Chester was the very first team we played on a Sunday.....

many many years ago.
At Oakwell, over 8000 crowd.
Due, if I remember rightly, to not being able to have the floodlights on as a result of power cuts, so it was a lunchtime kickoff.

 

And the last time we played you in the FAC we played United in the next round

 

It was also the first match where me and Dyson's dad attended Oakwell on our own. It's got a lot to answer for! 1-1 draw.

 

And clubs had to provide a free entry gate to comply with the Sunday trading law at the time.

 

It was during the 1973-74 season, my very first as a Reds fan. I think we ended up playing 3 or 4 Sunday games and they all drew large gates. Mind you, if admission was free (as a 9 year old at the time I can't remember....) that's no surprise!!!

 

Admission wasn't free but the law said one free entry gate had to be provided for anyone who wanted to use it, but if I remember right not all that many took advantage.

 

As I recall, you couldn't get in for free. Admission was by programme only (can't remember how much was charged for the programme).

 

P88 of the book Oakwell Saints Go Marching On says "The game against Chester drew a crowd of 8294, The biggest for 3 years, to Oakwell, and that was also the biggest crowd of the day in Division Four. Only 10 people took advantage of a "free gate" which had to be provided by law.

 

Not arguing. I'm sure you're right. Just trying to dredge up a few memories. Maybe I'm thinking of a later period.

 

No probs glad to be of help.

 

You actually "bought" a teamsheet, by coincidence the cost was exactly the same as the usual cost of admission. I was only 11 then so it'd have cost 20p, except that at that first Sunday game we were 2 of the 10 that used the free gate - it was the only time we did and I think BFC have had their moneys-worth out of us since then!

Programmes were sold separately and cost 5p.

Iley out!