Back to 1992 today and a trip to Walsall

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/clarets-ea ... at-walsall

One of the grounds I never minded going to, always got a decent atmosphere

They always struggled to get us in and had to move home fans to give us seats down the side. Was a regular trip during the 1990s but 18 years now since we were last there.

I was in the side stand for the game when Cooke scored a brilliant lobbed goal (might be a bit more praise than deserved) later in the 90s and much preferred behind the goal.

Seriously difficult to believe it was 30 years ago. Cracking atmosphere. I watched from the home stands with a Walsall supporting mate and it looked as if the Clarets fans just kept sucking the ball towards them in the second half. From memory we also had a late chance to snatch it.

Culmclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:46 am

Seriously difficult to believe it was 30 years ago. Cracking atmosphere. I watched from the home stands with a Walsall supporting mate and it looked as if the Clarets fans just kept sucking the ball towards them in the second half. From memory we also had a late chance to snatch it.

It's frightening that it's 30 years ago.

was it the season before when Stuart Rimmer tore us apart? Always a danger at that level.

Culmclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:46 am

Seriously difficult to believe it was 30 years ago. Cracking atmosphere. I watched from the home stands with a Walsall supporting mate and it looked as if the Clarets fans just kept sucking the ball towards them in the second half. From memory we also had a late chance to snatch it.

Yep, just after the equaliser Graham Lancashire hit the post.

Great comeback when as stated in the report we should have been miles out of sight, not 2 goals down. Davies' shot which led to the second was a great strike and deserved a goal in itself, but when the rebound was buried it was mayhem in the away end! And yes, as mentioned above, Lancashire could so easily have won it for us right at the end. Clown!!

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 1:27 pm

Great comeback when as stated in the report we should have been miles out of sight, not 2 goals down. Davies' shot which led to the second was a great strike and deserved a goal in itself, but when the rebound was buried it was mayhem in the away end! And yes, as mentioned above, Lancashire could so easily have won it for us right at the end. Clown!!

I think 'mayhem' just about describes the away end when that second went in.

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 1:27 pm

Great comeback when as stated in the report we should have been miles out of sight, not 2 goals down. Davies' shot which led to the second was a great strike and deserved a goal in itself, but when the rebound was buried it was mayhem in the away end! And yes, as mentioned above, Lancashire could so easily have won it for us right at the end. Clown!!

Some of the goal celebrations that season make you realise what you miss without terracing. Imagine the better away days that season and having to sit down at each one, for those who have only known all seater grounds it is such a shame.

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:07 pm

Some of the goal celebrations that season make you realise what you miss without terracing. Imagine the better away days that season and having to sit down at each one, for those who have only known all seater grounds it is such a shame.

You definitely have a point! Some of the goal celebrations that season being amazing and so vivid in the memory. Walsall yes, but also Northampton, Carlisle, Wrexham, Scunthorpe, Cardiff, YORK! and of course a host of others. I always remember Mansfield as being rather muted, even though it was an absolutely vital win against our main rivals, because the only goal was scored down the other end and it was an awful, blustery (gale force!!!) freezing day and most people didn't even get their hands out their pockets!!!

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:13 pm

You definitely have a point! Some of the goal celebrations that season being amazing and so vivid in the memory. Walsall yes, but also Northampton, Carlisle, Wrexham, Scunthorpe, Cardiff, YORK! and of course a host of others. I always remember Mansfield as being rather muted, even though it was an absolutely vital win against our main rivals, because the only goal was scored down the other end and it was an awful, blustery (gale force!!!) freezing day and most people didn't even get their hands out their pockets!!!

Until in the car park after the match

I was behind the goal and remember the game partly because it was the first time I bought and tasted a balti pie.

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:16 pm

Until in the car park after the match

Too bloody right!!! Scary stuff!! I'd actually (rather unusually) driven there and had my girlfriend (now the Mrs) with me. We'd made it back to the car by avoiding several running battles, but were then sitting in the car on the large car park, basically blocked in waiting for traffic to move. A huge mob began marauding around looking for Burnley fans in every car and attacking them. They were almost at our car when a lone copper riding of all things a white horse, suddenly galloped up and blocked them off. There must have been about 100 lads and just him and he shouted at them and they all ran. Absolutely brilliant!!!

I was trying to remember a while ago if this game was the Bescot or Fellows Park. I must have somehow missed our first visit to the Bescot.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 8:23 pm

I was trying to remember a while ago if this game was the Bescot or Fellows Park. I must have somehow missed our first visit to the Bescot.

It was at The Bescot and definitely wasn't our first visit. I remember going the season (or maybe 2?) before this visit and losing 1-0 as the "original" Steve Davis made something of a defensive blunder. Also I believe we were stood (sat?) on the side for that game, but for the one in the article we were definitely behind the goal.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 8:23 pm

I was trying to remember a while ago if this game was the Bescot or Fellows Park. I must have somehow missed our first visit to the Bescot.

Last ever trip to Fellows Park was in 1984/85 - next time we went to Walsall was 1990/91 (described perfectly by Dark Cloud).

Vino blanco wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:17 pm

I was behind the goal and remember the game partly because it was the first time I bought and tasted a balti pie.

Life milestone.

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 8:28 pm

It was at The Bescot and definitely wasn't our first visit. I remember going the season (or maybe 2?) before this visit and losing 1-0 as the "original" Steve Davis made something of a defensive blunder. Also I believe we were stood (sat?) on the side for that game, but for the one in the article we were definitely behind the goal.

That was an early game for young Rowls. Bescot was easy to get to from the West Mids.

Burnley dominated the play but didn't put away any chances. I remember their keeper reminded me of Rene Artois, the cafe owner on Allo Allo.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:40 am

They always struggled to get us in and had to move home fans to give us seats down the side. Was a regular trip during the 1990s but 18 years now since we were last there.

I opted to go watch Sheffield Wednesday with mates instead of our last game there. Still a big regret.

We were once behind the goal at Walsall and former Claret Geoff Palmer was on duty as a copper, but I don't think it was this particular game,
.

Last game at Fellows Park was the last game of the season, returning home in the car hearing about the awful event at Valley Parade.

The whole match was uploaded to YouTube yesterday. Just watched the last few minutes for the equaliser. Spirited following alright.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 02, 2022 11:53 am

We were once behind the goal at Walsall and former Claret Geoff Palmer was on duty as a copper, but I don't think it was this particular game,
.

Christ I'd fancy you to out run Geoff Palmer

Him on the right and Hampton on the left must have been a winger's dream....

Herts Clarets wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 02, 2022 1:15 pm

Christ I'd fancy you to out run Geoff Palmer

Him on the right and Hampton on the left must have been a winger's dream....

Yet both had been too flight full backs

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 02, 2022 1:18 pm

Yet both had been too flight full backs

So had John Angus and Alex Elder but I wouldn't have liked either of those playing for us in the mid 80s either. Still there was the option of youth - Peter Leebrook and Darren Heesom.....

Herts Clarets wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 02, 2022 1:28 pm

So had John Angus and Alex Elder but I wouldn't have liked either of those playing for us in the mid 80s either. Still there was the option of youth - Peter Leebrook and Darren Heesom.....

Ok - they’d been playing top flight football just a year earlier.