... any memories welcome. Our first trip to the Old Den was a year or so after there'd been a Panorama documentary about them and their tactics for ambushing away supporters. Very few clubs took many down there but we had approaching a thousand. We drove down and got to the area around the stadium to find there were TV cameras filming. The Millwall fans were, of course, acting up and performing like circus seals so we had a few confrontations before we even got in. For some reason, which I don't remember, we ended up in the seats near the end we attacked in the second half. There were Sunderland all over the ground and fights breaking out everywhere particularly at half time. They never got the better of the lads in our end who were mainly Vauxies and Seaburn lads but it wasn't a pleasant experience. We didn't particularly hide who we were, as the seats were generally safe in those days, but it all kicked off, in the second half, when Wayne Entwistle crashed in a goal, the only one of the game, and all the pockets of Sunderland went up. A few punches were thrown and we were generally turned on but as much by women and old people as anyone else ... absolutely repugnant people. Outside we found a stand off between a few hundred Sunderland and all the Millwall hooligans. We were behind Millwall and could've just slunk away but decided we'd throw our weight in with Sunderland so walked through their lot, got to the front and legged it across no-man's land towards our lads. They thought we were Millwall attacking them so we had to shout 'we're Sunderland' hoping they'd hear us. Thankfully some Peterlee lads, at the front, recognised us so we were safe. I can't remember all of what happened but we eventually went with them towards the trains then branched off to where we'd parked. There were still loads hanging around throwing missiles at the police so we were glad to get the minibus fired up and out of Dodge. What a day, seemed to last a week
Message from the Gateshead branch ... 'Just booked our trains: 07:30 from Newcastle returning on the 19:30 from London Kings Cross. £5,723.45 covering all 114 of of us with family and friends railcards, (68 adults and 46 children)'
Too young or old and innocent to contribute, but enjoyed reading this. What/who were the Vauxies? I can guess they worked there but please elaborate as no doubt I'm way off. Thanks.
I’ve pinched this from Socrates on RTG which explains it, pretty much. They were lads who drank in the Vaux Club, some worked as draymen I believe, and used to travel together. They were football fans, and decent lads, but not shy. When the away games became more difficult with clubs having ‘firms’ looking for trouble, early 70’s, they started to organise themselves into a solid group. With certain away games the ordinary fans would shy away because of the violence and only lads like the Vauxies, Seaburn Casuals, Peterlee, etc would show up. So we’d go to places like West Ham with only 5/600 down almost all of whom would be these lads. Anyway here’s the post from RTG … ‘I wonder how many of us are left - yes I am that old. We started life in the Beehive, at a guess in 71-72, moved 25 yards over the road to the Borough - possibly '75, The Brewery Tap after that, odd times in the Vestry but never really settled there and ended up in Vaux Club. The lads who started it off were Anth T. Tommy C, Chris J, Micky T and then we had some lads from Red House join us. Joe and Norman R. for example. Cal B. Brut - he loved the stuff E. Geordie G., Joker and so on. Gunner, fat Stan and Alan B. came along a bit later on along with Slosher, Ben, Berty, hammy, Bobby D. (scary when p.....) and Company and the Seaham lads came onto the scene too.. Not forgetting long time member Big John who was there nearly at the start or Derek R. and Co when they'd had enough of Farrington boys. I've missed loads of names out as not sure how many words I am allowed. I'm up there in the mix. If there's enough interest I'll post a few of our get togethers. I will say this. When we first started we spent more time running away than running at opposite fans who were up for a fight. Mind we were pretty young back then the handful of us. It's only when we got organised with Cal B. and Alan B. that we stopped running so much - Cal B. and stopped running at all Alan B.’ https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/vauxy-boys.883365/ Also .... https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/any-former-vauxie-boys-on-here.859640/ 'It was at millwall 1978 where we all got the tube over from kings x to new cross gate. Saw one of the vauxies lads spark a millwall fan out inside the ground with a flying head butt. Kid dropped like a sack of ****e. Very dodgy trip away. Fascinating to think back all those years ago. Millwall was a f***ing hell hole back then. Then again roker park wasn't anymore welcoming for away fans.'
Remember being upstairs in some Vaux site bar,hundreds up there,think it was before we played the skunks ,strange and fun times
Really looking forward to it The bookies have Millwall as favourites but you just never know with this current Sunderland squad
Seem to remember the name Davo, big stocky lad with a 'tache being one of the Vauxies. Definitely drinking in the Brewery Tap while I remember them.
Bugger. I've done this a few times - checked about a week ago but didn't see any information. Log on tonight and it's sold out. Do they not email or tweet ticket info?
Been to Millwall a couple of times................... Last time being when Kasey Keller got Don Goodman sent off. From memory I think it was midweek Mick McCarthy was their Manager Never had any hassle down there, mind there was only 2 of us and were as hard as nails....................................................................
Remember going there early 90s. Just been living in London a few years at that time. I used to always wear colours, but with their reputation I decided it wasn't a good idea. Met a few fans on the tube, also no colours so I went with them. As we walked down a long wide road towards the ground, I saw a few Safc fans wearing colours about 100yds in front. Suddenly as they past a pub, I noticed a few lads run out and hit a Sunderland fan over the head with a pool cue, and then immediately retreated to the pub before our fans could react. The pub doors were locked straight away so we couldn't retaliate. After witnessing this, and a dire Sunderland performance (believe we were either losing 4-0 or 4-1 at the time), I left early to try and escape any possible trouble. Instead I came across about 5 Millwall supporters, and ran away. Ran round a corner and into a Police carrier. So i stopped, and when the supporters turned the corner and saw the Police they did a massive U turn. Quite amusing.
Funny the reputation they’ve got they’ve never turned up here looking for it in all the time I’ve been old enough to know about hooliganism. I’m 56 so ‘82 started going without my dad and with mates from Seaham.
I only ever saw them act up, at Roker, once and they ended up with police protection to stop them being attacked. From what I recall they were under the scoreboard and left at halt time ... ... I was told they'd mentioned it in one of their books saying we were savages
I don’t really remember us having a trouble making name, just could sort bother out if it happened. Usually the best way.
In all the years I travelled Sunderland didn't go out looking for trouble ... ... but we weren't prepared to be cowed. I doubt we'd ever have had 'gangs', despite the huge numbers we took away, but had to stick together in the end. I only ever once saw a deliberate attack on another gang which was after Chelsea had targeted us down there. The following season we'd arranged to meet the Peterlee lads at a London pub which we didn't realise was the Chelsea 'Headhunters' haunt, we thought it was just for a pint! Five of us drove down, from Nottingham, but were slightly late for the agreed time and looking for somewhere to park. As we got near the pub we saw about 80 Sunderland burst in and, minutes later, Chelsea came pouring out looking like they'd been through a combine harvester
I think times have changed a bit at Millwall these days generally speaking. However I do recall in more recent times they had a right old punch up with Everton in a cup match which can be seen on you tube. Some of the old school Millwall still travel up to SOL and have a drink with our older lads. Daresay if they drew WHU in a cup match it would attract of non match going rabble
