The Big Match Revisted

[dayday]

Showed the Leicester v Man Utd game from November 1976 this morning, but what surprised me was the Utd fans was in part of the family enclosure,  and also the East Stand next to compost corner couldn’t tell if they was in the kop, also what was with the white seats in the middle of the East Stand?

 

I didn’t start going to 1979, was this normal for the away fans in that part of the ground in that era?

[Guest worth_the_wait]

Up to the summer of 1975, away fans were in the Pop side terrace at the north end (Filbert St end), although for big followings they could also go in the middle Pop side pen.   Bear in mind, segregation wasn't always rigidly enforced ... so away fans would be scattered around most of the ground, in dribs and drabs.

 

Seats were installed on the pop side, in the summer of 1975, reducing the capacity from 39000 to 34000.   It was also renamed the East Stand.

 

For the 3 seasons from 1975-76 to 1977-78, away fans were crammed into what become the Supporters Club corner ... if they would fit.   For a few larger games, the away fans would also be given Pen 1.   As per this match v Man Utd.

 

The white seats were an experimental system for 2 or 3 years, for a club situated at the back of the stand.   The original idea was to have waitresses serving drinks to customers while the match was on!   Makes you laugh just thinking about it.    After a couple of years, they replaced he middle section back with normal seats (and obviously increased the overall ground capacity slightly).

[Guest worth_the_wait]

Further to the above answer ...

 

What was amazing in those 3 years, was actually on how few occasions Pen 1 was used as an "overflow", so to speak.   For most of the medium big games - against teams such as Tottenham, Chelsea, Man City, etc ... the police just crammed them into the small corner terrace, until it was sometimes incredibly packed.    And only resorted to using Pen 1 when they really had to.

 

In those 3 seasons, I think Pen 1 was used for away fans in only 2 FA Cup games v Man Utd (75-76) and Villa (76-77). 

And it was used on about 9-10 other occasions in total in the old First Division ... all 3 visits of Man Utd, 2 or 3 visits by Villa, and on a few other occasions.

 

They gave up on that strategy at the end of 1977-78 season, and from 1978-79 (2nd Division) they just put all away fans in Pen 1.   and subsequently turned over the North/East stand corner terrace for the Supporters Club.

 

 

[dynamark]

Enjoyed that this morning what a team we had .Steve Earle ,Steve Sims and the Wool  even. Frank showing some of his silky skill .What a super group probably the best bar recent years.

[dynamark]

Just going over that team again and Ive got the back four and keeper.Jon Sammels ,Kieth,Frank Chris Garland and Steve Earle so I'm missing one player which would probably be Birch but I'm sure he wasn't featured.Anyone?

[Rob1742]

Filbert Street really had a hugely different feel depending on where you went in the ground. It was a real decision on where to go as the differences were vast, or certainly appeared to be very different back in the day. 
 

I think the KP is much the same wherever you go, but back then areas were worlds apart.

 

The Double Decker really made you think you were very high up, and you had the atmosphere of the kop underneath.

 

Pen 2 and 3 was like going to a concert with all the surges. 
 

The main enclosure made you think you really was close to the pitch.

 

The East Stand felt the most normal stand if that makes any sense.

 

The Supporters Club was a great little area, seats at the front and if you managed to get the front of the crowd barrier behind the seats, you had great views apart from the posts holding the executive boxes up. Also there was an actual proper bar in there. I even used to go for a drink midweek at night on occasion. Great area, something that will never be replicated again in modern football.

 

Pen 4 - completely different to 2 and 3. A more measured experience compared to 2 and 3

 

The old main stand had a real vintage feel to it, respectable even.

 

I only went in the orange seats the once, it was my first ever game and feel sad I never went in that area again. But I suppose it being the only time I ever went in was for my first game makes it feel even more special. 

[dayday]

35 minutes ago, dynamark said:

Just going over that team again and Ive got the back four and keeper.Jon Sammels ,Kieth,Frank Chris Garland and Steve Earle so I'm missing one player which would probably be Birch but I'm sure he wasn't featured.Anyone?

Bob Lee?

[dynamark]

I think I have it Steve Kember in midfield .