan 25, 2023 11:16:19 GMT
Stoke chased Northampton fans onto the pitch during the game. Very eventful few cup games away at that time, including Charlton and Watford. I can remember getting bricked by Charlton fans outside the station after that game, think we were on one of the 'football specials'. It was quite funny on the day of the game at the place I worked, half the apprentices had a 'dental appointment' that day and the training manager didn't realise until we were all walking out at the same time, I can still remember him shouting after us as we studiously ignored him and broke into a run The football special got bricked pulling out of Watford station after the game there too iirc.[/b] And that was by the Watford team, who just happened by!
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Post by Kenilworth_Stokies on Jan 25, 2023 12:04:46 GMT
Speaking of old school grounds, I came across some pictures of Sunderland's Roker Park in its heyday recently. At a glance, it could be the Vic: Likewise, how much does this corner of Preston's Deepdale look like the old Boothen End / Butler Street corner?
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Post by crowey on Jan 25, 2023 13:41:09 GMT
I’ve been Hereford FC this season, a great time warp stadium and just a great day coupled with a visit to the town. Aldershot will be done in March, another old ground which is likely to disappear, it’ll be great to stand under the barrel roof East Bank, much of the Recreation Ground is 90-100 years old. Easter Saturday I’ll be at Arbroath v Dundee, I cannot wait for this visit, another time warp ground. To be fair, in Scotland you can fill your boots with old school stadiums. If I can’t get a Blackpool ticket then I’m off to Carlisle United for another first visit. Next month will be Luton, I’ve been before but I’ll think I’ll enjoy it this time as it’s a goner too. I’m hoping to get to Great Yarmouth Town with its famous ‘world oldest’ stand built in 1892. Go and see them before they’re flattened. …. I assume that’s what you’re doing. Seeing them before they’re all flattened
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Post by crowey on Jan 25, 2023 13:54:01 GMT
….. loved Meadow Lane, especially when we won promotion. Remember a lot of intimidation at Burnden Park. The Walks in King’s Lynn I have always found lovely (just like the rest of the place.) Lived there for ten years
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Post by somersetstokie on Jan 25, 2023 14:16:17 GMT
I’ve been Hereford FC this season, a great time warp stadium and just a great day coupled with a visit to the town. Aldershot will be done in March, another old ground which is likely to disappear, it’ll be great to stand under the barrel roof East Bank, much of the Recreation Ground is 90-100 years old. Easter Saturday I’ll be at Arbroath v Dundee, I cannot wait for this visit, another time warp ground. To be fair, in Scotland you can fill your boots with old school stadiums. If I can’t get a Blackpool ticket then I’m off to Carlisle United for another first visit. Next month will be Luton, I’ve been before but I’ll think I’ll enjoy it this time as it’s a goner too. I’m hoping to get to Great Yarmouth Town with its famous ‘world oldest’ stand built in 1892. Go and see them before they’re flattened. …. I assume that’s what you’re doing. Seeing them before they’re all flattened I think that's already been done. About 20 years ago, before the vogue for Charity fund raising efforts, a couple of fans managed to visit all 92 football league grounds in the same season, just to be able to say they'd done it! Took a lot of scheduling and planning though.
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Post by thestatusquo on Jan 25, 2023 14:31:07 GMT
Highbury and Fellows Park completely different reasons
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Post by y_oh_y_delilah on Jan 25, 2023 16:01:01 GMT
Favourite old school ground, Meadow Lane (ambience and fond memories) Most disliked, Burnden Park (couldn’t see half the pitch because of the supermarket!)
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Post by wakeypotter on Jan 25, 2023 16:16:37 GMT
As you can see I'm more a reader than poster. I see that we've sold out for Luton Town away and one of the Oatcake family stated "Weirdest Entrance" to a ground. Following Stoke for over 50 years has taken me to some memorable grounds. Four stand out for very different reasons. Ayresome Park-(Middlesbrough) I remember this being a very tough place with tough supporter's who took no shit from anybody.This is our town mentality. Mainroad-Manchester City. The back streets and alleyways around this ground still send shivers down my spine. Saltergate-Chesterfield. The away end was one of the bleakest, coldest, weed ridden shit holes on my travels. The Old Den-Millwall. If you went there with a mate wearing no colours minding your own business Millwall supporters could smell you were from STOKE!! No doubt you've all got your own memorable grounds you've visited. Been to Middlesbrough and chesterfield and totally agree
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Post by wrighter on Jan 25, 2023 16:33:56 GMT
Exeter City Away end held 200-300 Stand called the Cow Shed says it all !!! Parking diabolical Watching highlights of one of their recent games, fair due a very big improvement + walking to Watfords ground thro the allotments was fun, always remember a Stokie nicking some guys cabbages and being chased by the allotment holder brandishing a spade
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Post by maninasuitcase on Jan 27, 2023 12:59:33 GMT
Broomfield Road before redevelopment The place was falling to bits. Away end you could only stand in the bottom left corner as the rest was derelict, and it was open air. Remember near freezing to death watching Stoke on boxing day in 2000. Home stand on the side held up with scaffolding. Bogs had wire mesh window.
Appalling ground but a right of passage earned.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Jan 27, 2023 17:08:55 GMT
Boundary Park, Oldham. Steam rising from the piss all over the floor in the toilets with no roof in the middle of winter, and the stench of beery farts and Jeyes Fluid. I went to Boundary Park on Tuesday evening to watch their game against York. The away toilets are now not too bad. Quite clean and with a roof ! I have two main memories of Boundary Park - it's the only 'big' ground I ever actually played on, and Phil Heath's amazing solo goal (whatever year was that ?? )
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Post by lordb on Jan 27, 2023 18:26:26 GMT
Boundary Park, Oldham. Steam rising from the piss all over the floor in the toilets with no roof in the middle of winter, and the stench of beery farts and Jeyes Fluid. I went to Boundary Park on Tuesday evening to watch their game against York. The away toilets are now not too bad. Quite clean and with a roof ! I have two main memories of Boundary Park - it's the only 'big' ground I ever actually played on, and Phil Heath's amazing solo goal (whatever year was that ?? ) 1985 I think
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Post by palerider on Jan 27, 2023 20:24:43 GMT
Blackpool probably late 80s,open end behind goal,wooden food shack ransacked and glass container passed over peoples heads and helping themselves out to the pies inside,also coppers helmet thrown around,Luton remember the mayors car been tipped over by the lads of the bentilee coach,
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Post by ursemboys on Jan 27, 2023 20:29:18 GMT
Blackpool probably late 80s,open end behind goal,wooden food shack ransacked and glass container passed over peoples heads and helping themselves out to the pies inside,also coppers helmet thrown around,Luton remember the mayors car been tipped over by the lads of the bentilee coach, Was there that day gates bust open, also taking over the dodgems and pushing them around
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Post by palerider on Jan 27, 2023 21:54:58 GMT
Blackpool probably late 80s,open end behind goal,wooden food shack ransacked and glass container passed over peoples heads and helping themselves out to the pies inside,also coppers helmet thrown around,Luton remember the mayors car been tipped over by the lads of the bentilee coach, Was there that day gates bust open, also taking over the dodgems and pushing them around I didn’t dream it then also sea front benches thrown into the sea, mayhem of the highest order
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Post by silsdenstokie on Jan 27, 2023 22:27:07 GMT
Boundary Park, Oldham. Steam rising from the piss all over the floor in the toilets with no roof in the middle of winter, and the stench of beery farts and Jeyes Fluid. I went to Boundary Park on Tuesday evening to watch their game against York. The away toilets are now not too bad. Quite clean and with a roof ! I have two main memories of Boundary Park - it's the only 'big' ground I ever actually played on, and Phil Heath's amazing solo goal (whatever year was that ?? ) 23 November 1985 My 12th birthday and first away game! Won 4-2
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Post by NassauDave on Jan 27, 2023 23:26:35 GMT
Blackpool probably late 80s,open end behind goal,wooden food shack ransacked and glass container passed over peoples heads and helping themselves out to the pies inside,also coppers helmet thrown around,Luton remember the mayors car been tipped over by the lads of the bentilee coach, Was there that day gates bust open, also taking over the dodgems and pushing them around I was there too 😉
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Post by outspaced on Jan 28, 2023 13:21:45 GMT
Always enjoyed the trip to Huddersfield's old Leeds Road. Open away end with grim bogs with no roof on if I remember.
Massive standing terrace to the right, all seated stand on the left and the opposite end was called the Cowshed with a barrel roof over it.
Few memories - Steino and Bertie scoring within a couple of minutes of each other in a 2-1 win.
The Bertsch making it 2-2 after we were 2-0 down, he scored at the other end and ran the pitch length to celebrate with us.
And I don't know why i remember this but it always stuck with me. In the championship winning season in 93, we lost 1-0 and their winner was at our end and the ball wedged in the goal stanchion!
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Post by anchorman on Jan 28, 2023 15:09:06 GMT
Boundary Park, Oldham. Steam rising from the piss all over the floor in the toilets with no roof in the middle of winter, and the stench of beery farts and Jeyes Fluid. The coldest ground I've ever played at AND I've still got the scar on my right leg from an attempted slide tackle on that stupid artificial pitch they had back then. That plastic pitch was horrendous...I remember being on the away end and us losing 5-1? Forgive my ignorance Wherty but when did you play there, who were you playing for? Cheers
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Post by anchorman on Jan 28, 2023 15:17:23 GMT
Re old school grounds, Newcastle, Leeds, Man City were lively, Molineux & Goodison Park were scary, St Andrews always interesting....I remember rocking up to Old Trafford early 80's (the season we stayed up and dirty horrible Leeds went down) at about ten to 3, big queue for the away end until the majority responded to a battle cry that United were round the side of the ground so off they went scrapping and I walked straight in the ground and didn't miss the KO!
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jan 28, 2023 15:19:48 GMT
Favourite old school ground, Meadow Lane (ambience and fond memories) Most disliked, Burnden Park (couldn’t see half the pitch because of the supermarket!) Normid!
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Post by elvislivesinleek on Jan 30, 2023 9:28:32 GMT
Following on from my initial post last week a good friend has asked me to forward three of his memorable grounds. Interesting!
Fratton Park-Portsmouth. The Alice Cooper look alike fan wearing his Pompey tall hat always spring to mind. OK Guy. Brighton-Goldstone Ground. Relegation party. Mental weekend. Ashton Gate-Bristol City. Stoke fans singing Wurzel songs? (Tractors & Straw influenced) Strange one this. Vale Park-Port Vale. Leaving the ground the last time we played there to find most of the toilets in the car park!!!
Thanks for reading.
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Post by middleoftheboothen on Jan 30, 2023 11:05:15 GMT
Broomfield Road before redevelopment The place was falling to bits. Away end you could only stand in the bottom left corner as the rest was derelict, and it was open air. Remember near freezing to death watching Stoke on boxing day in 2000. Home stand on the side held up with scaffolding. Bogs had wire mesh window. Appalling ground but a right of passage earned. Yeah that was freezing there that boxing day match was bloody hell. I remember standing there aswell not behind the goal but on the side around the same era in a midweek game, think it may have been an autoglass game or whatever name it had then. Pretty sure it was a high scoring game and we won.
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Post by str8outtahampton on Jan 30, 2023 11:46:02 GMT
Following on from my initial post last week a good friend has asked me to forward three of his memorable grounds. Interesting! Fratton Park-Portsmouth. The Alice Cooper look alike fan wearing his Pompey tall hat always spring to mind. OK Guy. Brighton-Goldstone Ground. Relegation party. Mental weekend. Ashton Gate-Bristol City. Stoke fans singing Wurzel songs? (Tractors & Straw influenced) Strange one this. Vale Park-Port Vale. Leaving the ground the last time we played there to find most of the toilets in the car park!!! Thanks for reading. I have a feeling the Pompey Alice Cooper lookalike actually changed his named by deed poll so that it read First name Portsmouth FC Surname. The relegation party at Brighton is one of the all-time great awaydays. I am pretty sure there are photos on the "Those Were The Days" board.
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