I've just recalled on another thread the concept of special trains. In the 1970s/80s I can recall going on one to Charlton and another in our promotion year to Portsmouth (we won 1-0) It was far more common in those days but have seemingly disappeared. Is this true? They were for league games, nothing more.
No they ran for cup games too. Went everywhere on the specials early 80s. Remember cup games at Chester, Boro and the Enfield replay was via special. Probably others I've forgotten.
Was a good idea, but privatisation fecked it, like the rest of the rail network. Troublemakers rarely went on those trains. Too many police. That's why you had Leeds Service Crew & the casuals in general, who preferred regular trains.
I went on the special train to Cardiff in 2006. The train was so long it never actually moved. We got on in Barnsley, walked down the train in search of a seat, and when we got to the front we were in Cardiff. What a day!
I’m old enough to remember them remember going to Leicester on one to their old ground (Filbert street) early ‘80’s and being marched to and from the ground by police and generally treated like a herd of cattle.
I remember one season .i went to Reading played at the old ground called Elm Park I think it’s a very long time ago around 1980 season.Barnsley got battered 7 nowt we stood on the open terrace pissing down all game after the game back home on the football special with no heating on those were the days pal
I remember waiting for one outside Barnsley station. A large squad of police were marched into the yard, the full left right left right, haboooouuut turn and lined up in front of us. General laughter from us fans and also from some of the police. A rare moment of self awareness and humility on their part in those days.
I remember it was a very long time ago ,5 of us had to get a taxi from Barnsley to millwall because there had to cancelled the football special train because there weren’t enough people wanted to go
Going to both the Sheffield clubs on them was a real adventure, We usually took 2 as well. Getting off at Wadsley Bridge station, and being greeted by the usual Wednesday gathering where the pubs are further Down. Went to Lincoln travelling the line that ran through Stairfoot adjacent Wombwell Lane. Now part of the Trans Penine way. Great away days.
Remember when they used march them around the perimeter of the pitch near full time and the old Brewery stand used to start singing the Laurel and Hardy theme tune, so funny.
Can remember loads of special trains I went on back in early 80s:- Pompey, Charlton, Plymouth, Halifax, Rotherham, Chester, Reading. Happy days they were. Not really sure why they got stopped. At the time I seem to remember reports of Millwall fans and a few others wrecking trains so that probably had something to do with it.
Reight, I remember when 10 of us missed the train to Huddersfield so we went in mi mates Ford Anglia, eight inside (very cosy) one in the boot and the other clinging to the roof rack! Tell that to kids today and they won't believe you! They won't!!
Lucky b***********d. Same happened to us except we were in a Reliant Robin and they we’re 10 of us and it was at Plymouth.
Reliant Robin, luxury!! You should have seen us when we forgot to book and 5 of us went down to Exeter on my other mates moped, still at least it didn't rain
Eh, I was simply joining NYReds Monty Python’s type sketch ‘4 Yorkshiremen’ I do however, find it amazing that someone would hire a Taxi all way to Millwall, not least of all because of the expense.
Luxury, When we missed our train to Yeovil for a Pre-season friendly, we had to walk on our hands in. 5 feet of snow ( Bart gloves) we nearly got there and the Police turned us back.
I was on that train. There were 126 of us. I remember the coppers laughing at the poor numbers as we got off. They were a little more aggressive when putting the fans back on after the game as some reated rather badly to the 7-0 mauling (we we’re lucky to get nil) and trashed a load of parked vehicles back to the station.