unionhotel

Working in Bishop Auckland all week. See you there!

Apart from hearing of a couple getting engaged on the centre circle at a football match whilst thousands of fans sing "Does she take it up the a3se?" I can only remember one outstanding incident in the 70's when we played an evening cup tie at Reading's old ground. Saints fans were in one end and the local scallies were at the fence seperating one of the wings giving it the biggun. When they started lobbing bricks quite a few of our lads ran onto the pitch to chase them off and front them out. As usual it didn't take too long for the police to be involved and they started to chase the Saints fans off the pitch. One lad was having difficulty running and it soon became transparent why when, being chased by a copper, his artificial leg fell off. He fell over, the copper missed him completely, and the mush got up, leg in hand, and hopped/bounced back, to rapturous cheers and applause, to the safety of the Saints fans. Never seen him before or since - what a star! Priceless!

I had a Saints tattoo on my my left arm done in the early 70's and thought it was really cool. The trouble was that a couple of months after it was done Saints changed their crest so now I'm stuck with the Hampshire Roses that no one recognizes. Big mistake!

Can anyone give us an update on the pre-match atmosphere?

Thanks Badger. It was your post that prompted the question. I do remember that it was initially a trading bloc and can quite clearly voting against it as we appeared, at the time, that we were abandoning our Commonwealth which, I thought, was a real bad move. I've never believed that we historically have been a part of Europe other than geographically attached to it and the Federalist doctrine that has been tacitly agreed to by all member states doesn't exactly inspire confidence for our future. The Isle of Man, for example, as an off-shore economy has thrived despite not being in the EEC and hasn't suffered as a result of non-participation, being able to make independent decisions as and when it needs to based on our own political needs and strategies. Self-indulgent perhaps, but never selfish because our own needs are put first.

Yeah, you're right. Thanks for that

An interesting point was raised in another thread about De Gaulle's initial refusal to allow Britain to join the EEC. Given the years that we have now been in it, if there was a referendum to continue our membership or get out, how would you vote? I'd like to answer myself but being an Isle of Man resident and outside the EEC it doesn't really affect me.

Totally agree. As fans we should be intimidating the opposition and roaring our boys on.

A cunning linguist is not necessarily a master debater

Always be kind to a stranger in your town because you never know when you'll be a stranger in their town.

I've changed my mind.........play-offs are a real possibility

I agree with that 100%. I don't post that often but have witnessed the vitriol of some posters and admit that it goes way beyond the bounds sometimes. If these people were having the same discussion face to face, in a pub for example, would they be brave (or stupid) enough to be so confrontational? I don't think so! Brain in gear should be the maxim.

Shilts was my favourite followed by Bonetti. Job done voted for Niemmi.

Why is it ridiculous? Alcohol can be just as dangerous.

Benjii, obviously not everyone would know the story, and I must admit that after all these years some of the details are hazy but the site of the old Spitfire works was left derelict for years and years after the war. Massive concrete slabs were shifted about by the bombing which left craters, chambers and hidey-holes beneath the slabs. It was a great place for kids to play and hide out. "Bunny" Wyeth was one of the local lads and, from what I understand, was experimenting with homemade explosives and got seriously injured from one of his bombs exploding. He was summararily prosecuted for his actions. No doubt some others on this site might remember the incident more clearly. HTH

In this day and age when smokers are being vilified and demonised it's so easy for anti-smokers to jump on the band-wagon and say, "Gotcha you b a s t a r d". It hasn't always been like that and for the majority of the population we have grown up with smoking and can remember when it was deemed acceptable and normal to smoke. The Nanny State has turned so many people into mindless apparachiks that common sense has gone out of the window and big sticks are being used to punish people for what is, after all, a minor misdemeanour by a patently stupid bloke. Forget the sentimentality. He didn't hit her or sexually abuse her. He gave her a fag. Big Deal. As someone else has pointed out, how many times have we let our kids have a sip of our alcoholic drinks? What next? Jail Time for mothers who give their kids junk food?

I remember the fight in the parks just behind the 4 telephones (everybody's favourite meeting place) and I think it was Charlie Boyd who took a right hammering (he was Wimpson I believe). Didn't get involved myself being one of those good boys from Weston, who simply never got into trouble. Can't remember the Eruption but the dodgiest clubs ever must have been Zoots and the Tangiers down at the bottom of St.Marys Street. Man, they were scary. Got my jaw busted there one night. Stan Baker was the bouncer. Didn't do fook all to help. Mind you, in retrospect I was a mouthy t w a t and probably deserved it. The old Supermarine factory at Woolston was another good place to hang out, what with all the underground chambers. Wasn't that where Bunny Wyeth blew himself up?

Nobody's mentioned Docker Walker and the famous "Ale House Footballers"

What radio?

Any links?

Why not give over one complete end to the away supporters? This would concentrate our fanbase and dissipate theirs. Simples!!!

Couldn't have put it better myself!!!

A lot of Charlton fans are worried about this game and can see us winning. I'll go along with that! Saints 2-1.[-o

They applauded the team for their efforts tonight, not because of the loss. You,re a miserable git and none of your posts ever seem to be positive. "Happy clap" on that!!

Adiós, as they say. One problem sorted, hopefully allow us to get a winger in. Way to go!