Memories of ‘The Special’

Only those of a certain age will remember the legendary train trips . I was 14 in April 1981 when we went to Blackpool in bad weather needing a win against an already relegated Blackpool . Always knackered old carriages and plenty of big pots for the card schools - happy days

 

I can remember my first time on the special Chesterfield away... there was a few of us all around 13 or 14 years old, would any parents allow that now?

 

I went to see anti-nowhere league at the leadmill when i was 13 with my mate who was 14. Kids now would get lost going to the end of their street.

 

Went to watch Chesterfield v reds sixties . About nine or ten years old with local WMC trip , not sure exact year but but it was mixed Terracing no segregation at match .
Stopped at a pub on way back Fathas in pub we left to our own devices about ten or eleven on us kids . Went for a walk round estate or village of wherever they’d stopped , probably only an hour or so but it seemed hours .

 

Used to always go ont "Special". Always full of pissed up blokes who'd all pile out of Dev 5 minutes before it left. Can remember going to Lincoln, Huddersfield, Blackpool, Port Vale, Halifax and Liverpool especially which turned out to be a good decision as we made the kick off.

 

Not on the special but got turned off the M62 think it was the first time it had ever been shut. With a statement when it was built that it never would.

 

Went to Liverpool away for the famous goal-less draw in January 1982 on one of the special trains

 

Went on loads.

Few cans, Albert Hirst pies, snap, cards, paper - sorted.

Good atmosphere. Treated like cattle by the Polizei wherever we went.

 

My kids went to their first concerts at 14. Son was 13 this year when he travelled on his own to watch Newcastle but I met him off the train and he didn't have to change,

 

Did all these trains go direct from Barnsley to wherever the game was? Shame they don't do them anymore

 

Yep, although British Rail seemed to find the most roundabout route to go anywhere.

Used to give us ancient trains as well - but you can understand why.

Much safer than travelling in a transit van or coach - and easier to police - everyone all together then marched to the ground in a crocodile like school kids.

 

Wow r was only a Yongen 15 ish when r went on mi first Special, enclosed space all the singing brilliant, fantastic only did abart a dozen wow brought back sum great old memories. Would they ever get re- introduced,

 

Used to love the Specials. Can remember loads from late 70s to mid 80s. Rotherham, Wednesday, York, Chester, Burnley, Charlton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Newport to name but a few.
Great days out with mates at a time without a care. Plus we largely had a decent side at the time. Happy days....

 

Was on that Blackpool special. That was about the only game on that day - snow everywhere and it was bloody freezing on that open away end. Train went some ridiculous route south, then back up. I think I saw signs for Bristol at one point! Obviously we lost, but it meant we could clinch promotion on the Tuesday night at home if my memory's not playing tricks. Bonus - I found a fiver in the slush at the bus station waiting for the 446 back to Wakey.

The specials were absolutely fantastic. Did tons of 'em. Learnt to play cards on there - some great friendships forged. Memorable ones?? Liverpool for the 0-0, with the march from Lime St to Anfield.....Boro away when I think every window got bricked near that bridge on the way home....Chester in the FA Cup - short of actually dismantling the train, I think every fixture & fitting got nicked that day.......Enfield at WHL, with the warzone walking back to the station afterwards. I think that one was the milk train - went right out east & up the coast. We got back to tarn about 3am and I had a mock O-level that morning!

 

Funny you should mention the Chester match. Someone I work with was telling me about that one recently. Apparently there were a load of trainspotters on the Chester platform when it pulled in who all got heavily ‘gozzed’ on. He also said that for this particular special they didn’t allow cans on, and he just remembers everyone throwing empty wine bags on the floor (the foil bag with a tap on that you get inside a box of wine) as they got off the train.
I wasn’t there so it could be complete rhubarb mind.

 

Used to take 2 to Sheff U. The second one was full of special people

 

Remember a cup game at Rotherham it had been postponed on Saturday midweek game was doubtful but a train was put on we were held at Barnsley til the match was confirmed because we were told once the train left the platform there were no refunds.

 

Remember the Boro and Blackpool ones too now you mention them. Blackpool was surreal, shirt sleeve weather over there and 4 inches of snow back home! Seemed really bad at time to not clinch promotion but set up a fantastic finale home to Grimsby on the Tues instead.
Suddenly remembered Halifax and Huddersfield trips too. Being marched through Halifax on a dark murky winter night with songs about the Yorkshire Ripper ringing out! Stood on a muck stack with market stalls at the back of the away end. No H&S in those days lol

 

You were a brave lad in shirt sleeves! The sun was out, but it was chuffin' freezing....