40 years ago today

[upthemaggies]

That season was the start of a big decline overall in English attendances, probably as it coincided with a big rise in hooliganism across all clubs, not just the big ones.

Forest only averaged 20k that season (to Notts 11+k), with the average in the First Division 22k

https://www.worldfootball.net/attend...e-1981-1982/1/

Mass unemployment in the early 1980s wouldn't have helped either. There were a lot of factors involved and I think hooliganism, to the point it became a serious problem, was largely a symptom of those factors rather than it landing in the middle of the football world from out of nowhere or it being an inevitable consequence of the game itself as a spectator sport.

Run down estates or industrial areas with broken windows etc. tend to attract trouble. In that sense, football didn't help itself with the state of disrepair the grounds were allowed to fall into. Erecting metal cages everywhere only made things worse and literally ended up killing people en masse which ultimately brought about changes that, whilst making it safer, have ruined much of what was great about going to a football match.

Anything that gets taken over by the middle class tends to become soulless, bland, insipid and just plain boring over time and that's what the football experience has become for the most part. A lot of hype but not a lot of substance anymore. I've had more than my fill of Cruyff turns thank you very much, I'd never tire of seeing a dirty great crunching tackle though.

In light of what is about to happen with 'Safe standing', I anticipate that we might be asking "Why the hell didn't they think of this idea back in the late 1960s early 1970s?" It could have saved the game from ruin in the 1980s and then falling into the hands of those who have smothered and exploited it for all it's worth ever since. Maybe 'it still can.

[Moreton_Pie]

Was anyone on here on the coach to Newcastle in the previous years' promotion season. What a night that was Getting a police meat wagon lift back to our coach in a remote spot because we had taken a point from the Georgia's at St James Park My mate Dennis Bowler and I got assaulted just after coach had dropped us off. Happy Days

[Moreton_Pie]

On the hooligan front we had to put up with away fans infiltrating our areas of the ground in the 80s in the main stand area. Our lads near the bogs stood up and shouted for the mighty pies and whatever else came our way was dealt with. Amicably of course.

[Jeekay56]

Was anyone on here on the coach to Newcastle in the previous years' promotion season. What a night that was Getting a police meat wagon lift back to our coach in a remote spot because we had taken a point from the Georgia's at St James Park My mate Dennis Bowler and I got assaulted just after coach had dropped us off. Happy Days

Georgia didn't do so well tonight.

[lunaspie]

Georgia didn't do so well tonight.

Y'all come back now !