spyinthesky

Re attendances Since Saints and Pompey were 'reunited' in 1960 after Pompey's relegation from Div 1 and our promotion from Div 2, the average home gates have been (up to season 2012/13): Saints 19,498 Pompey 14,050 (note that Fratton Park enjoyed a higher capacity up until 2001/2) Saints lowest average crowd during this period 13,763 in 1961/2 Pompey 8,269 in 1994/5 Pompey had a 'stadium' which could hold over 50,000 in their immediate post WW2 'glory days' However their best ever average home attendance was just over 37,000 in1949 ie approx. 72% of capacity!!!

My post was taken from Hull City Forum - Not 606 and posted on P6 by Leon T Trout (hopefully not a Pompey fan)

Always nice to see. Hull CFC Forum... 'We were floor wiped totallissimo 1-0' Hull Daily Mail... 'City slipped to a 1-0 defeat to an impressive Southampton side'...,

I also listened to the policeman putting over his side of the story on BBC Radio He seemed to be a very decent chap who was let down by some of his colleagues (including one who thought it appropriate to post a derogatory note about the loss of his wife's still born child) and especially his superiors. The guy was trying to do his duty in difficult circumstances and has had to leave a job he loved. The pay off seems a lot but, as has been said in previous posts, does not fully compensate him for loss of earnings over his expected service period It would be foolish to say that our police are all paragons of virtue, they are not. However it is a difficult job with a lot more risks and checks and balances than in the past and we should be grateful that our police force, in general, is far better than most countries around the world

Any intrepid followers going to both games? Respect to those who are going from this area Expect to see a small following at the KC with a few more at Sunderland

Are your initials JB and possibly used to live in Stalybridge and occasionally joined us for a kick around on Sarisbury Green? Also would you have got bus to school from the stop under Bursledon bridge or did you get the train to Fareham?

What school did you go to?

I lived off Hamble Lane then and travelled with some mates from that area

Never fails to amaze me how people can access such information I often wondered if my youthful reminiscence was correct and it seems it was

Pretty sure I went on that one too. Seem to recollect that the train passed over a viaduct somewhere (Bath?) and there were quite a few toilet roll 'streamers, despatched from the door windows, which could be opened then. A few of these streamers were then set alight!!! To someone who was brought up in the sticks, mixing with the 'town lads' was an education. Actually 'mixing' is probably the wrong expression. We learnt from them from afar but enjoyed being on the fringes of the more vocal tougher and less well behaved element. Quite a few of the supporters on the trains worked for British Railways as they could use Travel Warrants.

I suppose there are a few of us here who can remember Football Specials The forthcoming Hull game brought back memories of joining a 'Football Special' at the now closed Dock Station in January 1966. The steam train left about 11PM with a few hundred intrepid fans on board including a gang of 6 schoolboys all properly attired with ties, macs and clean handkerchiefs (and probably red & white rosettes) plus sandwiches and a flask of tea (which had to last all day!!) We travelled north through the night in a compartment train and we took turns to sleep in the overhead luggage racks (v uncomfortable) No I phones, computers, music etc etc in those days so it was a long journey but it was the first time most of us had been able to stay away all night without parents I think we arrived into Paragon Station about 6 am and had to wander around the cold, dark and deserted streets of Hull until we managed to find somewhere warm to sit (think it might have been a Bowling Alley) Remember being really impressed with Boothferry Park (covered accommodation all round and 6 floodlight pylons) but it was really foggy and only saw glimpses of the game in a 1-0 defeat against lower league opposition. After a trudge back to the station the train left about 7pm and I arrived back home about 3 am and then up at 7am to do a Sunday paper round in the pouring rain. I was knackered for days. Bit different these days Mind you walking down the hill with thousands of others to join one of the many Football Specials at Central Station for the 1963 semi final v Man Utd in 1963 was something I shall never forget along with the convoy up to London in 1976 and for the JPT final

Isn't it nice to witness a couple of decent 3-0 away wins and no thumpings so far this season. Over the years Saints have generally struggled away from home, especially in the top division, and here we stand with the second best defensive record on the road. Hope this positive post doesn't come back to haunt me further down the line just as the 7-1 defeat at lower league Watford did many years ago when we had won the home leg League Cup game 4-0 and we toddled off to Vicarage Road expecting an easy transition into the next round!!

I go back a little further for the slightly differerent version Eye yi yi yi Forsyth is better than Yashin Ron Davies is better than Eusebio And you're all in for a thrashin' Frightening thing is, at least three of these players have departed this mortal coil!!

Any one read it? If so a good read, especially in relation to his time at the Dell?

I'm in I have a soft spot for Coventry especially after our 8-2 & 5-5 games back in the 80's

I remember playing against Cowes when they were a decent Hampshire League team Pat Parker was an elder statesman centre half. Quite lanky if I remember correctly and, as mentioned, a real gentleman. Think Cowes played in red & white stripes at the time RIP Pat

Sorry missed out Osvaldo from above list

If you add NC into the equation, the club has probably saved £150k a week in wages from the recent (confirmed) departure (plus trousering reported £1.7m from JP's sale) of: Cortese Fox Barnard Martin Puncheon Lee Sharp

Liverpool Echo suggesting Everton will bid for Jay Rodriguez after Lukaku's injury last night. Return to the NW may possible attract JR would Everton be able to improve upon Jay's wages or be a more attractive long term prospect Would leave us very short of experienced strikers IF it happens

Thought the time taken by AOC to applaud all areas of St Marys was a very nice touch and obviously representative of his affection for the club and fans even though he has now moved on Wouldn't mind seeing him back down here for the right money Young English player with the right work ethic

Presumably none of the youngsters on here will remember the 'enjoyment' of queuing for big match tickets at the Dell with long lines of supporters snaking round the ground. Also turning up at a popular pay at the gate game and being turned away as the ground was full. (Fortunately never happened to me) last time I can remember an overnight queue was for the 76 cup Final and then there was a lock out for Mick Channons testimonial on the Monday So glad I was here to witness both Writing this reminds me of the special evening games at the Dell. Poor floodlights seemed to enhance the atmosphere and there was the all pervading smell of cigarette smoke, booze and hot Bovril plus whatever was on your shoes after a visit to the latrines. Also for big games the Echo used to publish both attendance plus gate receipts which wouldn't equate to a fraction of the weekly wage of our top wage earners nowadays Good memories but glad we have moved on.

Agree with this For every Alan Shearer there is a Matt Pattison and I sincerely hope that young Sam follows the Shearer line I am nervous about tonight but no different when we played a very youthful team (Dodd debut) v undefeated Liverpool at the Dell and smashed them 4-1 Good luck to all our boys tonight and hope for a god result and no more injuries!!

Also am I right to understand that Pompey have had to raise £450k from their HNW fans to pay for some outstanding ground improvements to maintain their Stadium (!!!) Licence One of these is improved accommodation for way disabled fans who have suffered regular abuse from the Fratton Faithful(!!!!) Last bit doesn't sit that comfortably with the 'Best fans in the World' title