I'm sure it was the Holt end I was in. Beckham was injured and the Villa fans was cheering till they realised England was playing the week later and he could miss the game v Germany But like you said that was a cracking atmosphere and almost like being back in the good old days
Electric cigarettes are as annoying as real ones and should be banned from public spaces in my opinion. As for atmosphere, it has gone downhill a lot with the stadium redevelopments and fans being moved about. The East end spirit is gone and too many people don't sing along to chants. Don't have a problem with swearing or people making noise.
I think this thread indicates the changing face of football support (recently illustrated by my comments about average age attendance) in that the modern supporter demands different standards to those experienced in the "good old days". It is to me indicative of a syndrome that the modern game is moving towards dealing with customers rather than supporters. The same argument applies to pubs and race courses. Comment has also been made about the north/south divide, this is absolutely true as generally speaking northern people are more social and in touch with their emotions. Still a good few years of prosperity with the upcoming "Northern Powerhouse" will sort that out. Put yourself in the place of the Club Owner what would you do ? Quite simply they are about "bums on seats" and any old "revenue channel". I think BCFC have got it right, its just that they are not very good at communication.
Like the country itself, football has been overtaken by an overbearing Nanny State approach, which was virtually forced upon clubs in the wake of the violence of the 70's and 80's, and in the aftermath and inquests of the Ibrox, Hillsborough, Heysel and Valley Parade disasters. When I first started going to City matches towards the end of the 1960's it was unusual to see any women at all, at least in the Enclosure or East End where I was taken. As several of you said it was a working mans game where you met your friends for a couple of pints and a good swear. Like others, I can still see and smell the *** and pipe smoke rising on night games, illuminated by the old style (and proper!) floodlights on pylons that you could see for miles due to their height. The game in many respects now lacks the raw essence of what football was (and IMO still should be) and that is a tough and uncompromising physical battle between two teams, and possibly between 2 sets of supporters giving each other verbal, rather than physical abuse, played on a muddy pitch in driving rain where hairstyles, how famous their spouse is, and the brand of Aftershave the players use doesn't have any relevance whatsoever. Most of that disappeared years ago unfortunately.
I whole heartedly agree.. but lets remember I was one of many queing up outside Fairfax house at Xmas to get some Brut 45 because Kevin Keegan wore it.... oh and didn't we all wear the same ridiculous hairstyles?
Agree 100% Loved it those days on the Enclosure and sadly fans below the age of 30 will probably sadly never have that again.
And Our 'Enery did too. But I also had Denim and Hi Karati and later Blue Stratos after shave and Falcon hairspray even though I was only about 14 and not yet shaving ! Fairfax House was where I used to buy my Subbeteo teams and accessories if I could ever find the right floor/department. Then there was trying to find the way out of the store ! The price label always said CRS which I think stood for Co-Op Retail Services.
A book that id recommend for all those who want nostalgia about what football used to be about. Highlights well whats missing from the modern game. please log in to view this image
In the 1980s I used to stand in the East End about 5 rows up behind the goal. Although it was 'free standing' we always stood in the same place and there was a chap there who used to smoke a curly pipe. I also used to smoke (cigs) back in those days. After a skinful in the Robins pub the atmosphere in the East End used to be great - and when we scored we would be 'crowd-surfed' by the surge forward! Those were the days of Alan Walsh - and I think it was Keith Waugh in goal. The equivalent to Wagstaff back then (in terms of not being liked) was Paul Fitzpatrick - the fans really didn't like him and used to sing a song about a horses arse every time he played!
I used to stand about another 5 rows back from you (half way up the stand) slightly to the right of the goal as you looked at it! Its true how your own little mob always got the same space yet it was utter chaos in there!..happy days.
I remember it well,it was the same then as it is now,some players you liked,others you thought what are they doing on the pitch. Remember when Tottenham came over the fence from the enclosure,crazy days.
I said 5 rows back, but in truth I can't honestly remember - and we were to the right of the goal too but not directly behind it (we looked OVER the goal, not through it) - we were probably right next to each other all those years ago!
It sounds very much like that is possible.. it was heaving in there and like you say the crowd surge on scoring a goal.. health and safety would never allow it today. I used to love it though, kids have no fear do they..
Looks like we all used to stand pretty close together then because I used to stand behind the goal (slightly to the left looking at the pitch), also about 10 rows back i.e. just above crossbar height at the same time. Talking of Alan Walsh, I remember an absolute thriller of a battle against Plymouth mid eighties one boxing day when Tommy Tynan scored a hat trick for them and still ended up on the losing side (4-3). Will never forget as the ball rolled out toward Walshy just outside the box and you could hear the crowd drawing breath as one as he cocked the hammer on the cannonball shot and sure enough, it was in the back of the net before the keeper had a chance to move and the place went nuts.... Ahhh, them was the days...
