I've met some truly mad Sunderland supporters .....

[Deleted member 6830]

Our bus used to park opposite the Wolseley on the seafront and we would go in for a pre match aperetife. The first time we played the mags at home guessing mid seventies, this must have been before your story, I could not beleive how many of them were in there. I also could not beleive that they did not get a hiding as I m sure that if the tables were reversed we would have got scudded through there. As far as I remember there was no bother in the pub itself that day but there were loads of them milling about Roker.
Stopped going in the Wolseley vskunks after that and went to boilermakers/barbry coast. Much better atmoshere . If your going in theRoker clap your hands. Another story.

Memory jogger ?

Mags home games in 70s era.

April 8th 77 drew 2-2 Good Friday Arnott and Lee
October 14th 1978 1-1 Greenwood
April 5th 1980, beat the bassas one nowt Wee Stanleeeee.

Went six seasons without a league derby after relegated in May 70. Derbies resumed Boxing Day 76 with two nil defeat thru there. Someone for us missed great chance before they scored. Pop ????

 

[Hunwick Mackem]

This is one of the best threads on here for years! I've followed it from the start and it's reminded me of how it really was.

It was scary, it was wild, it was fun, it was funny, it was complete chaos at times, but more than that it made me proud to be part of the best following in football bar none !

SAFC away support, was, is and always will be the best. Not because it was organised, not because we could go to any ground anywhere and turn it over, not because we were feared. It is because we are Sunderland and in my experience that just meant loads of lads (well mainly lads) going for a day out to drink some beer, have a laugh with their mates, watch mostly shite football, drink some beer, chat up the local lasses and have a laugh.

If trouble did happen it happened, and when you go away in the numbers we always did there were always some big handy lads to sort it.

Personally I've never been involved in bad bad trouble, I took a few slaps and ran a lot (I was a very very quick runner) but I witnessed some serious shit and was always thankful that there were people who were happy to stand in front of me and not step backwards (Chelsea, Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester, Boro, Derby, Stoke and Villa) to name a few.

I tip my hat to those fellas, but more than that I loved being part of it and would've still gone away even if I'd had to stand at the front meself.

SAFC Til I Die !!

 

[Roker19]

Reading these posts has dusted off a few memories from my 58yo memory.
Used to travel with the Iron Horse bus ( Fat man Smithsons Coaches)leave at midnight Friday no matter where we played.
Norwich, trouble in a pub, cops turfed everyone out leaving their police van with the door open, handbrake off and a shove. Don't know what it eventually crashed into to but it made a hell of a noise. Also Norwich stolen moped in the aisle of the bus back to Shields.
Luton in the 70s got in the pub when it opened for a quite pint, a couple of the biggest blackist locals playing pool. It didn't take long before trouble started it must have been 10 onto these 2 and even then it was close! Cops turned up and dragged us all out but the pub manager intervened so they took the 2 locals.
Surprised no one has mentioned the Titt bar Nottingham riot, the stripper got punched, till and tab machine robbed.
Always enjoyed a trip to Forest, never uneventful!
A mate of a mate used to own a mini bus, didn't drink or like football, really quite but took us all over and used to tag along. We where in Liverpool late 70s pub was packed but no hint of bother, all of a sudden he jumped up a laid out this bloke going around selling newspapers, we had to drag him off screaming like fuck and kicking this unconscious man. Place went deadly silent until the pub manager told us all to leave for our own good, turns out the newspaper was some IRA/Sinn Fein fundraiser and this was an Irish Catholic pub. Never found out what had happened to him for such a reaction.

Reminds me of game at WHL late 70's/80's. Went to London in transit, left at midnight arrived central London early Sat morning as usual. Parked up & planned to get tube to match as normal. Had had hassle before down Seven Sisters Road so we were all a bit apprehensive. Usually they'd be a few squads of Sunderland knocking about early doors, who you could team up with & hopefully get to the game in one piece. There was no-one around, which wasn't helping the mood. Eventually saw a Sunderland lad who we'd teamed up with before, from the villages. He told us everyone was at Aldgate. Got to the bar 2 coach loads of lads & a mini bus. Everyone pissed. Stripper got her money robbed which she had collected in a "hand grenade" pint pot. Lads insisted that we get on their bus to go to the game. (Thank God) Must have been 70 on each bus, also picked up any Sunderland fans we seen walking along Seven sisters road.
Parked up at a really dodgey housing estate in Tottenham. No coppers, marched as a mob to WHL. Realised they had robbed the strippers gear aswell as her money, couple lads had a stocking over their heads & one with suspender belt round his neck. Got the edge of WHL and they charged towards the Shelf where the Tottenham were queuing up to get in. Scuffles all ower, coppers surrounded us and took us to Sunderland end. After game got back on the bus and dropped off at Wood green. Got tube back to central London for night on the piss. Never knew who the lads were but assume its Frankies lot going off this thread.

 

[KeefBeer]

Reminds me of game at WHL late 70's/80's. Went to London in transit, left at midnight arrived central London early Sat morning as usual. Parked up & planned to get tube to match as normal. Had had hassle before down Seven Sisters Road so we were all a bit apprehensive. Usually they'd be a few squads of Sunderland knocking about early doors, who you could team up with & hopefully get to the game in one piece. There was no-one around, which wasn't helping the mood. Eventually saw a Sunderland lad who we'd teamed up with before, from the villages. He told us everyone was at Aldgate. Got to the bar 2 coach loads of lads & a mini bus. Everyone pissed. Stripper got her money robbed which she had collected in a "hand grenade" pint pot. Lads insisted that we get on their bus to go to the game. (Thank God) Must have been 70 on each bus, also picked up any Sunderland fans we seen walking along Seven sisters road.
Parked up at a really dodgey housing estate in Tottenham. No coppers, marched as a mob to WHL. Realised they had robbed the strippers gear aswell as her money, couple lads had a stocking over their heads & one with suspender belt round his neck. Got the edge of WHL and they charged towards the Shelf where the Tottenham were queuing up to get in. Scuffles all ower, coppers surrounded us and took us to Sunderland end. After game got back on the bus and dropped off at Wood green. Got tube back to central London for night on the piss. Never knew who the lads were but assume its Frankies lot going off this thread.

Went on a bus organised by Flanny to a game in London, he knew a pub on a housing estate that would let us in. While their was no trouble it was the most dangerous and scary boozer if ever been in, picture Black Hawk Down!!
Someone told us its where they filmed The Bill riot and shooting scenes.

 

[magcatcherhutch]

wrong ground ....what about jumping on train to derby when we were playing everton.. tommy greenwell from byker yeh born n bred byker lad sland fanatic at home but never travelled away much now 60 ish ...i got him a free rail ticket to liverpool 3 year ago he got on wrong train ended up with his red n white shirt on watching derby v cardiff derby lads paid for his beer in pub facing station when he told them the truth they took him to match .. he never cottoned on until train guard checked his ticket at chesterfield .. got back to byker cathlic club later that night his mag mates pissing themselves when he told them the truth ..ps i still see him what he could not understand that day was nee sland on train tommy is a bit like slands sammy smith get it ..a star in byker though

 

[TOONDOON]

Memory jogger ?

Mags home games in 70s era.

April 8th 77 drew 2-2 Good Friday Arnott and Lee
October 14th 1978 1-1 Greenwood
April 5th 1980, beat the bassas one nowt Wee Stanleeeee.

Went six seasons without a league derby after relegated in May 70. Derbies resumed Boxing Day 76 with two nil defeat thru there. Someone for us missed great chance before they scored. Pop ????[/QU

Thought it was earlier than that but cannot argue, I would have been 19 . It was definately a league game so I can rule out any previous Texaco Cup encounters.

Memory jogger ?

Mags home games in 70s era.

April 8th 77 drew 2-2 Good Friday Arnott and Lee
October 14th 1978 1-1 Greenwood
April 5th 1980, beat the bassas one nowt Wee Stanleeeee.

Went six seasons without a league derby after relegated in May 70. Derbies resumed Boxing Day 76 with two nil defeat thru there. Someone for us missed great chance before they scored. Pop ????

I thought it was earlier but cannot argue. It was a league game, so I 'm not getting confused with any earlier Texaco cup encounters.

This is one of the best threads on here for years! I've followed it from the start and it's reminded me of how it really was.

It was scary, it was wild, it was fun, it was funny, it was complete chaos at times, but more than that it made me proud to be part of the best following in football bar none !

SAFC away support, was, is and always will be the best. Not because it was organised, not because we could go to any ground anywhere and turn it over, not because we were feared. It is because we are Sunderland and in my experience that just meant loads of lads (well mainly lads) going for a day out to drink some beer, have a laugh with their mates, watch mostly shite football, drink some beer, chat up the local lasses and have a laugh.

If trouble did happen it happened, and when you go away in the numbers we always did there were always some big handy lads to sort it.

Personally I've never been involved in bad bad trouble, I took a few slaps and ran a lot (I was a very very quick runner) but I witnessed some serious shit and was always thankful that there were people who were happy to stand in front of me and not step backwards (Chelsea, Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester, Boro, Derby, Stoke and Villa) to name a few.

I tip my hat to those fellas, but more than that I loved being part of it and would've still gone away even if I'd had to stand at the front meself.

I m from your neck of the woods, sunny Willington. We must know each other. I ve p.m ed you I think.
SAFC Til I Die !!

 

[buster]

Hutch , why don't you organise a get together for all of us to discuss the past the day we play Boro ,there must be a nice pub or two in Middlesborough who could accommodate us....

 

[DisillusionedOldGit]

wrong ground ....what about jumping on train to derby when we were playing everton.. tommy greenwell from byker yeh born n bred byker lad sland fanatic at home but never travelled away much now 60 ish ...i got him a free rail ticket to liverpool 3 year ago he got on wrong train ended up with his red n white shirt on watching derby v cardiff derby lads paid for his beer in pub facing station when he told them the truth they took him to match .. he never cottoned on until train guard checked his ticket at chesterfield .. got back to byker cathlic club later that night his mag mates pissing themselves when he told them the truth ..ps i still see him what he could not understand that day was nee sland on train tommy is a bit like slands sammy smith get it ..a star in byker though

Byker? Byker? How and why on earth did the mad bastard support us? Must Have been made of iron .

 

[TOONDOON]

This is one of the best threads on here for years! I've followed it from the start and it's reminded me of how it really was.

It was scary, it was wild, it was fun, it was funny, it was complete chaos at times, but more than that it made me proud to be part of the best following in football bar none !

SAFC away support, was, is and always will be the best. Not because it was organised, not because we could go to any ground anywhere and turn it over, not because we were feared. It is because we are Sunderland and in my experience that just meant loads of lads (well mainly lads) going for a day out to drink some beer, have a laugh with their mates, watch mostly shite football, drink some beer, chat up the local lasses and have a laugh.

If trouble did happen it happened, and when you go away in the numbers we always did there were always some big handy lads to sort it.

Personally I've never been involved in bad bad trouble, I took a few slaps and ran a lot (I was a very very quick runner) but I witnessed some serious shit and was always thankful that there were people who were happy to stand in front of me and not step backwards (Chelsea, Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester, Boro, Derby, Stoke and Villa) to name a few.

I tip my hat to those fellas, but more than that I loved being part of it and would've still gone away even if I'd had to stand at the front meself.

SAFC Til I Die !!

We must know each other. Im from your neck of the woods, sunny Willington. I ve p.m. ed you I think.

 

[magcatcherhutch]

n

Hutch , why don't you organise a get together for all of us to discuss the past the day we play Boro ,there must be a nice pub or two in Middlesborough who could accommodate us....

navigation

n

navigation

in hand just awating riv n tom l for bit crack then a date will be put on here ..

 

[air asia]

Reminds me of game at WHL late 70's/80's. Went to London in transit, left at midnight arrived central London early Sat morning as usual. Parked up & planned to get tube to match as normal. Had had hassle before down Seven Sisters Road so we were all a bit apprehensive. Usually they'd be a few squads of Sunderland knocking about early doors, who you could team up with & hopefully get to the game in one piece. There was no-one around, which wasn't helping the mood. Eventually saw a Sunderland lad who we'd teamed up with before, from the villages. He told us everyone was at Aldgate. Got to the bar 2 coach loads of lads & a mini bus. Everyone pissed. Stripper got her money robbed which she had collected in a "hand grenade" pint pot. Lads insisted that we get on their bus to go to the game. (Thank God) Must have been 70 on each bus, also picked up any Sunderland fans we seen walking along Seven sisters road.
Parked up at a really dodgey housing estate in Tottenham. No coppers, marched as a mob to WHL. Realised they had robbed the strippers gear aswell as her money, couple lads had a stocking over their heads & one with suspender belt round his neck. Got the edge of WHL and they charged towards the Shelf where the Tottenham were queuing up to get in. Scuffles all ower, coppers surrounded us and took us to Sunderland end. After game got back on the bus and dropped off at Wood green. Got tube back to central London for night on the piss. Never knew who the lads were but assume its Frankies lot going off this thread.

Finally!!! A Spurs fan I used to work with in London told me about the time he was queuing to get in the Shelf one time when we were playing them. He said out of nowhere a mob of our lot came charging down the road and him and his mates ended up jumping over the privets into the neighbouring front gardens. I have asked loads of people about this incident but have never found anyone who remembers it. Feels like the end of Lord of the Rings...my quest is complete!! Thanks marra.

 

[magcatcherhutch]

he has no fear wheres his top in club most sats ... his dad was from seaham way i think all local mags like him a sort of bobby thompson lad .married into a mag family when in teens i worked at manors rail station with him 77 a sort of mentor to look up to .he run the paper shop on it them days .. if you see the 1 1 draw v mags gabadineeeeeeee goal its him jumping up behind goal protected by his mag bros in law fact have a look .

 

[socrates]

We must know each other. Im from your neck of the woods, sunny Willington. I ve p.m. ed you I think.

in the early 60's when I started supporting aged about 13, Bonds Buses from Willington always had 2 bus loads of Willington/Sunnybrow lads going to home games

 

[air asia]

he has no fear wheres his top in club most sats ... his dad was from seaham way i think all local mags like him a sort of bobby thompson lad .married into a mag family when in teens i worked at manors rail station with him 77 a sort of mentor to look up to .he run the paper shop on it them days .. if you see the 1 1 draw v mags gabadineeeeeeee goal its him jumping up behind goal protected by his mag bros in law fact have a look .

And another!! I am on a roll here........I always wondered who that was leaping about like a salmon in the Gallowgate when Marco scored. It was the league game in the season we beat them in the play offs, right?

 

[Apaca]

Great thread followed the lads home and away from mid 70s stopped mid 90,s due to working in foreign lands ,this thread has jogged my memory for so many games incidents ,daft laughs that had been lost in the midst of time ,just a snippet
Sammy Chin and Billy Buttons Red Lion Quiz tie breaker
BB"Sammy cannot spell the answer so he has whispered it in my ear and it's the right answer" you couldn't make it up Peter Kaye .
Was with Vauxies away to Brighton /Harrow
The Blue House Everton with the police horse in the bar
Mags away 79 the 2.00pm train
Sheffield UTD away about 76 first game of the season Podge running across the pitch with his Union Jack
21st birthday Boro away 1981 with the brother of a certain Magswonnowt in that corner thinking could of picked a better place for a 21st birthday party hell on as they say the whole game
Thanks for thread really enjoying it

 

[Hunwick Mackem]

in the early 60's when I started supporting aged about 13, Bonds Buses from Willington always had 2 bus loads of Willington/Sunnybrow lads going to home games

And Hunwick ! Bondies had at least 3 buses in the mid 70s / 80s. 1 from Crook, 1 from Willington and a SAFCSA bus. Sometimes put an extra bus on when we'd won a game.

 

[Deleted member 39436]

he has no fear wheres his top in club most sats ... his dad was from seaham way i think all local mags like him a sort of bobby thompson lad .married into a mag family when in teens i worked at manors rail station with him 77 a sort of mentor to look up to .he run the paper shop on it them days .. if you see the 1 1 draw v mags gabadineeeeeeee goal its him jumping up behind goal protected by his mag bros in law fact have a look .

Same game I think when McGee equalised? I was in main stand with four mates and I the daft twat jumped up when Gabbiadini scored then got a hot mince pie off the back of my head, When McGee scored we never moved but the scum bastard behind me tried to get me to stand up which resulted in me and him grappling Stewards and cops there in seconds and they moved me elsewhere.

 

[Deleted member 6830]

he has no fear wheres his top in club most sats ... his dad was from seaham way i think all local mags like him a sort of bobby thompson lad .married into a mag family when in teens i worked at manors rail station with him 77 a sort of mentor to look up to .he run the paper shop on it them days .. if you see the 1 1 draw v mags gabadineeeeeeee goal its him jumping up behind goal protected by his mag bros in law fact have a look .

I have always wondered on seeing that if the bloke had a death wish !!

And another!! I am on a roll here........I always wondered who that was leaping about like a salmon in the Gallowgate when Marco scored. It was the league game in the season we beat them in the play offs, right?

Iirc it was the windy day game Feb 90 when gabbadooni (As big Jack insisted on calling him) scored against the aforementioned hurricane.

I thought it was earlier but cannot argue. It was a league game, so I 'm not getting confused with any earlier Texaco cup encounters.

Whilst league games were thin on the ground in the 70s, there were a few testimonials, Texaco/Anglo Scots cup, and 2 x league cup ties.
Not surprisingly testimonials involving the 2 clubs died out due to potential trouble and therefore policing costs.
Incredibly though, there was a ludicrous friendly double header in 1981 on 18th and 22nd August - we kicked off 81-82 season with an unexpected 3-3 draw at Ipswich !!
Anyway, back to the double header.
9982 saw a 1-1 draw at skunk park - Shinton 31 mins, Tom Ritchie 9 mins later. About 500 max went thru. Iirc they put us in the central pen and left the pens either side empty.
Home game we won 2-1 Allardyce and Hawley, the pit yakker scored for them in a 10332 crowd. They had around 700 /800 in the the 'RE.

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The infamous photo in the Echo of the array of weapons thrown over the FE wall by Sunlun young uns in readiness for Newcastle's arrival for the Centenary derby in March 1970. Frightening days.

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[Tom the Pom]

Nee probs man.
The mags came at us and at first some of the mob backed off till somebody shouted stand, then some mags ran at us, one in particular had a mask on.
We sorted them and they ran then the police moved in.
I believe some of the lads at the back of the mob had a hard time getting picked off, but in the main we stood and the mags ran

This is totally correct. I vividly remember the skunk with an old man's face mask on, he was either hard as nails or daft as fuck, as he was the only Mag who tried it on at that Petrol Station. The Waterloo incident was class as it was a spur of the moment thing. Mags came out at us, seen the pack of lads we had out and went straight back in the pub. Sunland lads followed them in thru one door and they legged it out the exit door on the same street, straight into another set of lads. If anyone can put a pic up of the pub it would be easily explained how it happened. I was only 19 at the time, tall, skinny and a fart would have knocked me over but I felt like a man mountain in amongst the crew we had out that day. The train journey to Skunkville was friggan epic, never seen anything like it since and never will again. The Mags took a f***ing huge pasting that day, and they all know it

 

[Deleted member 6830]

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This is totally correct. I vividly remember the skunk with an old man's face mask on, he was either hard as nails or daft as fuck, as he was the only Mag who tried it on at that Petrol Station. The Waterloo incident was class as it was a spur of the moment thing. Mags came out at us, seen the pack of lads we had out and went straight back in the pub. Sunland lads followed them in thru one door and they legged it out the exit door on the same street, straight into another set of lads. If anyone can put a pic up of the pub it would be easily explained how it happened. I was only 19 at the time, tall, skinny and a fart would have knocked me over but I felt like a man mountain in amongst the crew we had out that day. The train journey to Skunkville was friggan epic, never seen anything like it since and never will again. The Mags took a f***ing huge pasting that day, and they all know it