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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Jan 19, 2017 16:37:21 GMT
....especially memories of Fellows Park?
I went once. 1-1 (?) in our last match at that venue. I went in a minibus with well known forum member and we went to the building site of their new stadium (now Bescott)where a pitch had been cut out. Also concreted terracing had started to be laid. I vividly remember not being allowed in pubs surrounding the ground, and an air of it could kick off in a minute! It didn't..
...it did at the new ground though! My last and only visit (so far) to Bescott was nice warm day towards end of season, Gray Raydon was their manager and many Gas actually coveted him as he was taking them up! They beat us easy that day, we went down, but also memorable for the antics of our fans with the police in away end. Hopelessly over sold, I'm sure there were more there than should be!
I def remember a policeman being pulled over (how ironic?!) into away end amongst the chaos..
Lets hope for a more sensible day out, safe journey Gas and lets hope for a point or 3....UptheGas!
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basel
Joined: May 2014
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Post by basel on Jan 19, 2017 16:40:26 GMT
The time Rovers paid for fans to travel.Alan Buckley was the Walsall Player Manager and he conducted proceedings on the field as Walsall stuffed us 5 0. UTG!  |
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2017 17:00:49 GMT
I went to Fellows Park a few times in 70s and 80s,an easy journey but never got a drink before or after the game,the police were always threatening to arrest someone.
The most memorable time was a League cup game in August 77,we were meeting at Eastville and went in a transit van (not a minibus ),anyway Jim Eadie had missed the team coach ( he was in the Railway) so he came up with us...I should mention that he wasnt playing that night.
Stopped in the service station on the way home and the staff told us that it just been on the radio that Elvis had died,odd what you remember.
I went to the new ground once,I thought it had the charm and atmosphere of a 70s built warehouse on an industrial estate,that will be my only visit there and Scunthorpe,Northampton,Oxford,and any other new grounds.
Part of the reason that I liked going to football was the atmosphere,once thats gone its just as good listening to the games on the radio if I am near one.
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irishrover
Global Moderator
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 3,372
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Post by irishrover on Jan 19, 2017 17:45:37 GMT
Never went to Fellows Park - but have been to the Bescot many times (possibly more than any other away ground).
Good times - was there the day Lescott got his brace and we smashed them. I also have a particularly nice memory of a 2-2 draw there where Steve Elliot almost inspired an amazing comeback in the year we went up. First time I started to have a feeling that we might have something special going on.
Bad time - the Dave Penney debacle.
All in all I don't actually dislike the Bescot too much. The home fans create no atmosphere at all, that is true, but it is quite an atmospheric away end and we always take a lot of fans so it tends to be quite a good one to go to. While it is in a trading estatem the easy access it has is actually quite appealing although the pitch is nearly always in dreadful shape because it appears to have been basically constructed on a bog!
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,412
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Post by harrybuckle on Jan 19, 2017 18:49:34 GMT
Our 6-1 defeat in Jan 2011 our last visit there ...still for me one of our lowest points with Mansfield home for me. Even Matt Gill scored against us must have been shocking
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2017 19:15:51 GMT
My memories are virtually the same as Irishrover's. I don't think I've been to many grounds more times than Walsall.
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Post by badbloodash on Jan 19, 2017 19:37:41 GMT
I went to Fellows Park a few times in 70s and 80s,an easy journey but never got a drink before or after the game,the police were always threatening to arrest someone. The most memorable time was a League cup game in August 77,we were meeting at Eastville and went in a transit van (not a minibus ),anyway Jim Eadie had missed the team coach ( he was in the Railway) so he came up with us...I should mention that he wasnt playing that night. Stopped in the service station on the way home and the staff told us that it just been on the radio that Elvis had died,odd what you remember. I went to the new ground once,I thought it had the charm and atmosphere of a 70s built warehouse on an industrial estate,that will be my only visit there and Scunthorpe,Northampton,Oxford,and any other new grounds. Part of the reason that I liked going to football was the atmosphere,once thats gone its just as good listening to the games on the radio if I am near one. Horace I went to that game I'd just just left school so had time on my hands hitch hiked up at 9 in the morning got to Walsall about 11 which wasn't bad except it was a night game had a couple of beers but pub kicked out at about 3 so me and my mate reg went to the pictures saw some terrible b movie came out about 5 and headed to the ground remember a few wolves fans about before the game and in the ground heard elvis had died on the way back blagged a lift to town and then walked home got in about 3 in the morning not too bad for a short trip to brum think the whole day cost about a fiver can't believe that's forty years ago |
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Post by fatherjackhackett on Jan 19, 2017 19:44:25 GMT
First game of the 1986/87 season, a couple of days before our first game in Twerton. Won 3-0, pretty sure Kenny Hibbitt scored.
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Rex
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 3,287
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Post by Rex on Jan 19, 2017 19:54:19 GMT
Last time I was there was the 6-1, I was also at the hammering we got when free coaches were laid on.
The old ground was a grim place for away supporters, the Walsall fans were okay but the police were awful.
Me and a mate had to hitch hike home once after everyone else- including the driver- of our minibus was arrested. The police stopped us near the ground and found an empty beer can on the bus (which however ludicrous, I accept is illegal) so arrested one of us at random and in doing so were pretty rough with it. As people protested they were arrested one by one, truncheons were drawn by then, despite the fact there was no threat of violence from us. When they were just two of us left were asked/shouted at 'Anything to f**king say?' and then told to 'f**k off then' when we didn't respond.
The police have a tough job, there are however, some utter **** who disgrace the uniform.
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Post by DudeLebowski on Jan 19, 2017 20:30:13 GMT
My only visit to date was when we get pumped 6-1 on a day we badly badly needed a positive result. They were bottom, we were two places above them. What could go wrong?
The side we put out that day can best be described as, thee most worthless, spineless, gutless, bottle job bunch of absolute s**t c**ts in our entire history. Not a single one of them gave a damn for the club, shirt or fans. Made it worse I drove straight from the game into a 12hr night shift. Bad times.
This was barely 6 years ago.
& some have the neck to wade in heavy on DC & current bunch of heroes after the odd poor showing.
Makes you laff mind.
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Post by One F in Dunford on Jan 19, 2017 20:54:56 GMT
I went to Fellows Park a few times in 70s and 80s,an easy journey but never got a drink before or after the game,the police were always threatening to arrest someone. The most memorable time was a League cup game in August 77,we were meeting at Eastville and went in a transit van (not a minibus ),anyway Jim Eadie had missed the team coach ( he was in the Railway) so he came up with us...I should mention that he wasnt playing that night. Stopped in the service station on the way home and the staff told us that it just been on the radio that Elvis had died,odd what you remember. I went to the new ground once,I thought it had the charm and atmosphere of a 70s built warehouse on an industrial estate,that will be my only visit there and Scunthorpe,Northampton,Oxford,and any other new grounds. Part of the reason that I liked going to football was the atmosphere,once thats gone its just as good listening to the games on the radio if I am near one. Horace I went to that game I'd just just left school so had time on my hands hitch hiked up at 9 in the morning got to Walsall about 11 which wasn't bad except it was a night game had a couple of beers but pub kicked out at about 3 so me and my mate reg went to the pictures saw some terrible b movie came out about 5 and headed to the ground remember a few wolves fans about before the game and in the ground heard elvis had died on the way back blagged a lift to town and then walked home got in about 3 in the morning not too bad for a short trip to brum think the whole day cost about a fiver can't believe that's forty years ago Hi Dave, I remember us hitching a lift. We got a lift from a lorry driver after about 5 minutes of thumbing, and he dropped us off at Fellows Park. I remember going to the pictures in the afternoon but haven't got a clue what we saw. The bit I also remember is hearing that Elvis had died. Happy days. UTG |
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Igitur
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 2,294
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Post by Igitur on Jan 19, 2017 22:12:53 GMT
Used to drive there, but last couple of times I've gone by train. In one of the trips the train failed to stop at the Bescot station, the train driver was apologetic at the next stop and a group of supporters got off ran across to the other side to get a train back.
Always sure of a warm welcome from the West Midlands finest, although they did little when Walsall fans ambushed Gasheads by the car park opposite.
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SE5 Gas
Joined: July 2014
Posts: 113
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Post by SE5 Gas on Jan 19, 2017 22:27:20 GMT
Only been once - that 6-1 defeat in Jan 2011 that a couple of others have mentioned.
My memory of that day was that it was one of the coldest I've ever been at a football match. I also remember wrongly thinking it might be our day when Jason Price missed a sitter for them early on when it was still 0-0.
I'm pretty sure Rene Howe made his debut for us that day, he wasn't in the programme and must have signed the night before as no one seemed to know who he was. "who's that fat bloke playing upfront for us?!" came the cries.
Not able to go this weekend, Enjoy to all those that do.
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,412
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Post by harrybuckle on Jan 20, 2017 8:59:40 GMT
Only been once - that 6-1 defeat in Jan 2011 that a couple of others have mentioned. My memory of that day was that it was one of the coldest I've ever been at a football match. I also remember wrongly thinking it might be our day when Jason Price missed a sitter for them early on when it was still 0-0. I'm pretty sure Rene Howe made his debut for us that day, he wasn't in the programme and must have signed the night before as no one seemed to know who he was. "who's that fat bloke playing upfront for us?!" came the cries. Not able to go this weekend, Enjoy to all those that do. Bad times Walsall were bottom we were second bottom. Indeed Howe came on as sub for debut as did Cian Bolger and remember Scott Davies ? |
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irishrover
Global Moderator
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 3,372
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Post by irishrover on Jan 20, 2017 12:05:46 GMT
Only been once - that 6-1 defeat in Jan 2011 that a couple of others have mentioned. My memory of that day was that it was one of the coldest I've ever been at a football match. I also remember wrongly thinking it might be our day when Jason Price missed a sitter for them early on when it was still 0-0. I'm pretty sure Rene Howe made his debut for us that day, he wasn't in the programme and must have signed the night before as no one seemed to know who he was. "who's that fat bloke playing upfront for us?!" came the cries. Not able to go this weekend, Enjoy to all those that do. Bad times Walsall were bottom we were second bottom. Indeed Howe came on as sub for debut as did Cian Bolger and remember Scott Davies ? I've generally tried to forget all of those players to be honest..... |
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Post by hungerfordgas on Jan 20, 2017 13:41:18 GMT
1964/65 I think! First ever away trip on a supporters club coach. Had my bobble hat taken just as I was about to get on the coach after the game. Chased after the little sod and when he realised I was gaining on him he dropped it, so I got it back. That incident kick-started years of hooliganism! At that time the supporters club used coaches from a firm from Tewkesbury so guess where we stopped on the way back! No M5 in those days just a slog up the A38.
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bs14gas
Robin. S. Layer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 462
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Post by bs14gas on Jan 20, 2017 13:47:56 GMT
My only visit to date was when we get pumped 6-1 on a day we badly badly needed a positive result. They were bottom, we were two places above them. What could go wrong? The side we put out that day can best be described as, thee most worthless, spineless, gutless, bottle job bunch of absolute s*** c**ts in our entire history. Not a single one of them gave a damn for the club, shirt or fans. Made it worse I drove straight from the game into a 12hr night shift. Bad times. This was barely 6 years ago. & some have the neck to wade in heavy on DC & current bunch of heroes after the odd poor showing. Makes you laff mind. Away form has been a bit more than the odd bad show? |
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Post by DudeLebowski on Jan 20, 2017 14:12:06 GMT
My only visit to date was when we get pumped 6-1 on a day we badly badly needed a positive result. They were bottom, we were two places above them. What could go wrong? The side we put out that day can best be described as, thee most worthless, spineless, gutless, bottle job bunch of absolute s*** c**ts in our entire history. Not a single one of them gave a damn for the club, shirt or fans. Made it worse I drove straight from the game into a 12hr night shift. Bad times. This was barely 6 years ago. & some have the neck to wade in heavy on DC & current bunch of heroes after the odd poor showing. Makes you laff mind. Away form has been a bit more than the odd bad show? In comparison to the season in question it has been pretty much ok! I went to 16 away games that year, won 1, drew 1, lost the rest. |
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kegandeg
Joined: December 2016
Posts: 376
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Post by kegandeg on Jan 20, 2017 20:23:35 GMT
As has already been said my main memory of Walsall away during the 70's and 80's was the very heavy handedness of the police things are probably different now but worth keeping in mind for anybody travelling tomorrow not as bad as at Fulham though you got ejected for singing and or jumping up and down back then !
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2017 20:31:56 GMT
My only visit to date was when we get pumped 6-1 on a day we badly badly needed a positive result. They were bottom, we were two places above them. What could go wrong? The side we put out that day can best be described as, thee most worthless, spineless, gutless, bottle job bunch of absolute s*** c**ts in our entire history. Not a single one of them gave a damn for the club, shirt or fans. Made it worse I drove straight from the game into a 12hr night shift. Bad times. This was barely 6 years ago. & some have the neck to wade in heavy on DC & current bunch of heroes after the odd poor showing. Makes you laff mind. Byron Anthony and Stuart Campbell played that day. Jeff Hughes doesn't deserve that description either. |
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