I expect 83.7% of the forum members weren't born when this happened

 

Never heard of him.

Remember it well, just a snotty nosed kid in short trousers then.

Oh yeah Capt. Birdseye

His famous electric fence. The old GLC wouldn't let him switch it on

I was alive when this picture was taken, does that make me special?

So was I, and had been for a god 6 weeks

Edited December 13, 201312 yr by Xfaxtor

I wasn't even an itch in my father's scrotum when this was taken. Not for another two years anyway.

I was just under two years old. I still cant believe that he put those fences up.

Remember it, was 8 years old. God old Batesey.

Was 17 then and one of the reasons he wanted it there...

 

It was a showy statement by him, not needed and a non-starter.

I was -4 years old. Bet my Dad would remember this though, probably the cause of it too!

Edited December 13, 201312 yr by Huttsey

Anyone want to explain this for us youngsters? :P

Anyone want to explain this for us youngsters? :P

Sure.  In the Mid-80's the club were skint.  Ken Bates owned a farm in Buckinghamshire, Home Farm I think and to keep the costs of pitch maintenance down, he used to bring in his cows and sheep to graze on it non-match days, their sh*t would keep the grass fertile and they'd keep it short by eating it to save the cost of petrol in the lawn mowers.  One day a few animals got out though the Bovril gate (they could see what was coming I suppose) and caused a major pile up on the Fulham Road so he put up an electric fence to keep them in.

Edited December 13, 201312 yr by Peckham Blue

Sure. In the Mid-80's the club were skint. Ken Bates owned a farm in Buckinghamshire, Home Farm I think and to keep the costs of pitch maintenance down, he used to bring in his cows and sheep to graze on it non-match days, their sh*t would keep the grass fertile and they'd keep it short by eating it to save the cost of petrol in the lawn mowers. One day a few animals got out though the Bovril gate (they could see what was coming I suppose) and caused a major pile up on the Fulham Road so he put up an electric fence to keep them in.

Different grade Peckham!

No wonder his ice cream was such high quality.

Does he still own the old farmhouse behind the Shed End?

I was 30

15 years old and just glad he didnt turn it on when we were climbing over it after the boro relegation game, ouch!

I was 17. I shudder when I think of this 'idea' of his !

28 years ago now, so much has changed.

I was 30

 

I was 31....f**k that makes me us old...

Anyone want to explain this for us youngsters? :P

Basically electric fences to keep the fans from going on the pitch - but it was never allowed (but I think it was installed ready to use?). But I'm a bit hazy (my age you know!).  I find it difficult to remember last season sometimes let alone 1985).

. . .

when we

fell in love

we were

young and innocent

then

 . . .

I was 7

 

still can't believe he tried this.

 

Saved our club, but was a little f**ker too.  He also would mix it up with the fans, and then try and take away Matty Hardin'g family tickets after Harding died.

 

I'm not sure if there was ever a more polarizing character at CFC.  To this day I still think the some (not all) of the press hate us because oh Ken and his constant threats to sue them

I was 29 and remember it well.Could be an old bugger our Ken.How far our club has come and how lucky am i to have witnessed it.There is one advantage to being old lol

The electric fence was great it added to our notoriety of the time and is true history:-