[Albion] York City 1996: What was your experience?

[sneakygeorgeparris]

I remember barely being able to keep my feet in the packed North Stand before the game. I couldn’t stand in the spot I normally did because I was repeatedly knocked off my feet. I went down the front and sun beat down on the front few rows. I remember Ian Chapman getting player of the season and then 16 minutes of forgettable football. Then on strolled a crowd from the West terrace and Nicky Rust sprinted for the tunnel. Fans leapt the small wall at the front of the North Stand and I stared out at faces hanging from the crossbar until it snapped. Eventually, I walked out onto the pitch and started wrenching up some grass, but was told to stop by another fan because Steve Foster’s testimonial was due in a few days - it was delayed until a pre-season friendly against Sheffield Wednesday - an anti-climax for a great. When I finally left, it was with a heavy heart.

What was your experience of this game?
I’d love to share a range of experiences and stories on a Brighton ‘90s podcast I’m recording next week.

 

[Superphil]

I went on my own as the missus was at her brothers for his birthday in Reading. I Stood in the NS as usual, there was an unusual atmosphere for sure. After the invasion and destruction I walked back to my car and drove to Reading. When I got there all the family were asking about what had gone on, was I OK, they’d all seen it on the TV, I guess that part of the job was done.

 

[maidstoneseagull]

I rang the BBC to complain about about them calling it a riot and missing desperate times took desperate measures. They cut me off!

 

[£1.99]

I took my boy and girl to the game , 10 and 8 years old at the time they have children of their own now.

 

[AZ Gull]

I stood in my usual spot in the North Stand.

Once the crossbars were snapped it was clear the match wasn't going to re-start. Lots of people headed onto the pitch and I guess others left. I just observed what was going on, leaning against the crush barrier I always stood behind.

At some point, one or more utter ****s started to break up the advertising hoardings in front of the North Stand and luzz them indiscriminately, frisbee style, into the stand. I think at least one person was hit. What a shame that is one of my over-riding memories from a momentous day in the club's history, particularly as the fans did so much to ultimately save the club.

 

[studio150]

A strange experience watching the replayed game later in the week, with something like a 10:30 kick off , in a virtually empty Goldstone, with just the North Stand open for ST from memory.

No surprise the first game as abandoned, everyone knew what was going to happen, although my was surprised I was home so early.

 

[Jeremiah]

One of my very very rare visits to the West Stand seats to enjoy the carnage.

 

[CorgiRegisteredFriend]

Remember it all spilling out into Hove Park. Replay behind closed doors mid week, I smuggled a small radio into work so was able to have a listen.

 

[Comrade Sam]

A strange experience watching the replayed game later in the week, with something like a 10:30 kick off , in a virtually empty Goldstone, with just the North Stand open for ST from memory.

No surprise the first game as abandoned, everyone knew what was going to happen, although my was surprised I was home so early.

I went to both matches, so the replay couldn't have been ST - I hadn't had one for years and didn't again until the first season at the Withdean.
I was also angry at the reports claiming to show a confrontation with the away fans. There was superb solidarity from the York fans.

 

[studio150]

I went to both matches, so the replay couldn't have been ST - I hadn't had one for years and didn't again until the first season at the Withdean.
I was also angry at the reports claiming to show a confrontation with the away fans. There was superb solidarity from the York fans.

30 years ago (almost) so happy to accept my memory is playing up.

 

[CHAPPERS]

I was going to bunk off school for the replayed game (had fake note written and everything) but our teachers somehow found out and, I shit you not, one drove us to and picked us up from the game and smoothed it over with the teachers whose lessons we missed. @keaton

 

[veuve]

RIP hanksy,first man on.

 

[Stato]

I remember despair and depression. There was talk of a pitch invasion in the week before, but I seem to remember it starting straight after we conceded and it felt like that sent a mixed message. We watched from the North Stand, expecting the usual protest followed by resumption of the game. When the posts came down it became clear that no football would be happening and I remember leaving the ground thinking that things couldn't get any worse (oh how they did).

Back to the car and with the radio on, it became obvious that the national media were going to focus on the action, not the motive. There was no violence except to the goalposts and this obviously wasn't anything to do with hooliganism, but that was the immediate spin.

Looking back, it had to be done, but at the time there was no feeing of a fight back or of triumphalism. It felt like the wounded howl of a dying beast and left me with horrible feelings of anger, hopelessness and a desperate sadness. There was fear of what would come next. Genius work was done over the next few days to change the narrative and repaint the press's portrayal as what it really was: reasonable people pushed to desperation by nobody paying attention to what was happening. At the time it felt like death throes, but with the benefit of hindsight, it was the spark that lit the flame of recovery.

 

[Driver 8]

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

I went in the North with my brother and dad. I don't recall it being particularly packed although there was a decent enough crowd in there. At first, I must admit I thought it was wrong to invade and break the goalposts down, but with reflection I understood it was desperate behaviour from amazing fans who understood the predicament our club was in. It was still very surreal and pretty sad.

 

[Sorrel]

The video shows a few confrontations but I remember it as sunny, warm and not really like that at all. I wandered around the pitch for a bit, joined in some of the chanting, then walked back to town, wondering if I'd seen my last ever Albion match (both there, or ever).

 

[Pevenseagull]

Great day out

Got some beers for some of the York fans after the game...then they got me some .. then I got them some

 

[The Optimist]

I went in the North with my brother and dad. I don't recall it being particularly packed although there was a decent enough crowd in there. At first, I must admit I thought it was wrong to invade and break the goalposts down, but with reflection I understood it was desperate behaviour from amazing fans who understood the predicament our club was in. It was still very surreal and pretty sad.

Similar experience to you. I was 15 in the north with my dad. Don’t remember it being packed (but we wouldn’t have been in the middle). Didn’t go onto the pitch.

I also remember some of those that didn’t invade chanting “what the f*** was the point that” or similar. This might be linked to the throwing of advertising boards that @AZ Gull mentioned happened. I think there were also some chants of “scabs” from the pitch in those still in the terrace.

 

[Barham's tash]

It was a warm sunny day. Unusually my cousin and I were joined by two of my mates from school who never professed any kind of interest in the Albion but decided to come that day. One was a Man Utd fan and the other an actual scouser who supported Liverpool.

I remember on our drive to Corals to park the cars were much further parked up Goldstone Crescent than usual which meant we were in for a bumper crowd. We went to Corals, walked across the sun kissed Hove Park on the way to the ground and one of the newbies with us threw up, for no reason that we could discern (just one of those random memories that sticks with you) and then we made our way to the North Stand, centre right, of the goal as you looked at the pitch.

I just remember it being the most surreal experience and being only just 16 at the time it hadn't really twigged with me that the game would actually be abandoned. We'd all heard all the rumours and such but didn't quite believe it until rent a mob broke the cross bar.

 

[aftershavedave]

We all knew what was going to happen. It did and we went for beers with York fans in The Sussex on Hove Seafront. A stepping stone to where we are today