Old Den was proper hairy and although you say no probs with the new one, the last time I was there the police escort took us through the worst ambush country I've seen in many a year (steep sided back streets and more nooks and crannies to shake a stick at) then all of sudden near the tube station ****ed off and left us to it. I felt like a support actor in the new Warriors movie with a challenge to bop your way back to the big city. Thankfully we were not troubled as there were only about 6 of us in the end.
One match that stands out was the 'Wayne Entwhistle 1-0' when we went down there ready for trouble. There were TV crews doing a documentary about Millwall hooligans so they were acting up for the cameras. We had to jump in when some Sunderland lads were being picked on. Being 'Sunderland exiles' we couldn't get into the Sunderland section as we'd gone without tickets as usual. We were in the Millwall seats to the right of the Sunderland lads and it was ****ing awful ........ they really are scumbags of the first degree. When Entshistle scored, in the last few minutes, we went up 'cos we'd alreay been sussed and we thought '**** it'. We ended up defending ourselves in the snack bar, under the stand, fighting them off with hot pies and Kit Kats
I was at that one - right in the middle of their end - the Cold Blow Lane. Needless to say I did not jump when Entwhistle scored.
That was around the time of that infamous BBC documentary and the police were actually scared of them. We were left to our own devices.
Christ I thought the days of glorifying this ****e were over. Front line lads and youth firms? It's a cycling game of football man.
I knew the area very well, and could blend in. When the ball went in, the bloke next to me asked me - "what happened mate?" Bear in mind the goal was scored at the far end. Inside, I'm shouting "get in you bastard" - to him, I said, "looks like their ****in number 9's put it in".
Who's glorifying it knob-head? People are talking about their experiences from decades ago ...... far from glorying anything, people are talking about being scared on the whole. You seem to have some agenda if you don't mind me saying.
That day lasted bloody weeks .... there was even some of their lot waiting for us at Swiss Cottage at 11 o'clock at night.
Im not glorifying football fans either. This is a thread to talk about our experiences, nowt to do glorifying what they do??? Me and my Boro supporting mate were attacked off Sunderland fans outside the SOL in 1999. I met him after the match outside the stadium and i mustve looked like a Boro fan lol. My mate had his teeth knocked out.
It's annoying when people who know nothing about something choose to criticise those who do. Going away with Sunderland, in the 'olden days' was probably OK if you went on the branch bus with police escorts etc. For those of us making our way, from places like Mansfield, it was a lottery ..... park in the wrong place, walk in the wrong pub or go to the wrong turnstile and you could be in bother.
ive never had a problem controlling my self at matches only getting angry if anyone ran the great len shackleton down. but my dear old dad was a terror mother told me that before she married him he did a month in durham jail for pulling the sleeve off a bobbie's uniform and she did'nt find out about it till after they were wed,of course in those day's they only used their fists now they go tooled up for trouble.
Been reading a few books I'm not an angry man but I've had some experiences that the supporters who live local wouldn't understand. Most of the worst trouble we had was at places like Wetherby, stopping off for chips & a pint, or at the services. We'd park up, walk into a pub which would be full of Mags, on their way home after an away match or the away supporters from Sunderland's home match. reet!
I went to see Millwall v. Man City back in the early 90s at Maine Road. I used to live down Manchester and near the old ground. My mate at the time was a big Millwall fan so I thought **** it. Not the smartest decision I've ever made. I spent much of the first half being questioned by Millwall fans as my mate gave all the answers.. "don't say much does he" they said to my mate whilst staring me out. I pretended to be interested in the game and said nowt as my fake saarf London accent wasn't up to scratch. Thankfully they ****ed off and left us in peace. Probably the most active my sphincter has ever been.
Ive been in with the Wall fans a few times myself. My mate used to be a season ticket holder but moved up here 10 years ago. I go with him whenever they play a Northeast team. The only time i nearly got into bother was at Hartlepool when I went for a pi$$ at half time. West ham had played them in the Cup a few days before, and the West ham fans had stuck a load of stickers etc in the toilets knowing they would be seen by the Wall fans. Some of them were kicking off about it and tried to get me involved. I didnt dare say a word cause theyd hear my Northern accent. They started to get suspicious so i eventually spoke in the worst Cockney accent you could ever here. I sounded more Mick Dundee than Cockney. It got me out in one piece though!
Only once. The one where Paul Stewart got sent off for elbowing in a 1-0 win where we took over two sides of the ground. More of us than them so nee botha and it was a great day out. But I knew about the Barnsley fans from growing up in Chester (Cheshire, not le-Street). Played Barnsley a few times in the 70s and their fans were mostly miners. Big ****ers and hard as nails with it!
I tried a few practice versions of 'alwight mate' before hand, but was told I sounded like some weird Aussie, too. best to keep schtum. A few years later when I did my London stint, I lived in Kennington/Camberwell for a while (with the same mate) and fell in with a few older Millwall lads down the local. Well respected by the naughty kids, and never got into an ounce of bother....but never felt entirely comfortable being a northern monkey and all that. I refrained from the offer of going to Millwall v Chelsea away in the FA cup around '95, and thank god as it kicked off before, during and after as Millwall won on pens. seems a long time ago now.................
Haha, they was trouble between them & Boro a few seasons ago when i was there. We got kept back after the game, so i was worried about getting a slap off both sets of fans.
............back on 'Boro topic. A friend from Prague - a nice lass from Yarm - goes home to see her dad who ain't too well but lives in the 'Boro. She says she hates going back as she has to dress down if she goes out for a few drinks and never takes anything of value out with her as people will just stroll up and twock your phone, purse, accessories or whatever and just start you down. Sounds horrible, although I wouldn't fancy a night out in Byker or doon Denton much either.
I live in Stockton mate, just outside of Boro. Its a rough place, but its not as bad as that. Its no worse than any other town really to be honest!
