Scariest time at a ground. (5 Viewers)

[RegiswasGod]

17th March 1998. FA Cup Quarter final replay at Brammall Lane. Me and my mate couldn't get tickets in the away end, so sat in the home end. Another mate was at Sheffield uni at the time, so we were able to park there. We had our city scarves on, but they were hidden underneath our umbro managers coats. When Telfer scored, we sat in silence, as we did for the remainder of the half. At half time, my mate notices that there is a lad pointing us out to a pair of big, nasty looking bastards. We realised, pretty swiftly, that my scarf was on show. We got up and walked very quickly out of the ground, looked back and saw they were following us. We legged it, never once looking back. We ran for what felt like forever, practically shitting ourselves. Eventually we stopped and looked around. We'd lost them but were also lost ourselves. We got our bearings and got back to the car, 5 minutes before they scored that late equaliser. We listened to our penalty shoot out demise on the way home. It was a horrible night, just 2 months after my favourite ever away day at Anfield.

I fucking hate Sheffield United.

 

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[tom88]

I think the worst I've seen at football was either Villa away multiple times in the 90's, or one of the games at home to Manchester United around the same time. I was not involved in that stuff but one of the pubs we used to drink in was the Brewer And Baker so obviously we saw and heard a lot. That particular day was quite eventful.

Although the maddest thing I was ever involved in was away from football and was during a night out in Lutterworth, when about a dozen of us from Bedworth ended up scrapping against most of their town.

I live in a small village on the outskirts of Lutterworth and went high school and the grammar school there. Not one bit surprised, full of big fish in a small pond. Small town syndrome

 

[Dazmataz]

Villa away in the relegation game. Shutters came up in the concourse at HT and it was warfare. The fans brawled and were soon outdone by the old Bill wading in clubbing people. I was 13 or 14 and with my mum. We had to take shelter in the ladies

I was down in the concourse too. Remember all the police flying in and getting out of the way as fast as I could .

 

[Covkid1968#]

I remember the Leeds fans running onto the pitch at Highfield Road, when we played them last game of the season.

One of the only times I got on the pitch.... just lost the plot seeing Leeds attacking kids in the West Terrace. I honed in on a ginger Leeds lad like an Exocet missile. Red mist lifted rapidly when the police got on aswell. I’d have to be helped on now and it would all be over by the time I’d got on and straightened my glasses

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

One of the only times I got on the pitch.... just lost the plot seeing Leeds attacking kids in the West Terrace. I honed in on a ginger Leeds lad like an Exocet missile. Red mist lifted rapidly when the police got on aswell. I’d have to be helped on now and it would all be over by the time I’d got on and straightened my glasses

Always wondered how David Hopkin lost his teeth

 

[Magwitch]

Loads of aggro at Cov games most weeks from the late 60s to the end of the 80s seemed to die off after Hillsbrough. Probably happened at most grounds but we being very central were easier to get too so apart from the big boys most clubs were not a lot more than a hundred miles away M1 M6 and on a busy rail route. Was talking to some footie fans on holiday some years ago, Londoners, scousers and Villa all said the walk from HR to the station via what I worked out was Far Gosford Street was one of the scariest in the country.
I remember a massive battle down there v Wolves one night game in what can only be described as a full scale riot not personally involved but trapped in the mayham watching and a bloody police horse trod straight on my foot was due to play what would have been my only cup-final the next weekend but was limping for weeks.

 

[robbiethemole]

I live in a small village on the outskirts of Lutterworth and went high school and the grammar school there. Not one bit surprised, full of big fish in a small pond. Small town syndrome

where are you I live in Countesthorpe now, moved from Rugby a couple of years ago

 

[Magwitch]

There was plenty of aggro to be had in Lutterworth most the locals were Leicester fans so come the end of the night it was fair game to be swinging a few right hooks around, same with Hinckley.

 

[tisza]

Used to go with a group of mates and we were all quite big so used to attract a fair bit of attention even though were just going for the football. even bought a beat up van one season for the away games but had to give it up as was just too much hassle.
Worst Cov game was the west Ham away league cup semi as a kid. Just carnage.
Non-cov game was when Milwall played Ferencvaros- who have a large hooligan following. In Becketts Irish pub in Budapest with a load of normal Millwall fans inc. women when it got charged by large number of Ferencvaros with gas grenades and assorted weapons. Then the riot police turned up and finished off the job whilst letting the Fradi fans go. There were some serious stabbings. Seriously thought someone was going to get killed in there. Later there was more trouble what small number of Millwall hooligans were there went round taking on much bigger groups of locals. Apparently Millwall fans went up to Ferencvaros game at Hearts looking for revenge.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

The problem is caused by those that decide it’s ok to sit anywhere. Sit in your assigned seats and there’s no problem.

Stewards didn’t help either and just told us to sort it out amongst ourselves. Other half has a visual impairment so could hardly see the game from where we ended up going.

 

[Londonccfcfan]

Dare I say our League 2 season was the first and only one where I felt intimidated by our own fans. People squaring up to my missus to get us to move out of seats we’d paid for even at home games when the play offs were getting close. Away games similar stuff people just acting like total knobs and not how it’s been before or after.

Agree with this. Most scared I been was when with own fans ( scared as in my son's safety).
When they have been drinking and drugged up all day long. On one occasion at Brighton away in the cup. When we scored a group of big massive lads few rows behind just jumped on lads in front imagine domino effect. Me and my son both were hurt. We were in a state of shock for few mins after.

They were so out of it. It was pointless kicking off or expecting an apology.

At away grounds.
Kicked off outside Port Vale burslem (what a shit hole) saw fights were our supporters buses were, Few years ago boxing day.

The walk out of the stadium at the stadium of light wasn't pleasant or the walk back to our hotel after the match. 5-4 win.

Remember the police cordon and fence holding back their fans from getting at us.

Stupidity the fact we were above their fans during the match. Lol always was going to be a recipe for disaster.

 

[Magwitch]

What you have to remember when talking the local old bill most of them support their home team too and be it Leicester, Manc or Brummie cops don’t expect too much sympathy from them.
I remember being in Liverpool for a game v Liverpool asking a cop the way and there’s no doubt he sent us where the main scallys were.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Agree with this. Most scared I been was when with own fans ( scared as in my son's safety).
When they have been drinking and drugged up all day long. On one occasion at Brighton away in the cup. When we scored a group of big massive lads few rows behind just jumped on lads in front imagine domino effect. Me and my son both were hurt. We were in a state of shock for few mins after.

They were so out of it. It was pointless kicking off or expecting an apology.

At away grounds.
Kicked off outside Port Vale burslem (what a shit hole) saw fights were our supporters buses were, Few years ago boxing day.

The walk out of the stadium at the stadium of light wasn't pleasant or the walk back to our hotel after the match. 5-4 win.

Remember the police cordon and fence holding back their fans from getting at us.

Stupidity the fact we were above their fans during the match. Lol always was going to be a recipe for disaster.

At the Crewe game that season we ended up getting collapsed into by some people who decided to stand in front of the people in their seats because they wanted a better view. Cue getting whacked into when the ball came that way and when we scored I got inadvertently hit in the face a few times. Put the missus off going to away games again and she’s still not keen on it. Have been to a few since which have been much better spirited

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

Loads of aggro at Cov games most weeks from the late 60s to the end of the 80s seemed to die off after Hillsbrough. Probably happened at most grounds but we being very central were easier to get too so apart from the big boys most clubs were not a lot more than a hundred miles away M1 M6 and on a busy rail route. Was talking to some footie fans on holiday some years ago, Londoners, scousers and Villa all said the walk from HR to the station via what I worked out was Far Gosford Street was one of the scariest in the country.
I remember a massive battle down there v Wolves one night game in what can only be described as a full scale riot not personally involved but trapped in the mayham watching and a bloody police horse trod straight on my foot was due to play what would have been my only cup-final the next weekend but was limping for weeks.

Away fans going to the station were escorted via Gulson Road, and under the subway leading to Quinton Road, before they reached the train station. Given all the pubs on Gosford Street I don't think the Police would have been too keen on them taking that route

 

[BornSlippySkyBlue]

1970's Birmingham, Leicester, Ddrby, Stoke and West Ham away never seemed to be without incident.

Worst experience at Highfield Road wasnt Leeds or Portsmouth... but Millwall FA 76 or 77 ish.

Portsmouth one I remember was when we relegated them (late 80’s?) and a few of them climbed over a fence in the sky blue stand before the “I o legion” chant went out and they got chased back again pretty quickly. Wasn’t all that bad really (although it was a while ago so memory might be dodgy) , few punches and it got split up.

Remember another one when we played QPR in 96(?) and ended up in a slanging match with one of their fans before we all ran at each other and realised a bit late there was a line of coppers in the way watching every word. Anyway, as we all realised we were about to get nicked we all just stopped and had a chat. Turned out to be a decent bunch of lads, half were Scottish who lived in London and followed the ‘local team’. Went for a drink with them in the Cross after the match (and later that night went out in Birmingham and met my future wife). Ha.

Nuddy scored one of his specials that night

That’s the one, Dublin popping up with a trademark header and Nuddy doing Nuddy things. M5 was a nightmare getting there. Back in the days when WBA were lower league nothings and we were top-flight. Oh well.

 

[Magwitch]

Not all the time they used to be frog marched down Far Gosford Street passed the museum and up by the police station. I know they stopped taking away fans Gulson Road way because of damage being caused to cars queueing to get through the lights

 

[BornSlippySkyBlue]

17th March 1998. FA Cup Quarter final replay at Brammall Lane. Me and my mate couldn't get tickets in the away end, so sat in the home end. Another mate was at Sheffield uni at the time, so we were able to park there. We had our city scarves on, but they were hidden underneath our umbro managers coats. When Telfer scored, we sat in silence, as we did for the remainder of the half. At half time, my mate notices that there is a lad pointing us out to a pair of big, nasty looking bastards. We realised, pretty swiftly, that my scarf was on show. We got up and walked very quickly out of the ground, looked back and saw they were following us. We legged it, never once looking back. We ran for what felt like forever, practically shitting ourselves. Eventually we stopped and looked around. We'd lost them but were also lost ourselves. We got our bearings and got back to the car, 5 minutes before they scored that late equaliser. We listened to our penalty shoot out demise on the way home. It was a horrible night, just 2 months after my favourite ever away day at Anfield.

I fucking hate Sheffield United.

I was at uni In Sheffield at the time and couldn’t get ticket in the away end, so sat in their bit with my Mrs. Managed to stay quiet all the way through until they scored the winner and some big northern twat started shaking me about (he thought I was a shef fan). When he saw I didn’t react in any way he just let go and said “you city?”, to which I replied yes (half expecting a slap) and he just let go of me and carried on celebrating. We shook hands at the end.

Also happened to live with a blade (who was also a twat) and of course i bumped into him outside the ground afterwards. Will never forget that game.

 

[tom88]

where are you I live in Countesthorpe now, moved from Rugby a couple of years ago

small village called Claybrooke

I used to work in Whetstone and have many friends in blaby/countesthorpe etc

 

[DannyThomas_1981]

Never mind West Ham away 81, the Zulus, Wolves night-time games or demented police horses charging around Thackall St like they were on acid in the 80s.....

It was the look the Missus gave me when I crawled in at 1am after a game at St Andrews last season that really chilled me to the core.....

 

[OldBedrocker]

Hillsborough in the quarter finals. I'm not small and I was getting tossed around like a rag doll. Crazy to think what happened there a few years later.

Definitely this game. Me and my mate who is no longer with us were both 17 and in the centre pen.
Due to the crush our feet didn’t touch the floor for ages. Eventually we began to sink down and still couldn’t get our footing it was like being in quicksand, when our heads were down below the crowd I can remember thinking that was it I’m going to die.
Suddenly some big unit behind grabbed us both by the collar and pulled us back up I could’ve kissed him. Watching the Liverpool semi 2 years later bought it back

 

[Sick Boy]

I think the worst I've seen at football was either Villa away multiple times in the 90's, or one of the games at home to Manchester United around the same time. I was not involved in that stuff but one of the pubs we used to drink in was the Brewer And Baker so obviously we saw and heard a lot. That particular day was quite eventful.

Although the maddest thing I was ever involved in was away from football and was during a night out in Lutterworth, when about a dozen of us from Bedworth ended up scrapping against most of their town.

had something similar in Lutterworth, it seems they don’t like outsiders.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

There was plenty of aggro to be had in Lutterworth most the locals were Leicester fans so come the end of the night it was fair game to be swinging a few right hooks around, same with Hinckley.

Went to Hinckley on a stag night around the early 80s. Went in a pub (about 25 of us) and it was full of local skinheads; hostile as f*ck Never been so convinced it was going to kick off, yet the lad who was getting married(City fan, as most of us were - a couple of Blues fans, too) could make the Arabs and Jews shake hands, and somehow we stayed for an hour without incident.

 

[oscillatewildly]

I believe so, pure carnage. Getting into the west terrace, or trying.

They got as far as the Kevin Macdonald stand. Our Stone Island/Burberry/Ralph Lauren heroes legged it as soon as Pompey started making a move towards the West Terrace. Pride was only restored by our battling 30 - 40 somethings adorned in a selection of BHS/C&A acrylic/knitwear.

 

[Terry_dactyl]

Portsmouth one I remember was when we relegated them (late 80’s?) and a few of them climbed over a fence in the sky blue stand before the “I o legion” chant went out and they got chased back again pretty quickly. Wasn’t all that bad really (although it was a while ago so memory might be dodgy) , few punches and it got split up.

Remember another one when we played QPR in 96(?) and ended up in a slanging match with one of their fans before we all ran at each other and realised a bit late there was a line of coppers in the way watching every word. Anyway, as we all realised we were about to get nicked we all just stopped and had a chat. Turned out to be a decent bunch of lads, half were Scottish who lived in London and followed the ‘local team’. Went for a drink with them in the Cross after the match (and later that night went out in Birmingham and met my future wife). Ha.

That’s the one, Dublin popping up with a trademark header and Nuddy doing Nuddy things. M5 was a nightmare getting there. Back in the days when WBA were lower league nothings and we were top-flight. Oh well.

Remember the Pompey game well, I’d have been about 9. Also the most scared I’ve been at a game. We sent them down cos of a penalty for handball. Kevin Dhillon protecting his face from a Cyrille blaster.
The reason I was so scared was cos I was sat next to my Pompey supporting dad...”sit the fuck down” he growled after I cheered our goal. The rest of the game and the walk home...was scary.
Still, I can take the piss out of the old fart now! Especially after we beat them last year!

 

[Brylowes]

Not so much scary but definitely adrenaline inducing for a 9 y/o up in the Sky Blue Stand, I remember Forest having the entire Spion Kop and it being packed to bursting point, massive pitch invasion from them and then the Cov mob from the west end, both mobs legging each other up and down the pitch for what seemed like ages, hundreds of police inc many on horse back trying to keep them apart.
this would have been Forest in their Clough heyday, late 70s.

 

[ccfc1234]

Remember when it kicked off with Portsmouth(?) at HR?

I was there. 657 crew caused issues all day.

 

[Terry Gibson's perm]

Seen a few things over the years.

Got chased int he 80’s by arsenal fans just after the park by hr.

Can remember a game at the baseball ground where the fans were trying to get at each other in the street through a line of police vans.

Had quite a bit of stuff thrown down on us at wolves.

Was on a train that got totally wrecked going to Villa Park and our fans were throwing light bulbs at the Villa fans below as we went over a bridge. The train got delayed from new street as it was rammed as t was the last one as we had been on the piss at my mates house since 9am and got into the rocket for opening time.

Also hull fans leaving the ground early and forcing themselves into the back of the west terrace was a bit hairy.

 

[Sick Boy]

At the Crewe game that season we ended up getting collapsed into by some people who decided to stand in front of the people in their seats because they wanted a better view. Cue getting whacked into when the ball came that way and when we scored I got inadvertently hit in the face a few times. Put the missus off going to away games again and she’s still not keen on it. Have been to a few since which have been much better spirited

Were they the morons with the Rangers flag?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Were they the morons with the Rangers flag?

No we were fairly central, about half way up the stand

 

[covboy1987]

I remember the Leeds fans running onto the pitch at Highfield Road, when we played them last game of the season.

I remember the Leeds fans running onto the pitch at Highfield Road, when we played them last game of the season.

Remember this well Leeds fans looking for trouble all day and certainly got what was coming to them – A mob of them 50+ ran on the pitch running to the Cov end taunting them - load of us all got together met them in the penalty area and ran them all over the place- In the end they were asking police for protection – didn’t end there a lot of their coaches were parked on Swan lane they got hammered again

 

[Macca1987]

Many many away scary games, wouldn't be able to recount them all, but we were at the Liverpool 2-2 cup game, arrived late and got shoved up in the Liverpool stands on the side, I seem to remember for the last 5 mins we laid siege to their goal, coming down the stairs this massive old geezer clocked us and knew we weren't Liverpool, said 'you lot were lucky', I shouted back 'Us, we should have hammered you at the end'. He started piling past people to try and get to me, I was down the stairs and out the ground like a rabbit, then walking to the coach they got all their young fans walking behind you and kicking your legs and if you reacted they piled in, I remember my mate taking a few kicks as we walked to the coach, he waited until he was just about to step on the coach and then turned round and lamped one of the scallies.
West Ham away in the cup semi was scary as fuck as well, remember walking up to the turnstiles and all the Cov fans were coming back over the turnstiles as West Ham had got in our end, fighting going on most of that night.
Funniest and a bit scary, we drove down to West Ham and parked up close to the ground as I used to live down there, it was the year where there was a big crash on the motorway or the inner orbital and our boot guy had to leg it to the ground with the team sheet, anyway the five of us went into this pub for a pint, we were all standing together in the middle of the pub when this big old guy came over to us and whispered in my mates ear 'you lot are facking brave, this is the hammers pub', needless to say our pints were downed and we were out of there as fast as you could imagine lol

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

anyway the five of us went into this pub for a pint, we were all standing together in the middle of the pub when this big old guy came over to us and whispered in my mates ear 'you lot are facking brave, this is the hammers pub', needless to say our pints were downed and we were out of there as fast as you could imagine lol

Very funnily a similar thing happened to me in Brighton for our game there in 2011, just walked down to a pub near the station and didn't think it mattered where I went. Cue a bunch saying 'your lot are shite' etc to get a reaction and another going 'he thinks you're SCUM, but he respects ya for wearing that in here'. Most of the time now if you don't want trouble you won't get it at least

 

[lordy_87]

Agree with this. Most scared I been was when with own fans ( scared as in my son's safety).
When they have been drinking and drugged up all day long. On one occasion at Brighton away in the cup. When we scored a group of big massive lads few rows behind just jumped on lads in front imagine domino effect. Me and my son both were hurt. We were in a state of shock for few mins after.

They were so out of it. It was pointless kicking off or expecting an apology.

Seems to have become a new thing to do for young groups of lads literally jumping on each other and crashing down to row below when a goal is scored. It's fucking stupid

 

[lordy_87]

Seems to have become a new thing to do for young groups of lads literally jumping on each other and crashing down to row below when a goal is scored. It's fucking stupid

Then going on about the "limbs" after

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

I was there. 657 crew caused issues all day.

Was a long time coming iirc, was an incident between CCFC and Pompey fans years before and they’d promised retribution next time we played