70's and 80's

[Churchill]

As i was not around in the 70's and 80's i am interested in hearing some of your stories about football back then. The stadiums, the most intimidating place to go, memorable games down at Filbert Street and the sets of away fans you came up against! Thanks

[purpleronnie]

you might want to read this thread, it has some relevance:-

http://www.foxestalk.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=53151&st=0

[Weller in Tights]

In the 70's most places were intimidating believe it or not. the worst were probably, West Ham, Chelsea, Millwall, just going to London and running the gauntlet on the underground network was bad enough.

Even smaller places like Hull, Burnley and Swindon would have 'rat runs' where you would be ambushed.

Atmosphere was definately better. FACT. Basically the whole demographics of todays football fan has changed because of cost. It was definatley relatively cheaper to go back then. Therefore more young, working class blokes would go, They were the ones up for the singing/atmosphere (and yes, the fighting aswell), they grew up and kept going to the games and a new generation would arrive to follow their lead.

Crowds today are much more mixed in terms of more women and more families, and because of cost there has been a bit of a gentrification of the crowd (not wholly but compared to Germany for example, there are a lot less working class people at the footie). It is not for me to say if that is a bad or a good thing, but in my opinion that is why atmosphere has gone down hill.

Oh yea, We didn't have some fat bloke banging a drum to get the crowd going. We did it ourselves.

The atmosphere in the old kop was fantastic, I remember in pen 4, when, if the atmosphere was a bit dull (lack of away fans), someone would shout Celtic and then hell would break loose. People would split in to two groups chanting Rangers or Celtic and then a fight would start.

I do miss the atmosphere, but i am realistic. The crowds have changed. We do still occasionally get a good atmosphere, if we get a load of away supporters, the game is good and the drummer is sick and having a day off.

Come on city.

Tip toe, through the Trent End

With a razor and a sawn off shot gun

Tip toe, through the Trent End with me

[Guest Col city fan]

In the 70's most places were intimidating believe it or not. the worst were probably, West Ham, Chelsea, Millwall, just going to London and running the gauntlet on the underground network was bad enough.

Even smaller places like Hull, Burnley and Swindon would have 'rat runs' where you would be ambushed

Atmosphere was definately better. FACT. Basically the whole demographics of todays football fan has changed because of cost. It was definatley relatively cheaper to go back then. Therefore more young, working class blokes would go, They were the ones up for the singing/atmosphere (and yes, the fighting aswell), they grew up and kept going to the games and a new generation

would arrive to follow their lead.

Crowds today are much more mixed in terms of more women and more families, and because of cost there has been a bit of a gentrification of the crowd (not wholly but compared to Germany for example, there are a lot less working class people at the footie). It is not for me to say if

that is a bad or a good thing, but in my opinion that is why

atmosphere has gone down hill.

Oh yea, We didn't have some fat bloke banging a drum to get the crowd going. We did it ourselves.

The atmosphere in the old kop was fantastic, I remember in pen 4, when, if the atmosphere was a bit dull (lack of away fans), someone would shout Celtic and then hell would

break loose. People would split in to two groups chanting Rangers or Celtic and then a fight would start.

I do miss the atmosphere, but i am realistic. The crowds have changed. We do still occasionally get a good atmosphere, if we get a load of away supporters, the game is good and the drummer is sick and having a day off.

Come on city.

Tip toe, through the Trent End

With a razor and a sawn off shot gun

Tip toe, through the Trent End with me

Great post and I agree. I don't think it's only about cost

though. I would guess as many working men go to football these days as they always did and as many youths. As you alluded to, I think it's as much about Health and Safety and Family Centred Policies. Which is a good thing for broadening the appeal of football to a wider audience, but a bad thing for the type of atmosphere that you and I were brought up with and frankly, loved.

[purpleronnie]

I doubt as many working class geezers go thesedays its simply too expensive. I doubt as many youths go either, or at least not as many 'lads' if you know what I mean.

[davieG]

Depends on what people define as working class, there's a lot less heavy industry and shop floor workers than there used to be.

When I started my apprenticeship in engineering 20 or more of the guys I worked with went regularly to games by the time I left when I was working in an office/technical development environment of 120 people I was one of only 4 people still going and by then the shopfloor demographics had changed from mostly skilled craftsmen to unskilled assemblers made up of a high proportion of women and Asian workers with hardly anyone even interested in football..

Obviously cost is a big problem but not the only one.

[Hantsfox]

In the 70's most places were intimidating believe it or not. the worst were probably, West Ham, Chelsea, Millwall, just going to London and running the gauntlet on the underground network was bad enough.

Even smaller places like Hull, Burnley and Swindon would have 'rat runs' where you would be ambushed.

Atmosphere was definately better. FACT. Basically the whole demographics of todays football fan has changed because of cost. It was definatley relatively cheaper to go back then. Therefore more young, working class blokes would go, They were the ones up for the singing/atmosphere (and yes, the fighting aswell), they grew up and kept going to the games and a new generation would arrive to follow their lead.

Crowds today are much more mixed in terms of more women and more families, and because of cost there has been a bit of a gentrification of the crowd (not wholly but compared to Germany for example, there are a lot less working class people at the footie). It is not for me to say if that is a bad or a good thing, but in my opinion that is why atmosphere has gone down hill.

Oh yea, We didn't have some fat bloke banging a drum to get the crowd going. We did it ourselves.

The atmosphere in the old kop was fantastic, I remember in pen 4, when, if the atmosphere was a bit dull (lack of away fans), someone would shout Celtic and then hell would break loose. People would split in to two groups chanting Rangers or Celtic and then a fight would start.

I do miss the atmosphere, but i am realistic. The crowds have changed. We do still occasionally get a good atmosphere, if we get a load of away supporters, the game is good and the drummer is sick and having a day off.

Come on city.

Tip toe, through the Trent End

With a razor and a sawn off shot gun

Tip toe, through the Trent End with me

Yeh totally agree with this post, especially part about the working class, I remember the early 70's i was at school and the only way i could afford to watch city was by doin three paper rounds. We played away at the Hawthorns and when we got there it cost more than at city, so city fans just tore down the corrugated sheeting and went in for free. So the Baggies lost out, taught them too charge to much

[purpleronnie]

True I would imagine its the main one though. I could tell as the 90's rolled on less 'lads' were going, it wasnt just the cost but all seaters were being introduced, more rules and regulations, even things like the reduction in 'pay on the gate' all affected who stopped going, it was those reasons I stopped. Fans that replaced them (us) were just different, a new breed of fan grew up with all seater stadiums, sky, high ticket prices, OTT stewards etc etc.....All the fun for a lot of people was taken away so why bother? Just to see your team wasnt enough, still isnt.

[Iwan is a Welshman]

All great posts. My first game was 1994 and I think it's changed a hell of a lot since then. It must be another world to what you guys started with.

[Guest Col city fan]

All great posts. My first game was 1994 and I think it's changed a hell of a lot since then. It must be another world to what you guys started with.

I'm not trying to be patronising when I say that the younger male fans have genuinely missed out on a different experience. Definitely more adrenalin inducing in certain ways.

I have these conversations with my lad (16) who himself feels he has missed out to some extent on how football used to be.

[crisp packet]

Was very racist in the 70s/80s

Very racist !!!!

[davieG]

1976 - LCFC 4 - 1 Arsenal

http://www.fansonline.net/leicestercity/article.php?id=616

1975 - Weller v Newcastle

http://www.fansonline.net/leicestercity/article.php?id=617

1975/6 City 3 - 0 Sheff U

http://www.fansonline.net/leicestercity/article.php?id=618

1980 City 2 - 0 Liverpool

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4596662901704615951&hl=undefined

All nicked from Bentleys

[Pegosteve]

My fondest memories of the City were in the 70's, I was a teenager and Filbert St was home every other Saturday, the Kop had a fantastic atmosphere. Crowds regularly 300000 plus. Football was a game of equals you stood a chance of beating anybody!!

Bloomfield's team was probably the best team I have watched in my 40 odd years of following the Foxes. I know MON won the trophies but the football we paled under Bloomfield was a whole lot better.

There was a lot more violence at matches and a lot of away ground were intimidating, Elland Rd particularly bad!

[Guest Col city fan]

My fondest memories of the City were in the 70's, I was a teenager and Filbert St was home every other Saturday, the Kop had a fantastic atmosphere. Crowds regularly 300000 plus. Football was a game of equals you stood a chance of beating anybody!!

Bloomfield's team was probably the best team I have watched in my 40 odd years of following the Foxes. I know

MON won the trophies but the football we paled under Bloomfield was a whole lot better.

There was a lot more violence at matches and a lot of away ground were intimidating, Elland Rd particularly bad!

300000 plus!! Fookin hell they we're cramming em in in the 70's!

[Chairman of the Bored]

Sit me down in the Keepers Lodge, buy me several pints and I can talk to you all night about the 70s and 80s. The 70s was THE best decade ever, by the way. Great football, punk rock and anti-everything, mainly the Thatch. Would go back there tomorrow if I knew how.

[The Doctor]

Filling Filbert Street 15 times over... impressive.

[Nickfosse]

You didn't miss much mate. Apart from the great Bloomfield team and the Lineker/Smiyh years Leicester were shit.

I cannot tell you how often I had to watch utter drivel.

It is why the Little and McGhee and O'Neill years bought such joy.

Games were punctuated with meaningless gang fights and racist chanting and leaving Filbert Street has left me with memories of hiding in shops as Palace fans came looking for trouble and watching windows being smashed on the top of a double decker bus.

I know nostalgia is popular in football but I wouldn't be ST holder taking my 4 boys now if still the same.

The one that has remained is my passion for LCFC and I get behind my team home and away (when poss) as much as I ever did.

[Wherethefoxhat?]

You didn't miss much mate. Apart from the great Bloomfield team and the Lineker/Smiyh years Leicester were shit.

I cannot tell you how often I had to watch utter drivel.

It is why the Little and McGhee and O'Neill years bought such joy.

Games were punctuated with meaningless gang fights and racist chanting and leaving Filbert Street has left me with memories of hiding in shops as Palace fans came looking for trouble and watching windows being smashed on the top of a double decker bus.

I know nostalgia is popular in football but I wouldn't be ST holder taking my 4 boys now if still the same.

The one that has remained is my passion for LCFC and I get behind my team home and away (when poss) as much as I ever did.

In 1971, Leicester were promoted back to Division One, and won the Charity Shield for the only time.^[3] Unusually, due to Division One champions Arsenal's commitments in European competition, Division Two winners Leicester were invited to play FA Cup runners up Liverpool, beating them 1–0.^[3] Jimmy Bloomfield was appointed for the new season, and his team remained in the First Division for his tenure. No period since Bloomfield has seen the club remain in the top division for so long. Leicester reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1973–74.^[20]

Frank McLintock, a noted player for seven years for Leicester successful period from the late Fifties to the mid Sixties, succeeded Jimmy Bloomfield in 1977. City was relegated at the end of the 1977–78 season and McLintock resigned. Jock Wallace resumed the tradition of successful Scottish managers (after Peter Hodge and Matt Gillies) by steering Leicester to the Division Two championship in 1980.^[21] Unfortunately, Wallace was unable to keep Leicester in Division One, but they reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1982. Under Wallace, one of City's most famous home-grown players, Gary Lineker, emerged into the first team squad. Leicester's next manager was Gordon Milne, who achieved promotion in 1983. Lineker helped Leicester maintain their place in the First Division but was sold to Everton in 1985, and two years later Leicester went down, having failed to find a suitable replacement. Milne left in 1986 and was replaced by in 1987 David Pleat, was sacked in January 1991 after a defeat that left City fourth from bottom. Gordon Lee was put in charge of the club until the end of the season. Leicester won their final game of the season, which guided them clear of relegation to the third tier of the football league.^[3]

[iancognito]

I know that a lot of people love the stadums now but give me Filbert St over the featureless bowl we have now any day. I remember going with my Dad into the Double Decker (South Stand) in 1987 and just being amazed by the whole place. It was a bit of a shack but the musty smell of smoke, burgers and damp just added to the atmosphere. You'd come up from the stairs that even on a dry day had puddles at the bottom and the ground looked massive. Night games were just amazing. The whole place floodlit was like a shrine to me.

Just an aside but I went to dozens of games in the 80s, I don't remember seeing that many women or other children, it really was a blokey thing.

[Wherethefoxhat?]

300000 plus!! Fookin hell they we're cramming em in in the 70's!

What was the biggest attendance at filbert street

According to Stadium Guide, the record attendance at Filbert Street was on February 18, 1928. Leicester and Tottenham played to 47,298 fans.

Read more http://www.kgbanswers.co.uk/what-was-the-biggest-attendance-at-filbert-street/2043134#ixzz1ekt4ur3a

[Pegosteve]

Sorry got excited about re living my teenage years obviously meant 30000 plus something you youngsters will never experience as "proper standing" will never exist again in our lifetime. In particular I remember 2 cup replays v Arsenal where there were 39000 crowds. Packed in like sardines we were!!

Happy Days!!

[STEVIE B]

I'm sure I saw us play Man Utd in the F.A. Cup 1976 in front of 36,000. In the early to mid 70's under Bloomfield we had great players and played such lovely football. Didn't Weller,Worthington,Whitworth play for England & Wallington at U21 level at about the same time ? That was when you had to be bloody good just to be picked to play in a friendly !! Happy days

[Nickfosse]

Correct on the 3 W's and that team was an absolute joy to watch, particularly Wortho. Unfortunately it went down hill after Bloomfield and with the exception of decent stuff under Wallace, didn't pick up till Little.

The Pleat, Lee and Hamilton teams were woeful.

I fell in love with Leicester at Fibert Street so it will always be special to me.

[He's not bald]

I can go as far back as Leeds Road, Huddersfield's old ground in it's glory, was very very young but that ground looked massive, much bigger than Filbert Street!

[Karljohn]

In the 70's most places were intimidating believe it or not. the worst were probably, West Ham, Chelsea, Millwall, just going to London and running the gauntlet on the underground network was bad enough.

Even smaller places like Hull, Burnley and Swindon would have 'rat runs' where you would be ambushed.

Atmosphere was definately better. FACT. Basically the whole demographics of todays football fan has changed because of cost. It was definatley relatively cheaper to go back then. Therefore more young, working class blokes would go, They were the ones up for the singing/atmosphere (and yes, the fighting aswell), they grew up and kept going to the games and a new generation would arrive to follow their lead.

Crowds today are much more mixed in terms of more women and more families, and because of cost there has been a bit of a gentrification of the crowd (not wholly but compared to Germany for example, there are a lot less working class people at the footie). It is not for me to say if that is a bad or a good thing, but in my opinion that is why atmosphere has gone down hill.

Oh yea, We didn't have some fat bloke banging a drum to get the crowd going. We did it ourselves.

The atmosphere in the old kop was fantastic, I remember in pen 4, when, if the atmosphere was a bit dull (lack of away fans), someone would shout Celtic and then hell would break loose. People would split in to two groups chanting Rangers or Celtic and then a fight would start.

I do miss the atmosphere, but i am realistic. The crowds have changed. We do still occasionally get a good atmosphere, if we get a load of away supporters, the game is good and the drummer is sick and having a day off.

Come on city.

Tip toe, through the Trent End

With a razor and a sawn off shot gun

Tip toe, through the Trent End with me

As a young lad I remember the whole Rangers/Celtic thing! great post, couldnt agree more about the atmosphere, the funs gone out of football now and we need to have encouragement to create an atmosphere whereas pen 3 and 4 started singing at 20 past 2 on a saturday afternoon and you had no voice left by half time.