Chistmases at the Dell

[spyinthesky]

Went to the Palace game with an old mate over from the States. His first game at St Marys

 

We were reminiscing about our teenage days going to the Dell.

 

Some random thoughts which may strike a cord with others on here 'of a certain age'

 

1. Trying to get transport into Soton from outlying areas for Xmas games. No one we knew had a car so it involved a long walk to the nearest main road and then hitching

2. Getting to the ground early and standing near the front of the Boys queue (1/- to get in, 5p in todays money!!) and finding yourself pushed back as the older boys would arrive and push in at the front

3. Feeling ill in the Chocolate Box one Xmas, after too much rich food, and having to visit the First Aid Room (near the players entrance) and missing John Page score a penalty.

4. Buying cheap souvenirs from traders outside the ground (no club shop then)

5. Buying a penny on the ball ticket (you won the match ball if successful!!)

6. Listening to the Albion Band

7. The all pervading smell of tobacco (and the occasional whiff of strong alcohol)

8. On a couple of occasions someone playing 'Oh When the Saints' on bagpipes under the East Stand

9. Hardly any grass on the pitch

10. Not that many away supporters.

11. Trying to hit the people who carried a target around the pitch ( a large blanket in a frame with a fold in the bottom) which encouraged people to lob small change into the target, the money going towards the Albion Band.

12. Half Time scores being put up manually on the scorebaord at the corner of the Archers and West Stand.

13. Reading the programme in about 10 seconds flat as it only had half a dozen or so flimsy pages and no photos.

14. The occasional copper strolling round the pitch and Stewards in white coats!!!

15. The man selling hot Bovril from a container as he walked round the running track.

16. Hoping you could hold out to the end before succumbing to the urgent messages emanating from your bladder. If you went to Fratton Park last week you would probably relive the experience

17. The walk back to town after the game. People collecting their Bikes/Motor cycles from houses nearby where they had been left for a 1d parking fee.

18. Not necessarily at Xmas, but the number of red and cream Corporation buses parked up in various locations around the Dell ready to whisk people away

19. Paper sellers outside the ground Echo/Evening Standard where you could get all the half time results printed at the bottom of the page. No idea why this was popular

20. Walking down to the Echo Office on a normal Saturday and waiting with my Dad for a Football Echo so he could go home and check his pools

 

All good stuff from my younger days but, in reality, wouldn't really swop this for the impressive and comfortable stadium we now enjoy and the enjoyable brand of successful football now on offer.

Hope all the younger fans reading this will bottle it up to be remembered fondly in future years