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

[Deleted member 6830]

Even the name 'Kippax' makes me shudder to this day.

The first time I ever went would've been around 1973 as an 18 year old on the service bus from Mansfield ..... f***ing horrible day out.

None of the other lads would go so I got into Manchester on my own and had to find the ground without giving the game away.

I ended up in that endless maze of terraced streets near the ground dodging gangs of City skinheads ...... it was like playing a fucked up version of PacMan.

At one point I was trapped with 2 lots coming from either end of the street.

There was a house with scaffolding etc so I stepped through the fence, put on a discarded hard hat and started stacking house bricks

I thought that if they spotted me I'd at least have some ammo.

They met right by the building site and I could hear everything they were saying about Sunderland supporters they'd encountered.


Incredibly they drifted off and I wandered off to the ground, still in my hard hat ..... I kept it for years as a souvenir

I actually got so badly lost trying to get back to car from Maine Road ( it was 10 mins walk away) that I went back to the grounds main entrance and waited for the search party !! This arrived 30 mins later and the abuse I got was unbelievable !!! Those sidestreets were like a huge maze and I just couldn't get my bearings.

 

[Porridge]

I actually got so badly lost trying to get back to car from Maine Road ( it was 10 mins walk away) that I went back to the grounds main entrance and waited for the search party !! This arrived 30 mins later and the abuse I got was unbelievable !!! Those sidestreets were like a huge maze and I just couldn't get my bearings.

Not like you to get lost mate

 

[TOONDOON]

When I couldn’t get enough for a Bus I regularly hired a Transit for away matches when loads of daft things happened. Chelsea about 84 hired Van drove down, collected money off the Lads for hire and fuel, lost as usually, when I got back in the Van found I’d lost all the money £125 a lot in those days had to ask lads to chip in again for fuel to get home. After stopping for a couple on way back coming up A1 the oil light came on thought f##k that got no money for oil, got past Selby then such a bang, blew the Engine up, as we’d just past Petrol Station south side I drove across central reservation and into Station.

Van only had 18000 miles on the clock so I thought I’m in trouble here so before we left it I pulled the lead off the oil sensor. When I went to sort things out the next week at hire place I said I couldn’t understand it there was no warning or anything and they said we know the stupid Mechanic had done service the week before and must of knocked the lead off the oil sensor so we sorry would you be happy with half your money back, err yes please. But to this day I still worry I may have got that poor Mechanic the sack.

Might have been alright if you only had 10 pints before the game instead of 12.

 

[CARLOS CLASS]

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might be wrong but I think too much emphasis is on pitch...supporting Sunderland is about so much more than players managers and scores for me its memories and stories and people u meet on trips..some of my football heroes are fans not players.lads who made me who I am today...as tbe song goes WE ARE SUNDERLAND

It was more tribal, that's for sure

Society slowly sanitises itself of conflict, eventually everyone will dull themselves to death

 

[air asia]

Aye and we knew no different, it was all a laugh with ya mates. Half the chew we got was cos the local fanny were interested in the new meat and the local lads wanted to knock ya blocks off.
In Seaham it was the same in the different estate pubs never mind leaving for another town.
Harbour lads, Deneside, Parkside, Dawdon and top enders all knew if we went to the wrong pub depending who was who there'd likely be chew. But you knew it and still went, it didn't last forever and most end up mates at some point through work and lads that knew each other but mainly just growing up and out of it. But to be fair the thread isn't really about fighting as such it's about blokes ya met and us scruffy fuckas through here have an abundance of characters. But I can't be arsed to harp on anymore.

Was mental back then when you think about it. In Murton there was less in-fighting except in the run up to Bonfire night - you had to defend your bonny with your life!! Our problem was that we were surrounded by belligerent tribes, Seaham on one side, Hetton, Easington Lane and South Hetton on the other. You literally could not go anywhere without some kind of aggro. Hot summer day at the beach? - Seaham howers on the hunt. Hetton baths? - always a gang of Hettoners hanging around clocking who was coming and going. They even had a Forward Operating Base in the form of Hetton Lyons Youth Club to monitor the one road in and out from Murton!! The chew started early as well - I recall a massive scrap at the Deneside v Murton Junior School cup final at Westlee. Most of those involved were 10-11 years old!! Things went from bad to worse when they started bussing us lot to Easington for senior school. There was hell on for the first few weeks but then things settled down and we all became good mates. However we made a critical error by inviting our 'new' mates through to Murton youth club for a screening of The Wanderers. Word got out!! As we were making our way outside after the film we heard the never to be forgotten cry 'Easington, come out to playyyyyyyy'. There must have been 50 lads waiting for them armed with all kinds of weapons. I think a few of us broke the 4 minute mile that night.

 

[Sandboy]

I actually got so badly lost trying to get back to car from Maine Road ( it was 10 mins walk away) that I went back to the grounds main entrance and waited for the search party !! This arrived 30 mins later and the abuse I got was unbelievable !!! Those sidestreets were like a huge maze and I just couldn't get my bearings.

Similar circumstances at City, walking through those streets and aware of a group behind us. We were just discussing if we should run or take a hiding when a voice exclaimed "he's wearing Geordie Jeans man, he must be one of us "

 

[The Legendary Tongue]

Was mental back then when you think about it. In Murton there was less in-fighting except in the run up to Bonfire night - you had to defend your bonny with your life!! Our problem was that we were surrounded by belligerent tribes, Seaham on one side, Hetton, Easington Lane and South Hetton on the other. You literally could not go anywhere without some kind of aggro. Hot summer day at the beach? - Seaham howers on the hunt. Hetton baths? - always a gang of Hettoners hanging around clocking who was coming and going. They even had a Forward Operating Base in the form of Hetton Lyons Youth Club to monitor the one road in and out from Murton!! The chew started early as well - I recall a massive scrap at the Deneside v Murton Junior School cup final at Westlee. Most of those involved were 10-11 years old!! Things went from bad to worse when they started bussing us lot to Easington for senior school. There was hell on for the first few weeks but then things settled down and we all became good mates. However we made a critical error by inviting our 'new' mates through to Murton youth club for a screening of The Wanderers. Word got out!! As we were making our way outside after the film we heard the never to be forgotten cry 'Easington, come out to playyyyyyyy'. There must have been 50 lads waiting for them armed with all kinds of weapons. I think a few of us broke the 4 minute mile that night.

Aye mate, weird pit village crack. We were on a bus from Murton back to Seaham from the Terrace. We were about 19/20 year old and a lad from a group of 4/5 lads found out where we were from and they started on us,it was f***ing barmy but part of the fun growing up. We chased them like cos there was more of us than they thought. To be fair I didn't get chew in Murton we tended to have a good night out on a Sunday up there and knew a few of the lads.

 

[riffraff]

Who were they? They're a new one on me.

Personally I've never had any trouble with either Manc club but some of the worst violence I ever saw was a furniture van full of ManU supporters fighting each other.

We were in the Wolsley pre-match as usual when they turned up, probably 12 - 15 of them. Came in, ordered some drinks and everything was fine. After a while one of them started collecting for the driver / van etc, 1 lad gets up and went in the bogs. A few minutes later another lad went in to look for him and all f***ing hell broke loose.

The 1st lad comes running out covered in claret and the other lad runs out after him. The rest of them just started laying in to each other. Bottles, glasses flying everywhere. They were ushered out of the door and continued outside. Went on for a few minutes and the cops arrived, hauled most of them away.

There were only 2 of them left and the driver came back in the pub to get his keys which he'd left on the table.

Apparently the first 2 to start it were brothers and it turned out that the 1st lad had nee money with him, and was hiding in the bogs so he wouldn't have to chip in for the fuel / van. His brother went in to seek him out cos it wasn't the first time he'd done it, thats when it kicked off.

Can't remember exactly but the first lad had either is nose or his ear bitten off which was why he was covered in claret.

The pub was pretty full by then and we all just sat looking at each other in shock

I've got a feeling that it was the Clive Walker hat-trick day, great day for us, not so good for them daft fuckers.

Were they in a Salford Van Hire LUTON VAN?
If so we pulled up just behind them opposite the wolseley as they parked. A lad jumped out of the front and ran round the back and opened up the back.......we reversed sharpish and parked elsewhere.
I heard later that they'd caused a bit of trouble but not amongst themselves.

 

[Hunwick Mackem]

Were they in a Salford Van Hire LUTON VAN?
If so we pulled up just behind them opposite the wolseley as they parked. A lad jumped out of the front and ran round the back and opened up the back.......we reversed sharpish and parked elsewhere.
I heard later that they'd caused a bit of trouble but not amongst themselves.

Aye, that was them, it was quite early on before the pub got full. Came in no trouble, no hassle with us or anyone else, then boom ! f***ing crackers man!

 

[riffraff]

Aye, that was them, it was quite early on before the pub got full. Came in no trouble, no hassle with us or anyone else, then boom ! f***ing crackers man!

We'd normally get to a pub ower there at about 1 o'clock so it'd be about that time. I think we went to the Navy club instead.

 

[Deleted member 6830]

Not like you to get lost mate

Ha ha ha listen to the funny man

 

[Toot]

Was mental back then when you think about it. In Murton there was less in-fighting except in the run up to Bonfire night - you had to defend your bonny with your life!! Our problem was that we were surrounded by belligerent tribes, Seaham on one side, Hetton, Easington Lane and South Hetton on the other. You literally could not go anywhere without some kind of aggro. Hot summer day at the beach? - Seaham howers on the hunt. Hetton baths? - always a gang of Hettoners hanging around clocking who was coming and going. They even had a Forward Operating Base in the form of Hetton Lyons Youth Club to monitor the one road in and out from Murton!! The chew started early as well - I recall a massive scrap at the Deneside v Murton Junior School cup final at Westlee. Most of those involved were 10-11 years old!! Things went from bad to worse when they started bussing us lot to Easington for senior school. There was hell on for the first few weeks but then things settled down and we all became good mates. However we made a critical error by inviting our 'new' mates through to Murton youth club for a screening of The Wanderers. Word got out!! As we were making our way outside after the film we heard the never to be forgotten cry 'Easington, come out to playyyyyyyy'. There must have been 50 lads waiting for them armed with all kinds of weapons. I think a few of us broke the 4 minute mile that night.

Same down the garths...if you went to another Garth you had to be with someone who lived in it, or you were scudded!....remember fighting burleigh garth...I was from st.pats...we used lengths of 2x2 with nails in to hit them!..mental man.
When bommy night was near, you had to defend your stash of fire wood as we all used to nick each others...funny until you got caught.

 

[Vauxie]

Same down the garths...if you went to another Garth you had to be with someone who lived in it, or you were scudded!....remember fighting burleigh garth...I was from st.pats...we used lengths of 2x2 with nails in to hit them!..mental man.
When bommy night was near, you had to defend your stash of fire wood as we all used to nick each others...funny until you got caught.

Aye the Boldon lads used to come over the bank and knack the Town Enders and Red Housers

 

[air asia]

Similar circumstances at City, walking through those streets and aware of a group behind us. We were just discussing if we should run or take a hiding when a voice exclaimed "he's wearing Geordie Jeans man, he must be one of us "

Ah Man City, now you are talking!! I used to watch them a lot in the 90's as I lived there, even had a Kippax Membership Card. Good, loyal supporters and great craic at the games. The time they were pelting United fans with Turkish Delight bars after they had lost to Galatasaray in mid-week raised a chuckle.

the day we got relegated there in 91 was unforgettable though. A proud day despite the result. I remember us parking up in one of those back streets behind the Main Stand and as we pulled up a gang of urchins followed the car getting ready to impose their parking fee. Once we came to a stop they closed in, then suddenly scattered as the adjacent door flew open. Out stepped a very large black lady with one of those London bus conductor ticket machines around her neck. "Match parking lads? That will be 2 pounds thanks. Don't worry your car it will be safe with me". It was.

 

[Reiver]

Ah Man City, now you are talking!! I used to watch them a lot in the 90's as I lived there, even had a Kippax Membership Card. Good, loyal supporters and great craic at the games. The time they were pelting United fans with Turkish Delight bars after they had lost to Galatasaray in mid-week raised a chuckle.

the day we got relegated there in 91 was unforgettable though. A proud day despite the result. I remember us parking up in one of those back streets behind the Main Stand and as we pulled up a gang of urchins followed the car getting ready to impose their parking fee. Once we came to a stop they closed in, then suddenly scattered as the adjacent door flew open. Out stepped a very large black lady with one of those London bus conductor ticket machines around her neck. "Match parking lads? That will be 2 pounds thanks. Don't worry your car it will be safe with me". It was.

I've mentioned it before but we had a scumbag Scouser asking for money so 'your car won't get wrecked'.

We gave him a fiver and promised him another after the game.

We got back to the car, bundled him into the boot and left him on Saddleworth Moor .... minus the £5 we'd given him

 

[Spenny]

Aye, that was them, it was quite early on before the pub got full. Came in no trouble, no hassle with us or anyone else, then boom ! f***ing crackers man!

If it's the same day one dived straight over the bar. A little bloke in a sheepskin got a hiding but was later stood outside the Roker, still bleeding but looking for bother.

 

[Reiver]

I actually got so badly lost trying to get back to car from Maine Road ( it was 10 mins walk away) that I went back to the grounds main entrance and waited for the search party !! This arrived 30 mins later and the abuse I got was unbelievable !!! Those sidestreets were like a huge maze and I just couldn't get my bearings.

I kept that hard hat for years but had it confiscated by some idiot copper at Norwich

It was after that Man Utd supporter had fallen through the roof at Carrow Road ..... I painted 'Beware of falling supporters'.

The polis said the hat could be used as a weapon

 

[Hunwick Mackem]

If it's the same day one dived straight over the bar. A little bloke in a sheepskin got a hiding but was later stood outside the Roker, still bleeding but looking for bother.

I didn't see him dive behind the bar, but it doesn't surprise me. They were all completely nuts.

 

[air asia]

I've mentioned it before but we had a scumbag Scouser asking for money so 'your car won't get wrecked'.

We gave him a fiver and promised him another after the game.

We got back to the car, bundled him into the boot and left him on Saddleworth Moor .... minus the £5 we'd given him

That'll learn him!!

You just reminded me of a 'parking in Liverpool' incident - probably a whole thread in itself.

It was the time we played them in the League Cup in the 90's. We had the whole of the Anfield Road End that night. Anyway we parked up in the backstreets behind the Kop and had the usual urchins asking for parking money. While this is going on a little lass joins the throng pushing a pram. She then asks for a pound for her baby which we found surprising given that she was no older than 9!! However upon closer inspection we noticed that the baby was in fact a jack russell fast asleep in the pram with a can of Special Brew clamped between its jaws!! Rough round there mind!

 

[Shuggy]

Was mental back then when you think about it. In Murton there was less in-fighting except in the run up to Bonfire night - you had to defend your bonny with your life!! Our problem was that we were surrounded by belligerent tribes, Seaham on one side, Hetton, Easington Lane and South Hetton on the other. You literally could not go anywhere without some kind of aggro. Hot summer day at the beach? - Seaham howers on the hunt. Hetton baths? - always a gang of Hettoners hanging around clocking who was coming and going. They even had a Forward Operating Base in the form of Hetton Lyons Youth Club to monitor the one road in and out from Murton!! The chew started early as well - I recall a massive scrap at the Deneside v Murton Junior School cup final at Westlee. Most of those involved were 10-11 years old!! Things went from bad to worse when they started bussing us lot to Easington for senior school. There was hell on for the first few weeks but then things settled down and we all became good mates. However we made a critical error by inviting our 'new' mates through to Murton youth club for a screening of The Wanderers. Word got out!! As we were making our way outside after the film we heard the never to be forgotten cry 'Easington, come out to playyyyyyyy'. There must have been 50 lads waiting for them armed with all kinds of weapons. I think a few of us broke the 4 minute mile that night.

That is just brilliant and sums up life in East Durham...........wherever you lived !

Going to the pictures in Thornley (?) and being chased by some evil feckers all the way to Shotton................and I didn't live there!!