Tales of games in the DAY when you exp the shed being taken

[Mike Carefree]

Since 68 and going by matches i attended, and my memory, i experianced WEST HAM as the only mob to TAKE THE SHED...I have memories of Arsenal trying(and failing) and spurs trying and being chased across the pitch..Man city managed to walk round from the northstand via walkway at back of eaststand to the base of the shed , but turned back when sense prevailed...Im sure Bluebeard n Mk will shed light on any im not aware of..

[Peckham Blue]

Since 68 and going by matches i attended, and my memory, i experianced WEST HAM as the only mob to TAKE THE SHED...I have memories of Arsenal trying(and failing) and spurs trying and being chased across the pitch..Man city managed to walk round from the northstand via walkway at back of eaststand to the base of the shed , but turned back when sense prevailed...Im sure Bluebeard n Mk will shed light on any im not aware of..

There are tales of Arsenal in the early 70's, I was there in about '72 or '73 and can remember seeing a D shaped mob in the middle. Millwall tried the year before Spurs and both got a right battering in front of the Bovril and ended up on the pitch, Bristol City had about thirty or so the first year in Div2 and got escorted outand I heard they tried to come round from the North Stand in the Anglo Scottish Cup earlier pre-season. Arsenal turned up the night game after they'd won the FA Cup ('79?) but went down the front and climbed over as did Man Utd in '94 but there were more girls and Chinese tourists amongst them than ruckers.

[MKBlue]

Hate to admit to it but Arsenal stayed in there the whole game, it's pretty well known as the yellow paint day. As you mentioned, Westham nearly every year, but didn't always have things their own way. Only others I remember are Millwall in 77, Bristol City in 75 or 6 and that's about it.

Just remembered another time, when a handful of Arsenal came in at Peter Bonetti and Malcolm McDonald's last game in 79, probably the most pitiful attempt at taking an end I've ever seen.

Edit 2......should have read Peckham's post first.

Edited March 29, 2012 by MKBlue

[BlueBeard]

West Ham seemed to take the Shed every year in the late 60's/early 70's, usually by the same method of getting in there really early while the Shed boys were still in the pub or outside looking for them. They were always well organised, and very hard to dislodge once in the middle of the Shed.

Arsenal took the Shed at least twice to my knowledge, during the same period. The yellow paint day was the last time they ever came in the Shed. They got in the middle of the Shed and gave it large, but after a while they realised that they were hemmed in by Shed boys on all sides, totally surrounded and protected by old bill. Chelsea steamed into them time after time during the match, and I can still remember Shed boys actually climbing over the top of the coppers to whack the Arsenal, who were by this time shi*ting themselves. Then someone came up with the bright idea of throwing a tin of yellow paint over the Arsenal mob, so they'd be identifiable outside the ground - great bit of forward-thinking to bring a pot of paint into a football match!

69/70, a week before the FA Cup Final against Leeds, we played at home to Tottenham. I was only about 12, standing between the Shed and East Stand about an hour before kick-off, and watched as the Tottenham mob entered the North Stand terrace, moved to the front, then climbed over the wall and ran across the pitch towards the Shed. There were a few hundred of them, and they seemed very confident. Everyone around me was looking up to the Shed to see what the reaction would be - would they defend the Shed or would they run?

When the y*ds got to the goal at our end of the pitch, the Shed acted as one and surged down the terrace and leaped the wall. Hundreds of Chelsea skins wearing all the gear charged towards the Tottenham, who turned around as one and legged it back to the North end of the ground as fast as they could, with the Shed boys on their heels. I saw Spurs fans diving over the North end wall head first in order to escape the Chelsea, and the whole of the Shed end that was still on the terraces were cheering like mad, even the older blokes around me. Great to watch, and it was this single action that made me want to take part in similar stuff when I got older.

About a year or two later, Tottenham tried again by walking under the old East Stand and approaching the Shed across the terrace where I'd been stood in 69/70 (I was standing in the Whitewall by now). They weren't singing or chanting, it was as if they were trying to sneak in - but obviously they were seen by the Shed, who promptly stormed across the terracing and chased the scum all the way back up to the North Stand.

Other than that, the only other time Tottenham actually made an attempt on the Shed has already been mentioned here - when the y*ds took a severe kicking by the Bovril entrance.

Millwall also tried to come in from the Bovril entrance and met the same end, got a good hiding.

I can still remember about ten pissed-up Rangers fans in front of the Shed at Ron Harris' Testimonial in 1971. They were singing their heads off and got escorted down the other end to join the thousands of other Gers fans. It wasn't so much an attempt at taking the Shed as a pissy-arsed mob getting lost.

Older Man.Utd fans will tell you that they took the Shed in 66/67, but that was during the infancy of terrace mobs and they didn't so much take it as turn up - no fighting involved. I don't think terrace fighting really evolved in England until the following season, apart from Millwall.

[Nitro]

Apart from those already mentioned.

1974 John Hollins Testimonial where Arse fan had a spray can, small Arse contingent got run out of the shed, there was hardly any Chelsea Fans in the shed at the time.

Expecting Newcastle to put in a show as I mentioned somewhere else but no show.

[pipoldchap]

I remember West Ham clearing out the shed in 1966. My mate and me used to stand just to the left of the shed but this day we went with his dad who insisted on going in the west stand (first time I sat down). The Hammers boys came in with bats and wearing long coats - bit like Jesse James cowboys. Chelsea lads took a bit of a pasting - I was glad to be sitting down.

Game finished 5-5 - what a boring day.

Worst thing I witnessed at a game was a pre-season friendly between Rangers (Glasgow) and Arsenal at highbury around 1970. The Rangers fans had taken over most of the north bank forcing the Arse to the back. An Arsenal fan decided to lob a bottle into the Rangers and boy did they retaliate - Rangers lads threw their bottles at the roof of the stand so the glass shattered and rained down on the Arsenal boys - surprising there was no major disaster because people were running everywhere.

I think that was the last time that friendly was played - up to then it had been a regular curtain raiser to the season.

[Simon Maskell]

Before my time but someone told me the worst he ever see was Chelsea 1 West Ham 1 74/75 they had loads under the shed roof in the middle and despite half hearted attempts by Chelsea could not be moved who just kept getting run down the front. I have the highlights of the game and has the teams come out for the 2nd half you can hear Mervyn Day Mervyn Day coming from the shed, I heard not long ago that Arsenal had some in the shed last home game 78/79 off a Arsenal bod yet never off any Chelsea. Ive heard about this game that Arsenal never bought hardly anyone a joke after winning the fa cup to Arsenal bought loads off someone else again what is the true amount.

78/79 Chelsea 1 tottenham 3, I always heard Spurs had never had any in the shed yet it appears they did it goes from 25 to 100 depending on who you listen to but Spurs got run out. Whats the sp here also did Spurs pack the away end that day heard they were loud

81/82 Chelsea 2 Tottenham 3, I was at this game in the west seats with all the Spurs but years later some Spurs claim they had 100 in the shed before kick off no one seems to know of this including loads at the game can anyone remember that i think its bull didnt happen. Whats a joke about this game is the Spurs got 1,000 terrace tickets unsold to scared to come that crops up when they had 14,000 at the game

[Peckham Blue]

Before my time but someone told me the worst he ever see was Chelsea 1 West Ham 1 74/75 they had loads under the shed roof in the middle and despite half hearted attempts by Chelsea could not be moved who just kept getting run down the front. I have the highlights of the game and has the teams come out for the 2nd half you can hear Mervyn Day Mervyn Day coming from the shed, I heard not long ago that Arsenal had some in the shed last home game 78/79 off a Arsenal bod yet never off any Chelsea. Ive heard about this game that Arsenal never bought hardly anyone a joke after winning the fa cup to Arsenal bought loads off someone else again what is the true amount.

78/79 Chelsea 1 tottenham 3, I always heard Spurs had never had any in the shed yet it appears they did it goes from 25 to 100 depending on who you listen to but Spurs got run out. Whats the sp here also did Spurs pack the away end that day heard they were loud

81/82 Chelsea 2 Tottenham 3, I was at this game in the west seats with all the Spurs but years later some Spurs claim they had 100 in the shed before kick off no one seems to know of this including loads at the game can anyone remember that i think its bull didnt happen. Whats a joke about this game is the Spurs got 1,000 terrace tickets unsold to scared to come that crops up when they had 14,000 at the game

Arsenal did come in the Shed just before kick off at the 78/79 game but never made any attempt, just climbed over the fence at the front just before kick off and went to the other end where their pathetic away support for a team which had beaten Man Utd in the FA Cup a few days earlier. In fact it was traditional for fans of London clubs to turn up in the West End and have a row with Man Utd whenever they were in town for a final, on that Saturday it was all Chelsea and West Ham doing the 'dirty work' which was something Arsenal were reminded on at the match with them.

Spurs attempt to come in the Shed in 78/79 ended up the same way as Millwall's the year before. If you see the footage of that match it's very similar. Their support in the North Stand was huge though, the whole end bearing in mind there wasn't that sectioned off corrugated iron bit next to the West Stand in those days. As they pushed and pulled on the railings they looked like they were made of rubber from the Shed !

I can't remember 81/82,. Spurs tales are full of BS most of the time.

[Simon Maskell]

Chelsea 1 Tottenham 3 78/79 the gate of 41,594 was a full house at the time cos the glc had made that the capacity for the 78/79 season. The shed held 18,000 in the 77/78 season but was limited to 11,000 in 78/79 it was in the programme after the 0 0 Liverpool home game. The Spurs game the bit of north terrace werent fenced off thats the bit where Spurs were at the railings next to the west stand so with over 20,000 seats the north terrace must have been limited to about 10,000 at the time so thats roughly what Spurs must have had that day. The shed and north terrace fenced off bit happened after Chelsea had got relegated in 78/79.

[BarryEastLondon]

West Ham always took the Shed as far back has 1971-72 (except the Harry Medhurst, Dickie Spence testimonial match, where they where massed in the corner right next to the west stand and benches approx 400 of them) since my first match between the 2 clubs. The worse being 1974-75 when they ran in from the Bovril corner singing UNITED and took the whole end white wall, middle and west side and sang Chelsea where are you at stamford Bridge? As for the earlier statement about they always got in early that is not always true 1977-78 we where in the Shed early waiting for them when we saw a little mob in the corner of the Shed near the east stand down the front being from the East End of London I knew one of the blokes was West Ham in the gathering the Shed ran down and they ran on the pitch and where took to the NS that was approx. 1.15, 1.30. The main WHU came in around 2.15 we where on top of the stairs singing and they where coming in the turnstiles and where gathering up at the bottom and why the Shed didn't go down and steam them why they where coming in I don't know (we did when Spurs attempted to come in the following season 1-3 at home). They charged up the stairs we ran to the middle of the Shed calling to everyone not to run and they came in everyone run except me and my mate who was a boxer we just stood there (not fighting) they started singing bubbles when one asked my mate why we where not singing he said we are Chelsea when the WHU fan went to hit him my mate punched him in the face about 8 times in 3 seconds! so we had to run. The first time they did not take the Shed was the evening match 1979-80 we won 2-1 the shed chased out little groups that where gathering in the corners.

Bristol City, do remember them coming in the front of the shed 1975-76 we escourted out no one really knew they where there until they where being escourted out. Norwich had 12,000 fans at Chelsea in the FA Cup match 1967-68 a load of them stood at the bottom of the Shed but they where not a mob just families (although I didn't go to this match). Everton had half the Shed in 1960's not sure which season without looking it up also Liverpool had the Shed too the same season they where singing we all live in a red a submarine (to the beatles song) I have the DVD's to these 2 games and the BBC show them in there and comment on the fighting. Manchester Utd. I remember them coming the shed 1973-74 the year they went down singing United agro but where chased out. Although I hear they did take the Shed in the 1960's some time.

Tottenham I remember they tried in the 1971-72 1-0 win at home (cooke scored) they came via the tunnel under the old east stand but got chased back, 1978-79 they tried coming in the turnstiles as I mentioned earlier. Crystal Palace came in the Shed and where just under the cover part in 1972-73 Charlie Cooke played for them, half way through the 2nd half John Craven took a shot and they sang Palace, The Shed went mad and the Police encircled them to protect them and the shed sang "you are surrounded" they could not get out the ground.

Arsenal, They took the Shed in the night match at the end of the season 1968-69 we won 2-1 they where in the white wall, also 1969-70 they had half the shed, but Chelsea took the North Bank that season (although I didn't go these games been told my mate) they all came on the pitch 1970-71 at half time from the NS to try and take the Shed when they got near the Shed (as they where walking) all the people in the Shed pushed back the Police formed a line and stopped them and all the Shed ran down singing your never take the Shed!

[chelseablueboy]

69/70, a week before the FA Cup Final against Leeds, we played at home to Tottenham. I was only about 12, standing between the Shed and East Stand about an hour before kick-off, and watched as the Tottenham mob entered the North Stand terrace, moved to the front, then climbed over the wall and ran across the pitch towards the Shed. There were a few hundred of them, and they seemed very confident. Everyone around me was looking up to the Shed to see what the reaction would be - would they defend the Shed or would they run?

When the y*ds got to the goal at our end of the pitch, the Shed acted as one and surged down the terrace and leaped the wall. Hundreds of Chelsea skins wearing all the gear charged towards the Tottenham, who turned around as one and legged it back to the North end of the ground as fast as they could, with the Shed boys on their heels. I saw Spurs fans diving over the North end wall head first in order to escape the Chelsea, and the whole of the Shed end that was still on the terraces were cheering like mad, even the older blokes around me. Great to watch, and it was this single action that made me want to take part in similar stuff when I got older.

What a great story BB.

I was only a young 'Shed scarfer' in those days (12-16 yrs old from '72- '76) so wasn't in the thick of it, but i'll never forget the pride of seeing the 'big boys' send opposing fans back from whence they came.

Not sure if it's memory loss or good luck i didn't go those games, but i don't remember the days when the Shed was taken.

One thing that does stick in my mind, is the abuse on occasions the Shed got from the North stand Chelsea, as a young kid i was quite hurt by that

Mind you as a 15 yr old oik i felt like 'proper Chelsea' when i first stood in the north stand...... giving the Everton (and the line of plod separating the two sets of fans) what for on the last day of the '74-'75 season.

Alan (Shed end scarfer, who wished he'd had more bollocks when he was young)

[Mike Carefree]

Ive experienced what goes on in the chelsea shed.

I know west ham also used to take the northbank highbury often.

Ive never heard any tales from spuds or otherwise, about west ham in the park lane.

Anyone heard tales on this..Did they used to take the piss out of spuds too.

.

Oh just remembered another story...We played west ham at the Bridge in the mid 70s(maybe)..It was in some sort of mickey mouse cup...Not many in the whole ground ...What i do remember is chelsea fans (50)pretending to be hammers in the shed, hoping old bill would take em to the other side and into the west ham, where i presume they fancied their chances on a reletavely small mob..The cops wernt having any of it and just made em stay put with a cordon around them...Hence no fun for those chaps

[Nitro]

Just for the record most years in the 70s Tottenham put up little resistance to West Ham, Tottenham were regarded as a push over compared to Chelsea. In the early 70s West Ham used to take over the Shelf along with the Park Lane.

[BlueBeard]

As Nitro says, West Ham used to take Tottenham regularly.

I went to Highbury in the late seventies to watch Arsenal v Tottenham with a mate who supported Spuds (not a hooligan though), and we stood in the Clock End. It was fascinating for me, as I watched Tottenham take the North Bank - Arsenal stayed in there, but Spuds were there the whole game - I'd never known Spuds put up a fight before, particularly at Chelsea, so this was new to me. Can't remember what year it was, but I think it was an Easter Monday game - Arsenal won 1-0 with a goal by Malcolm MacDonald.

I've got a very hazy memory of Everton being in the Shed in the Charity Shield game in 1970 (I was just 13), but I could be wrong. Maybe my brain has tried to delete this horrendous humiliation from my memory, as I'm sure I'd have a vivid recall of such an event.

[Mike Carefree]

As Nitro says, West Ham used to take Tottenham regularly.

I went to Highbury in the late seventies to watch Arsenal v Tottenham with a mate who supported Spuds (not a hooligan though), and we stood in the Clock End. It was fascinating for me, as I watched Tottenham take the North Bank - Arsenal stayed in there, but Spuds were there the whole game - I'd never known Spuds put up a fight before, particularly at Chelsea, so this was new to me. Can't remember what year it was, but I think it was an Easter Monday game - Arsenal won 1-0 with a goal by Malcolm MacDonald.

I've got a very hazy memory of Everton being in the Shed in the Charity Shield game in 1970 (I was just 13), but I could be wrong. Maybe my brain has tried to delete this horrendous humiliation from my memory, as I'm sure I'd have a vivid recall of such an event.

Everton beat us 2 1 if i remember right...I dont recall any of them in the shed..Then again i was only 15 so perception of stuff.............. Edited October 18, 2012 by Mike Carefree

[BarryEastLondon]

As Nitro says, West Ham used to take Tottenham regularly.

I went to Highbury in the late seventies to watch Arsenal v Tottenham with a mate who supported Spuds (not a hooligan though), and we stood in the Clock End. It was fascinating for me, as I watched Tottenham take the North Bank - Arsenal stayed in there, but Spuds were there the whole game - I'd never known Spuds put up a fight before, particularly at Chelsea, so this was new to me. Can't remember what year it was, but I think it was an Easter Monday game - Arsenal won 1-0 with a goal by Malcolm MacDonald.

I've got a very hazy memory of Everton being in the Shed in the Charity Shield game in 1970 (I was just 13), but I could be wrong. Maybe my brain has tried to delete this horrendous humiliation from my memory, as I'm sure I'd have a vivid recall of such an event.

I went to Arsenal V Spurs boxing day 1979 it was a 11.00 kick off and Chelsea V Leicester in the afternoon. Tottenham steamed the North Bank and Arsenal ran out and the police moved Tottenham and Arsenal came back singing Tottenham ran away haha

[KEYNSHAM NEWS]

Been a while-not been to good, never mind, still here-just recalling with me old mate A***s, we came up in three transits in 75, i was 20 yrs old, no fear, never had a hiding yet at football. Had a bit of success in the Anglo-Scottish pre season, seen the bravest Chelsea boy come into a pub and front up the cream of Bristol that day, never forget that as long as i live. But this was the league match, we were lucky, all your main chaps were up the North Stand-flocking round are supporters, thirty of us crossed the forecourt as one getting nervous looks from the home support, up the steep steps-no going back now, heart pumping, this was big-time-BAARISSTALL! CLAP CLAP CLAP-WHAT THE f**k-how did they get on here. We were quickly surrounded by Fulham old bill, they ushered us down to the front and round the pitch to applause from the away support. Ha! you look back now and it was nothing, but it was a dare if you like, none of us got hurt and yet we felt ten feet tall!.........Mike, Peckham, you still out there, hows things, long time.

Edited October 16, 2013 by KEYNSHAM NEWS

[wembley55]

Man Utd definitely around 1968, just sheer numbers. I was in the old East Stand enclosure with my Dad, there was a skirmish but the few Chelsea still in the Shed put up a bit of a fight. The bulk of Chelsea were under the old North Stand, loved that song they used to sing to Keith West's Excerpt From A Teenage Opera, was it Grocer Jack?

[Mike Carefree]

Georgie best georgie best

get on your bike 

and f**k off home 

and dont come beck

oh no o o o.................................................or similar

[Mike Carefree]

i certainly remember everyone being with millwall in the 70s and decimating white hart lane.....i confess a brave but small group of greek spuds tried and failed to take their park lane back....an awesome night that one

[Tony Hateley]

Arsenal would always turn up, then after yellow paint day they never went in again and then after the game at Highbury in 75 when spurs took the North Bank led by KR and SS they were never the same again.

[The Leigh Limpet]

and then after the game at Highbury in 75 when spurs took the North Bank led by KR and SS they were never the same again.

 

In the mid 70's i was at The London College of Printing (Elephant & Castle). Most of the guys supported the top 4 London teams, along with Millwall. I met and became good mates with an Arsenal fan from Hayes, who also went to Chelsea away games with CFC mates, as they were more 'fun' than their ones!.

In 1976 when they played Spuds at home, he suggested i came up for the day, pre match beer, savour the 'North Bank atmosphere' etc for a 'Busmans day out'!. We arranged to meet in The Gunners pub. At that time my 'wife to be' decided she'd like to come as well.

In those days bunking train fares was easy, so the route was Leigh to Barking (return to Pitsea!), Barking to Blackhorse Rd, give the ticket collector 20p, and cross the road to Blackhorse Underground and pay 10- 15p to Finsbury Park. While we were waiting for the tube, we heard loud footsteps coming down the stairs and viewed around 100 'geezers' on the platform. They were Spuds fans, led by a coloured guy (not SS, later rumours was that he was a 'top boy' whose name began with A).

When we got to The Gunners, it was closed as Spuds had swarmed it and most of the windows had gone in. We went in the North Bank, and by chance i spotted my mate as he was 6'3. We stood in the lower part of the North Bank, to the right of the goal swapping info on what we'd seen/had happened. Around 2.30 the coloured guy (A) who we'd seen at Blackhorse Rd, suddenly appeared halfway up the terrace and was walking towards the centre of the North Bank. This must have been the signal they were waiting for, as within 30 seconds the place erupted. The right side of the North Bank was mainly Spuds, and they then all surged in. It was chaos, they ran the Gooners and in the aggro a Coppers helmet flew through the air and landed at my fian'ces feet!. She picked it up and held it aloft for at least a minute before a Copper took it from her.

Throughout the game Spuds held the back and middle, with the Gooners being lower down, in front of the pathway which went across the terrace.

I think Spuds won 2-0, and the only positive for me, was that my dear 'bride to be' decided that she'd rather stay at home in the kitchen (well trained), when i went to football match's.

[downthefront]

In the sixties both liverpool and everton used to stand in the shed next to us with a couple of old bill in between. United used to take the whole end by getting in really early and sheer numbers, we used to have to stand under the old north stand.  Remember west ham and arsenal being just to our left, leaving early thru the bovril entrance and then coming back up the shed steps and taking the shed, ..the old days.huh ?

[downthefront]

Went away to West Ham in 1966, first game after world cup, there were still no ''ends'', I stood on north bank, Chelsea's mob (about 100 ) stood on halfway, opp the chicken run, all terracing..They .also stood halfway at Arsenal...The ''ends'' happened quickly after that season, was at Spurs year after the cup final loss when it all kicked off behind the goal and the game briefly stopped.  But we were just boys really, I was 15, most of us about the same age, Greenaway seemed ancient, as did a guy called ''jesus'' who used to go. Harkins (Eccles) always seemed older, but was a natural leader..Arsenal and West Ham were fearsome , all proper blokes compared to us.  We hardly used to turn up at West Ham. One year at Arsenal Greenaway had the brilliant idea of taking us right to the back of the North Bank, where it was f**king dark and we were sh*t scared all game !! 

Could never understand how Eccles has never written a book on the subject, he could miss it the bit about collecting money for ''fines'' on away trains !!

[i-like-to-munich]

Went away to West Ham in 1966, first game after world cup, there were still no ''ends'', I stood on north bank, Chelsea's mob (about 100 ) stood on halfway, opp the chicken run, all terracing..They .also stood halfway at Arsenal...The ''ends'' happened quickly after that season, was at Spurs year after the cup final loss when it all kicked off behind the goal and the game briefly stopped.  But we were just boys really, I was 15, most of us about the same age, Greenaway seemed ancient, as did a guy called ''jesus'' who used to go. Harkins (Eccles) always seemed older, but was a natural leader..Arsenal and West Ham were fearsome , all proper blokes compared to us.  We hardly used to turn up at West Ham. One year at Arsenal Greenaway had the brilliant idea of taking us right to the back of the North Bank, where it was f**king dark and we were sh*t scared all game !! 

Could never understand how Eccles has never written a book on the subject, he could miss it the bit about collecting money for ''fines'' on away trains !!

Great post mate. It must have been amazing to have been around to watch the whole " ends " thing start up. Its funny what you say about Greenaway being ancient, i remember seeing him do his now immortalised Zigger Zagger in the late 80s and thinking that he was a proper little oldman, which im sure he wouldnt have taken too kindly to if id have told him so.