View Full Version : WSF. The Origins Of Casuals In Brighton.
thecavern
13-01-2010, 22:06
Apologies to anyone disinterested but I have a story to tell.
I will cover the origins of the Casual movement in Brighton prior to the West Street Firm and then tell the real story of Brighton's original West Street Firm cutting through the bucking follocks and telling the unvarnished truth.
tea-leafs and taxing, stanleys and stripings I'll tell it all.
If you have no interest in the subject matter I apologise for wasting your time.
If you do, I will show you around the Brighton of the 1980's like no one has ever done before.
cheers.
Spanish Seagulls
13-01-2010, 22:14
Well.......get on with it.
I've got a feeling things are gonna get pwopah naughty!
patchamalbion
13-01-2010, 22:18
Apologies to anyone disinterested but I have a story to tell.
I will cover the origins of the Casual movement in Brighton prior to the West Street Firm and then tell the real story of Brighton's original West Street Firm cutting through the bucking follocks and telling the unvarnished truth.
tea-leafs and taxing, stanleys and stripings I'll tell it all.
If you have no interest in the subject matter I apologise for wasting your time.
If you do, I will show you around the Brighton of the 1980's like no one has ever done before.
cheers.
not going to follow other firms leads and claim weve never been done are you:D i look forward to your story...no names i hope
raymondbriggs
13-01-2010, 22:24
Fuck off gimp,all brighton victories have been by local boys who support london sides turning up for the big games,that is why we turned over the likes of palarse wet spam or arsenal but got done by the tin pot clubs like oxford and qpr
Apologies to anyone disinterested but I have a story to tell.
I will cover the origins of the Casual movement in Brighton prior to the West Street Firm and then tell the real story of Brighton's original West Street Firm cutting through the bucking follocks and telling the unvarnished truth.
tea-leafs and taxing, stanleys and stripings I'll tell it all.
If you have no interest in the subject matter I apologise for wasting your time.
If you do, I will show you around the Brighton of the 1980's like no one has ever done before.
cheers.
Fuck off you silly Muppet.
Spun Cuppa
13-01-2010, 22:27
68 pages
patchamalbion
13-01-2010, 22:28
Fuck off gimp,all brighton victories have been by local boys who support london sides turning up for the big games,that is why we turned over the likes of palarse wet spam or arsenal but got done by the tin pot clubs like oxford and qpr
what the fuck are you on,brighton lads from brighton will turn out for palace whatever.and to mention them with the likes of west ham and arsenal is a tad ott wouldnt you say
raymondbriggs
13-01-2010, 22:37
what the fuck are you on,brighton lads from brighton will turn out for palace whatever.and to mention them with the likes of west ham and arsenal is a tad ott wouldnt you say
can you read?
as a bosun boy with loads of mates from the burrell arms,maytree and the eclipse i have an idea of what we could do. the point I made is that at the Goldstone we could rely on locals who supported the london teams to turn out for the "big games",that we could put up a good show against top sides but struggled against smaller clubs with a bit of clout.
It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane
Let's do the Time Warp again!
thecavern
13-01-2010, 22:52
Forget about Burberry Hats and come for a walk into my world. If you think I am some mug with nothing to say you are going to be surprised.
I am going to introduce you to people whose whole lives were a waste. People now dead.
This is the real deal. If you want to hear what i have to say join me tomorrow when I will post part one.
How a small Pool Parlor on West Street stole a march on Liverpool in the late seventies as the Birthplace of the Casual movement.
cheers.
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 22:56
Forget about Burberry Hats and come for a walk into my world. If you think I am some mug with nothing to say you are going to be surprised.
I am going to introduce you to people whose whole lives were a waste. People now dead.
This is the real deal. If you want to hear what i have to say join me tomorrow when I will post part one.
How a small Pool Parlor on West Street stole a march on Liverpool in the late seventies as the Birthplace of the Casual movement.
cheers.
What a load of old bollocks. I bet I taxed you for your Lacoste or Pringle. I was a top west street boy. Mullet the lot mad Eddy's right hand man.
1 night only
13-01-2010, 22:56
Titanic! Titanic tit more like, it happened it is part of football like it or not.
Why are there so many total twats on this site with the little in jokes and clique ramblings it really is boring and one of the main reasons why I and many others don't bother with this site any more.
the original poster said if your not interested he apoligises but you could not resist it you could you?
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 22:58
What a load of old bollocks. I bet I taxed you for your Lacoste or Pringle. I was a top west street boy. Mullet the lot mad Eddy's right hand man.
:lolol::clap2: Tim we salute you.
What a load of old bollocks. I bet I taxed you for your Lacoste or Pringle. I was a top west street boy. Mullet the lot mad Eddy's right hand man.
Timmy don't be stupid you were still doing your paper round in those days. Unless you taxed Mrs Kerrs pinny
thecavern
13-01-2010, 23:03
"Eddy's right hand man"
If you are referring to Eddie Dawes then you're blown out already.
In the pecking order I will describe he is not even on the radar.
cheers.
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:05
Timmy don't be stupid you were still doing your paper round in those days. Unless you taxed Mrs Kerrs pinny So! I was in the Burwash Road firm as well.
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:07
"Eddy's right hand man"
If you are referring to Eddie Dawes then you're blown out already.
In the pecking order I will describe he is not even on the radar.
cheers.
Cavern you've arrived out of nowhere to bring us this 'box of delights.' You're not HoveBorn&Bred under another user name per chance?
??? Timmy!
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:08
"Eddy's right hand man"
If you are referring to Eddie Dawes then you're blown out already.
In the pecking order I will describe he is not even on the radar.
cheers.
Nah mate. Proper West Street running the Odeon, meeting in the Crystal Room's bog's (little Tony as an apprentice) Blue Lois Cords and hi tops.
Razer the top bouncer at the Suite used to pay us £100 a night to keep it safe.
So! I was in the Burwash Road firm as well.
So it was you that taxed Mr Silks cardie ?
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:11
Cavern you've arrived out of nowhere to bring us this 'box of delights.' You're not HoveBorn&Bred under another user name per chance?
??? Timmy!
How dare you.
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:11
It's all kicking off all ready. Tim, put that blade down! I'm sure Cavern/your alter ego has come here in peace.
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:12
So it was you that taxed Mr Silks cardie ?
I fackin had it. It was Damart
Chicken Runner61
13-01-2010, 23:15
Look out he's got a cardie!
thecavern
13-01-2010, 23:15
Well Born & Bred, I look forward to your recollections. If you do want to establish your credentials you can just tell me which member of the true WSF went down for armed robbery in West Street on account of a distinctive tattoo across his forehead.
I await your reply with interest.
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:15
:lolol:
Twinkle Toes
13-01-2010, 23:16
Why are there so many total twats on this site with the little in jokes and clique ramblings it really is boring and one of the main reasons why I and many others don't bother with this site any more.
the original poster said if your not interested he apoligises but you could not resist it you could you?
Hang about! If the thread starter hadn't been so ludicrous with his I'm-dead-ITK-but-I-ain't-gonna-tell-you-nowt-at-the-moment codshit, then the piss-takers might've kept schtum for a bit.
Forgive me if I don't tune-in for tomorrow's exciting installment.. :rolleyes:
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:17
pssst Tim - It was SKINS spelt backwards because he did it himself in the mirror
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:17
Hang about! If the thread starter hadn't been so ludicrous with his I'm-dead-ITK-but-I-ain't-gonna-tell-you-nowt-at-the-moment codshit, then the piss-takers might've kept schtum for a bit.
:lolol:
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:18
Well Born & Bred, I look forward to your recollections. If you do want to establish your credentials you can just tell me which member of the true WSF went down for armed robbery in West Street on account of a distinctive tattoo across his forehead.
I await your reply with interest.
Easy! Simon Fanshawe.
Barrel of Fun
13-01-2010, 23:18
which member of the true WSF went down for armed robbery in West Street on account of a distinctive tattoo across his forehead.
You would have to be pretty stupid to do that...
¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤
13-01-2010, 23:19
Eddie Dawes, was he related to Tony?
Some of us might wanna listen to what he has to say. Cavern, take it away.
Beach Hut
13-01-2010, 23:20
So it was you that taxed Mr Silks cardie ?
And I taxed your trike dear boy
I fackin had it. It was Damart
Timmy you are about as hard as a blancmange and the only thing you need a blade for is to cut up your soldiers to dip into your boiled egg. Btw I heard you got striped by Mr Carder in the grocers
Twinkle Toes
13-01-2010, 23:21
Look out he's got a cardie!
:lol: :clap:
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:21
Gotta wait 'til tomorrow Danny. Are you sitting comfortably?
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:22
Timmy you are about as hard as a blancmange and the only thing you need a blade for is to cut up your soldiers to dip into your boiled egg. Btw I heard you got striped by Mr Carder in the grocers
Yeah Russel D had me. :wink:
What time tomorrow Cavern?
¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤
13-01-2010, 23:23
Gotta wait 'til tomorrow Danny. Are you sitting comfortably?
Well, these CK jeans ride up a little around the crotch. But yeah, could be good.
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:24
What time tomorrow Cavern?
I think Cavern and Timotei have stepped outside with blades, they might be a while.
Chicken Runner61
13-01-2010, 23:25
Well, these CK jeans ride up a little around the crotch. But yeah, could be good.
Are your crotchless ones in the wash then?
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:25
I think Cavern and Timotei have stepped outside with blades, they might be a while.
Sheffield United? Why?
¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤
13-01-2010, 23:27
Are your crotchless ones in the wash then?
If only I had some, I like nothing more then squeezing into a nice pair of chaps
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:28
Sheffield United? Why?
That was quick! In the words of Sean Connery: "I schliced him up into peeches"
thecavern
13-01-2010, 23:30
That's right you would have to be pretty daft to commit armed robbery,
bare faced and sporting a distinctive crucifix (home-made) tattoo.
The sad fact was that this person was in the throes of a serious mental illness.
Look I realise the flamers will be out for this one, but if I inform anyone who has a genuine interest in the subject matter I will leave well pleased.
Speak soon.
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:32
That's right you would have to be pretty daft to commit armed robbery,
bare faced and sporting a distinctive crucifix (home-made) tattoo.
The sad fact was that this person was in the throes of a serious mental illness.
Look I realise the flamers will be out for this one, but if I inform anyone who has a genuine interest in the subject matter I will leave well pleased.
Speak soon.
Is it Moan - In Al?
¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤
13-01-2010, 23:38
That's right you would have to be pretty daft to commit armed robbery,
bare faced and sporting a distinctive crucifix (home-made) tattoo.
The sad fact was that this person was in the throes of a serious mental illness.
Look I realise the flamers will be out for this one, but if I inform anyone who has a genuine interest in the subject matter I will leave well pleased.
Speak soon.
Dude...spill....
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:39
And as quick as he appeared Cavern vanished back into the shadows of the murky cyber backstreets from whence he came, only a scuffed blakey left behind.
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:40
What happened in West Street stayed in West Street.
if your refering to Eddie B its not nice to speak ill of the departed you know
And as quick as he appeared Cavern vanished back into the shadows of the murky cyber backstreets from whence he came, only a scuffed blakey left behind.
...or, his mum told him to turn off his computer and go to bed, school re-opens tomorrow!
Cheeky Monkey
13-01-2010, 23:42
What happened in West Street stayed in West Street.
You're not still going on about that two for one sale in the model shop on the corner when you scooped a Class 27 locomotive and a large Airfix Supermarine Spitfire at a bargain price are you Tim?
???
hove born&bred
13-01-2010, 23:44
You're not still going on about that two for one sale in the model shop on the corner when you scooped a Class 27 locomotive and a large Airfix Supermarine Spitfire at a bargain price are you Tim?
??? No fack off.................that was Valelink in Queens Road, and it was a Class 33:wink:
"Eddy's right hand man"
If you are referring to Eddie Dawes then you're blown out already.
In the pecking order I will describe he is not even on the radar.
cheers.
The dawes :D
Don Quixote
14-01-2010, 00:18
I was in that firm in my younger days. Back in 79. I am telling ya we were propa naughty. They told me i was too young to join firsly but i proved myself. I will tell you how i did this in my next installment TOMOROW. Or later today i am not sure.
shoreham moonraker
14-01-2010, 00:44
"Eddy's right hand man"
If you are referring to Eddie Dawes then you're blown out already.
In the pecking order I will describe he is not even on the radar.
cheers.
I run with his brother George, funky little aquascutum baby grow. Gnarly.
Jesus Gul
14-01-2010, 04:07
Australian track tops, Marble madness in the top A&H circa '84...you know who you are
Paperboy, Pacland, Line Up, Track and Field (joystick ball of hand blisters) innit
If you think I am some mug with nothing to say
Yes I do, now fuck off, child.
micheal64
14-01-2010, 07:51
already a west st site on facebook.
can you read?
as a bosun boy with loads of mates from the burrell arms,maytree and the eclipse i have an idea of what we could do. the point I made is that at the Goldstone we could rely on locals who supported the london teams to turn out for the "big games",that we could put up a good show against top sides but struggled against smaller clubs with a bit of clout.
ah my old local for many years,your know a few of the chelsea lads then
Trufflehound
14-01-2010, 08:18
In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt I'm after you
Smell like I sound I'm lost in a crowd.
And I'm hungry like the wolf.
In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt I'm after you
Smell like I sound I'm lost in a crowd.
And I'm hungry like the wolf.This.
xenophon
14-01-2010, 08:39
I prefer London Pompous, best poster here by a country mile :thumbsup:
Superphil
14-01-2010, 09:08
That's right you would have to be pretty daft to commit armed robbery,
bare faced and sporting a distinctive crucifix (home-made) tattoo.
The sad fact was that this person was in the throes of a serious mental illness.
Look I realise the flamers will be out for this one, but if I inform anyone who has a genuine interest in the subject matter I will leave well pleased.
Speak soon.
I was about to ask if the schools had gone back, then...
...or, his mum told him to turn off his computer and go to bed, school re-opens tomorrow!
Yes I do, now fuck off, child.
:laugh::lolol::laugh:
hove born&bred
14-01-2010, 09:10
This is gonna get right nasty. I had brekky down at Divalls this morning with Eddy, Teddy, Freddy, Big John, Little John, Mastero George, Aquascutum Joe, Farahs' Barry, the Mears and Theo Bald.
West Street rules are being broken everyone wants to know who the geezer 'spillin' is! Some reckon its Scouse Sidney or one removed Josh.
Anyway there is a meeting down the Co-op in London Road at 3.30pm
Dress Code - Red Lyle and Scott
This is gonna get right nasty. I had brekky down at Divalls this morning with Eddy, Teddy, Freddy, Big John, Little John, Mastero George, Aquascutum Joe, Farahs' Barry, the Mears and Theo Bald.
West Street rules are being broken everyone wants to know who the geezer 'spillin' is some reckon its Scouse Sidney or one removed Josh.
Anyway there is a meeting down the Co-op in London Road at 3.30pm
Dress Code - Red Lyle and Scott
red lyle and scott sooooooo last season
xenophon
14-01-2010, 09:30
I like my L & S in navy or mushroom, red doesn't sit well with my complexion and puts at least 2 lbs on me
Monsieur Le Plonk
14-01-2010, 09:44
cool....but how many Kickers tags you got?
The west st site on facebook certainly brings back memories.
This is gonna get right nasty. I had brekky down at Divalls this morning with Eddy, Teddy, Freddy, Big John, Little John, Mastero George, Aquascutum Joe, Farahs' Barry, the Mears and Theo Bald.
West Street rules are being broken everyone wants to know who the geezer 'spillin' is! Some reckon its Scouse Sidney or one removed Josh.
Anyway there is a meeting down the Co-op in London Road at 3.30pm
Dress Code - Red Lyle and Scott
Timmy you silly boy you have to deliver the Leader this afternoon
Titanic! Titanic tit more like, it happened it is part of football like it or not.
Why are there so many total twats on this site with the little in jokes and clique ramblings it really is boring and one of the main reasons why I and many others don't bother with this site any more.
the original poster said if your not interested he apoligises but you could not resist it you could you?
What rapier wit!
Clique... don't make me laugh.
I'm sure you are sadly missed.
No.
Great thread by the way... I just can't wait for the exciting history lessons, analysis and revelations about Brighton's 'casual' history.
Great thread by the way... I just can't wait for the exciting history lessons, analysis and revelations about Brighton's 'casual' history.
dont view the thread then.
thecavern
14-01-2010, 11:34
In my hand is a photograph. Though the image is faded what I see remains
Clearly stamped upon my memory. It is the top deck of an old Brighton blue bus.
The bus is crowded with
Young men smiling across the decades, Locked for perpetuity into a frieze of eighties urban culture.
Sprawled across the seats the clothing stands out like a sore thumb to anyone
Who was part of that much maligned Terrace culture of the 80’s.
Gabbicci suede fronted cardigans, Farah hopsack trousers, Pringle sport
V necks , Kicker boots , a roll neck with a small Fila F on the collar. One
Lad, Darren Lyons, now long ago departed, holds his cigarette playfully over the head of a lone female (pretty) gamely sitting still despite the slightly intimidating audience.
It was a time that will never come again (as all are) the cusp of a new sub-culture
emerging from the train wreck of sub-cultures, cold left-overs from the decade that taste forgot, the seventies.
It is not going to be easy, and I anticipate a few snide comments from those who missed this bus, but I am willing to open up my memory bank and share it with you, if you want to come long for the ride.
I will begin tonight. You will not be disappointed.
dont view the thread then.He's not wrong though is he? Look at the post above this. It's like reading Kosh, only it's even less informative and somehow it's even more dull.
He's not wrong though is he? Look at the post above this. It's like reading Kosh, only it's even less informative and somehow it's even more dull.
:laugh:
Actually I am rather enjoying it.
He's not wrong though is he? Look at the post above this. It's like reading Kosh, only it's even less informative and somehow it's even more dull.its not actually , if you were there and part of it.
Bevendean Hillbilly
14-01-2010, 11:42
In my hand is a photograph. Though the image is faded what I see remains
http://www.crookedtongues.com/imgs/editorial/casuals/ct5_casuals_r13_c11.gif
I will begin tonight. You will not be disappointed.
I doubt it.
Beach Hut
14-01-2010, 11:55
Didn't realise Darren Lyons had died, when was that ?
xenophon
14-01-2010, 12:09
http://www.crookedtongues.com/imgs/editorial/casuals/ct5_casuals_r13_c11.gif
I doubt it.
This is a photo of Motherwell yoof
In my hand is a photograph. Though the image is faded what I see remains clearly stamped upon my memory. It is an old Brighton blue bus.
The bus is crowded with young lads smiling across the decades, locked for perpetuity into a frieze of eighties urban culture. Okay, there are a couple of girls too. But they got on at Churchill Square and actually have nothing to do with us. Still, we blanked them. Dogs.
Upfront, terrified to within an inch of his life, is the driver. One of the firm extends a trademark pinkie. Smeared with nutella sarnie stains, it is Our Sign. You've been done mate. Good n proper.
Blue wristbands. A Primark green t-shirt that used to belong to my older brother and is still a size too big for me. Ginger hair. The emblems of a culture that is still thumbing through its dictionary to find some more fancy adjectives that will make this sound proper dramatic and all are clear. Blimey that was a complicated sentence.
It is not going to be easy, and I anticipate a few snide comments from those who missed this bus, but I am willing to open up my memory bank and share it with you, if you want to come long for the ride.
I will begin tonight. If my mum lets me.
Spanish Seagulls
14-01-2010, 12:29
What a load of old bollocks. I bet I taxed you for your Lacoste or Pringle. I was a top west street boy. Mullet the lot mad Eddy's right hand man.:bla:
Taxing people for clothes...hee hee. I never did get that, why not just buy your own or couldn´t those who did this afford the trip up to Stuarts in Shepherds Bush.
Taxing people for clothes haa haaaaaa haaaaaaaahhhhhhh:laugh:
severnside gull
14-01-2010, 12:40
what a load of tosh
is all
you never know what might be interesting until you read it
shoreham moonraker
14-01-2010, 12:50
bhafc99 that is the best post I have seen on this forum in my short time here. excellent work.:clap2:
Bevendean Hillbilly
14-01-2010, 12:58
This is a photo of Motherwell yoof
They're all pretty much the same though.
Bad skin, bad hair and daft clobber.
Nice trainies though.
alan partridge
14-01-2010, 13:32
In my hand is a photograph. Though the image is faded what I see remains clearly stamped upon my memory. It is an old Brighton blue bus.
The bus is crowded with young lads smiling across the decades, locked for perpetuity into a frieze of eighties urban culture. Okay, there are a couple of girls too. But they got on at Churchill Square and actually have nothing to do with us. Still, we blanked them. Dogs.
Upfront, terrified to within an inch of his life, is the driver. One of the firm extends a trademark pinkie. Smeared with nutella sarnie stains, it is Our Sign. You've been done mate. Good n proper.
Blue wristbands. A Primark green t-shirt that used to belong to my older brother and is still a size too big for me. Ginger hair. The emblems of a culture that is still thumbing through its dictionary to find some more fancy adjectives that will make this sound proper dramatic and all are clear. Blimey that was a complicated sentence.
It is not going to be easy, and I anticipate a few snide comments from those who missed this bus, but I am willing to open up my memory bank and share it with you, if you want to come long for the ride.
I will begin tonight. If my mum lets me.
Almost Meade's Ball worthy that post:clap:
Cheeky Monkey
14-01-2010, 13:42
Is 'thecavern' Uncle Spielberg?
???
thecavern
14-01-2010, 15:07
Before I begin let me make something clear. I am deliberately avoiding value judgements or moralizing.
If that is what you need there is the Daily Mail.
Here is a brief outline of the beginnings of the Casuals in Brighton prior to the West Street Firm.
I know that this scene was directly contemporaneous
to that of Liverpool, Manchester and London given the generally accepted timelines asserted elsewhere.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the late seventies, a short walk down from the clock tower and across from the lower end of Cranbourne Street was a slightly seedy Pool Parlour. It was a members only establishment but easy enough to sign up to with a reference from another member.
This venue became a meeting place for young men with time on their hands and quickly gained notoriety for petty criminal activities. Right here was ground zero of the Casual movement in Brighton and again, for anyone interested to listen, this is the story.
I first became aware of this gang one night at the end of a mid week club popular with a local Teddy Boy gang at the Court School of Dancing next to the old Astoria cinema in Gloucester place in about 1978. With A few school friends I would go down and have a laugh at the Teds “doing the bop”
At closing time the sweaty clientele had been turned outside and were milling about when a large group of maybe forty youths came running down through Morley Street.
They Sprinted across the pavement and laid into the Teds. A friend of mine’s brother was with these lads and after the core-up my friend and I tagged along. They ran along through Church Street and put through the windows at the Wagon and Horses.
These lads were a good two or three years older than us but following this we could not wait to become members of the Pool Parlour and of course beg steal or borrow the de rigueur Pringle Jumper and Pods or Kickers.
Following on from a long tradition of street gangs stretching back to the original racecourse razor gangs of the 1920’s the various individuals based around this club became known as The Pool Parlour Gang and then The Lions, after the distinctive Emblem of a Rampant Lion Embroidered into the Lambs wool Jerseys they wore.
At the time the jumpers were selling for 20-30 pounds about 128.99 in today’s money according to the Bank of England's online inflation calculator. This was a great deal of money in those days especially for those in poorly paid work even more so for the many not in gainful employment or simply AWOL from school.
Understandably most of these items were obtained on five-finger discount.
One favoured technique involved a device formed from steel coat hangers unwound and used to retrieve expensive items from shop letterboxes, under the cover of darkness. A practice echoed in the later technique of “wiring” fruit machines to rack up credits.
One regular victim of this method was Fischer’s in the Lanes, which kitted out many of the town’s wide boys in two-ply cashmere cardigans and pullovers.
The Golf Shop on Trafalgar Street was another victim. As this scam was uncovered and letterboxes shielded more traditional methods came into play.
Tealeaf’s (shoplifters) have long been a part of the Brighton black economy and more so before the days of cctv and anti-theft tags.
A regular target was the Hannington’s store in at the corner of East Street and North Street, a department store seemingly modelled upon Grace Bros in ” are you being served” . Along with Boots the chemist this store unknowingly kept half the town in cut-price Paco Rabanne and YSL Pour Homme for years. The final humiliation for Hannington’s was a botched Ram raid attempt and it closed its doors for good in 2001.
Saturday mornings in the Pool Parlour were usually riddled with stolen goods. Some would be sold or swapped and some would be worn as a badge of honour. It was considered madness to pay for anything. I once saw someone come in with a full fishing outfit, for sale including hot flask of tea obviously lifted from some poor sucker’s car en route to some Beach fishing or maybe lifted from the banjo groyne while the angler was having a leg.
Many of the people from that scene have not fared well many have drifted into drug addiction and a few have died prematurely.
Perhaps this says more about the type of person who feels the lure of gang involvement. I know many of these people came from troubled backgrounds. Many were from notorious families in the Brighton Area.
I became disillusioned with the Pool Parlour scene after witnessing the senseless and unprovoked beating of a Persian man who literally had his head kicked inside out and was then robbed of a watch and a small amount of cash by another lad present. I was fourteen years old.
The last straw was a Murder. I am not going to say too much about this except on that night the killer was wearing my jumper. He had borrowed it to smarten himself up so that he could get into the Top Rank Suite.
Speak soon.
Cheeky Monkey
14-01-2010, 15:11
Are you a BHA fan then Cavern? ???
GRIPPING stuff so far. :rolleyes:
GRIPPING stuff so far. :rolleyes:well go and discuss some pretentious german film with man of harveys or something, no-one is forcing you to read it are they ?
No thanks. This thread is fucking awsome.
"Tealeaf’s (shoplifters) have long been a part of the Brighton black economy and more so before the days of cctv and anti-theft tags."
What an insight. Cracking stuff.
hove born&bred
14-01-2010, 15:35
Oh gawd he'll be puting a name in the frame for the trunk murders next.
I don't think Queenspark Publishing will be taking this up. But saying that and after re reading it is very intersting. Take it away Cavern
No thanks. This thread is fucking awsome.
"Tealeaf’s (shoplifters) have long been a part of the Brighton black economy and more so before the days of cctv and anti-theft tags."
What an insight. Cracking stuff.Cock.
granny weatherwax
14-01-2010, 15:45
"after the core-up "
isn't that something to do with apples?
Chicken Runner61
14-01-2010, 15:48
Whilst the trip down memory lane might be nice the scene so far is no different from most parts of Brighton & Hove in 77/78. In fact make that before '77 and up to date.
Brighton has always had a shady criminal under current.
Anyone who actually knows anything legitamate from back then would say the intresting bits are the clubs "collusion" in some of it.
granny weatherwax
14-01-2010, 15:51
The first time I became aware of our so called "firm" was Chesterfield away in 1975ish, may have been 1976....there was loads of trouble there and the first time I actually saw a "mob" of fans charging around ( and recognising some of them from Falmer High)
Chicken Runner61
14-01-2010, 15:51
I don't think Queenspark Publishing will be taking this up.
Hooper Struve!!
Walt Jabsco
14-01-2010, 15:52
Leave the guy alone. You don't HAVE to read his reminiscing.
Me? I love a nice pair of TRIM TRABS and a Sergio TACCHINI.
wellquickwoody
14-01-2010, 15:54
Gotta say ' leave the guy alone' you don't have to read it. He may not be the best writer around but it just might be interesting to hear a view of what was happenning in that era and compare it with my/your own memories. If you were not supporting the Albion then it might tell you something about the past. If you were around the Albion scene at the time it could be of interest to you. If it is of no interest to you, don't read it.
Russell Slade's hat
14-01-2010, 16:16
Leave the guy alone. You don't HAVE to read his reminiscing.
Me? I love a nice pair of TRIM TRABS and a Sergio TACCHINI.
:thumbsup:
Twinkle Toes
14-01-2010, 16:18
I just couldn't help myself, I'm afraid, & popped in to see how things are 'panning out'. I must say I'm enjoying this jog down somebody's memory lane tbh. When's the next instalment due?
*Nips off to find alarm clock in readiness*
Beach Hut
14-01-2010, 16:23
Interesting read
thecavern
14-01-2010, 16:28
Apologies for any shortcomings in the prose.
I do have to get this down on the fly during work, without scope for lengthy rewriting. Anyone who writes understands the process.
Anyway many thanks to those who have kindly offered support. I hope I will
reward your patience in the end.
cheers.
hove born&bred
14-01-2010, 16:29
Interesting read
I saw you in one of those West Street Piccy's.
thecavern
14-01-2010, 16:43
"Tealeaf’s (shoplifters) have long been a part of the Brighton black economy and more so before the days of cctv and anti-theft tags."
"What an insight. Cracking stuff."
It wasn't meant as an insight. Only a preamble .
Look I appreciate your feedback I genuinely do.
cheers,
Bevendean Hillbilly
14-01-2010, 17:02
"Tealeaf’s (shoplifters) have long been a part of the Brighton black economy and more so before the days of cctv and anti-theft tags."
"What an insight. Cracking stuff."
It wasn't meant as an insight. Only a preamble .
Look I appreciate your feedback I genuinely do.
cheers,
Are you some sort of ex-con who has been doing a creative writing course...or are you a total wind-up?
NSC decides.
The Wookiee
14-01-2010, 17:52
Well I think its interesting :thumbsup:
Cheeky Monkey
14-01-2010, 17:54
Cavern, why are you avoiding the question about whether or not you support BHA? You're not ex-ICF per chance? One of Cass Pennant's footsoldiers?
???
Spanish Seagulls
14-01-2010, 17:58
Dan fucking Brown could write a monologue on here & he'd get criticised, it's just NSC.
Anyway it's a lot better than a large amount of the drivel that normally appears, it's a sub culture tale which is interesting for me because I grew up in Shepherd's Bush not Brighton.
The Merry Prankster
14-01-2010, 18:05
Dan Brown IS shit. I enjoyed thecaverns' efforts.
cavern,did you used to drink in the maytree??
Cavern, why are you avoiding the question about whether or not you support BHA? You're not ex-ICF per chance? One of Cass Pennant's footsoldiers?
???
if he isnt bha,i would think maybe ex headhunter,esp if he drank in the maytree
goldstone_rapper
14-01-2010, 18:24
So the casual movement amounts to a collection of mentally unstable blokes whose two interests in life seem to be beating people up and stealing overpriced sports casual wear?
Is that it?
Spanish Seagulls
14-01-2010, 18:33
Dan Brown IS shit. I enjoyed thecaverns' efforts.
And he didn't even have to write!:facepalm: You know what I mean.
hove born&bred
14-01-2010, 18:36
if he isnt bha,i would think maybe ex headhunter,esp if he drank in the maytree
Is that the Maytree that used to be along Old Shoreham Road bottom of Stapley Road top of Olive?
thecavern
14-01-2010, 18:57
An Excerpt From Part 2 which I hope to post on Friday night. By the way I am not condoning
the events described in these recollections nor would I wish to glorify this behavior. I present it merely as a curio of the past.
"One time we invaded a game at Selhurst Park. It was 82 I think Palace at home to Sheffield Wednesday. It was decided this would be an ideal game to infiltrate Selhurst Park and cause mayhem. At Brighton Station we were an easy 100 lads. At Preston Park another forty. It had been planned for weeks in advance I remember an older guy Beaky a local face had been involved with the planning. It was all cloak and dagger nonsense with splitting up diversions at East Croydon and Selhurst Park to confuse the OB. The first kick off was at East Croydon. A firm of Palace boys were spotted on another platform and were called out.. The fight spanned across several platforms with scuffles breaking out everywhere. I saw a distress flare go whizzing across me to a fence where some Palace fans were climbing out. It was pandemonium. A by-stander was pummelled for whacking someone with his briefcase and Women were screaming. Beaky was furious. We had blown our cover already for a flash in the pan. But he need not have worried. What happened next at Selhurst Park would become infamous"
cheers
xenophon
14-01-2010, 19:07
I'm enjoying this squire
Different innit?
patchamalbion
14-01-2010, 19:16
a breath of fresh air after all these poxy villa related threads! decent read,look forward to the next part
seagullsovergrimsby
14-01-2010, 19:37
Understandably most of these items were obtained on five-finger discount.
What ? Tossing off the 45 year old male shop assistant to get it at half price ? :ohmy:
and as more people enjoy it, the pisstakers get quieter! keep going cavern, good work
Jimmy Saville
14-01-2010, 20:11
Well written too. Good work sir.
¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤
14-01-2010, 20:14
Very interesting read indeed, keep it coming :clap:
Smart Mart
14-01-2010, 20:18
Beaky is/was well known, so this guy does seem to have some cred.
More please....
xenophon
14-01-2010, 20:19
Anyone got a link to the WSF facebook page?
dougdeep
14-01-2010, 20:21
Can someone explain what's cool about random violence?
brighton bluenose
14-01-2010, 20:25
Beaky is/was well known, so this guy does seem to have some cred.
More please....
Yeah...........and I dont expect he'll be too happy to have his name plastered all over here btw!!!
wehatepalace
14-01-2010, 20:26
Nice work sir, I'm enjoying it. Ignore the twats with their oh so amusing replies.
An Excerpt From Part 2 which I hope to post on Friday night. By the way I am not condoning
the events described in these recollections nor would I wish to glorify this behavior. I present it merely as a curio of the past.
"One time we invaded a game at Selhurst Park. It was 82 I think Palace at home to Sheffield Wednesday. It was decided this would be an ideal game to infiltrate Selhurst Park and cause mayhem. At Brighton Station we were an easy 100 lads. At Preston Park another forty. It had been planned for weeks in advance I remember an older guy Beaky a local face had been involved with the planning. It was all cloak and dagger nonsense with splitting up diversions at East Croydon and Selhurst Park to confuse the OB. The first kick off was at East Croydon. A firm of Palace boys were spotted on another platform and were called out.. The fight spanned across several platforms with scuffles breaking out everywhere. I saw a distress flare go whizzing across me to a fence where some Palace fans were climbing out. It was pandemonium. A by-stander was pummelled for whacking someone with his briefcase and Women were screaming. Beaky was furious. We had blown our cover already for a flash in the pan. But he need not have worried. What happened next at Selhurst Park would become infamous"
cheers
May I ask if this was actually Blackburn rovers? Last game of the Season?
Jimmy Saville
14-01-2010, 20:49
Beaky is/was well known, so this guy does seem to have some cred.
More please....
Could there be more than one Beaky?
Smart Mart
14-01-2010, 20:52
Could there be more than one Beaky?
Given the context and circumstances here, probably not !
thecavern
14-01-2010, 20:52
May I ask if this was actually Blackburn rovers? Last game of the Season?
You could be right my friend. . It was almost 30 years ago.
I was hoping for some
sharper minds than mine to tidy up some details.
This is the mad part. It's like the Football became secondary at times.
All the best.
Yeah...........and I dont expect he'll be too happy to have his name plastered all over here btw!!!
your not wrong,pretty stupid,but great thread
You could be right my friend. . It was almost 30 years ago.
I was hoping for some
sharper minds than mine to tidy up some details.
This is the mad part. It's like the Football became secondary at times.
All the best.
It was indeed blackburn, good read so far,always thought the main wsf were a small group of about 30 mainly from east part of brighton,always good on their patch in town on a saturday night when we had visitors,keep it coming many memories:thumbsup:
You could be right my friend. . It was almost 30 years ago.
I was hoping for some
sharper minds than mine to tidy up some details.
This is the mad part. It's like the Football became secondary at times.
All the best.
Well that summer I was on the piss in the Isle of Man when their football festival was on and cutting a long story short I went to a couple of games with some Rovers fans. anyway, one day in the pub the conversation went on to football rivals and I said our were Palace.
Then they told me something really strange. Thier last game of the season was Palace away now back then Rovers only took a few 100 away and most new each other aND they said they didn't have any top boys of note.
Anyway they said after about 5 minutes after kick off a couple of 100 lads went in the Homesdale road stand(I think, its the one along the touchline opposite the tunnel), he said about 5 minutes later it all kicked off and did for most of the game. He said then Blackburn played shit so they watched all the rucks. He asked me wether it was our lot.(I seem to remember him saying the exits were opened in the second half and all those ejected came in again and it kicked of bigtime again), old bill were not expecting anything from that fixture so were few in number
I said I didn't know, our last game was against Newcastle away(I think, or a club along way north) so it could be our boys seeing if it was a pointless away game.
My memories a bit hazy plus I was pissed up on cheap beer but these details can be checked.
:)
Jimmy Saville
14-01-2010, 21:17
Given the context and circumstances here, probably not !
Well, the Beaky I know is no whippersnapper, but he would have been pretty young in the early 80's.
thecavern
14-01-2010, 21:27
Looney, what you have added here has
made my evening. Grateful for the feedback.
cheers,
wellquickwoody
14-01-2010, 21:27
if he isnt bha,i would think maybe ex headhunter,esp if he drank in the maytree
Good call. Wonder what that man is doing now.......
Marlton & Hove Albion
14-01-2010, 21:53
Cavern. So far, so good. Grew up on the estate, went to Falmer with some of those mentioned already and many nights spent at the 67 Centre. Clarkes, Dawes, Lyons, Beaky....all the right names. The last mentioned (I recall) later involved in heavy stuff in Ulster. As someone not deeply participating in this (I loved the club too much and still do), it seemed that Moulsecoombe was an obvious breeding ground but that Woodingdean and Whitehawk were far more active in the football side of things. Paul Gent was always in and round especially after he buggered up his gift and chance to play.
I spent a mad summer (1981) with Eddie D and funny to think about that dance club on the second floor by the Astoria. Small bottles of Pernod tucked inside Diadora Track suit tops. What a funny old place that was.....and remember the Teddy Boy nights well. Not so much fun was Eddie's rage fueled desire to snack the shit out of any poor and unsuspecting French, German, Italian students (usually 2-3 at a time) randomly available. It all went too far several years after when he attacked a taxi driver one night (a free ride home not enough) and he moved to HM Lewes. There was never a deep love for The Albion, it was a vehicle for a good ruck with away fans in town.
I'd be interested in your perspective on some of the NF infiltration that was a regular theme (at least on the East Terrace - as we were closer to the Away Pen in the NE Corner) and whether that was about silly impressionable boys or more deep seated. And also about some of the neighbourhood pubs White Admiral, Hikers Rest, Bevendean Hotel if your memories and experiences intersect. Some of my most shameful away days began early inside these establishments, transported by White Transit (Special Brew Fueled) to a far away terrace. I was much more a voyeur and apparently still am.
thecavern
14-01-2010, 22:06
Hey Marlton. You are right on the money with your comments. Every comment from someone like you who was there and remembers, is like getting a little bit of the past back to life. I hope you are keeping well and enjoying my memories as I enjoyed reading yours. I hope to touch upon some of the things you mention soon. Cheers Marlton.
Didn't realise Darren Lyons had died, when was that ?
years ago mate
must be getting on for 20
Cavern were you with the wsf on the pre season tours to holland in 81 & 82. Some great memories of punch ups with the mollucans and general mayhem.
Cavern. So far, so good. Grew up on the estate, went to Falmer with some of those mentioned already and many nights spent at the 67 Centre. Clarkes, Dawes, Lyons, Beaky....all the right names. The last mentioned (I recall) later involved in heavy stuff in Ulster. As someone not deeply participating in this (I loved the club too much and still do), it seemed that Moulsecoombe was an obvious breeding ground but that Woodingdean and Whitehawk were far more active in the football side of things. Paul Gent was always in and round especially after he buggered up his gift and chance to play.
I spent a mad summer (1981) with Eddie D and funny to think about that dance club on the second floor by the Astoria. Small bottles of Pernod tucked inside Diadora Track suit tops. What a funny old place that was.....and remember the Teddy Boy nights well. Not so much fun was Eddie's rage fueled desire to snack the shit out of any poor and unsuspecting French, German, Italian students (usually 2-3 at a time) randomly available. It all went too far several years after when he attacked a taxi driver one night (a free ride home not enough) and he moved to HM Lewes. There was never a deep love for The Albion, it was a vehicle for a good ruck with away fans in town.
I'd be interested in your perspective on some of the NF infiltration that was a regular theme (at least on the East Terrace - as we were closer to the Away Pen in the NE Corner) and whether that was about silly impressionable boys or more deep seated. And also about some of the neighbourhood pubs White Admiral, Hikers Rest, Bevendean Hotel if your memories and experiences intersect. Some of my most shameful away days began early inside these establishments, transported by White Transit (Special Brew Fueled) to a far away terrace. I was much more a voyeur and apparently still am.
and then even more so
nasty
Superphil
14-01-2010, 22:20
Nothing
cunning fergus
14-01-2010, 23:50
Yeah...........and I dont expect he'll be too happy to have his name plastered all over here btw!!!
I agree, he's a proper tough nut, if he knew about this he'd smash caverns's head in with his manbag.
Cavern were you with the wsf on the pre season tours to holland in 81 & 82. Some great memories of punch ups with the mollucans and general mayhem.
Were there any wsf in Eindhoven ?
Ecosse Exile
15-01-2010, 01:00
Anyone who was about in the WSF scene will know who Beaky is, as will the OB, so far nothing has been mentioned that would suprise the OB or that could get Him lifted so i dont think he would be too worried.
I last saw Beaky at Northampton a couple of years ago, i was sat with Gaz D. and Beaky was sat next to him, he has changed so much (as we all have) that i didnt even recognise him any more. After the game i was giving Gaz a lift back to the station and reminiscing about old times when i said i havent seen Beaky in years, Gaz just laughed and said "we were sat next to him all night" :laugh:
Oh gawd he'll be puting a name in the frame for the trunk murders next.
I don't think Queenspark Publishing will be taking this up. But saying that and after re reading it is very intersting. Take it away Cavern
Oh, I don't know - it's an interesting insight.
I'm a Scoomer and know the Bevendean Hotel very well - drank there often, there often seemed to be knock-off gear available.
This is a side of Brighton that I don't know. I've never been part of any 'firm' and while I was a regular attender of away games, I always steered clear of trouble (or tried to). I'm sure I'd have recognised some of the people Cavern's talking about - even if I don't know their names.
I'm not one to glamorise violence but I recognise that it's part of life and I think that it's interesting to hear about another aspect of supporting the Albion - as Cavern says, this is not about making value judgments.
Psychobilly freakout
15-01-2010, 07:51
I would go down and have a laugh at the Teds “doing the bop”
What.................You lost me there fella :ohmy:
Good read, Next chapter please :thumbsup:
Good stuff Cavern, keep it coming!
minnieme
15-01-2010, 08:43
pssst Tim - It was SKINS spelt backwards because he did it himself in the mirror
:lolol:
Cheeky Monkey
15-01-2010, 08:43
In vaguely related news there's a play on at the Pavillion Theatre tonight called 'On Race Hill' about the 'dark history' of Brighton. Only a fiver to get in as well. Think Cavern's selling ice creams down the front at half time.
Superphil
15-01-2010, 08:51
Nothing
fuck me, love name dropping you lot:facepalm:
severnside gull
15-01-2010, 09:36
okay so I'm coming round to this thread even if I don't understand half of the language used and sympathise even less with the participants...........it's becoming a fascinating read
minnieme
15-01-2010, 09:40
Cavern. So far, so good. Grew up on the estate, went to Falmer with some of those mentioned already and many nights spent at the 67 Centre. Clarkes, Dawes, Lyons, Beaky....all the right names. The last mentioned (I recall) later involved in heavy stuff in Ulster. As someone not deeply participating in this (I loved the club too much and still do), it seemed that Moulsecoombe was an obvious breeding ground but that Woodingdean and Whitehawk were far more active in the football side of things. Paul Gent was always in and round especially after he buggered up his gift and chance to play.
I spent a mad summer (1981) with Eddie D and funny to think about that dance club on the second floor by the Astoria. Small bottles of Pernod tucked inside Diadora Track suit tops. What a funny old place that was.....and remember the Teddy Boy nights well. Not so much fun was Eddie's rage fueled desire to snack the shit out of any poor and unsuspecting French, German, Italian students (usually 2-3 at a time) randomly available. It all went too far several years after when he attacked a taxi driver one night (a free ride home not enough) and he moved to HM Lewes. There was never a deep love for The Albion, it was a vehicle for a good ruck with away fans in town.
I'd be interested in your perspective on some of the NF infiltration that was a regular theme (at least on the East Terrace - as we were closer to the Away Pen in the NE Corner) and whether that was about silly impressionable boys or more deep seated. And also about some of the neighbourhood pubs White Admiral, Hikers Rest, Bevendean Hotel if your memories and experiences intersect. Some of my most shameful away days began early inside these establishments, transported by White Transit (Special Brew Fueled) to a far away terrace. I was much more a voyeur and apparently still am.
Just out of interest mate, what age are you? as i grew up in Moulsecoomb & know all the people you mention. I was in the same year as PG & went to the 67 centre. If my memory serves me right it was every Tuesday night.
does anyone remember palace away one year, very early eighties when we travelled up in a removals van that one of the whitehawk lot pulled up at brighton station ? it got overturned outside and we had to get the train back!
Well, the Beaky I know is no whippersnapper, but he would have been pretty young in the early 80's.maybe
not that young he would have been in his 20's
Weatherman
15-01-2010, 12:31
The first time I became aware of our so called "firm" was Chesterfield away in 1975ish, may have been 1976....there was loads of trouble there and the first time I actually saw a "mob" of fans charging around ( and recognising some of them from Falmer High)
a few years before that i'd say.
aviaviavioioioi
15-01-2010, 12:44
Great stuff Caven:cool:
granny weatherwax
15-01-2010, 12:59
a few years before that i'd say.
It probably was, but i only really started supporting Brighton in 1975 odd.
I also remember going to watford one night game with my dad and Brother so that must have been in the middle 70's and hearing that the fans had been "escorted" from the station and there had been lots of trouble on the way. The thing is that may just have been some mouthy kids not a true "firm".
I do recall some years later going to a game at Birmingham when a whole group of "lads" stopped at toddington and they were all in a beat up old Southdown coach ....as the coach door opened , they all piled off and headed for a coach full of Tottenham fans who were also headed North...that was very nasty!
this was the eclipses choice of transport minus the comfy seats , that were replaced with wooden slatted jobbies
http://history.buses.co.uk/history/name/2703cd.jpg
granny weatherwax
15-01-2010, 13:30
this was the eclipses choice of transport minus the comfy seats , that were replaced with wooden slatted jobbies
http://history.buses.co.uk/history/name/2703cd.jpg
if my memory is right...it was one of them
granny weatherwax
15-01-2010, 13:32
Actually does anyone remember Ivor Caplin's brother who used to be a bit on the rough side...I think he was a chef!
Were there any wsf in Eindhoven ?
Yes, not a bad turn out
Actually does anyone remember Ivor Caplin's brother who used to be a bit on the rough side...I think he was a chef!
I have a vague recollection of their names being Steve and Tony... but could well be wrong ??
Marlton & Hove Albion
15-01-2010, 14:01
Just out of interest mate, what age are you? as i grew up in Moulsecoomb & know all the people you mention. I was in the same year as PG & went to the 67 centre. If my memory serves me right it was every Tuesday night.
Born in the greatest of all years......1966. PG was 2 years ahead of me and good mates with my older brother. How many pick up games of footie played on the courts next to the 67? With those super high wire fences that would regularly get pulled down.
1 night only
15-01-2010, 14:32
You looking to do a book Cavern? Lorne will no doubt be able to supply the photo's if the Old Bill don't already have them off him!!! Maybe this is all a bit before his time though.
Good read regardless and I guess it's ancient history and the names are no longer involved so no harm
Cheers
26-10-02
15-01-2010, 16:49
Well that summer I was on the piss in the Isle of Man when their football festival was on and cutting a long story short I went to a couple of games with some Rovers fans. anyway, one day in the pub the conversation went on to football rivals and I said our were Palace.
Then they told me something really strange. Thier last game of the season was Palace away now back then Rovers only took a few 100 away and most new each other aND they said they didn't have any top boys of note.
Anyway they said after about 5 minutes after kick off a couple of 100 lads went in the Homesdale road stand(I think, its the one along the touchline opposite the tunnel), he said about 5 minutes later it all kicked off and did for most of the game. He said then Blackburn played shit so they watched all the rucks. He asked me wether it was our lot.(I seem to remember him saying the exits were opened in the second half and all those ejected came in again and it kicked of bigtime again), old bill were not expecting anything from that fixture so were few in number
I said I didn't know, our last game was against Newcastle away(I think, or a club along way north) so it could be our boys seeing if it was a pointless away game.
My memories a bit hazy plus I was pissed up on cheap beer but these details can be checked.
:)
That was to do with noades trying to join wimbledon and paalce together.I remember the game well.Just palace fans ,no one else.
26-10-02
15-01-2010, 16:54
A What happened next at Selhurst Park would become infamous"
cheers
This should be good.I attended every game in those days .I wait to see what happened:bla:
This should be good.I attended every game in those days .I wait to see what happened:bla:
Yes it should. I was too friggly frightened to go to Selhurst as I heard you was really all so toughie tough tough and roughie rough rough.!
26-10-02
15-01-2010, 17:02
Yes it should. I was too friggly frightened to go to Selhurst as I heard you was really all so toughie tough tough and roughie rough rough.!
Obviously not as toughie tough tough as beaky and the birdbrains
Obviously not as toughie tough tough as beaky and the birdbrains
Don't forget Hissing Sid..
I once went to see how ruffianish you lot could be against the Knucklers from Bermondsey. What a tear up (not).
That was to do with noades trying to join wimbledon and paalce together.I remember the game well.Just palace fans ,no one else.
erm so let me get this right. about 150 palace fans enter the ground late to start rucking with other palace fans who are in favour of Noades merger plan, or maybe against it?
Yea that sounds real credable. Really if your going to try to bullshit your way through life at least make it sound slightly beleivable.:dunce:
I remember the rovers fan said the group were singing and chanting but he couldn't hear what it was due to distance or wind?
Maybe it was "Your just a bunch of splitters".
lol fuck off retard.
xenophon
15-01-2010, 19:19
Does Lisa "Pogo" Patterson ring a bell with any of you West Street oldies?
portslade seagull
15-01-2010, 19:19
Good read so far....next instalment please.....thought the Bosun had a crew back in the early 70's
coventrygull
15-01-2010, 19:23
Why no mention of the Bosun. Brighton's first firm
Ecosse Exile
15-01-2010, 19:31
Does Lisa "Pogo" Patterson ring a bell with any old you West Street oldies?
Yeah i remember Lisa well, lovely girl saved my bacon once or twice, but not to be messed with :laugh:
Last i heard she was with Black Sam (cockney reds).
HAILSHAM SEAGULL
15-01-2010, 19:40
What about the Castle Square gang, wern't they the main boys in the North Stand during mid 70's
portslade seagull
15-01-2010, 19:41
Bosun were always in the south stand
seagullsovergrimsby
15-01-2010, 19:46
Bosun were always in the south stand
The nutters from Haywards Heath went in the South Stand as well.
The nutters from Haywards Heath went in the South Stand as well.
:thumbsup:
xenophon
15-01-2010, 20:09
Yeah i remember Lisa well, lovely girl saved my bacon once or twice, but not to be messed with :laugh:
Last i heard she was with Black Sam (cockney reds).
That's a shame, apparently Sam died a couple of years ago. I've been chatting to a Manchester Red elsewhere who knows a few Brighton lads who ran about with the West Street lot but followed MUFC, he asked me to ask people here.
Cheers for the help
26-10-02
15-01-2010, 20:36
erm so let me get this right. about 150 palace fans enter the ground late to start rucking with other palace fans who are in favour of Noades merger plan, or maybe against it?
Yea that sounds real credable. Really if your going to try to bullshit your way through life at least make it sound slightly beleivable.:dunce:
I remember the rovers fan said the group were singing and chanting but he couldn't hear what it was due to distance or wind?
Maybe it was "Your just a bunch of splitters".
lol fuck off retard.
There was no fight just another of your lot talking shit.
Fucking twat.
coventrygull
15-01-2010, 20:42
Bosun were always in the south stand
Started off in the north stand. My sister was involved with them :ohmy:
thecavern
15-01-2010, 20:51
If you were between thirteen and eighteen in Brighton in the early eighties a
Bj did not mean what it does now. It meant something better. It was a Fila Bjorn Borg Tracksuit top and everybody wanted one.
If you considered yourself even remotely clued-up, there was no way you could not know this.
The desire to stand out from the scarfer crews at the football meant that if you were serious about such things, you had to put in the legwork to get the look. I remember being on a mission and losing my bearings exiting Brent Cross Station then running like a madman across the M1 to get to the Shopping Centre the day the Diadora Bjorn Borg Kangaroo Elites landed. People must have thought I was a lunatic.
And after, I took the Tube across London to get to a small outlet on the Kings Road rumoured to be selling discounted Fila and then back to Piccadilly Circus Lillywhites for something else, now lost to recall. But anywhere you went, you had to keep your wits about you. It was known that the unwary were getting mugged or taxed all over the place.
I know one fella had his brand new Stan Smith’s taxed by MJ a notorious local nuisance. He had to go home barefoot and explain why his £50.00 Trainers were not still on his feet.
He tried it on again outside the Crystal Rooms Arcade with another
Big lad from Bevendean who was a bit useful. This one told him to fuck himself.
“I dunno know who he fuckin’ thinks he is” he told me.
This bullying trait backfired another time when this Bully’s intended target smacked him so hard his cheeks collapsed, needing reconstruction surgery. It left him looking like Boris Karloff for months on end.
This lad who whacked him had a reputation for knocking people unconscious with one punch. He did it in front of me at the Sea House one night after someone poked his finger into the Green Crocodile logo on on his Lacoste and asked
“does it fuckin’ bite?” He got his answer, though he couldn’t have known much about it.
Some believe the West Street Firm only numbered thirty boys, maybe it did to begin with, more or less. But it was gaining a reputation
And the cachet of being part of something even briefly mentioned in National newspaper articles meant that inevitably the numbers grew.
If you are curious how the name came about it was coined by Bret Paton.
Everyone knew the ICF and, looking for a name and given the stamping ground it was inevitable that the West Street Firm took that name.
One thing about those times was the seeming absence of Cliqueyness.
Obviously if you were a melt (in the parlance of the day) then you were in the Wally Firm, but on the whole if you looked the part and you were well known then you wouldn’t get bothered. I’ll never forget walking down the road wearing my first Lacoste tracksuit, slit jumbo cords and Adidas Forest Hills thinking I was the business. Waiting for a bus one night with two other lads I heard a girl at a bus stop tell her mate “ they’re West Street”
I loved it. We even had an anthem, Street Life By the Crusaders.
I used to ask King Jerry in the Cavern to drop it about half-ten
To get people at it. It worked too.
The WSF thing may have been partly tongue in cheek to begin with but the thing is I honestly believe it got you a pass sometimes.
One time I was at a house party and every time I used the stairs this
good sort kept rubbing my legs as I passed. I told my Pal and he warned me who she was with. It was common knowledge he’d recently pushed someone through a plate glass window on Duke Street. Anyway I went up to the toilet on the first floor but she followed me in and locked the door. Well I knew this bloke was downstairs but she locked the door and was kissing me. To be truthful I was a little bit trashed of this fella’s reputation so I let myself out. To my horror he passed me on the stairs going to the bathroom I’d just come out of with his bird still inside.
This wasn’t a Smoking gun it was a fucking mushroom cloud. I made my way back down thinking fuck it. I was torn between leaving the party and holding my nerve.
I remember people talking to me but I had tunnel vision.
I could hear people but they may as well have been speaking Cantonese for all I knew. All I was thinking about was this other mush. I could feel my legs twitching with the adrenaline. Suddenly this fella has come down the stairs and walked straight past me without even looking my way. I couldn’t understand it.
With that she came back down and said she’d finished with him ages ago.
I was with her for about 6 months after that and only one time, the next weekend did this fella say anything to me. He said “ I think she’s doing it to get back at me” . Later we always got on all right. I was only sixteen and I can’t help thinking but for the company I kept it might have kicked off.
Weekends a lot of us used to meet in Churchill Square sitting round the Wishing Well.
Some would be drinking coffees in Miss Selfridge and during the Summer, a few would walk down onto the Seafront . One day a big group of us were sunbathing and a bloke nearby went for a swim. While he was in the water my mate rifled his pockets for a laugh and took all his change. A bit later he was getting dressed when he suddenly started nervously patting himself down. "You alright Guv" my pal called over after a bit.
“Nah, I’ve lost me Bus fare in the pebbles”
“Here ya go” and my mate threw him over a nicker of his own money.
“You sure?” he said, “Yeah go on, don’t worry about it”
This bloke still used to thank my mate for helping him out years
later.
Another regular face MS was a once talented local boxer who went a bit eccentric. He was known to pester women to go with him and often succeeded. When he’d had a drink he was a nightmare, standing up on tables with his trousers down or blocking the road then climbing on a waiting Car and sitting his hairy arse on the windscreen. He once was falsely accused of Rape in Ship Street Passages, then narrowly escaped being charged with Armed Robbery after threatening shop staff for a wind-up. The Police took it seriously and cautioned him. It sounds unlikely but in his day he was one of the Finest Boxers Brighton ever produced and had a huge following.
One weekend was Watford away and many lads decided to travel up on the Friday Night and sleep rough somewhere. Mostly with away games we would Jib (Fare evade) the train. Then when the inspector came through the carriages.
The word would go round and the toilets would suddenly get very busy.
But this night we wanted to go clubbing so three pals and I gave another fella a score to run us up in his Cortina. We were amazed to pass groups of West Streeters moseying through Brixton in the Dark.
I spotted Darren F among them
his Deerstalker stood out like a sore thumb in Brixton High Street at 3 am.
God knows how they ended up there.
Arriving at Watford, the sleeping quarters ended up being several carriages of a train sided overnight at Watford Junction. There were loads of them and you could take your pick. In the darkened compartments it was like something from a war film, an air raid shelter with bodies everywhere. Chrissie C. was building joints with the red leb resin that was ubiquitous back in the day. One lad stayed fast asleep and ended up in Crewe on the first service.
A few lads had broken in to a nearby church hall and were bedded down there like evacuees. The place was derelict but it didn’t seem to worry anyone.
The silly things you do at sixteen.
At dawn a few bleary eyed lads walked the streets drinking pints of Milk taken from doorsteps. One or two walked off in search of a café.
Later, on the Saturday the various groups met up and went shopping in Watford. An Electrical shop was swamped out and later several lads were walking about with portable radios and stuff. Darren O was waving a Sony Walkman about with no cassettes to play on it. At the stadium there was a strong Police presence. As we were walking through the Police were shoving people about being heavy handed. A few people were baiting the police. A friend of mine took a truncheon across the face and was bleeding. The chant went up “Kill Kill Kill The Bill “ (from the Wally firm obviously) . A few were arrested and sent home.
The match went off without too much incident but on the Victoria to Brighton fast service home someone recognised a Palace face who was a buddy of Crellin, rumoured to be the Palace top Boy. He was fronted up but escaped through the carriage and locked himself in the toilet. The door was being pummelled and kicked but sensibly he stayed inside. We reached East Croydon but he still wouldn’t come out. He was shouting out for help but no one could hear him above the din. The train pulled out and this poor lad was now bound for Brighton. It was getting comical. The door had been bent out of shape and you could just make out his terrified face reflected in the mirror. There was no way he was coming out and he loudly pleaded innocence of any knowledge of
Football firms.
Eventually those still hammering the door lost interest and he was finally rescued at Brighton by a guard and the Transport Police who heard him hollering from inside. To this day I don’t know if that poor
Bloke was really a football hooligan.
"Another time we invaded a game at Selhurst Park. It was around ‘82 Palace home to Blackburn Rovers last day of the season. It was decided this would be an ideal game to infiltrate Selhurst Park and cause mayhem. At Brighton Station we were an easy 100 lads. At Preston Park another forty. It had been planned for weeks in advance I remember an older guy Beaky a local face had been involved with the planning. It was all cloak and dagger nonsense with splitting up diversions at East Croydon and Selhurst Park to confuse the OB. The first kick off was at East Croydon. A Palace firm was spotted on another platform and were called out The fight spanned across several platforms with scuffles breaking out everywhere. I saw a distress flare go whizzing across me to a fence where some Palace fans were climbing out. It was pandemonium. A by-stander was pummeled for whacking someone with his briefcase and Women were screaming. Beaky was furious. We had blown our cover already for a flash in the pan. But he need not have worried. What happened next at Selhurst Park would become infamous"
We met up at the turnstiles; some coming from Thornton heath station some from Selhurst as arranged. A few nods and we
Went through. To our left was a large group of traveling fans and when all of our number was through we started to walk slowly along through the main stand near the touchline. Palace fans were singing. Some began looking. It wasn’t a full house but as we snaked along I could the sense the eyes of some of the home crowd trying to make sense of what they were seeing.
Quizzical Looks were exchanged. As planned we kept walking. We moved along and eventually ended up on the opposite corner to where we entered. By this time it was clear that a few people had recognized some faces. The game started.
One of our firm D.S
spotted Crellin, supposedly their Top Boy who he’d had previous with at a home game and broken his tooth, part of which stayed in his hand and went poison. At half time we walked back round to the food vendors. On the way back someone threw a cup of Tea over a home fan and it kicked off.
The Police waded in. People were being pointed out and aimed out though
a fair number were getting out discretely. It was agreed to regroup near Norwood Junction.
By this stage we were down in number by a few. Some had been nicked and some were probably lost in the maze of streets trying to find Norwood Junction. But we were still
Mob handed and took the train to Thornton heath. Approaching Selhurst Park the game was over and the streets were full of fans. Mostly scarfers. In a side street someone put a Rubbish Bin straight through the window of a terraced house, don’t ask why, but it galvanized the moment.
Things spiralled out of control. Someone was trapped in their car with dozens of head cases pummeling the roof. A handful of People were getting bashed up but a few were game, standing their ground and having a go. This was the thing about Football Hooligans. The ultimate Taboo was leaving anyone roasting, you had to stand your ground or lose all respect. . Suddenly everyone was being told to get to East Croydon. When we got there ob were everywhere. I was relieved to be going home. I have never witnessed such mayhem in my whole life. Hopefully I never will.
Just don’t ask me where that kind of behavior comes from. It’s probably latent in every human being on earth. Even you.
Speak soon.
patchamalbion
15-01-2010, 21:03
If you were between thirteen and eighteen in Brighton in the early eighties a
Bj did not mean what it does now. It meant something better. It was a Fila Bjorn Borg Tracksuit top and everybody wanted one.
If you considered yourself even remotely clued-up, there was no way you could not know this.
The desire to stand out from the scarfer crews at the football meant that if you were serious about such things, you had to put in the legwork to get the look. I remember being on a mission and losing my bearings exiting Brent Cross Station then running like a madman across the M1 to get to the Shopping Centre the day the Diadora Bjorn Borg Kangaroo Elites landed. People must have thought I was a lunatic.
And after, I took the Tube across London to get to a small outlet on the Kings Road rumoured to be selling discounted Fila and then back to Piccadilly Circus Lillywhites for something else, now lost to recall. But anywhere you went, you had to keep your wits about you. It was known that the unwary were getting mugged or taxed all over the place.
I know one fella had his brand new Stan Smith’s taxed by MJ a notorious local nuisance. He had to go home barefoot and explain why his £50.00 Trainers were not still on his feet.
He tried it on again outside the Crystal Rooms Arcade with another
Big lad from Bevendean who was a bit useful. This one told him to fuck himself.
“I dunno know who he fuckin’ thinks he is” he told me.
This bullying trait backfired another time when this Bully’s intended target smacked him so hard his cheeks collapsed, needing reconstruction surgery. It left him looking like Boris Karloff for months on end.
This lad who whacked him had a reputation for knocking people unconscious with one punch. He did it in front of me at the Sea House one night after someone poked his finger into the Green Crocodile logo on on his Lacoste and asked
“does it fuckin’ bite?” He got his answer, though he couldn’t have known much about it.
Some believe the West Street Firm only numbered thirty boys, maybe it did to begin with, more or less. But it was gaining a reputation
And the cachet of being part of something even briefly mentioned in National newspaper articles meant that inevitably the numbers grew.
If you are curious how the name came about it was coined by Bret Paton.
Everyone knew the ICF and, looking for a name and given the stamping ground it was inevitable that the West Street Firm took that name.
One thing about those times was the seeming absence of Cliqueyness.
Obviously if you were a melt (in the parlance of the day) then you were in the Wally Firm, but on the whole if you looked the part and you were well known then you wouldn’t get bothered. I’ll never forget walking down the road wearing my first Lacoste tracksuit, slit jumbo cords and Adidas Forest Hills thinking I was the business. Waiting for a bus one night with two other lads I heard a girl at a bus stop tell her mate “ they’re West Street”
I loved it. We even had an anthem, Street Life By the Crusaders.
I used to ask King Jerry in the Cavern to drop it about half-ten
To get people at it. It worked too.
The WSF thing may have been partly tongue in cheek to begin with but the thing is I honestly believe it got you a pass sometimes.
One time I was at a house party and every time I used the stairs this
good sort kept rubbing my legs as I passed. I told my Pal and he warned me who she was with. It was common knowledge he’d recently pushed someone through a plate glass window on Duke Street. Anyway I went up to the toilet on the first floor but she followed me in and locked the door. Well I knew this bloke was downstairs but she locked the door and was kissing me. To be truthful I was a little bit trashed of this fella’s reputation so I let myself out. To my horror he passed me on the stairs going to the bathroom I’d just come out of with his bird still inside.
This wasn’t a Smoking gun it was a fucking mushroom cloud. I made my way back down thinking fuck it. I was torn between leaving the party and holding my nerve.
I remember people talking to me but I had tunnel vision.
I could hear people but they may as well have been speaking Cantonese for all I knew. I was thinking about this other mush. I could feel my legs twitching with the adrenaline. Suddenly this fella has come down the stairs and walked straight past me without even looking my way. I couldn’t understand it.
With that she came back down and said she’d finished with him ages ago.
I was with her for about 6 months after that and only one time, the next weekend did this fella say anything to me. He said “ I think she’s doing it to get back at me” . Later we always got on all right. I was only sixteen and I can’t help thinking but for the company I kept it might have kicked off.
Weekends many used to meet in Churchill Square drinking coffees in Miss Selfridge or walking down onto the Seafront in the summer. One day a big group of us were sitting and a bloke nearby went for a swim. While he was in the water my mate rifled his pockets for a laugh and took all his change. A bit later he was getting dressed when he suddenly started nervously patting himself down. You alright mate my pal called over after a bit.
“Nah, I’ve lost me Bus fare in the pebbles”
“Here ya go” and my mate threw him over a nicker of his own money.
“You sure?” he said, “Yeah go on, don’t worry about it”
This bloke still used to thank my mate for helping him out years
later.
Another regular face MS was a once talented local boxer who went a bit eccentric. He was known to pester women to go with him and often succeeded. When he’d had a drink he was a nightmare, standing up on tables with his trousers down or blocking the road them climbing on a Car and putting sitting his hairy arse on the windscreen. He once was falsely accused of Rape and then narrowly escaped being charged with Armed Robbery after threatening shop staff for a wind-up, The Police took it completely seriously and cautioned him. It sounds unlikely but in his day he was one of the Finest Boxers Brighton ever produced and had a huge following.
One weekend was Watford away and many lads decided to travel up on the Friday Night and sleep rough somewhere. Mostly with away games we would Jib (Fare evade) the train. Then when the inspector came through the carriages.
The word would go round and the toilets would suddenly get very busy.
But this night we wanted to go clubbing so three pals and I gave another fella a score to run us up in his Cortina. We were amazed to pass groups of West Streeters moseying through Brixton in the Dark.
I spotted Darren F among them
his Deerstalker stood out like a sore thumb in Brixton High Street at 3 am.
God knows how they ended up there.
Arriving at Watford, the sleeping quarters ended up being several carriages of a train sided overnight at Watford Junction. There were loads of them and you could take your pick. In the darkened compartments it was like something from a war film, an air raid shelter with bodies everywhere. Chrissie C. was building joints with the red leb resin that was ubiquitous back in the day. One lad stayed fast asleep and ended up in Crewe. On the first service, A few lads had broken in to a nearby church hall and were bedded down there like evacuees. The place was derelict but it didn’t seem to worry anyone.
The silly things you do at sixteen.
At dawn a few bleary eyed lads walked the streets drinking pints of Milk taken from doorsteps. One or two walked off in search of a café.
Later, on the Saturday the various groups met up and went shopping in Watford. An Electrical shop was swamped out and later several lads were walking about with portable radios and stuff. Darren O was waving a Sony Walkman about with no cassettes to play on it. At the stadium there was a strong Police presence. As we were walking through the Police were shoving people about being heavy handed. A few people were baiting the police. A friend of mine took a truncheon across the face and was bleeding. The chant went up “Kill Kill Kill The Bill “ (from the Wally firm obviously) . A few were arrested and sent home.
The match went off without too much incident but on the Victoria to Brighton fast service home someone recognised a Palace face who was a buddy of Crellin, rumoured to be the Palace top Boy. He was fronted up but escaped through the carriage and locked himself in the toilet. The door was being pummelled and kicked but sensibly he stayed inside. We reached East Croydon but he still wouldn’t come out. He was shouting out for help but no one could hear him above the din. The train pulled out and this poor lad was now bound for Brighton. It was getting comical. The door had been bent out of shape and you could just make out his terrified face reflected in the mirror. There was no way he was coming out and he loudly pleaded innocence of any knowledge of
Football firms.
Eventually those still hammering the door lost interest and he was finally rescued at Brighton by a guard and the Transport Police who heard him hollering from inside. To this day I don’t know if that poor
Bloke was really a football hooligan.
"Another time we invaded a game at Selhurst Park. It was around ‘82 Palace home to Blackburn Rovers last day of the season. It was decided this would be an ideal game to infiltrate Selhurst Park and cause mayhem. At Brighton Station we were an easy 100 lads. At Preston Park another forty. It had been planned for weeks in advance I remember an older guy Beaky a local face had been involved with the planning. It was all cloak and dagger nonsense with splitting up diversions at East Croydon and Selhurst Park to confuse the OB. The first kick off was at East Croydon. A Palace firm was spotted on another platform and were called out The fight spanned across several platforms with scuffles breaking out everywhere. I saw a distress flare go whizzing across me to a fence where some Palace fans were climbing out. It was pandemonium. A by-stander was pummeled for whacking someone with his briefcase and Women were screaming. Beaky was furious. We had blown our cover already for a flash in the pan. But he need not have worried. What happened next at Selhurst Park would become infamous"
We met up at the turnstiles; some coming from Thornton heath station some from Selhurst as arranged. A few nods and we
Went through. To our left was a large group of traveling fans and when all of our number was through we started to walk slowly along through the main stand near the touchline. Palace fans were singing. Some began looking. It wasn’t a full house but as we snaked along I could the sense the eyes of some of the home crowd trying to make sense of what they were seeing.
Quizzical Looks were exchanged. As planned we kept walking. We moved along and eventually ended up on the opposite corner to where we entered. By this time it was clear that a few people had recognized some faces. The game started.
One of our firm D.S
spotted Crellin, supposedly their Top Boy who he’d had previous with at a home game and broken his tooth, part of which stayed in his hand and went poison. At half time we walked back round to food vendors. But on the way back someone threw a cup of Tea over a home fan and it kicked off.
The Police waded in. People were being pointed out and aimed out though
a fair number were getting out discretely. It was agreed to regroup near Norwood Junction.
By this stage we were down in number by a few. Some had been nicked and some were probably lost in the maze of streets trying to find Norwood Junction. But we were still
Mob handed and took the train to Thornton heath. Approaching Selhurst Park the game was over and the streets were full of fans. Mostly scarfers. In a side street someone put a Rubbish Bin straight through the window of a terraced house, don’t ask why, but it galvanized the moment.
Things spiralled out of control. Someone was trapped in their car with dozens of head cases pummeling the roof. A handful of People were getting bashed up but a few were game, standing their ground and having a go. This was the thing about Football Hooligans. The ultimate Taboo was leaving anyone roasting, you had to stand your ground or lose all respect. . Suddenly everyone was being told to get to East Croydon. When we got there ob were everywhere. I was relieved to be going home. I have never witnessed such mayhem in my whole life. Hopefully I never will.
Just don’t ask me where that kind of behavior comes from. It’s probably latent in every human being on earth. Even you.
Speak soon.
top read:laugh: whens the next installment lad?
Spanish Seagulls
15-01-2010, 21:06
This is guerilla marketing your memoirs somewhat, good read though. It's interesting how the parallels run throughout towns & cities all over Britain.
Spanish Seagulls
15-01-2010, 21:09
They do say everyone (hmmm) has got a book in them if they could only write, well done to you for your efforts.
Crellin is this the bloke from Crawley,met him a couple of times,didnt he get caught out in brighton 1 night and took refuge behind the bar in 1 of the pubs near the station while him a few pals were getting a kicking:thumbsup:
thecavern
15-01-2010, 21:36
Thanks for all the encouragement. Without your comments I probably may not have continued. I will try to get some more
together for all you people soon.
Take care.
Whatever happened to Sonny Smith?
I spotted Darren F among them his Deerstalker stood out like a sore thumb in Brixton High Street at 3 am. God knows how they ended up there.
Was this the guy who moved abroad, Portugal I think and was killed in a car accident?
Beach Hut
15-01-2010, 21:49
Was this the guy who moved abroad, Portugal I think and was killed in a car accident?
No that was Si, ran over by a car in Portugal - he was into surfing big time by then.
No that was Si, ran over by a car in Portugal - he was into surfing big time by then.
It was the Deerstalker hat that got me wondering.
Beach Hut
15-01-2010, 21:53
It was the Deerstalker hat that got me wondering.
Pretty sure he did wear one from time to time
I remember m s doing his bit for Anglo Dutch relations in Eindhoven in 1982. Still see him around town
There was no fight just another of your lot talking shit.
Fucking twat.
Wasn't my lot talking shit you pleb it was a couple of Blackburn Rovers Scarfers who I met in the summer. Its only now that I am connecting the dots, now button it twerp while I read cavemans latest.
Beach Hut
15-01-2010, 22:07
I remember m s doing his bit for Anglo Dutch relations in Eindhoven in 1982. Still see him around town
Bad days, I remember Steve Foster egging us on once from a bar when there was a KO in Holland.
Bevendean Hillbilly
15-01-2010, 22:08
Wasn't my lot talking shit you pleb it was a couple of Blackburn Rovers Scarfers who I met in the summer. Its only now that I am connecting the dots, now button it twerp while I read cavemans latest.
The only pack you ever ran with was the cubs you dickhead.
The only pack you ever ran with was the cubs you dickhead.
Did I say I was in a gang you hopelessly illiterate cretin?
My spellings of but at least I can read you fuckwad, I have got involved a few times in the past and no doubt could recognise a few but this was before my time.
1 night only
15-01-2010, 23:10
Good work a funny and revealing read,
Is this one punch merchant JL?
This lad who whacked him had a reputation for knocking people unconscious with one punch. He did it in front of me at the Sea House one night after someone poked his finger into the Green Crocodile logo on on his Lacoste and asked
“does it fuckin’ bite?” He got his answer, though he couldn’t have known much about it.
Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews
15-01-2010, 23:42
them days eh? I was dragged up in Moulsecoomb in the 70's and some of the names mentioned are all coming back to me, however the blast from the past was that Martin Crellin, Corelli I used to call him, I think he had a brother as well who also used to get involved at Palace, he had a beard, i was always wary of any hooligan member who had a beard! (we had one once,1984, don't know his name, ginger bloke, was mates with LB) i'm rambling now.....
brighton bluenose
15-01-2010, 23:53
"another time we invaded a game at selhurst park. It was around ‘82 palace home to blackburn rovers last day of the season. It was decided this would be an ideal game to infiltrate selhurst park and cause mayhem. At brighton station we were an easy 100 lads. At preston park another forty. It had been planned for weeks in advance i remember an older guy beaky a local face had been involved with the planning. It was all cloak and dagger nonsense with splitting up diversions at east croydon and selhurst park to confuse the ob. The first kick off was at east croydon. A palace firm was spotted on another platform and were called out the fight spanned across several platforms with scuffles breaking out everywhere. I saw a distress flare go whizzing across me to a fence where some palace fans were climbing out. It was pandemonium. A by-stander was pummeled for whacking someone with his briefcase and women were screaming. Beaky was furious. We had blown our cover already for a flash in the pan. But he need not have worried. What happened next at selhurst park would become infamous"
we met up at the turnstiles; some coming from thornton heath station some from selhurst as arranged. A few nods and we
went through. To our left was a large group of traveling fans and when all of our number was through we started to walk slowly along through the main stand near the touchline. Palace fans were singing. Some began looking. It wasn’t a full house but as we snaked along i could the sense the eyes of some of the home crowd trying to make sense of what they were seeing.
Quizzical looks were exchanged. As planned we kept walking. We moved along and eventually ended up on the opposite corner to where we entered. By this time it was clear that a few people had recognized some faces. The game started.
One of our firm d.s
spotted crellin, supposedly their top boy who he’d had previous with at a home game and broken his tooth, part of which stayed in his hand and went poison. At half time we walked back round to the food vendors. On the way back someone threw a cup of tea over a home fan and it kicked off.
.[/quote]
what actually happened was at half-time this lairy little cvnt walked all the way round the touch-line and said to one of bha's lads ;beaky ''m gonna stub this fag out in your eye' the bha fella said 'get on with it then you palace cvnt' and hey presto the cvnt got battered!!"!
Enjoying this little thread. If you are of a certain age it brings back memories.
Couldn't beat Palace away back then, fucking quality.
SussexHoop
16-01-2010, 02:03
Whatever happened to Sonny Smith?
Last time I saw Sonny Smith was 1998/9 in the gym at Lancing Manor. Looked a bit older but still in good nick.
Marlton & Hove Albion
16-01-2010, 02:46
Just don’t ask me where that kind of behavior comes from. It’s probably latent in every human being on earth. Even you.
Speak soon.[/QUOTE]
I think it was the first time Chelsea came down. Two of my mates got caught and nicked on a roof top just off North St with half a dozen molotov cocktails (Unigate Full Cream and Four Star). It seems utterly bewildering now but 100% true. Two nice boys from Hollingbury turned terrorist.
I recall an away day to Peterboro in the FA Cup. Cold as all fuck and the game played with Orange Ball on a snow white pitch. Prior to Hillsborough with 5-6,000 crammed into that little terraced away stand. I was with the White Admiral "All Stars" and remember the Chief Cuntstable of Cambridgeshire boarding the bus 2 hours after the final whistle and telling us we were never again welcome. On the way home on the A1, most of the contents of the filling station was transported onto the bus (Big cans of 10W40, Boxes of Crisps, Windscreen Wipers you name it). Poor cashier gripping the till. Happy and splendidly stupid days.
Diadora BB Elite Gold, Fiorucci Jeans, Lacoste, Ellesse, Sergio Tachini, Burberry, so ridiculous. We all looked like Danny Dyer in "The Business". I'm quite sure no other country could or wanted to emulate a movement so odd. Young men of modest means thieving and spending every penny on clobber, to belong, desperate for recognition and respect. Ultimate insecurity and mindless thuggery.
The anthems of the 80's. Who needed Adam Ant, Echo & the B, Duran Duran?
'You'll never make the station", "You're gonna get your fucking head kicked in", "Got left, right, left". "Give me a B......."
Testing your manhood on Friday nights when a big name was in town. Tottenham, Chelsea, Man U, Leeds.....the whole town seemed like a battle zone and we'd usually end up with the loss.
From along way away Brighton in the early 80s now feels like a movie set and me sat in the front row. Never really an actor, ice cream in hand and hoping it carried on forever.
then and now
16-01-2010, 07:04
Cavern. So far, so good. Grew up on the estate, went to Falmer with some of those mentioned already and many nights spent at the 67 Centre. Clarkes, Dawes, Lyons, Beaky....all the right names. The last mentioned (I recall) later involved in heavy stuff in Ulster. As someone not deeply participating in this (I loved the club too much and still do), it seemed that Moulsecoombe was an obvious breeding ground but that Woodingdean and Whitehawk were far more active in the football side of things. Paul Gent was always in and round especially after he buggered up his gift and chance to play.
I spent a mad summer (1981) with Eddie D and funny to think about that dance club on the second floor by the Astoria. Small bottles of Pernod tucked inside Diadora Track suit tops. What a funny old place that was.....and remember the Teddy Boy nights well. Not so much fun was Eddie's rage fueled desire to snack the shit out of any poor and unsuspecting French, German, Italian students (usually 2-3 at a time) randomly available. It all went too far several years after when he attacked a taxi driver one night (a free ride home not enough) and he moved to HM Lewes. There was never a deep love for The Albion, it was a vehicle for a good ruck with away fans in town.
I'd be interested in your perspective on some of the NF infiltration that was a regular theme (at least on the East Terrace - as we were closer to the Away Pen in the NE Corner) and whether that was about silly impressionable boys or more deep seated. And also about some of the neighbourhood pubs White Admiral, Hikers Rest, Bevendean Hotel if your memories and experiences intersect. Some of my most shameful away days began early inside these establishments, transported by White Transit (Special Brew Fueled) to a far away terrace. I was much more a voyeur and apparently still am.
I remember PG when he was told by Alan Mullery that all the reserves and youth team were travelling to palarse with the 1st team to watch the game, he told mullers he couldn't sit near the palarse fans and keep quiet so he was told to stay home, on the Sat morning himself with at least another 50 schoomers ( clarkes ,walkers,adams ect) were on the 9am train for norwood junction after some fun and games around norwood we went to the ground only for PG to be spotted by Graham Mosely our keeper at the time who pissed himself laughing at PG as he knew PG wasn't supposed to be at the game:lolol::lolol:
getofftheropes
16-01-2010, 07:36
Intresting read mate,please keep up the good work.
raymondbriggs
16-01-2010, 12:17
Good read so far....next instalment please.....thought the Bosun had a crew back in the early 70's
This is true,with the burrell we ran the holmsdale at half time,a few chants of "millwall and Brighton"sent the scum into a full panic.
26-10-02
16-01-2010, 13:54
This is true,with the burrell we ran the holmsdale at half time,a few chants of "millwall and Brighton"sent the scum into a full panic.
You should have posted that on here
Fairy Story (http://www.fairystory.org)
Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews
16-01-2010, 14:03
I think it was the first time Chelsea came down. Two of my mates got caught and nicked on a roof top just off North St with half a dozen molotov cocktails (Unigate Full Cream and Four Star). It seems utterly bewildering now but 100% true. Two nice boys from Hollingbury turned terrorist.
I met a guy about 15 years ago in, of all places Boston USA he was living there, builder, claimed he got 2 years for that petrol bomb incedent the night before the Chelsea match, If I remember, his initials were SH
Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews
16-01-2010, 14:07
You should have posted that on here
Fairy Story (http://www.fairystory.org)
i'm not conviced that anyone on here gives a shit what you think is true or not
26-10-02
16-01-2010, 14:28
i'm not conviced that anyone on here gives a shit what you think is true or not
No you just want to carry on spouting shit.I hardly missed a game in the 80's and yes millwall often took the piss.But if some clown had been shouting your disgusting nickname I am sure palace would have made a better fist of it.Another thing millwall never waited till half time to clear the holmesdale.:lolol:
Marlton & Hove Albion
16-01-2010, 15:26
I met a guy about 15 years ago in, of all places Boston USA he was living there, builder, claimed he got 2 years for that petrol bomb incedent the night before the Chelsea match, If I remember, his initials were SH
I'm sure quite a few have been reading this thread with the full conviction that most of it is just made up or at least embellishing. Those poor misguided lads got sent to a young offenders hotel for a stretch. Although they were mates, thank god they did get caught before they killed someone. Neither were WSF, so goes to show the level of insanity during that era. What a small world that you met one of them in Boston and got talking about it....
Tom Hark, Preston Park
16-01-2010, 15:47
In my hand is a photograph. Though the image is faded what I see remains
Clearly stamped upon my memory. It is the top deck of an old Brighton blue bus.
The bus is crowded with
Young men smiling across the decades, Locked for perpetuity into a frieze of eighties urban culture.
Sprawled across the seats the clothing stands out like a sore thumb to anyone
Who was part of that much maligned Terrace culture of the 80’s.
Gabbicci suede fronted cardigans, Farah hopsack trousers, Pringle sport
V necks , Kicker boots , a roll neck with a small Fila F on the collar. One
Lad, Darren Lyons, now long ago departed, holds his cigarette playfully over the head of a lone female (pretty) gamely sitting still despite the slightly intimidating audience.
It was a time that will never come again (as all are) the cusp of a new sub-culture
emerging from the train wreck of sub-cultures, cold left-overs from the decade that taste forgot, the seventies.
It is not going to be easy, and I anticipate a few snide comments from those who missed this bus, but I am willing to open up my memory bank and share it with you, if you want to come long for the ride.
I will begin tonight. You will not be disappointed.
You'll not be disappointed with that writing style thecavern. Intriguing. Keep it coming :clap:
raymondbriggs
16-01-2010, 16:45
No you just want to carry on spouting shit.I hardly missed a game in the 80's and yes millwall often took the piss.But if some clown had been shouting your disgusting nickname I am sure palace would have made a better fist of it.Another thing millwall never waited till half time to clear the holmesdale.:lolol:
pity you cant read though,clearly I was talking about a game in the 70's.
not my fault you are a schoolboy.
Spanish Seagulls
16-01-2010, 17:17
Now, now, seems all this reminiscing is bringing out the old latent hooligan in a few of you, maybe sparking a reenactment or two.
Good work Cavern, well written.
thecavern
16-01-2010, 17:45
Thanks Spanish and to everyone who has enjoyed these memories and has stayed the course.
I hope to bring another post tomorrow.
all the best.
FalmerforAll!**
16-01-2010, 17:57
This is a superb read, really interesting to read about the 70s/80s, especially for people as young as myself who can genuinely struggle to get their heads round just how different things actually were back then! Love the detail on the casualwear, I've recently had a spree on the vintage shops in Sydney Street, alot of Fila, Sergio, Lacoste (and it really is oldschool) etc. Got myself a nice Adidas Originals track top for a mere £25.
Looking forward to the next installment!
26-10-02
16-01-2010, 19:33
pity you cant read though,clearly I was talking about a game in the 70's.
not my fault you are a schoolboy.
I went then as well .Try again.I also saw your outfit win 4-1 at the old den in about 1978 or so.You had no fans then either.:cry:
Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews
16-01-2010, 19:37
I went then as well .Try again.I also saw your outfit win 4-1 at the old den in about 1978 or so.You had no fans then either.:cry:
that's true actually we did have no fans there, we all decided it would be more enjoyable watching Sussex win the Gillette cup at Lords that very day #bad fans!#
Did anybody on here get their diamond Pringle nicked on the overnight ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland pre-season 81/82.
If so I know who did it !
26-10-02
16-01-2010, 19:43
that's true actually we did have no fans there, we all decided it would be more enjoyable watching Sussex win the Gillette cup at Lords that very day #bad fans!#
I congratulate you on your memory and the win.
Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews
16-01-2010, 19:45
I congratulate you on your memory and the win.
thank you sir
Shropshire Seagull
16-01-2010, 20:36
Did anybody on here get their diamond Pringle nicked on the overnight ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland pre-season 81/82.
If so I know who did it !
Mine got nicked from my school locker [Longhill] in 1974. Grrrr - name and shame him (her?) if you can. :angry:
Mine got nicked from my school locker [Longhill] in 1974. Grrrr - name and shame him (her?) if you can. :angry:
ArfurW8 lost property services. :lolol:
26-10-02 Is that your date of birth.
A lot of nostalga here with no doubt some selective memories. I heard th WSF got turned over by a load of psycobillies in Brighton?
Needless to say these tales although brimmed with nostalga are more tragic than heroic, football hooliganism is RETARDED. I am neither proud or ashamed of my antics, the past is another country and with age does come a bit of wisdom.
But boy was it one hell of a fucking buzz...
26-10-02
16-01-2010, 21:13
26-10-02 Is that your date of birth.
rebirth
1066 seagull
16-01-2010, 21:22
I haven't viewed North Stand Chat for ages but a friend sent me the link to this thread, explaining it 'may be of interest'. Indeed, top marks to The Cavern - the early background info (re: bopping at the Astoria) made me chuckle. And references to M S dropping his trousers at every opportunity brought back some hazy memories. The molotov cocktail incident I will never forget - earlier that eve one of the Hollingdean Boys asked me to join them "Errr, maybe later..." I muttered. I think that incident was the beginning of the end with my flirtation with 'casual culture'
Mine got nicked from my school locker [Longhill] in 1974. Grrrr - name and shame him (her?) if you can. :angry:1974? I think you're a little out on the timeline mate.
what about palace away in 77 or 78.charlton night game at the valley about 76.any game against portsmouth or southamton.
thecavern
16-01-2010, 22:54
For young Brightonians raised on the relatively chic and polished Brighton of today, a trip back 28 years would clearly represent quite a culture shock, especially in terms of Nightlife.
Brighton in that era could still boast clubs called Night Fever and pubs named Shades, relics of a decade before.
Amusement arcades were full of early black and white videogames like Defender and Asteroids.
But for the young gunslingers around West Street, of greater interest were the Fruit machines.
Having worked out that a coiled up length of nylon fishing line could be jiggled about in the coin slot racking up endless free-plays, the machines were being systematically relieved of their takings.
In addition many lads walked about with sheets of paper with drawings of the running order on each reel. When the nudge feature lit good payouts were a formality. In fact the only gamble was getting caught in flagrante.
At one stage there were so many empty machines people were taking the train along to Worthing to maintain the cash flow. The poor one-armed bandits didn’t stand a chance.
The talk of the town (well some of it) was the upcoming visit from Tottenham.
Fine details were being ground out ad-nauseum over pints of Fosters or bottles of Grolsch . In those days the meeting place was The Cavern in Ship Street.
Usually after 7pm the doorman would be Dave, an amiable bloke who ended up managing the whole place. He knew all the faces and when he became the Manager he would often give you a Pint on the House.
Once inside the décor was that Maroon wallpaper, nicotined ceilings and Dralon, once standard fare in pubs, hinting vainly at elegance.
There was a long bar running ahead on your right with smoked glass Mirrors and big brass pumps. Along the left were wooden tables.
For ages I remember, there was a resident graphologist or handwriting expert. He was a chain smoking alcoholic who pretended to unlock the secrets encoded in people’s handwriting. He had all these documents pinned to the wall purporting to show famous celebrities he’d ‘done’ like Joan Collins or Sid James. I don’t know what the arrangement was but he had his own desk.
Anyway, pass this bloke (everybody did) and you had two options; one door opened on to a lounge type area with an open fire, a couple of fruit machines and Pool tables , the other door led down some stairs to the toilets and the basement bar.
When I first got into this dark and dingy basement as a Schoolboy I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Me and my mate used to buy a Stones Ginger Wine (pretending it was whiskey) and small Old Port Cigars, then we’d sit back in a dark recess people watching.
A regular fixture downstairs was a transsexual called Bibi aged about 30. He/she used to stand at the bar giving all the young fellas the glad eye. Once she’d had a drink , she would lift up her blouse and flash these massive boobs at everyone. I always used to use the opposite end of the bar out of the way, but I’m sure one or two lads went home with her out of curiosity, not that they would admit it.
I know there was drug use going on, but It was all red leb and amyl nitrate . It used to stink to high heaven.. You could feel your head thumping from the fumes and have to go outside for a breather.
In those days deejays used to keep talking between records, giving people the shout out as they came in. King Jerry was synonymous with The Cavern, a local legend still going strong today. The Cavern was known as a good place to meet Sorts. All you had to do was watch who was getting a bit Bryan Ferry (Merry). I met a lovely blonde girl one night Juliet Busby from Queens Park. I found out later she had been killed in a tragic car crash on the road leading to the Devil’s Dyke days later. She was 17.
This basement held about two hundred maximum I suppose but at that time you would pretty much know everyone. As a result it rarely kicked off and if it did, it was usually some hapless drunk who didn’t know what he’d walked into.
So this weekend Brighton were playing Tottenham at home. People had spoken about little else for weeks. Quite a few supported London teams and went up to the Lane or the Den and knew their boys. But this was different, in these games you nailed your colours to the mast and for that weekend you were most definitely Brighton.
Tottenham were rumoured to be coming down on the Friday Night and there was a huge turnout inside the Cavern. The streets around the ‘town’ centre
(Which it still was In those days not yet attaining City status) were relatively clear of OB with an occasional meat wagon crawling by. In West Street there was a bigger presence.
One thing you could bet your shirt on would be the presence of a permanent fixture on this Street a man mountain of a Copper called Smudger.
This bloke was freakishly big six foot 7 with massive size 15 Dr Martens. He was a horrible man with a reputation for brutality (once you were away from prying eyes) No one liked the OB but everyone detested this one. You can ask virtually anyone from that era about this fella and they will know him.
In the cavern on the Friday there was already a huge buzz about the place. I was with Darren F a Brighton lad who also followed Tottenham and he knew a few of the lads coming down. He was told they would be up for it.
At some point during the evening the word was going around that there was a huge Tottenham firm down below the ramps beneath the Kings Road. There was a massive buzz of excitement and people were mobilising, geeing themselves up. I know several lads were tooled-up as used to say, with Craft knives that someone had shoplifted from WH smith in the Churchill Square.
I never got involved with the Craft knife thing. Having seen a lovely local fella, a good lad, who’d been striped after getting trapped on a Bus, I knew what it meant for the victim.
Anyway the plan was to cut through Ship Street Gardens (a very narrow twitten only wide enough for two people) then down Middle Street and across the Kings Road to the Seafront.
But as we got on to Middle Street a handful of Tottenham were coming through South Street. “Come on then!” John M shouted.
Faced by this huge mob which must have seemed twice as big in the darkness, the Tottenham fans turned back running into the Junction of West Street.
We followed to the end of South Street a good firm of Yids were coming over the road from the promenade and began running towards us. Always in these situations there’s a make or break moment when you process what’s happening and experience adrenal dump. Some people mistake this for fear and run.
(Unless of course you are so pissed you don’t know your own name)
There was a wall of noise with people roaring and smacking people in the head. Someone came running at me from the side and I’ll never forget he jumped up in the air as he planted a dig in my jaw below my ear but where he wasn’t grounded it felt like a powder puff and I smacked him as hard as could across the nose. It was chaos. At one point I was getting punched and kicked from pillar to post , seeing stars and everything, running a monologue in my head saying, “Do something for fucks sake”.
The sound at these times is like a herd of elephants. I was being kicked and punched and yanked about but I honestly felt nothing. I was too high on the adrenaline.
It seemed to go on forever but in reality the police were there probably there in less than two minutes making arrests. Lads were backing up into South Street and a few were running along the front towards Ship St.
Back in the Cavern people were amped up with what had happened, talking twenty to the dozen.
A few were marked up.
“Let’s look look at ya ‘ands” I heard Rob C say to this slow fella he knew with
a mock show of brotherly concern.
He was sending the bloke up but making him feel chuffed at the same time.
It was one of those moments that lift you out of the ordinary.
It sounds daft now but at the time it felt fantastic.
At closing time we walked round to West Street and it was alive with OB. Wherever Tottenham had gone it wasn’t in the town.
Walking up towards the clock Tower I was told someone I knew had been battered by some Tottenham Fans after getting caught in the Enclosure that used to surround the entrance to the old Coasters Night club. In the Argus later I read there had been hundreds of Arrests and serious trouble all over the Town.
Later that night we were walking up on the Queens Road when my pal saw a group of Tottenham fans that he knew.
“Where ya going?”
“Home” one said with a half-smile,
“It’s too fucking heavy dahn ere”
cheers,
ile admit trying to pull biba and her/his mate ,and i have no excuse of being pissed as i dont drink , the friday night of that spurs invasion i was working in the concorde, reggae night, and the place was trashed,every window put in which was quite nice of them considering the amount of joint smoke the place was engulfed in.
highway61
16-01-2010, 23:16
The nutters from Haywards Heath went in the South Stand as well.
yes we did...ooops, i mean i heard we did!!
thecavern
16-01-2010, 23:21
Haha very honest of you. Her mate was a dark one wasn't she? It's true that Biba
did look the part always had a good audience too.
yep i thought i had more chance with her/his pal,never really had the piss ripped out of me for it probably due to the fact that most had had a bash also
I've always thought it was Biba.. Barry and Biba ? ???
Unlikely to be two transexuals with the almost the same name..
Edit: in the original post Cavern said Bibi, now see you call her Biba, so i was right :)
1 night only
16-01-2010, 23:55
Quality read thanks Cavern
That Spurs game was definitely one of the liveliest weekends in town around that era.
1066 seagull
17-01-2010, 02:29
Your recollections are admirable. I had totally forgotten about owning the layout of the reels of a JPM fruit machine (from memory three melons paid the highest - two quid I think). And yes that handwriting chap in The Cavern, although for some reason we called the place Annabell's (was that just me or was it also known as that?)
As well as the WSF I remember an older firm/group/mob called 'The Longheads' who use to show up for the 'big' games - or is my memory failing me?
Anyway look forward to reading more, you create a great sense of time and place...
drilled pennies with cotton would get u four bells. 10p. tottenham night. burnt boats on the beeches,one stabbing at the clock tower. tottenham fans locked up underneath the underpass.crazy days
daveinprague
17-01-2010, 03:13
Doing reggae parties around town at the time I ended up knowing a lot of people by face, but not really by name...
I dont know what crew it was, but..and cant even remember when it was, its dim history...but anybody reading it, and were there will remember...
I turned up at the station to go to Cambridge, and met somebody I knew who said...8 quid for ticket? ..weve got a van...2 quid..
sounds good..
I was directed to the vehicle that was parked down the road under the station, and it had a small hatch on the side for getting in and out...
I got in and found probably 15 people in the dark inside...
Going through Croydon we stopped at off license and basically robbed the place...think I was the only one who actually bought anything, and getting back in the van, discovered the middle of the van full of crates of beer, vodka, bacardi, whisky, cigarettes...
We got pretty pissed.... when we hit Cambridge.. lots of windy roads, people started hurling...only way to get rid of the vomit was piss it out the hatch..lovely finding yourself on the floor at any point from that moment....we looked and smelled delightful...
arrived at ground....one of those seen it all sergeants took one look at us emerging from the hatch and told us all to stay where we were..
Made us go thru the kids entrance to get us off the street....
I feel asleep on the terrace.... woke at halftime and it was 1-1 and it stayed that way...
After the match find out that the effing driver has gone to see family miles away and wasnt back..so headed into center of Cambridge, where a cinema queue..i kid you not..was attacked... remember seeing a shoe go through a 1st floor window following a kicking attempt on a cinema patron...
Then we stopped in some dorp called Royston...next to a large wall that was decorated with Brighton graffitti... whilst in fish and chip shop q...somebody saw cambridge fans going into some pub disco affair... it went off in there..police came..arrested a few... didnt leave Cambridge till really late..
pretty boring story, but anybody who was in the van will probably remember a lot more than me...
strange. i went to cambrige once. our coach got an escort all the way back to london.
thecavern
17-01-2010, 10:43
[QUOTE=1066 seagull;3306580]Your recollections are admirable. I had totally forgotten about owning the layout of the reels of a JPM fruit machine (from memory three melons paid the highest - two quid I think). And yes that handwriting chap in The Cavern, although for some reason we called the place Annabell's (was that just me or was it also known as that?)
As well as the WSF I remember an older firm/group/mob called 'The Longheads' who use to show up for the 'big' games - or is my memory failing me?
Anyway look forward to reading more, you create a great sense of time and place...
Hi 1066 Seagull, thanks for the positive feedback.
Annabell's was the official name for the ground floor you are 100%.
The Cavern was the basement bar and upstairs was Night Fever.
The Longheads you mention were a good few years older and used the Wagon and Horses in Church Street.
Well pleased you remember the handwriting fella and the fruit machine stuff.http://northstandchat.biz/images/smilies/winking0066.gif
all the best,
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