Worked those turnstiles as a steward in 80s. Number of people who climbed over stiles or tried to bribe way in was unbelievable. Bunch of tight gits us cov fans..... but then again I got paid to watch the City !!!
Makes you wonder what the “real” attendances were back then.
A fair few knocked off by turnstile guys putting a few £ in their pocket. A few “squeezes” where two got in for one, a few over the fence, under the gate…
And then, by the time the money got to the counting office, how much was skimmed off by the chairman to pay for player “bonuses” in reddies or indeed just into the chairman’s pocket?
Plus, the more people you declare, the more police etc. you have to pay for?
Where did the suitcases full of cash come from for the 80/90’s “bungs” - wasn’t drawn out if the bank was it!
Some of the photos from the old days where the stands were full were probably where the ground had huge numbers of actual people.
It’s the other way round now.