To take our minds off the nerve-wracking deadline day approaching, I wondered what people thought were the friendliest & most intimidating away venues. I used to go to Selhurst Park a lot when I lived in South London & although I had a bit of banter about my northern accent, I never had any grief. West Ham was easily the most scary - although it's about 5 years since I've been there.I've always thought Anfield could be a bit hairy, but that was usually away from the ground if you were daft enoughto get seperated from your mates!Any Thoughts/funny stories to share?
Going back to the 70s Forest was alway on the naughty side especially going back to the bus which was parked at Notts County for some reason. But nothing was as bad as the old Millwall ground no fences to stop the gangs from moving all round the ground was very nasty at times
Aye - I'd forgotten Milwall. Went there once in the early 90's. Wall to wall testosterone - and that was just the lasses!!!!!
Got a bad kicking in Leeds in my youth, my own fault got talking to a bonny lass and got separated from the lads. Her Mam and Dad took me in for the night and I got more than breakfast in the morning. (No! It wasn't an STD.
We were in with the Burnley fans the year that 'son of Pele's' late equalizer at Turf Moor kept us up, and sent them down. That was very lairy indeed. I was only a young un, and fortunately there were several absolute hulks with us, i rarely get scared, i remember that feeling vividly.
I've never understood, nor experienced the need for separation. Mind you, my live match attendances have been to football, rugby, cricket - but mostly all here in Australia. We sit right next to the opposition, having a bit of banter with them without having the police or stewards try to separate us. Don't know if this has made us more tolerant of people supporting someone different to us, but it's the norm down here. I couldn't imagine it any different. I love baggin the kiwis out when we score, and love it when they slag me off. Most of the time we end up hitting the pubs afterwards aswell, and have become good mates with some of them over the years. Would you like to see this instilled in english football?
It couldn't work mate. The thing is with football here as opposed to oz, it's much more than sport, it's life, and it's tribal. Certain clubs could probably get away with it, but the more passionately followed ones it would end in carnage. It's sad, but absolutely true.
Hairy i agree that we should be able to mix. as you say you can at a Cricket match or rugby. I remember when i live away from the area and you stillhad standing in the ground i would buy a seat in the main stand with the home fans never had any bother and a lot of good banter thats the way we should be able to watch a game. I dare say apart from the local games you could get away with mixing the fans.
Due to me not being able to get over to the games at the SoL, the one chance I did get was us against Coventry in 2007 ( 2-0 us!) and there were more police an Stewards there than Coventry supporters. I just dis not see the need for it. Mind you, I haven't been to a derby, so can only image the atmosphere there between fans. To me, the banter you get with the other fans is what makes the experience. I haven't run into any fans who are childish assholes, but other fans who want the same as me - a good, fun experience I will look back on and smile. The game might have been ****, but it would have been the best day out. Hooliganism in the 80's and 90's would have left the footballing culture as a scary place, which I think is a shame - as part of the rivalry of sport is experiencing it with the opposition.
wigan's old ground back in the 3rd division was the biggest ****hole ive ever seen, but for trouble it had to be ayresome park in league cup(same season), for best atmosphere it's got to be roker park for me like
Best away ground for footy I've been to recently is West Brom. Parking's not outrageous, you're near the motorway to get home and there's never any bother. Millwall is the worst, old or new versions. Escorted by the Old Bill through miles of railway cuttings in the middle of one of the most depressing parts of London. Nearly as bad as Byker!
West Broms one of my favourites as well, i was in the WBA end for the 0-3 2 years back, they were ripping the piss out of me, but were very friendly with it.
Me too! I went up with my lad and a baggie mate. As my son's in a wheelchair we had seats at the opposite end to the away fans and I had the piss taken good and proper, but friendly 'n all. Were we ****e that day or what?
I didnt like Tranmere's ground especially when they sent on a sub to replace a sent off player.........was funny though watching thousands of Mackems trying to tell the ref about it (not at the time though lol). I live in Leeds so i like visits to Elland Road and certainly with the most recent results it makes it good at work for a few weeks too!
Was one of the worst displays i've ever seen from us in 30 years on the planet mate, i think the ripping of the baggies lads actually saved the day, some of it was hilarious. Was nice having them all boing-boinging away while we sat there with faces like slapped arses. Not.
Preston in the 80's old 3rd division hell on that day the pub i was in got its windows put out there was only 13 of us and about 200 of them yrying to get in **** mesel that day haha
Purely for the atrocious view afforded to the away fans, I would have to say that thesportsdirect.com is the worst stadium. Burnley and Spurs are two grounds that I have had the worst bother at. I always enjoy my trips to Fulham and Arsenal: never any bother and decent crack with their fans...
Funny that Mr. White. All the red and whires I've spoken to say it's no different to the premier concorse. 14000 of us have the same view as you. Nobody complains.
