Coronavirus and football.

[Geoff Parkstone]

I refer my learned friend to the case of R v Doug & Dinsdale Piranha where the value of sarcasm was demonstrated in the gang wars of East London.

Far more effective than even nailing heads to coffee tables or floors.

[macstheman]

I found feigning death being quite useful on one occasion! After receiving a good kicking from Bolton fans outside Burnden Park in the mid sixties I opted for the dead routine which prompted one thicky to shout 'we've killed him, run!' and they turned tail. A group of concerned Bolton fans rushed to my aid only to be amazed when I got up, dusted myself down and shot off in the opposite direction! Oh happy days!

[Geoff Parkstone]

My worst groundside experience was, perversely, at the hands and feet of Derby fans! Whilst at universtiy in Birmingham I had taken to going to watch the Blues with a few friends who were Birmingham supporters, so used to go into home end. Noone else wanted to go see Derby, so on this occasion I went alone - naturally wearing no tribal colours. On leaving the ground and walking to get the bus home I was rounded on by some of "my own" fans and suffered bruising to ribs.........

[macstheman]

I recall a few skirmishes at both Villa and Brum including on one occasion when house bricks were chucked at our bus resulting in a number of busted windows!

[ramAnag]

My worst groundside experience was, perversely, at the hands and feet of Derby fans! Whilst at universtiy in Birmingham I had taken to going to watch the Blues with a few friends who were Birmingham supporters, so used to go into home end. Noone else wanted to go see Derby, so on this occasion I went alone - naturally wearing no tribal colours. On leaving the ground and walking to get the bus home I was rounded on by some of "my own" fans and suffered bruising to ribs.........

They probably knew who you were. What were you doing hanging out with Herman’s Hermits anyway?

[Geoff Parkstone]

Peter was one of those guys who would sometimes attend

[MadAmster]

Really? Do explain.

I’ve never found wit or sarcasm much use when dealing with rabid Neanderthals. Got chased round the Stamford Bridge and Maine Road areas in the early to mid seventies for nothing more than being an opposition supporter...speed was much more use than any amount of verbal dexterity.

I wrote about my Bellend Road experience in a thread quite a while ago. One interesting afternoon spent on the Kippax where there was much toing and froing. Derby fans heading towards the corner and then Citeh fans going back towards the half way line. I think there was some football that day too. Trips Trentside were always interesting, especially the "walk" from and then to the station. Probably the most active post match experience was after the Roger Davies FA Cup replay at WHL. Getting back to 7 sisters tube was interesting to say the least. Running fights all the way there. Once safely on the tube we were safe enough until we got to the station to get on the Ramaway. A few more fisticuffs being necessary in order to get onto the station. Once on board we figured we'd be safe from any more fracas'. How wrong we were. A bunch of Spurs fans jumped the barriers and came on board. Close encounters of the unwanted kind but they came off 2nd best and they were turfed off the train straight into the welcoming arms of some of London's finest.......

On another occasion, Chester away in the Cup, on the way to the ground we had to pass a building site. On the other side of the site were a bunch of Citeh fans. Their home tie had been postponed. They welcomed us with a hail of whole and half house bricks. One well known Derby window cleaner caught one just before it hit him. He launched it back whence it came and was immediately nicked by Chester police...... he got 3 months inside for that he did.

[macstheman]

On another occasion, Chester away in the Cup, on the way to the ground we had to pass a building site. On the other side of the site were a bunch of Citeh fans. Their home tie had been postponed. They welcomed us with a hail of whole and half house bricks. One well known Derby window cleaner caught one just before it hit him. He launched it back whence it came and was immediately nicked by Chester police...... he got 3 months inside for that he did.

I was at that game MA!
Went there thinking should be no probs today and low and behold a hail of bricks as we negotiated that building site! That was pretty frightening with all that 'ammo'!!
Still, I seem to recall we won 2-1, I think it was the year before we won the league.

[MadAmster]

I was at that game MA!
Went there thinking should be no probs today and low and behold a hail of bricks as we negotiated that building site! That was pretty frightening with all that 'ammo'!!
Still, I seem to recall we won 2-1, I think it was the year before we won the league.

3rd round 70/71 season so, yes, season before we won the League.

[ramAnag]

Three scariest football experiences...second match I’d ever been to at the BBG was against Leicester in 1972. Unfamiliar with Derby and strolling back wondering why all the houses were boarded up when suddenly we were caught in the crossfire of bricks between Leicester and Derby nutters.
Early 80’s v West Ham, in the League Cup I think, Hammers fans ran wild that night - even though they’d won easily - and smashed up every shop between the BBG and Normanton Road. It was like a war zone going back into Derby afterwards.
Worst was early 70’s, before I’d ever set foot in Derby. Grimsby away and just about every window on the coach smashed by bricks. Horrible, cold journey back that night!

Moving on...Rashford 1 v Government 0. Next week...Henderson and Kane will address the implications of Covid-19 for Brexit.