[Ex-LeamSpire]

Just saw this posted on Twitter. Worth a read if, like me, you are too young to remember the competition and it's format (and our glory that year)

http://that1980sspor...ottish-cup.html

[essexspireman]

I missed the home leg of the final as I had an exam the next day. I went to the away leg and remember being packed in to a cage in the away end. Couldn't see the goal mouth as we were so packed in but just went up with the rest of the Town fans when Crawford scored. Bl00dy dangerous watching football back then

This post has been edited by essexspireman: 25 November 2014 - 09:14 PM

[WarwickshireSpireite]

essexspireman, on 25 November 2014 - 09:13 PM, said:

I missed the home leg of the final as I had an exam the next day. I went to the away leg and remember being packed in to a cage in the away end. Couldn't see the goal mouth as we were so packed in but just went up with the rest of the Town fans when Crawford scored. Bl00dy dangerous watching football back then

Great night at Meadow Lane and before the redevelopment of the ground took place.

We got in the ground and very soon the crush became ridiculous, a fair few, me included went over the fence into the home section of the open terrace behind the goal to escape the crush. My mate who was just behind me got his hands on the top of the rail about to climb over and a Nott's Police Inspector ran full length down the terrace hitting the hands of everyone who was on the fence with one of those brass tipped canes in an attempt to keep people back in a seriously over crowded pen.

Thankfully his tactics didn't work and hundreds poured over to the Nott's side and relative safety.

Gregory's performance was sensational and the joy when Alan Crawford scored was immense, fond memories all round.

[dalekpete]

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=8OiXrbdWC9U

[Benno Spire]

A very Good read and brought back some great memories. The only game I missed was Rangers away

[essexspireman]

dalekpete, on 25 November 2014 - 09:56 PM, said:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=8OiXrbdWC9U

we were good at corners back then!

[Trigger]

Fair enjoyed watching that. I wasn't around until late 84, its always nice to see things like this from before my time

[Bonnyman]

dalekpete, on 25 November 2014 - 09:56 PM, said:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=8OiXrbdWC9U

How did we end up playing in red at home, i was at the match but if somebody had asked me i would have said we had played in blue my memory is that bad although i can remember the handball as i was in the main stand in line with the away 18 yatd box?

[60s 70s Spireite]

essexspireman, on 25 November 2014 - 10:07 PM, said:

we were good at corners back then!

More likely, we had players who knew how to time a jump and run, and head a ball back then.

[dalekpete]

bonnyman, on 26 November 2014 - 08:32 AM, said:

How did we end up playing in red at home, i was at the match but if somebody had asked me i would have said we had played in blue my memory is that bad although i can remember the handball as i was in the main stand in line with the away 18 yatd box?

It was the convention then for the home team to change shirts if there was a clash in a European competition.

[whittman]

I was on the Masons Arms organised flight from East Midlands airport to Glasgow for the first leg of the Rangers match

If memory serves it cost £45 for the flight in an old Dakota boiled sweets at the ready lol

Great memories though

[Xerxes]

whittman, on 26 November 2014 - 09:40 AM, said:

I was on the Masons Arms organised flight from East Midlands airport to Glasgow for the first leg of the Rangers match

If memory serves it cost £45 for the flight in an old Dakota boiled sweets at the ready lol

Great memories though

I went on the special train, it pulled into Carlisle station and stopped, one bright spark jumped off and ran into the bar to get some cans, emerging with his arms full just as the train pulled out - he chased it down the platform but missed it (he got to the game though - must have jumped on the next service train - bet it cost him!)

[Crack]

Brilliant match atmosphere back then. Remember it all clear as a bell.
The highs were slaying Rangers 3-0 and both final legs. The low being the terrible ground conditions at County.
Think the Rangers fans were brilliant on the day and took defeat well.

[Wooden Spoon]

60s 70s Spireite, on 26 November 2014 - 08:36 AM, said:

More likely, we had players who knew how to time a jump and run, and head a ball back then.

No one better than Ernie at doing that

[60s 70s Spireite]

a kick in the balls, on 26 November 2014 - 01:12 PM, said:

No one better than Ernie at doing that

True. Bonnyman was also good, to say he was a midfielder. Another good header of a ball, even though a midfielder, was Ricky Heppolette,

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

dalekpete, on 25 November 2014 - 09:56 PM, said:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=8OiXrbdWC9U

Good old Frank could've positioned himself better in terms of the advertising hoarding when being interviewed post Rangers...

[martatcross]

MDCCCLXVI, on 26 November 2014 - 07:16 PM, said:

Good old Frank could've positioned himself better in terms of the advertising hoarding when being interviewed post Rangers...

well spotted Chris

[essexspireman]

I had a mate who used to play in a 5-a-side league in Glasgow back in the 80s and a team of Celtic fans called themselves Chesterfield to wind up the Rangers supporting teams

[plannerj]

bonnyman, on 26 November 2014 - 08:32 AM, said:

How did we end up playing in red at home, i was at the match but if somebody had asked me i would have said we had played in blue my memory is that bad although i can remember the handball as i was in the main stand in line with the away 18 yatd box?

You nearly didn't see the game if you remember. Some Rangers fans nicked our tickets but PC Plod intervened, felt their collars and we were shown to our original seats. Great display and an atmosphere never to be forgotten!

This post has been edited by plannerj: 29 November 2014 - 10:35 AM