bearspakora
Well-Known Member
The friendly pitch invasions of Barcelona and Wembley weren't the problem, mate. The isolation and blaming of Rangers fans for the pitch invasion in Barcelona by the media to this day is the problem.
On this day in 1977: Crossbar broken and turf as souvenirs as Wembley belongs to the Tartan Army
- Thread starter J Spaceman
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The friendly pitch invasions of Barcelona and Wembley weren't the problem, mate. The isolation and blaming of Rangers fans for the pitch invasion in Barcelona by the media to this day is the problem.
temperance
Well-Known Member
I was on the pitch, but it wasn’t an invasion, I was getting crushed at th3 front and had to go on, in fact it was a copper who helped me out.
Biggordie1953
Well-Known Member
I brought a bit back with me and planted it in the back garden but forgot to dig it up when I moved house years later.I was, unfortunately, just too young at the time but watching the archives of this always makes me smile.
Different times of course, but there must be some great, mental stories of the Wembley weekend. Does anyone still have a slab of turf in the garden?
Crossbar broken and turf as souvenirs: Wembley belongs to the Tartan Army on this day in 1977
Scotland beat England 2-1 to retain British Championship titlewww.scotsman.com
tottie beck
Well-Known Member
Maybe it was my own personal experience, but I recall that weekend being worse than most. It had a kinda ugly undertone, with cans getting lobbed at random, and fowk pissing everywhere. And that’s in central London. However, my point was really that I don’t recall the media being so romantic about it at the time. IIRC, there was widespread condemnation of the Scottish support across all the media at the time. I know hooliganism existed prior to then but it was around the mid to late 70s that it started to be perceived as a real problem. I find it ironic that the Herald seem to think it’s something to celebrate now.
Also, I know a large amount of Bears followed the national team back then, but I think 90% is a touch high. Even some poets supported Scotland then, and often mixed buses ran from some pubs. There was an unspoken truce then that they didn’t abuse Rangers players and we didn’t abuse mentally challengeds. How things have changed, eh?
Chubster
Well-Known Member
That was the year we were apparently banned!
Goodness knows where the fans got their tickets but they did and filled the place.
An odd but lasting memory was switching in our old TV to was the game and seeing what I thought was the place full of white English flags, only to then realise the colour was turned down on the tele and when turned up the lion rampants appeared!!
lutonloyal
Well-Known Member
I was there, one of a minority of English, I'd guess we were outnumbered at least three to one. Most certainly one of the very few who were wearing England colours of scarf and hat.
It was my first of 9 Auld Firm games - Six at Wembley and 3 at Hampden.
I managed to secure a ticket the night before in Luton when as usual, our town was full of Scots for the Wembley weekender.
It was on this day on the terrace (tunnel end) that I met a bloke called Jim Moffat from Kilsyth. His crowd (all Bears) just happened to be staying in a Luton hotel that weekend and I went back on their coach.
Coincidentally, it also turned out his wife Sandra - was related by cousin to a Luton mate's wife!
I took their crowd up my local Working Mens Club that night and so began from that day onwards, a great friendship between Jim and I. Stayed at his place in Kilsyth many times since and him and Sandra at mine down here. They were at my wedding and 40th party. I was at their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
It was the very beginning of a great Luton/Kilsyth friendship link that continues to this very day.
Been up there dozens of times whenever watching Rangers and got to know so many Kilsyth Gers friends as a result. In fact it was only on March 17th I was last up there, for the funeral of one of those Bears who I first met in 1992. RIP Tam Adams.
Of course those were in the days when despite my Scots father and 3/4 Scots Grandparents - I supported England! .......and the vast majority of Scotland fans (certainly that I ever met) were Bears.
How times change. Scotland fans and many Scottish people now HATE Rangers, our fans and the English (which in fairness most probably did even then)
It's ironic, I wouldn't cross the road to watch England now (my last was in 2000) it's ONLY Luton & Rangers for me now and I'm sure because of the poisonous hatred shown towards our club and fans - most of those older Bears who are still with us - wouldn't watch Scotland anymore either!
RTID Luton Loyal
It was my first of 9 Auld Firm games - Six at Wembley and 3 at Hampden.
I managed to secure a ticket the night before in Luton when as usual, our town was full of Scots for the Wembley weekender.
It was on this day on the terrace (tunnel end) that I met a bloke called Jim Moffat from Kilsyth. His crowd (all Bears) just happened to be staying in a Luton hotel that weekend and I went back on their coach.
Coincidentally, it also turned out his wife Sandra - was related by cousin to a Luton mate's wife!
I took their crowd up my local Working Mens Club that night and so began from that day onwards, a great friendship between Jim and I. Stayed at his place in Kilsyth many times since and him and Sandra at mine down here. They were at my wedding and 40th party. I was at their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
It was the very beginning of a great Luton/Kilsyth friendship link that continues to this very day.
Been up there dozens of times whenever watching Rangers and got to know so many Kilsyth Gers friends as a result. In fact it was only on March 17th I was last up there, for the funeral of one of those Bears who I first met in 1992. RIP Tam Adams.
Of course those were in the days when despite my Scots father and 3/4 Scots Grandparents - I supported England! .......and the vast majority of Scotland fans (certainly that I ever met) were Bears.
How times change. Scotland fans and many Scottish people now HATE Rangers, our fans and the English (which in fairness most probably did even then)
It's ironic, I wouldn't cross the road to watch England now (my last was in 2000) it's ONLY Luton & Rangers for me now and I'm sure because of the poisonous hatred shown towards our club and fans - most of those older Bears who are still with us - wouldn't watch Scotland anymore either!
RTID Luton Loyal
bluetonic
Well-Known Member
My Dad was there with his nephews, I was only 3 at the time but the photos are brilliant!I was, unfortunately, just too young at the time but watching the archives of this always makes me smile.
Different times of course, but there must be some great, mental stories of the Wembley weekend. Does anyone still have a slab of turf in the garden?
Crossbar broken and turf as souvenirs: Wembley belongs to the Tartan Army on this day in 1977
Scotland beat England 2-1 to retain British Championship title
bluetonic
Well-Known Member
Brilliant!
, some great stories on this thread
Orangeandblue
Well-Known Member
I thought it was 1979 but stand to be corrected.
*Just checked it was 1979. There's an account of it in this book....
Tracking the Hooligans - The History of Football Violence on the UK Rail.
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Clicker
Well-Known Member
You could be right, I just remember it was late 70s.
Pigeon from Hell
Well-Known Member
My next door neighbor wrecked my home-made goalposts that day. Wee bar steward. Yes, I still feel bitter. Let's just say he went to a different school
Kathmandu
Well-Known Member
I was 10 and remember the house going nuts, my dad jumping about like zebedee.
I met Alex Torrance years later ( he was the one that sat on the crossbar and broke it) he worked in the Meiklejohn suite and then later in the Kensington Bar. Sadly he died a few years ago, drink is a bad thing.
I met Alex Torrance years later ( he was the one that sat on the crossbar and broke it) he worked in the Meiklejohn suite and then later in the Kensington Bar. Sadly he died a few years ago, drink is a bad thing.
Brother Crockett
Well-Known Member
I think the biggest surprise the Londoners got was the Spurs friendly in 86.
I wasn't there but was informed it was my mate's cousin (Peel Glen boy) who swiped rod stewarts watch.I was, unfortunately, just too young at the time but watching the archives of this always makes me smile.
Different times of course, but there must be some great, mental stories of the Wembley weekend. Does anyone still have a slab of turf in the garden?
Crossbar broken and turf as souvenirs: Wembley belongs to the Tartan Army on this day in 1977
Scotland beat England 2-1 to retain British Championship title
WeeJockMcPingPong
Well-Known Member
Was on the pitch that day. It was acceptable to support them then. Stopped going in the mid 80's. Even then it was apparent what was happening.
