Intimidating Grounds

[The Laughing Bluebird]

Recently I found Swindon away in the play offs pretty intimidating.

I'm amazed to read that, Yorkie. I've been to Swindon on three or four occasions and it's been one of the least intimidating places I've ever visited. Never a hint of trouble.

Millwall in 1999 for me. I went there again this season and didn't feel at all intimidated, such was the size of the police operation, but back in 1999 it was very, very scary.

 

[perseus]

Back in the 70's I went to Elland Rd with my ex to watch them play Manure a few weeks after Jordan & McQueen had transferred. That was intimidating and I was with the home supporters

Recently I found Swindon away in the play offs pretty intimidating. We had to walk back sandwiched between the stadium and the outside broadcast vans with Swindon fans walking the opposite way. Someone grabbed Locky by the throat and it was his own mates who dragged him off.

I have heard that Leeds v Manchester United was the most violent and intimidating place as well. The added factor in Leeds was the Police were looking (causing it) for trouble as well (allegedly).

In London, the Police will turn a blind eye, or look anxiously on at events beyond their control.

I do not want to put anybody off going to White Hart Lane. I was not really thinking about the isolated nasty bits, but by the sheer atmosphere of it all. Exhilerating with just a spice of danger to put everybody on their toes. Don't walk under brick bridges in your colours, because if their are any bricks left you could get pelted.

 

[Uncle Buck]

In London, the Police will turn a blind eye, or look anxiously on at events beyond their control.

You what?

The Met are one of the biggest collection of wankers in police uniforms in this country. At no point have I ever been to a London game where the Met have turned a blind eye. Standard procdure for that shower is to be completly over the top, including donning the riot gear for nothing games at places like Barnet.

To be honest I think you have been at the airline fuel again.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Swindon in the play offs was well strange, it was a very strange atmosphere walking away from the ground.

 

[Seagulls over Lewes]

Dalymount on occasion can seem pretty intimidating

I went there to watch the Albion a few moons ago certianly was not intimidating as there was only about hundred people there. Mind you got called a English wanker when I put my Lewes St George flag up.

 

[jevs]

Didn't you all find our lot intimidating at the Boleyn a few weeks ago with all our loud chanting and singing

 

[Harold]

You what?

The Met are one of the biggest collection of wankers in police uniforms in this country. At no point have I ever been to a London game where the Met have turned a blind eye. Standard procdure for that shower is to be completly over the top, including donning the riot gear for nothing games at places like Barnet.

To be honest I think you have been at the airline fuel again.

Same as that. The Met are a law unto themselves and basically itching to abandon formal training and tear into a situation in as much of an OTT way as possible. Turn a blind eye indeed. More likely to give you a black one.

When it comes to grounds though I was never keen on St. Andrews or Ninian Park.

 

[The Auditor]

Millwall away in the 91 play-offs was horrendous for a 15 year old like me! Watching them set fire to the policeman's helmet will stay in my memory forever

That game is my "worst" supporting the Albion

 

[perseus]

Same as that. The Met are a law unto themselves and basically itching to abandon formal training and tear into a situation in as much of an OTT way as possible. Turn a blind eye indeed. More likely to give you a black one.

When it comes to grounds though I was never keen on St. Andrews or Ninian Park.

Since 1985, I expect the Police have developed new tactics. But the area around the Tottenham ground is a bit too crowded for cars of any kind let alone armoured landowners and the full riot squad?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Since 1985, I expect the Police have developed new tactics. But the area around the Tottenham ground is a bit too crowded for cars of any kind let alone armoured landowners and the full riot squad?

What are you talking about?

The last time I went to Spurs (third round of the cup last season) it was policed in the normal Met manner. Loads of them, horses, combat gear etc.

 

[perseus]

What are you talking about?

The last time I went to Spurs (third round of the cup last season) it was policed in the normal Met manner. Loads of them, horses, combat gear etc.

I except that. Just like to know what to expect.

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

Port Vale away in 2001-02 was fairly scary going back from the ground, in contrast to Shrewsbury at the end of the 2000-01 season, when we were all shaking hands on the pitch. Millwall was a bit worrying, when they set fire to the terrace. The most frightening experience for me, though, was in 1987. I went up on my own to the Sheffield United FA Cup game. Walking to the ground, there was a cheerful message on a wall, "Welcome to Sheffield. We hope if you came by train, you bought a single ticket, because you won't be going back." Blades Business Crew. As a slight 18 year old, that rather hit home with me.

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

...let alone armoured landowners and the full riot squad?

Do the met draft in the landed gentry to give them a hand, or are they mostly farmers?

 

[Starry]

The added factor in Leeds was the Police were looking (causing it) for trouble as well (allegedly).

West Yorks Police are still like that.
--
Galatasaray is the most intimidating place ever.

 

[Stinky Kat]

Ninian Park is the worst of the 60 odd I have done by at least a million miles. Horrible support intent on killing you.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

I received a right hook outside a pub on the ringroad in Peterborough a few years back, a nasty contingent waiting outside for us lot to walk by.

Vividly remember leaving Southend in the mid-nineties and walking past a long line of skinheads who just stood there staring saying 'come on then you *****' - pretty menacing.

 

[unnameable]

At the Den, Millwall, in May 1991, for the play-off semi-final, the atmosphere was hostile. In September of the same year, when we played there in a league match, the place was just as unwelcoming. I remember the home fans racially abusing one of their own players, Chris Armstrong, when he came on as substitute. After the game, I was ambushed by a group of Millwall fans. I was spared a kicking because my then girlfriend was with me and even Millwall fans have chivalry. Johnny Byrne scored with a great volley down our end that evening.
I am looking forward to this Saturday's trip to the New Den.

 

[Seagulls over Lewes]

The most frightening experience for me, though, was in 1987. I went up on my own to the Sheffield United FA Cup game. Walking to the ground, there was a cheerful message on a wall, "Welcome to Sheffield. We hope if you came by train, you bought a single ticket, because you won't be going back." Blades Business Crew. As a slight 18 year old, that rather hit home with me.

I remember seeing that message, this was only my third away trip with the Albion.

 

[Cian]

I went there to watch the Albion a few moons ago certianly was not intimidating as there was only about hundred people there. Mind you got called a English wanker when I put my Lewes St George flag up.

For a friendly its not

For a crucial league or cup match, when you're in the away end, its bad.

I'm sure Liam has some stories of nasty Bohemians vs. Shelbourne matches - they'd be amongst the worst for trouble, except maybe Bohs/Pats matches. They've got nothing against Finn Harps so they've less reason to kick off

However, all Bohemians fans are troglodytes. Hence the flag problem.

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

The most frightening experience for me, though, was in 1987. I went up on my own to the Sheffield United FA Cup game. Walking to the ground, there was a cheerful message on a wall, "Welcome to Sheffield. We hope if you came by train, you bought a single ticket, because you won't be going back."

That kind of message was all the rage back in the 70's and 80's. I remember that Burnley once had a message painted outside their away end which read:

"Welcome to Turf Moor. Enjoy the game. It'll be your last."

Classic!