The Longside

[giveusaB]

Great footage from in and around the Longside on the day the fans had the chance to say a last farewell.

https://youtu.be/zGCUKE1jUyE

[karatekid]

It really was a dump

[Devils_Advocate]

Wow never realised the crowds got that low. Must have been mid eighties cos by time I started going on the Longside was always fairly packed even if the Jimmy McIlroy End was normally deserted

[Bosscat]

Great footage from in and around the Longside on the day the fans had the chance to say a last farewell.

https://youtu.be/zGCUKE1jUyE

Lovely Toilets

[yTib]

i remember lots of winter matches in the mid 80s where it seemed empty.

miss those railings though. i'd always be sitting up em with me legs poking out.

[elwaclaret]

Wow never realised the crowds got that low. Must have been mid eighties cos by time I started going on the Longside was always fairly packed even if the Jimmy McIlroy End was normally deserted

Taffy once said it was nice to have them read out team changes instead of crowd changing before kick-off. Can’t remember the gate but pretty sure Colchester home on a Tuesday night... the place was like a morg. It really did look like the end was nigh.

But I vaguely remember visiting I think it was opened daily for a few days so people could take a last look around, remembrances and a nosey at a quiet turf. When I trained in the gym at the back I’d often stand quietly looking at the ground in semi darkness. I sometimes got a telling off if Roy Oldfield but unlike most I honoured his Keep off the Grass Sign as I would any shrine. I just like to be alone in my cathedral.

Mixed memories of historic days... hopefully the club will never have to see the like again.

[houseboy]

It really was a dump

No it wasn’t. I for one would love it back. The noise and atmosphere when it was mostly full was electric and far better than it is now. When they tore it down they ripped the living breathing heart out of the ground.

BRING BACK TERRACING!!!

***I know it won’t happen but one can dream.

[elwaclaret]

No it wasn’t. I for one would love it back. The noise and atmosphere when it was mostly full was electric and far better than it is now. When they tore it down they ripped the living breathing heart out of the ground.

BRING BACK TERRACING!!!

***I know it won’t happen but one can dream.

It could never happen houseboy, though there is a chance of safe standing... but in fairness no-one really knew any different then. They’re great memories, but some of those division four away ends would not be allowed now in animal laboratories. Not to mention the toilets, where you new it must be a new season because there was a toilet block in the urinal and a bucket of bleach thrown over the floor.

[ClaretTony]

Man City to install over 5,000 rail seats this summer at the Etihad.

[NewClaret]

Man City to install over 5,000 rail seats this summer at the Etihad.

Really? Is that a trial or is it now allowed for everyone?

[gandhisflipflop]

Man City to install over 5,000 rail seats this summer at the Etihad.

Brilliant they just need to find fans to fill them now

[The Hung Juror]

It really was a dump

Please explain.

[Dark Cloud]

The Longside, possibly more by luck than design, generated an incredible din, even when not that full. When it was packed the noise was deafening and most modern day stands, including ours, struggle to replicate that. I guess that's mainly to do with the way the roof is made much more open these days. That's why I think simply Installing new terrace or rail seating alone won't necessarily change things that much, but still it's interesting news re Man City as I didn't know about that.

[DCWat]

Come on, admit it.... Which of you was it with the hammer collecting a commemorative lump of concrete? And the big question, did you keep it or lob it?

[ClaretTony]

Really? Is that a trial or is it now allowed for everyone?

Spurs and Wolves already have them and I think Man United are installing some this summer too. Standing isn't allowed but rail seats are which makes standing so much easier. Last season at Spurs I found so much easier with having the barrier to lean on rather than try to stand unaided for 90 minutes.

[durhamclaret]

BFC v Colchester Tues 4th Nov 1986
Attendance 1686 yes one thousand six hundred and eighty six!
I have to admit that I wasn’t one of those loyal souls.
Who was there?

[Steve1956]

Many a happy game spent on that terrace when it was packed and sometimes when it was easy to count each and everyone stood on it,nothing comes close to standing on a packed terrace watching your team..Happy days.

[ClaretTony]

You've miscalculated, it was 1,696 and I think the match ball sponsor was there.

[durhamclaret]

You've miscalculated, it was 1,696 and I think the match ball sponsor was there.

Haha well only 10 out, still very grim, match ball sponsor, excellent!!!!

[simonclaret]

Was that the Andy Farrell playing for Colchester?

[ClaretTony]

Was that the Andy Farrell playing for Colchester?

It was. We signed him at the end of that season.

[Herts Clarets]

BFC v Colchester Tues 4th Nov 1986
Attendance 1686 yes one thousand six hundred and eighty six!
I have to admit that I wasn’t one of those loyal souls.
Who was there?

Yup I was there in the CF stand. I missed 2 home games that season as i was playing for Cliviger Reserves to help a mate out. The 2 games I missed were v Hereford United and v Wolverhampton Wanderers.....11 goals conceded in 2 games and neither of those were the worst performance that season......

[ClaretTony]

The 2 games I missed were v Hereford United and v Wolverhampton Wanderers.....11 goals conceded in 2 games and neither of those were the worst performance that season......

Rochdale?

[lakedistrictclaret]

I first saw the Clarets away at Blackpool in 1960-61.

Until this season, the only season when I never saw us play, home or away, was 86-87.

[Spijed]

...

[Spijed]

Yup I was there in the CF stand. I missed 2 home games that season as i was playing for Cliviger Reserves to help a mate out. The 2 games I missed were v Hereford United and v Wolverhampton Wanderers.....11 goals conceded in 2 games and neither of those were the worst performance that season......

The full list of results for that season.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986%E2%8 ... .C._season

I went to the away game at Rochdale when we won 2-0. I bet I wasn't the only one thinking we'd done more than enough to survive after that game....

[Quicknick]

I first saw the Clarets away at Blackpool in 1960-61.

Until this season, the only season when I never saw us play, home or away, was 86-87.

Blackpool away 60/61: good following?

[TheFamilyCat]

You've miscalculated, it was 1,696 and I think the match ball sponsor was there.

Were you counted in the 1,696?

[lakedistrictclaret]

Blackpool away 60/61: good following?

It would have been, we always take a lot there, but I was only eight years old, and I can't remember!

[beddie]

CT. You must have one of the best collections of Burnley programmes ever owned by a claret. Incidentally did you receive any form of hospitality for sponsoring the ball, just curious to know if they did it back then.

[elwaclaret]

You've miscalculated, it was 1,696 and I think the match ball sponsor was there.

Very good of Stoke City to offer a helping hand like that.

[elwaclaret]

CT. You must have one of the best collections of Burnley programmes ever owned by a claret. Incidentally did you receive any form of hospitality for sponsoring the ball, just curious to know if they did it back then.

Boxcar always took the Micky that Tony only collected games he attended. I was once buying an Aston Villa programme from the 1920’s at the football fan when Tony strolled in... “am I ok to sell him this one... oh yes you were busy that day, weren’t you Tony”

[Herts Clarets]

Rochdale?

Yes it was. Unless you can think of another performance that plumbed the depths of ineptitude quite like we delivered that day.

And i think Tony has posted on here before about the appalling treatment he received as match ball sponsor at the Colchester game. From memory I think Taffy and possibly Billy Rodaway were the 2 who actually took steps to try and offer some kind of hospitality. Looking back, it really does beggar belief that our club was allowed to sink to such depths.

[ClaretTony]

Were you counted in the 1,696?

Now that is a very good question and there were four of us. I very much doubt we were counted. The whole night was a farce and summed up the state of our club. They'd no seats for us to watch the match so we sat in the old directors box in the cricket field. There was nowhere to go after the game but we were eventually allowed into what is now the Harry Potts Lounge. While in there director Bernard Rothwell came in, saw us and at the top of his voice demanded to know who we were, why we were in there and to get rid of us.

I'd three guests with me, one who could have financially helped the club. We were treated appallingly but the night was rescued by four people - former player Jim Thomson who was commercial manager at the time and three who had played in the game - Joe Gallagher, Leighton James and Billy Rodaway. I know one of the three is somewhat arrogant and self centred but they are three brilliant blokes.

[ClaretTony]

Yes it was. Unless you can think of another performance that plumbed the depths of ineptitude quite like we delivered that day.

And i think Tony has posted on here before about the appalling treatment he received as match ball sponsor at the Colchester game. From memory I think Taffy and possibly Billy Rodaway were the 2 who actually took steps to try and offer some kind of hospitality. Looking back, it really does beggar belief that our club was allowed to sink to such depths.

You must have been posting this while I was posting mine. Yes, Taffy & Billy Rod but also Joe Gallagher and Jimmy T. Appalling from two bob millionaire Rothwell who was so pompous and full of self importance.

Yes, Rochdale. It's hard explaining to someone who sees that the next home game was a 6-0 loss against Hereford that this was actually much, much worse. I will always wonder how on earth Dusty kept us up that season.

[Silkyskills1]

Now that is a very good question and there were four of us. I very much doubt we were counted. The whole night was a farce and summed up the state of our club. They'd no seats for us to watch the match so we sat in the old directors box in the cricket field. There was nowhere to go after the game but we were eventually allowed into what is now the Harry Potts Lounge. While in there director Bernard Rothwell came in, saw us and at the top of his voice demanded to know who we were, why we were in there and to get rid of us.

I'd three guests with me, one who could have financially helped the club. We were treated appallingly but the night was rescued by four people - former player Jim Thomson who was commercial manager at the time and three who had played in the game - Joe Gallagher, Leighton James and Billy Rodaway. I know one of the three is somewhat arrogant and self centred but they are three brilliant blokes.

I've got to know Billy Rodaway over the years through a marriage in the family. Just to reinforce your comment about him being 'a brilliant bloke'. Whenever I meet up with him he's always kind and willing to chat about his time as a claret and football in general. Still always refers to the Clarets as 'us' despite being a staunch Evertonian and I'm guessing he would have been delighted with the display and outcome last week at Goodison Park. Born and brought up in Liverpool 1 he keeps in touch with a lot of ex-footballers from his era where I believe Ronnie Goodlass is a big mate. Top man is Billy.

[simonclaret]

Bernard Rothwell. Retired three days before his 70th birthday saying he planned to spend his retirement at his farmhouse home, cruising and holidaying. Died on a cruise aged 70.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... uise-ship/

[conyoviejo]

Sad.

[ClaretTony]

I've got to know Billy Rodaway over the years through a marriage in the family. Just to reinforce your comment about him being 'a brilliant bloke'. Whenever I meet up with him he's always kind and willing to chat about his time as a claret and football in general. Still always refers to the Clarets as 'us' despite being a staunch Evertonian and I'm guessing he would have been delighted with the display and outcome last week at Goodison Park. Born and brought up in Liverpool 1 he keeps in touch with a lot of ex-footballers from his era where I believe Ronnie Goodlass is a big mate. Top man is Billy.

I don't think I've seen Billy since he was at Colne Dynamoes but I did speak to him on the phone a few years ago when the Supporters Groups were presenting an award to Ian Britton to see if he wanted to come over. He was having a hip (or knee) replacement at the time but couldn't make it. He's an absolutely top bloke is Billy Rod.

[expoultryboy]

Definitely on the day , as the as the only home game i didn't go on that season was Orient ! I remember at Rochdale , 4 Burnley fans leaving the Lancashire Lad carrying the one armed bandit .

[TheFamilyCat]

Now that is a very good question and there were four of us. I very much doubt we were counted. The whole night was a farce and summed up the state of our club. They'd no seats for us to watch the match so we sat in the old directors box in the cricket field. There was nowhere to go after the game but we were eventually allowed into what is now the Harry Potts Lounge. While in there director Bernard Rothwell came in, saw us and at the top of his voice demanded to know who we were, why we were in there and to get rid of us.

I'd three guests with me, one who could have financially helped the club. We were treated appallingly but the night was rescued by four people - former player Jim Thomson who was commercial manager at the time and three who had played in the game - Joe Gallagher, Leighton James and Billy Rodaway. I know one of the three is somewhat arrogant and self centred but they are three brilliant blokes.

I didn't watch my first game until October '87 so missed the worst of our history but reading that it's no wonder we ended up in so much ****.

[IanMcL]

It maybe only 10 but 10 is a fair % back then!

[martintheaker]

BFC v Colchester Tues 4th Nov 1986
Attendance 1686 yes one thousand six hundred and eighty six!
I have to admit that I wasn’t one of those loyal souls.
Who was there?

Yep, I was there that night. Pretty sure the BHE was closed because there was a firework display at half time. In reality, it looked like a small box of Standard Fireworks from the corner shop rather than a proper display.

[Volvoclaret]

I just tiptoed through.

[Walkerpool]

BFC v Colchester Tues 4th Nov 1986
Attendance 1686 yes one thousand six hundred and eighty six!
I have to admit that I wasn’t one of those loyal souls.
Who was there?

To be fair I remember a lot of times when there must of been at least 8000 and the gate would be announced at 2000

[tim_noone]

To be fair I remember a lot of times when there must of been at least 8000 and the gate would be announced at 2000

Without Doubt....on a regular basis.... England v Wales Schoolboys was packed in the two stands opened BL and CFS. Gate I'm sure was given around 3000. I didnt and will never believe the gate announcement that night which was a great Evening.

[Herts Clarets]

You must have been posting this while I was posting mine. Yes, Taffy & Billy Rod but also Joe Gallagher and Jimmy T. Appalling from two bob millionaire Rothwell who was so pompous and full of self importance.

Yes, Rochdale. It's hard explaining to someone who sees that the next home game was a 6-0 loss against Hereford that this was actually much, much worse. I will always wonder how on earth Dusty kept us up that season.

Your experience of Rothwell doesn't differ much from mine when i worked at the Turf and dealt with the directors several times each game. And speaking to my Dad, he knew Rothwell many years before and i cannot repeat on here what he called him. Pompous and full of self importance featured, as they did with you, along with arrogant and ignorant. The rest as i say is not repeatable.

[CaptJohn]

I miss it for sure. I can't stand sitting down

[Chobulous]

I just tiptoed through.

With your boots on?

[houseboy]

Many a happy game spent on that terrace when it was packed and sometimes when it was easy to count each and everyone stood on it,nothing comes close to standing on a packed terrace watching your team..Happy days.

You and I on many occasions mate.