Stories of being in the ‘Home’ End

[GangwayD]

28 minutes ago, MuespachRam said:

It was Munich not Berlin...and we went in the home end that night.

It had been going off in town all day before the game, we saw loads of gangs of German and English just wandering around smashing the place up, it was a really moody atmosphere and because we had tickets in the home end we almost leave out hotel to go to the game....glad we did..

We decided no one would notice us, sat there in the middle of their main end, didn't say a word to anyone, we were totally undercover, then when Yanker scored for them the row in front of us all turned around and screamed "F you England" "ha you English pigs" etc etc, seems like we hadn't been as "undercover" as we thought.... anyway as the game went on and we equalized we managed to sit on our hands, then when the second one went in we lost it....the locals were fine with us, same for the 3rd, the 4th...but by the time the 5th went in they were getting mightily annoyed, so we went and stood with a group of 10 Milwall fans who were also in there, safety in numbers....

Walking back to the hotel.... that was like the wild west...

Have to say it's been one of the few England away games I've missed but I was overseas and returned the previous day.  Didn't see that performance/result coming and having just got back from one country to go out again to Munich (as you corrected me) was a ball ache.  Obviously regretted it since, but had a great night in the pub with the lads as the goals rained in.  

Lads that went described it is exactly as you mentioned.

Luton away was an odd one for us.  A few us found ourselves in their seats to the right of the away end and we we're quickly spotted by the locals.  Not surprising the stand wasn't full and slowly more and more lads moved and sat near us.  Thankfully about 7-8 lads that we're sat down from us we're DLF and they made themselves known. Strangely enough Luton then didn't quite fancy it and we finished up being the C Stand for the day.   

Did Ipswich away in their end once which was a classic I'll save for another time.  

Great stories Gents, enjoyed every one. 

Gangway D from the terrace. 

 

[MuespachRam]

4 minutes ago, GangwayD said:

Have to say it's been one of the few England away games I've missed but I was overseas and returned the previous day.  Didn't see that performance/result coming and having just got back from one country to go out again to Munich (as you corrected me) was a ball ache.  Obviously regretted it since, but had a great night in the pub with the lads as the goals rained in.  

Lads that went described it is exactly as you mentioned.

Luton away was an odd one for us.  A few us found ourselves in their seats to the right of the away end and we we're quickly spotted by the locals.  Not surprising the stand wasn't full and slowly more and more lads moved and sat near us.  Thankfully about 7-8 lads that we're sat down from us we're DLF and they made themselves known. Strangely enough Luton then didn't quite fancy it and we finished up being the C Stand for the day.   

Did Ipswich away in their end once which was a classic I'll save for another time.  

Great stories Gents, enjoyed every one. 

Gangway D from the terrace. 

 

We got the tickets off eBay too and they only arrived the day we were leaving for Munich, actually we drove up the road looking for the postman as we were leaving for the airport… thankfully he had them. 
 

the walk back to the hotel, we got fireworks thrown at us as we stood on a petrol station forecourt lining up to get a crate of beer…. That didn’t feel too safe so we hot footed It out of there. 
when we eventually got back to the hotel the atmosphere inside was electric, everyone singing and dancing and outside just loads of police sirens and breaking glass.. we went out the next morning and It was carnage…I bought every single German newspaper that day and still have them all…

best England away trip I have ever been on. 

[Mucker1884]

Pretty certain my first away game was in the home end.  In my final year at school, so '79?  went to OT with a Manure mate and his Dad, from Derby.  In the seats behind the goal (opposite Stretford End).

With the home team cruising, already at 3-0, my hosts decided to make a dash for the car, to beat the traffic.  There was maybe 5 mins of the game left.

Upon reaching the car, on went the radio, and to whoops of delight from my mate, a 4-0 final score was announced.
Delight soon turned dismay, frustration, and actual real schoolboy tears, when it was also announced who the scorer of the 4th goal was...

A one club man.  Almost a million appearances, over a 43 year playing career.  Every one as their Captain.  Rated every game no less than 9.8.  180 trophies.  Never missed a game.  About as big a club legend as one can get, and at the biggest club of them all.
And my mate left early, and missed witnessing the only goal Martin Buchan ever scored for them, and cried all the way back to Little Eaton!  Legend!  ?

 

 

 

*OK, some facts are a little skewed, but you get the picture!  

 

[Mucker1884]

Just about to leave Derby Bus Station on a private hire coach, when our game at Bolton was called off.  No refund for the coach, so we decided to use it, checked the fixtures, and chose Chesterfield v Orient.  Due to the diversion from the original itinerary, we arrived in the town centre at 1 minute past opening time.

Ergo, we were all rather jolly on our final approach to Saltergate, but the local Inspector insisted we attend the home end, depsite our protestations.  After all, we were all from Derbyshire, and therefore "locals"!  We were thinking more "Local Rivals"!
Suffice to say, it wasn't pretty, and our stay didn't last long, before we got VIP'd around the perimeter of the pitch and into the safe arms of the away end, where we duly received a hearty welcome and standing ovation. 

I think I was asleep for the entire second half!   ??

Edited September 1, 2021 by Mucker1884

[Mucker1884]

Wolves v Grimsby at the BBG.  League Cup Semi.  Replay at neutral ground.

Went with the obvious choice, as I already had a scarf in the Mariners colours!  ?

Great game, great atmosphere (I was on the popside, instead of my usual Ossie End), but as usual, my team for the evening lost, as they so often do!

Took a right proper kicking on the way out, all whilst being called all the fish-related names under the sun!
Never been keen on Wolves ever since!  

[Mucker1884]

Remember playing some sort of Duncan Norvelle game along the back of the (seated) stand to the right of the away terrace, at Goodison.

It was all "Chase me, Chase me", but as soon as a dead end was reached, the chasees would turn and become the chasers!

back and forth, for a good 20 mins, before plod waded in with their scouse batons!

Never been confronted by so many oppo fans for so long, and not a solitary punch was thrown! 

 

More DFS than DLF!   ??

[ossieram]

We used to visit home ends quite a bit before all seater and all ticket games. 

We'd walk up to the ground, normally after supping a few pints, and check out the prices. If it was 50p or more cheaper than the away end, we'd head in. 

It did get nasty occasionally due to the fact that 4 of us would walk into the middle of their fans and start singing Derby songs, but 9 times out of 10 they would leave us alone until the police moved us out and escorted us to the away end.

[Mucker1884]

Best ever view from a terrace?  Bang centre of The Kop. 
No need to worry about accent, as we travelled with the Liverpool Supporters Derby Branch, and they were known to the locals, as they stood in the same place every game.
No need to worry about cheering a goal, as we lost 5-0!

 

Cracking view mind, for a terrace!   

[Foreveram]

Living in Nottinghamshire a lot my mates were red dogs and on one occasion I thought it was a good idea to go with them and stand in the Trent end against Derby, I thought I was keeping a low profile till one of them wrote Derby fan in chalk on my back, mates eh. I was at old Trafford with my two sons on the day of the Hillsboro disaster in the days when you could just turn up and pay on the day . The away end was sold out so we ended up in the Utd end , word came through that some Liverpool fans had lost their lives and their fans were cheering which was pretty sickening. The England 5-1 game against Germany we were on holiday in Tenerife and there were quite a few Germans in the hotel who were not impressed when the DJ played dam busters over the tannoy. 

 

 

[LeedsCityRam]

Been in with Leeds fans a couple of times at Elland Road. Lost both times so wasn't an issue, thankfully all our wins been whilst I was able to celebrate in the away end. Was actually invited through work into corporate for the playoff semi but told them had no intention of sitting with opposition fans for a game that important (I managed to get an away end ticket day before game). Suspect I may not have made it out of Elland Road alive had I been outed that night as Derby.

Went to Upton Park about 10 years ago to see us play West Ham but sat in the packed Bobby Moore Stand with my mate (a Hammer). Anyway, we took a surprise lead through Tamas Priskin and as I leapt to my feet & punched the air, I felt a couple of hundred eyes fixed on me. Thinking this probably wasn't a great life decision, I screamed 'you facking mugs' in my best faux-Cockney & sat down sharpish. We lost 3-1, I stayed sat down for their 3 goals..

[Wistaston Ram]

2 hours ago, Mucker1884 said:

Wolves v Grimsby at the BBG.  League Cup Semi.  Replay at neutral ground.

Went with the obvious choice, as I already had a scarf in the Mariners colours!  ?

Great game, great atmosphere (I was on the popside, instead of my usual Ossie End), but as usual, my team for the evening lost, as they so often do!

Took a right proper kicking on the way out, all whilst being called all the fish-related names under the sun!
Never been keen on Wolves ever since!  

I was there too with my dad who was a Wolves fan. It was actually the quarter final and we went to the semi-final at Molineux v Swindon. (Wolves beat forest in the final!) Had to go in the away end as the rest of the ground was packed (40k). I was only a boy and it was the most scared I have ever been at a game due to the crush of the crowd trying to get into the ground. Hillsborough was still ten years ahead, and I always think back to this game when it's talked about. It was lucky that such a disaster never happened earlier. Amazing to think this was not an all ticket game and we just decided to go on the day!

[hales300k]

Showing my age here , but i went to Leicester for the last away game of the 74/75 season , i was 12 yrs old and not the brightest , Derby scarves on my wrist , belt and neck in true 1970s fashion , i went straight through the first turnstile i saw , whoops , home end , chased back over the turnstile by the local meatheads , went round to the away end , turnstiles closed , too full , mooched around during the game , then squeezed in for the last 15 minutes when they opened the gates to let people out , can remember the Leeds home FA cup game that season , losing 1-0 , Nish own goal i think , then being on the popside for the Carlisle game , on the pitch to celebrate winning the league at the end , and taking a bit of the penalty spot home 

[Mucker1884]

1 hour ago, Wistaston Ram said:

I was there too with my dad who was a Wolves fan. It was actually the quarter final and we went to the semi-final at Molineux v Swindon. (Wolves beat forest in the final!) Had to go in the away end as the rest of the ground was packed (40k). I was only a boy and it was the most scared I have ever been at a game due to the crush of the crowd trying to get into the ground. Hillsborough was still ten years ahead, and I always think back to this game when it's talked about. It was lucky that such a disaster never happened earlier. Amazing to think this was not an all ticket game and we just decided to go on the day!

It doesn't surprise me one bit that I got my facts wrong!  Thanks for the correction!  ?

Proof, if anyone doubts I have my facts wrong!  ?

 

 

 

 

Your mention of the final immediately reminded me of a very brave diving header from Andy Gray, for the only goal of the game.  Having now checked, I see I got that wrong too!  That must have been a different final?  Maybe even different opposition?

Now I see it, I do recall this goal, and recall laughing my tits off watching it live on telly!  Also forgot Emlyn was there by then too!  ?

 

[48 hours]

Remember standing on the popside when we were playing West Ham.

A West Ham fan was in 'kids corner' and decided to run across the pitch to try and join the West Ham fans in the popside. He ended up being escorted away by OB towards the Normanton end.

After the game I was leaving the ground and the same fan that had run across the pitch appeared from a door at the back of the Normanton stand. He came up to me and asked the way to the station. Told him that I was heading there myself, and we walked back together.

Caught up with the 500+ West Ham fans who were being escorted by the police and ended up walking with them back to the station.

 

[Van der MoodHoover]

After an all night bender at uni, me and a few mates thought it would be a laugh to go to Chelsea v Derby at the bridge in early 1983.

Never been previously, followed the crowd down a busy road watching as blue scarved fans peeled off and went in to various turnstiles. Until we reached the last set of gates and saw the sign "The Shed". 

A police guy on a horse was shouting through a megaphone that "all away fans should turn around now and return down the road in the opposite direction to the stand for the away fans". To which a cheerful cockernee voice chirped "wots the dacking point of saying that - if any geezer turned rahnd nah, ee'd get a dacking kicking". 

So in we went. Plenty of space so we stood apart. Then we scored 2 quickfire goals. The locals were certainly restless. Then my mate Brian, a lanky gormless guy from Burnley boomed out in a loud Lancashire accent.... "eee.. I doon't knaw why yerr not cheeerin....yer team's just scorrred". 

Which sealed our fate...... ?

[48 hours]

Went to watch Crewe (my home town) away at West Ham in a Cup game.

Went to pay at the turnstile for the away end to be told the game was all-ticket for away fans.

The man at the turnstile told me to go to the home fans turnstile, walk across to the Crewe fans and get a steward to let me join them - which I did.

Frank McAvennie was subbed off and replaced by Crewe born+bred Jimmy Quinn who scored the winning goal ...

[Foreveram]

2 hours ago, hales300k said:

Showing my age here , but i went to Leicester for the last away game of the 74/75 season , i was 12 yrs old and not the brightest , Derby scarves on my wrist , belt and neck in true 1970s fashion , i went straight through the first turnstile i saw , whoops , home end , chased back over the turnstile by the local meatheads , went round to the away end , turnstiles closed , too full , mooched around during the game , then squeezed in for the last 15 minutes when they opened the gates to let people out , can remember the Leeds home FA cup game that season , losing 1-0 , Nish own goal i think , then being on the popside for the Carlisle game , on the pitch to celebrate winning the league at the end , and taking a bit of the penalty spot home 

I think I was the last person to get in at the away end for this match. Me and my mate had tried a couple of the away turnstiles but they said it was full,  tried the last one, my mate got in and they said that’s it no more I pleaded with the guy on the gate and said my mate has the car keys and he let me in.

 

 

 

[Foreveram]

I was in the home end at Blackpool against florist in the playoff semifinal in 2010. I rang their ticket office for a seat in the home end but when I gave them my Nottinghamshire address they they said no. I told them I was a Derby season ticket holder and was trying to visit all the grounds. They rang Derby’s ticket office ( when there was actually people there answering the phone) and checked my number and sent me a ticket in the main stand where I watched wee billy suffer at the hands of DJ Campbell

 

 

 

 

[48 hours]

11 hours ago, Van der MoodHoover said:

 

Plenty of space so we stood apart. Then we scored 2 quickfire goals. The locals were certainly restless. Then my mate Brian, a lanky gormless guy from Burnley boomed out in a loud Lancashire accent.... "eee.. I doon't knaw why yerr not cheeerin....yer team's just scorrred". 

Which sealed our fate...... ?

It's normally one's accent which is the big giveaway.

Unfortunately I'm not very good at imitating the locals. My cockney accent makes Dick van Dyke look good ...

 

[Angry Ram]

12 hours ago, Van der MoodHoover said:

To which a cheerful cockernee voice chirped "wots the dacking point of saying that - if any geezer turned rahnd nah, ee'd get a dacking kicking". 

That's the worst 'cockernee' impression I have ever seen.. ?