I was just reminiscing with some old mates and we were discussing games which have led us to fear for our safety. I've had a few near misses in London especially at Spurs and Arsenal but the worst was at Leeds in the League cup semi in 1979. It was a midweek match in Jan and the weather was dire. I don't think the game would have been played these days. We had seats right behind some Leeds fans and there was some good natured banter before and during the first half of the game. Leeds were 2 up early in the second half so the natives were very content, that all changed inside 15 mins when first Holmes scored and then Steve Williams of all people equalised. All the Leeds fans in front of us left and said they would be waiting outside. When the game ended the police had disappeared and we were left to make the long walk back to the coaches along icy pavements. I'm the first to admit I was absolutely terrified! There were dozens of Leeds waiting outside and we were pursued all the way back to the coaches being kicked and punched as we tried to run and keep our footing. I saw several Saints fall and get a right beating! Several of the coaches had windows broken and it was a very very long drive back that night! Anyone else like to share their scariest moment?
ive had nothing on the scale of that! but doncaster (h) when we lsot 2-1 under Portvliet I wasnt comfortable as it felt as if everything was about to kick off - very tense atmosphere with alot of fans kicking off
Clearly things aren't as they used to be, and I'm glad I never had to experience it! It doesn't really get much worse than an incident at Crystal Palace a couple years back where there was a tiny little brawl pitchside with a few of our fans and some palace fans from the Holmesdale Road end - funny really Other than that a few Brighton fans gave me some evils on the bus to the AMEX on monday but that's about it
that barnsley game a few years ago, when good old lowe didnt get any police to save money and they all ran riot, i was terrified espicially as I had my 11 year old brother with me!
its was a game against bristol rovers or city not sure. But after the game people where causing each other down the streets around the stadium. Appartenly it was bristol fans fighting each other.
Liverpool at home can't remeber the year but i was only young we were in the archers road end near the corner with the away fans, in those days all the yougsters got pushe to the front to lean on the knee high wall any way we were 4-1 up with about 5 minutes to go when for some bizarre reason the away fans were allowed out and the home gate was open so of course the scouse arme bundle straight in behind us we got crushed against the wall untill the stewards dragged us over the wall onto the pitch. not really scary for me but i imagine a few of the old timers up the bag were scraping a bit
Why the "Steve Williams of all people" - he was one of the best midfielders we have ever had! Absolute quality footballer. For scary, Semi-final at Highbury v Everton in 1984.
Funny, that one wasn't scary at all for me. 1986 vs Liverpool at WHL was scarier, especially when the police sent both sets of fans down the tunnel from the station together. Luckily nothing kicked off, but it could have been mayhem.
Neve been scared at a football match, Leeds in 07/08 got a little tastey after the game in and outside the ground. Charlton the next season, Cardiff away a few years back... plus many others have seen a bit of a row but it was quite amusing to watch.
Mine was a League game away at Villa, two days before Halloween in 2003 I think. Went with friends of friends on a mini bus who turned out to be high as kites. They went looking for trouble and after the game, right outside the stadium, with not a policeman in sight started singing "**** on the Villa" following a 1-0 win. All of a sudden 2 lads at the back were picked off by Villa fans and an almighty fight broke out with everyone wearing Halloween masks. Luckily after 2 or 3 minutes it was broken up by 5 or 6 middle aged men. I escaped with a few cuts and bruises, but on reflection was lucky to get out alive as we surrounded by thousands of Villa fans! On the was home we bumped into 'Rupert' in services on the M40 and sang his name and he clapped us. If only we knew what was just around the corner!!
My dad will always talk about the semi-final vs Liverpool @ WHL For me, without question away at Fratton Park in 2004.
What actually happened in the Semi at Highbury v Everton in '84? Always hear Saints fans talk about it...
V Millwall at the old Den in January 1978. Cold,crushed,stoned and charged at by the Met calvary. All in all a bad day.
I would say the same, i was on the terracing with my one of my younger brothers and his mate and it became more than hostile with poor segregation which enforced some saints fans up the stairs to the then seated area which as you rightly said, was just as hostile.
I think the worst bit was watching the terracing emptying at the home end knowing exactly where they were all heading!
Its strange there are lots of memories i have, particularly in the 70s, but that Leeds game and the whole events before, during and after are as clear today as they were back then. I must say i did enjoy the home leg as i was in the corner section of Archers road under the letter board, Right next to the Leeds fans and really enjoyed Terry Currans goal to send us back to Wembley again.
Away to Pompey in 1984 was a bit hairy especially the walk to the ground from the train station before the match as there was supposed to be a police escort,but not a copper in sight when we got off the train.We thought we was on a Saints supporters special,and all was ok until it stopped at Fareham,Portchester and Cosham and other various crapholes from the east of the county. Cue scraps at every stop as Pompey fans boarding the train. The highbury cup semi was an adventure,although i dont remember too much about the match as i got wrecked on the bus and in the pub before hand, but it certainly all kicked off after,and the bus home on the way home was half empty as loads of people got arrested. Down the Dell,the Man Utd cup match in 1977 was pretty intense,as Man Utd had one of the most notorious "crews" at the time, and thousands of them turned up without tickets and charged into the ground and the match ended up being played with loads of fans sat round the edge of the pitch as the terraces were overspilling. Also anytime Chelsea or Millwall visited the Dell ended up with trouble all over the town,so you had to keep your wits about you as you were walking to and from the ground.
