Good Friday - crucified at Millwall.

[Freddie Goodwin.]

In 75/76. Peter Taylor Mk 1 had built a strong team but, as so often in the past, it was away form that was to let the team down.

Once again, Easter was crucial and, on Good Friday we had to play away at in form Millwall who were hot on our heels for promotion,.

Over 23,000 packed into the old Den. I've been there a few times but this was the most intimidating. Most fans entered the ground at the same end and away fans had to pass behind a stand to get to 'our' end. I saw an Albion fan, face covered in blood and a copper say's to him "Come on, he must have had a reason for hitting you"!

Our pen was hardly secure with the 'wall on the other side of the fence, when not trying to climb it. On the big terrace down the side, fans were climbing the TV gantry and over the segregation fences to get nearer us. I believe thay called that terrace 'The Jungle' and it really was, heaving, swaying and drum beats.

We had a good following but were intimidated, no doubt. And so were the team, blown away by a team who were, bigger, better and more 'up for it'

Our promotion push really came to an end that day. Millwall moved above us into 3rd and 2 points ahead (2 for a win). We had a game in hand but they were on a roll and would gain promotion

Our anger and frustration would boil over at the next game....

 

[Anchorman]

I went to this game but remember very little other than losing 3-1 and getting on the wrong train home (it seemed like it was going in the right direction but then set course toward Horsham) The main thing that has stuck in my mind to this day was the intimidating atmosphere and near the end of the game one of their fans shouted out "Wheres all yer f*cking Seagulls gawn, all f*cked off home" How they laughed. I wanted to give him a serious frowning but thought better of it.

 

[East Staffs Gull]

There were massive queues to get into the ground. When it became evident that many fans weren't going to get into the ground before kick-off, they started swinging on the exit gates in order to force them open. I remember seeing a mounted copper trying to get in front of one large pair of gates. However, he got pulled from his horse, the gates were swung open and hundreds of fans, including me, got in for nothing. By then the game had already started.

 

[Gwylan]

I remember that Joe Kinnear had a shocker for us.

It was one of my first few away games and I remember the atmosphere being unlike any other game I'd been to. Didn't one of the Millwall fans have a big drum? There was a lot of noise from their end.

I was really glad to get home in one piece.

 

[Perry Milkins]

I remember that Joe Kinnear had a shocker for us.

It was one of my first few away games and I remember the atmosphere being unlike any other game I'd been to. Didn't one of the Millwall fans have a big drum? There was a lot of noise from their end.

I was really glad to get home in one piece.

The bloke was so laid back he was almost horizontal. Was he one of Taylors signings?

Also recall that he was none too complimentary about us in autobugraffe.

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

Funny thing about Kinnear. Was a legend at Spurs, classy full back, and has made his mark as a np nonsense 'fight em all' manager but was absolute waster in his one season with Albion.

I think he came down for an easy ride with his old mate Mullery but was found out. The only Albion player i saw stretched off to cheers because we were so glad he was injured!

 

[Nigella's Cream Pie]

My first Albion away game.
Baptism of fire, only a lad so found the Millwall fans frightening.
To the cinema in the evening to see Jaws - didn't get much sleep that night!

 

[The Spanish]

Jeff Burnige, ex Millwall chairman, admits that it could have been another Hillsborough, that game.

Worth bearing in mind when people get snobby about the recent memorials.

 

[The Auditor]

Jeff Burnige, ex Millwall chairman, admits that it could have been another Hillsborough, that game.

It was definitely a bit of a crush and a fair bit of aggro

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

It was a game that I couldn't wait for it to end right from the kick-off. And I was glad we didn't win too!