For the "older" footie fans...

I first went to see QPR in 1972. My dad took me and I remember it cost 40p for him and 15p for me. The terraces were fantastic with a great sense of 'belonging' and camaraderie. Unfortunately many of them were run down and dangerous and made it all too easy to kick the crap out of the opposition fans.
We now have some magnificent stadia. If only a way could be found to enjoy the modern facilities at old fashioned prices!

Oh well!

Mark

Earlier this week I read a reference to Sunderland and the Stadium of Light. Not having followed football for many a year, I thought "what?!"

A quick google and I found that Roker Park had become a housing estate in 1997. I remember being taken to see Sunderland play sometime in the mid 1960s, and the thought that Roker Park has now gone is a sad one.

Brad

Brad,

How unpleasant being taken to Joker Park, it was never a nice place for a Newcastle fan. However there was a better quality police escort when we used to go to the Stadium of Sh*te, as of course they are in a different division these days. Diccuss will doubtless be along shortly!!!!

Seriously my first match at SJP was in 1974, and whilst the atmosphere was infinitely better, comfort and safety was not even on the radar.

Open to the elements, and piss cascading down the terraces at half time, those were the days.

Would I want to go back to them....not at my age

Regards

Nic

quote:

Originally posted by nicnaim:
Brad,

How unpleasant being taken to Joker Park, it was never a nice place for a Newcastle fan. However there was a better quality police escort when we used to go to the Stadium of Sh*te, as of course they are in a different division these days. Diccuss will doubtless be along shortly!!!!

Seriously my first match at SJP was in 1974, and whilst the atmosphere was infinitely better, comfort and safety was not even on the radar.

Open to the elements, and piss cascading down the terraces at half time, those were the days.

Would I want to go back to them....not at my age

Regards

Nic

I wouldn't lower myself to reply to a Barcode, if I want to do that i'll go to ALDI

Interesting Wikipedia article here


I loved Roker Park and the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light will never recapture the old ground, but times move on.

"Come on you Reds"

Regards

Diccus

All we need now is a Monkey Hanger and the insults are complete

Brad

Things aren't as bad as they seem boys.....don't worry.

I went to my first halifax Town match in the early 80's and was immediately hooked. Whilst a well meaning and absolutely passionate football-fan uncle used to take my brother and I to Old Trafford 2 or 3 times a season, the Shay remained and remains our 'home'. In the lower leagues, lets say Div 1 downwards those nostalgic scenes in the YouTube video could have been taken last week. The fans are there, the Westler's van is there, the steaming grinning working classes are there (In the words of Jeffrey Bernard, "You find a better class of person in the gutter than in the drawing room of any gentleman's club"), the spindly floodlights are there. The standard of football is also probably comparable to much higher leagues in decades past.

Live it, embrace it. Support your local lower league club and forget the Sky/Premier league hype. ALL IS NOT LOST!!! SIMPLY LOOK FOR IT. FIND IT. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!

Jonathan

quote:

Originally posted by Yeldarb:
All we need now is a Monkey Hanger and the insults are complete

Brad

Brad,

You may not know that despite being diametrically opposed in our football support, Diccuss and I correspond offline and swap music info. We both know we can rib each other, without animosity, when it comes to football.

Generally support for a given team usually comes about as an accident of birth or association.

Not that long ago it was common for Newcastle and Sunderland fans to travel to each others' grounds when their own team were playing away, so that they had a game to go to each week. Unfortunately times have changed, and a tribal loathing has developed between some fans. The majority would tell you that the first results they still check is their local rivals, so they can poke fun at work colleagues on Monday. This is usually accomplished without bloodshed.

Shayman,

Lower league stuff is very enjoyable, often far more so than the "premier league" stuff. See recent thread.

Lower league footy

Regards

Nic

......My first match was Sunderland v Blackpool (Football League Cup 1964) - a midweek game ...the atmosphere completely drew me in and despite numerous heartaches since continues to do so now.
...I've missed about 10 home games since 1970 (season ticket holder for about 12 years)So I reckon I can talk about Roker Park (AKA England's loudest crowd)compared to the Sunderland Stadium Of Light (it's proper name!)

Of course we all lost something when the old grounds were demolished but the lack of atmosphere argument really hinges on how sucessful (or not!) your team are doing at any one time.
When then)SAFC striker Kevin Phillips scored an equaliser against N**C a few seasons back at the SSOL the torrent of noise blew out the BBC's new pitch side digital microphones!!(apparently the beeb's tech guys were amazed)

Believe me if Roy Keane could restore ourselves to the Prem in any sort of competitive condition crowds at the SSOL would be as passionate + loud as those who attended the sacred Roker Park .......it's that small word IF that's important!

Jet,

Agreed, the sound at the Stadium of S**te is pretty amazing, and itimidating when in full flow.

Unfortunately for you, the last time I was there the loudest noise was that of laughter, as Toon fans watched your groundsman (collecting the flags) throwing a pantomime style strop at the end of the match, after being lightly teased by them.

Cannot remember the result, just the laughs. My memory of the result on a very rainy night at SJP, when a certain Mr Shearer was left on the bench is equally hazy

Every dog (or Black Cat) has his day!

Regards

Nic

Funniest thing at a game this season was when a real magpie (of the feathered variety)flew down and landed behind the goal at the home end strutting around.......cue the loudest booing heard at a game this season! 3/4 of the ground didn't know what the heck was going on! I seem to remember that we actually won that game anyway

....so whom ever at hotch potch park who arranged for that damn bird to land at the SSOL didn't get their wish (!)

........paranoid? who? me?????

quote:

diametrically opposed in our football support,

Bloomin' heck. That reminds me of the famous Fulwell end chant at the SAFC/NAFC matches "We're diametrically opposed and your gonna get your Forquinn Cranium mashed in"

Diccus

I remember seeing Jimmy Hill ride round Highfield Road on a white horse - and I seem to have a memory of him appearing in a pink cadillac!

I was also at Highfield Rd in 1967 when Coventry stuffed Wolves and were promoted to Div 1. I started at the back of one of the stands, but ended up nearly on the pitch ('cos I was only small!). 51,455 people in the ground.



Steve

For me, it is nice to read of people who remember older things (I have recently been catching up with what real people did in World Wars last century before the plonkers sent troops everywhere as wastefully as usual).

It used to cost me 4 shillings late 60s to see Chelsea but now I understand that MUt are still winning league ...

Possibly only Bolton have benefited from move to new stadium.

I am pleased to see that usually the ball is still spherical and the idea is usually still to score more.

quote:

Possibly only Bolton have benefited from move to new stadium

Never!!!