Football Specials

[Wormholes of Time]

Thanks everyone for the contributions. Much appreciated - thanks for giving up your time. When I've completed my piece (probably within a month) then I'll share the link. My sixties memories include Yeovil, Aldershot, Aston Villa (cup replay v Notts F), Sheffield W, Burnley at WBA, and Arsenal etc.
It sounds as though the trip to Wrexham was a key one - anyone got a few words about that excursion?

[Nomoreheroes]

K&B coaches in the 80s. Parked at rugby ground for Leicester game (where Foley got sent off, Hammond was brilliant until last 5 mins when we conceded several times to lose 3-2). Interesting walk back to the coach!

Saw coach with smashed windows before a Birmingham game. Our coach got kicked by a police horse. Don’t remember it being the 6-4 win though.

[Jimmy HaveHave]

Thanks everyone for the contributions. Much appreciated - thanks for giving up your time. When I've completed my piece (probably within a month) then I'll share the link. My sixties memories include Yeovil, Aldershot, Aston Villa (cup replay v Notts F), Sheffield W, Burnley at WBA, and Arsenal etc.
It sounds as though the trip to Wrexham was a key one - anyone got a few words about that excursion?

Have a chat with Aud I'm pretty certain he was on the Wrexham special

[Mooneyraker]

Sad to have missed out on these. I've heard tales of the famous Wrexham trip!

Even now it is great when you get a critical mass of fans on the trains. Coming back from Hartlepool after the 3-0 win in the Garner season was brilliant.

[Legends-Lounge]

Sad to have missed out on these. I've heard tales of the famous Wrexham trip!

Even now it is great when you get a critical mass of fans on the trains. Coming back from Hartlepool after the 3-0 win in the Garner season was brilliant.

Getting to the ground and missing most of the first half wasn’t much fun. Losing to top off an absolutely shit day out took the biscuit.

[Mooneyraker]

Getting to the ground and missing most of the first half wasn’t much fun. Losing to top off an absolutely shit day out took the biscuit.

Which game was that?

[Jimmy HaveHave]

Wrexham away in the mid 70's

[The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey]

Have a chat with Aud I'm pretty certain he was on the Wrexham special

Jesus! Now that was a day out!

[Peter Venkman]

Off the top of my head I remember goin on these specials.

Liverpool and Wrexham in 76/77.
Arsenal in 79, Spurs in 80.
Reading in 82.
Burnley in 83.
Carlisle in 84.
Bristol City and Rovers at least 3 times each in the 80's and early 90's.
Newport 3 times in the late 70s early 80s.
Crystal Palace in 89 for the play off.

I am sure there are a couple I have forgotten in there too, but they were great days out, the Burnley special when the window was broken in the front carriage when a passing trains door was left open was an experience.

[Wormholes of Time]

If anyone fancies messaging me their Wrexham memories then all will obvs be treated with confidentiality ... My Scouser walking football mate tells me that when he lived in London 1971-76, he used to phone Euston and reserve three carriages for the trip north and back to the capital. Imagine!

[sir windon]

Super footage of Town fans’ day out to Ashton Gate on the train in ‘82 here.

[Peter Venkman]

Super footage of Town fans’ day out to Ashton Gate on the train in ‘82 here.

Not seen that before I was in the middle of those being escorted to and from Parson Street.

[Lardy Cake]

As a teenager in the seventies I visited Ashton Gate regularly via the train to Temple Meads and then the delightful 2.5 mile walk to the ground. I can recall hundreds of us marching along singing a song etc. One year we arrived and found the perimeter fencing etc adorned with STFC graffiti particularly “STAB” which was our calling card in those days. Attempts to pay a visit to the East End was always short lived although we did manage to actually get on the terraces one year. As for the football the first game I saw we drew 3-3. I recall the ref gave a penalty against Rod Thomas for handball when the ball hit the bar not his hand ! That’s the only time I have seen us get a point at Ashton Gate. The rivalry was far more intense with Bristol City than it ever was with Oxford in my “naughty” days as a Town fan. Still have an intense dislike for them even now.

[Wormholes of Time]

Thanks to everyone for their memories. I've nearly finished writing everything up and I'll share in a week or two and then people can message me etc if they want anything added etc. Had a meeting yesterday with GWR Heritage funding representatives and there is great official enthusiasm for this strand of what I am doing. Much more to follow about what will happen with the Football Specials walk and talk and performance (from the STEAM Museum to the CG) by the end of the year ready for 2024 - I'm also hoping to arrange a walking football tournament with my crew from Stroud and Swindon WFers for 'oral history bantz' etc. I feel chuffed (sic): official backing for what might be a unique general and specific history of 'Football Specials". So, thanks again everyone - hope to meet you in 2024 for a trip down memory rails.

[Jimmy HaveHave]

Thanks to everyone for their memories. I've nearly finished writing everything up and I'll share in a week or two and then people can message me etc if they want anything added etc. Had a meeting yesterday with GWR Heritage funding representatives and there is great official enthusiasm for this strand of what I am doing. Much more to follow about what will happen with the Football Specials walk and talk and performance (from the STEAM Museum to the CG) by the end of the year ready for 2024 - I'm also hoping to arrange a walking football tournament with my crew from Stroud and Swindon WFers for 'oral history bantz' etc. I feel chuffed (sic): official backing for what might be a unique general and specific history of 'Football Specials". So, thanks again everyone - hope to meet you in 2024 for a trip down memory rails.

Great work can’t wait to read the finished article.