Memories of 'old' Bloomfield Road for the fanzine

BlackpoolJane

BlackpoolJane

Well-known member
I'd like to collect some of your memories of the 'old' Bloomfield Road for the fanzine. If you're happy to share your stories from the Scratching Shed(s?), South Paddock, Kop, etc. and commit them to print for time immemorial please reply below or drop me an email at jane@janestuart.co.uk. Deadline for issue 10 (my 50th fanzine!) is 22nd July.

Was there really a cat on the roof that wee'd on people? What characters do you remember? What was the food like from the refreshment kiosks? How bad were the toilets?

PS If you want to subscribe it's £15 for the season. Email for deets or PayPal (Friends & Family) to the above email address.

UTMP.

J
 
My username on AVFTT (which I've had for years) confirms that story.
I was in the East that day and saw guys with their hands out wondering where the rain was coming from and looked up and there was a cat pissing on them.
So I believe, they offered free dry cleaning for anyone affected and about 50 people took their coats etc in .. may just be one of those tales though!
 
I remember going on the Kop with my Dad, I would have been about 11/12.
The Kop got rather crowded in those days and smaller children who had come with their Dads/Mums, would be handed down the Kop,
over the heads of the crowd, to sit on the low wall surrounding the pitch, and sit on the wall.
This was stopped at some time because it became dangerous.
 
Back in the late 60s, as you approached the turnstiles at the back of the Kop there would be various sellers of sweets, and more esoteric material. Cough candy quarter bags were one, but there was also a bloke selling razor blades. Who went to a match thinking I'll need a shave after the game.

As crowds became more violent, those sellers all disappeared.

Different times.
 
Wizaard said:
Back in the late 60s, as you approached the turnstiles at the back of the Kop there would be various sellers of sweets, and more esoteric material. Cough candy quarter bags were one, but there was also a bloke selling razor blades. Who went to a match thinking I'll need a shave after the game.

As crowds became more violent, those sellers all disappeared.

Different times.
Click to expand...
Esoteric , word of the day 👏👏👏
 
my first game was about 1970. the old kop. . it was against derby county. we lost 2.4 , not that i was paying much attention. i found out it was still on you tube. i went on my own about 74.75. the kop had been segregated into two sections . that metal cage down the middle. stuff flyig where from both sides. i didnt return on any regurlar badis until my son was able to go. i used to put him on the west paddock wall. omg it wax so easy to lose a ten year old. and i DO remember being pretty crushed one time. the east paddock was the best. you could feel the noise litreally shakingthe tin roof. of course to the present day. we have come a fair old away in my fifty four years folowing the BOYS FROM BLOOMERS, ITS LADS AN DADS 15 8 2023. my sons 38 birthday. utmp.
 
Davepick said:
I remember going on the Kop with my Dad, I would have been about 11/12.
The Kop got rather crowded in those days and smaller children who had come with their Dads/Mums, would be handed down the Kop,
over the heads of the crowd, to sit on the low wall surrounding the pitch, and sit on the wall.
This was stopped at some time because it became dangerous.
Click to expand...
Fanzine wasnt around then Dave.
 
Remember walking over Bloomfield road bridge seeing the smoke exiting the south west corner and then walking up back Henry street into the scratching sheds to the front and sitting on the wall waiting for King Billy, got the odd smile and fist as he went over to the dug out which at the time was on the east side? As I got older used to go in the south east corner as a friends brother did the pie stall so hovered around hoping for any left overs. Didn’t dare sit on the wall for the fear of loose shots and definitely didn’t dare stand behind the goal with them all surging forward. Radio man, Graham stand out of supporters I remember. Good times as a kid
 
I remember on the Kop when we used to get decent crowds you used to hear a noise like rolling thunder when there was a big push. It was the sound of people's feet (boots and shoes, no trainers in those days) on the concrete steps behind you as they surged forward down the terracing. When you heard that sound you knew to brace yourself for being smashed in the back and carried off further down. You could often lift your feet off the floor and not fall over you were packed so tight.

Outside the South stand up the steps leading to Bloomfield Rd from the old supporters club (shed) there was wooden paste board that used to have details of the next home game, date-time-opponents-first team or reserve team stuck up each week.

East paddock (scratching shed) getting seats fitted. What a waste of money that was, the view was terrible and they put the price up. They were removed within the year.
 
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Bispham_Seasider said:
The Kop..... it was our Spion Kop. Trudging up the back then coming out at the top of The Kop, looking down.... as a young teenager it was a wonderful sight and experience.

Pomo...... Pomo is our leader!

PS: it should still be called The Kop.
Click to expand...
It was magical, especially at night, you’d climb those steps in darkness and then there it was in full colour.
 
Going to the reserve games and standing in the south west corner underneath the scoreboard waiting for the phone to ring in the commentary booth above the players tunnel. Then the sense of anticipation and excitement waiting for the guy to walk across and put up the first team score every time there was a goal.
 
Remember the guy selling “ Billy’s weekly liar” newspaper. It was a spoof newspaper.
Similar to Sunday Sport without the topless ladies
Remember one headline “Try Hugh Rhine Ale, Blackpools newest brew”

Probably as honest as todays media
 
What about the chap selling Golden Goal tickets ... usually was SW corner of ground outside ..then stood outside pie booth just inside ..all he ever shouted was " Who said two !" .
He would on occasion just walk up and down the cinder running track on the West Stand. Same shout though
 
Witnessing the largest away following I've ever seen at Bloomfield road, the whole if the Kop totally rammed from corner flag to corner flag for a 1974 game v Man Utd, apart from that they had loads in the paddock and hundreds in the main stand as well as over 5,000 locked out Bloomfield Road was not a safe place to be for a Blackpool fan that day
 
Wizaard said:
Back in the late 60s, as you approached the turnstiles at the back of the Kop there would be various sellers of sweets, and more esoteric material. Cough candy quarter bags were one, but there was also a bloke selling razor blades. Who went to a match thinking I'll need a shave after the game.

As crowds became more violent, those sellers all disappeared.

Different times.
Click to expand...
Yeh, you could have had someone’s eye out with a well aimed cola cube🤕
thank god those days are behind us
 
Lobpob said:
Witnessing the largest away following I've ever seen at Bloomfield road, the whole if the Kop totally rammed from corner flag to corner flag for a 1974 game v Man Utd, apart from that they had loads in the paddock and hundreds in the main stand as well as over 5,000 locked out Bloomfield Road was not a safe place to be for a Blackpool fan that day
Click to expand...
Me and my mate were on the Kop that game, no scarves obs, but my chum said there’s no way we’re not going on our Kop for this game!
 
TOON Seasider said:
I remember on the Kop when we used to get decent crowds you used to hear a noise like rolling thunder when there was a big push. It was the sound of people's feet (boots and shoes, no trainers in those days) on the concrete steps behind you as they surged forward down the terracing. When you heard that sound you knew to brace yourself for being smashed in the back and carried off further down. You could lift your feet off the floor and not fall over you were packed so tight.

Outside the South stand up the steps leading to Bloomfield Rd from the old supporters club (shed) there used to be a wooden paste board that used to have details of the next home game, date-time-opponents-first team or reserve team stuck up each week.

East paddock (scratching shed) getting seats fitted. What a waste of money that was, the view was terrible and they put the price up. They were removed within the year.
Click to expand...
They were ridiculous. Used to sit there as a 9 year old with my old man. Next to us was an old fella, probably in his seventies, there was a blasted clearance from our box, by I think stan McEwan, hit him square in the face, knocked him backwards out of his seat. Out cold, but was back the next week.
 
Costero Poderoso said:
They were ridiculous. Used to sit there as a 9 year old with my old man. Next to us was an old fella, probably in his seventies, there was a blasted clearance from our box, by I think stan McEwan, hit him square in the face, knocked him backwards out of his seat. Out cold, but was back the next week.
Click to expand...
We used to stand in the South Paddock, pre match we were chatting as you do, and Stan McEwan walloped one towards goal, just missed and hit my mate squarely on the back of the head, him totally unprepared for it, knocking his glasses halfway across the terrace. That net they have these days takes all that fun away.
 
Lobpob said:
Witnessing the largest away following I've ever seen at Bloomfield road, the whole if the Kop totally rammed from corner flag to corner flag for a 1974 game v Man Utd, apart from that they had loads in the paddock and hundreds in the main stand as well as over 5,000 locked out Bloomfield Road was not a safe place to be for a Blackpool fan that day
Click to expand...
I ended up in the South Paddock on my own that day. United had been relegated to the old Second Division of course

Bad year given the events when Bolton came in August 1974 and the untimely death of Kevin Olsson. That was also a horrific day. My late dad and I were among the thousands kept behind on The Kop.

Never Forget.
 
I remember my first few games at Bloomfield Rd. About '76.

Bolton, we won 1-0. Billy Robson scored. It was that packed that I (8or9) couldn't get near the wall in the South paddock so go hoisted onto the roof of the pie stand.
I remember it going mental when we scored.

Wolves, 2-2 draw. Again, sat on the pie stand due to it being packed out.
A lot of agro that day with the teams being taken off doe to George Wood having missiles thrown at him. When we got home it had made the national news.

Notts County, 1-1 we were on St Heliers on our way home to avoid the rush when County equalised.

And finally Hereford in the League Cup, my first match under floodlights. We'd got the 11a from Lytham and I was so excited when I saw the floodlights lit up. To an 8 or 9 year old lad it was absolutely magical.
Before the game we got a pack of stimmerol gum. We'd been treated to the South Stand front row that evening, my mates dad, John, who'd taken us that night nipped off and bought us a Bovril each and a pie to share....this really was the thing that dreams were made of.
Sadly, as the game kicked off the fog came in.
The match was abandoned, we hardly saw a ball kicked.....😂

UTMP.
 
seasidelytham said:
Going to the reserve games and standing in the south west corner underneath the scoreboard waiting for the phone to ring in the commentary booth above the players tunnel. Then the sense of anticipation and excitement waiting for the guy to walk across and put up the first team score every time there was a goal.
Click to expand...
Horrible memories being at the ressies for the final game of the 1974 season. Pool needed a win away at Sunderland to guarantee promotion. Winning 1-0 until near the end & that bloody phone went off. The old boy turned the home zero to one. By the time we'd got back to my dad's car we'd rescued a 2-1 defeat from the jaws of victory. Had something in my eyes all the way home they wouldn't stop watering 😢
 
GrahamwantshisOates said:
Remember the guy selling “ Billy’s weekly liar” newspaper. It was a spoof newspaper.
Similar to Sunday Sport without the topless ladies
Remember one headline “Try Hugh Rhine Ale, Blackpools newest brew”

Probably as honest as todays media
Click to expand...
That guy used to stand on the Prom just around from Central Station, most days in Summer.
 
Ginge said:
I remember my first few games at Bloomfield Rd. About '76.

Bolton, we won 1-0. Billy Robson scored. It was that packed that I (8or9) couldn't get near the wall in the South paddock so go hoisted onto the roof of the pie stand.
I remember it going mental when we scored.

Wolves, 2-2 draw. Again, sat on the pie stand due to it being packed out.
A lot of agro that day with the teams being taken off doe to George Wood having missiles thrown at him. When we got home it had made the national news.

Notts County, 1-1 we were on St Heliers on our way home to avoid the rush when County equalised.

And finally Hereford in the League Cup, my first match under floodlights. We'd got the 11a from Lytham and I was so excited when I saw the floodlights lit up. To an 8 or 9 year old lad it was absolutely magical.
Before the game we got a pack of stimmerol gum. We'd been treated to the South Stand front row that evening, my mates dad, John, who'd taken us that night nipped off and bought us a Bovril each and a pie to share....this really was the thing that dreams were made of.
Sadly, as the game kicked off the fog came in.
The match was abandoned, we hardly saw a ball kicked.....😂

UTMP.
Click to expand...
Ginge. The Hereford game was a Saturday 3 pm league game and we were winning 1-0 when abandoned.
Over the Road Blackpool Borough were playing in the John Player final live on TV.
It continued!
We won the rearranged game 2-1.That was a night match.
 
Wizaard said:
Back in the late 60s, as you approached the turnstiles at the back of the Kop there would be various sellers of sweets, and more esoteric material. Cough candy quarter bags were one, but there was also a bloke selling razor blades. Who went to a match thinking I'll need a shave after the game.

As crowds became more violent, those sellers all disappeared.

Different times.
Click to expand...
Remember the razor seller. Used to wear a bowler hat. Also a fella selling Uncle Joe's Mintballs. My favourite was the fella selling 'Billys Weekly Liar'. That particular publication changed its name to The Gazette.
 
Remember sitting on the wall as a kid in what was referred to scratching shed the East paddock. Occasionally I will get to throw the ball back. Or be seen on TV on match of the day. Happy days back then not forgetting the smell of tobacco. Seemed as if everyone smoked back then.
 
BlackpoolJane said:
I'd like to collect some of your memories of the 'old' Bloomfield Road for the fanzine. If you're happy to share your stories from the Scratching Shed(s?), South Paddock, Kop, etc. and commit them to print for time immemorial please reply below or drop me an email at jane@janestuart.co.uk. Deadline for issue 10 (my 50th fanzine!) is 22nd July.

thecatintheroof said:
My username on AVFTT (which I've had for years) confirms that story.
I was in the East that day and saw guys with their hands out wondering where the rain was coming from and looked up and there was a cat pissing on them.
So I believe, they offered free dry cleaning for anyone affected and about 50 people took their coats etc in .. may just be one of those tales though!
Click to expand...

BlackpoolJane said:
I'd like to collect some of your memories of the 'old' Bloomfield Road for the fanzine. If you're happy to share your stories from the Scratching Shed(s?), South Paddock, Kop, etc. and commit them to print for time immemorial please reply below or drop me an email at jane@janestuart.co.uk. Deadline for issue 10 (my 50th fanzine!) is 22nd July.

Was there really a cat on the roof that wee'd on people? What characters do you remember? What was the food like from the refreshment kiosks? How bad were the toilets?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I was that man. I can still remember the smell. It was that bad, that after dry cleaning, i had to bin the jacket.
It was the one and only time i wore it, i had to leave at half time as no one would stand near me. The scratching
shed toilets were like an air freshener in comparison.
I was offered free tickets to a match of my choice and was told the cat had been employed to rid the scratching
sheds of rats, it was huge and had a bladder to match its size 😳, never liked cats since
 
A few stick out, one moment in particular I'm not very proud of. We were beating Chesterfield at home in the snow, orange ball and they had horrid green shorts with blue shirts and socks. Their manager looked like he could see the sack looming, he looked so depressed...next thing a ** of a 17 yr old leans on the west wall and starts to tell him his job prospects looked pretty shit....

'Job prospects?!' he said and was about to knock my teeth out but I scarpered. Always regretted that moment but it taught me to think things through a bit more.

Another, that insane game at home v Birmingham where they brought about 6000. The kop started attacking the east sheds, all containing Brum nutters, but it was a ploy to lure the police in to the middle and then sandwich them. Proper scary stuff, plus one of their fans climbed up the big old floodlight on the kop and watched the match from up there. We won 3-2.
 
So many vivid memories of kicking cans as very young Seasiders and sitting on the metal railings on the wall.

The "toilets" in the West stand were a horror show, again so many vivid memories of the cattle herding in and young Seasiders like myself at the time having to dodge golden showers left and right.

Another memory from the West stand was the smell of Bovril. I have still never tried it 30 years later based on the smells that haunted me as a child.

I was in the South Stand with my Father, Brother, Uncle and Cousins when I think it were Port Vale fans stormed the pitch and charged into the South Stand.

I also remember the Cable Telewest big screen up next to the away end which you couldn't see too well if the sun was shining but a valiant effort at the time and a step in the right direction.
 
thecatintheroof said:
My username on AVFTT (which I've had for years) confirms that story.
I was in the East that day and saw guys with their hands out wondering where the rain was coming from and looked up and there was a cat pissing on them.
So I believe, they offered free dry cleaning for anyone affected and about 50 people took their coats etc in .. may just be one of those tales though!
Click to expand...
... may just be one of those "CATS'" tales though! ...
 
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