Middlesbrough 1978 14 March

[Stamford O]

Blimey that long ago.good day out!

[tuffers#1]

Home At 1.45 ish ,
Best day id ever had up untill then.

The replay went to a new level of 11 year old joy

[KC & sunshine band]

cannot believe that this was 42 years ago
The first game was on 11 March at Middlesboro , we all went by supporters coach and it took ages, but what a result. Jackson in goal was an inspiration but the whole team were magnificent. There were over 33000 at the match and the supporters were unbelievable. This was the quarter finals of the FA cup and the journey home went in seconds - stopped in the service station somewhere in the world with thousands of os supporters just celebrating
The replay was on 14 March in front of 18000 - step forward Peter Kitchen and Joe Mayo - 2-1 - we just outplayed them with 2 brilliant goals and the noise from the fans
Brian Winston with a megaphone trying to get more fans in
semi- final next Arsenal at Stamford Bridge - what could go wrong !!
Golden days !

[Stamford O]

We did leg it back to the car afterwards.

[KC & sunshine band]

just talking about this
our coaches got to the game late, I think we arrived about 3,15ish
Just imagine all of a sudden a few hundred os supporters arrive in full voice
Bit of a different atmosphere !!!!

[Stamford O]

Believe going on supporters train was a experience

[yumyumO]

1 and a half football specials left from Stratford.
Police escort from station to the ground.
On leaving , when asking about escort, told just keep walking towards the station.
It was quite an intimidating 10 minute stroll.
Quite a few took a pasting, but in the scheme of things a very good day out.

And the replay, a fine evening and I don't remember seeing too many Boro that night.

[yumyumO]

However the one that really stood out for me that day, other than the eerie silence that descended upon the train as we went through Stockton , was the massive dress code difference. Donkey jackets and demin prevailed against full length leather and sheepskin coats. You really couldn't miss the O's supporters.

[soloman]

1 and a half football specials left from Stratford.
Police escort from station to the ground.
On leaving , when asking about escort, told just keep walking towards the station.
It was quite an intimidating 10 minute stroll.
Quite a few took a pasting, but in the scheme of things a very good day out.

And the replay, a fine evening and I don't remember seeing too many Boro that night.

I was one of them that took a few punches just outside the ground . Fortunately, as the crowd were gathering around me to give me some more ,the old bill turned up and probably saved me ! Had to drive a hired mini bus back to Hornchurch with a throbbing split lip though !!!

[point nine one eight]

1 and a half football specials left from Stratford.
Police escort from station to the ground.
On leaving , when asking about escort, told just keep walking towards the station.
It was quite an intimidating 10 minute stroll.
Quite a few took a pasting, but in the scheme of things a very good day out.

And the replay, a fine evening and I don't remember seeing too many Boro that night.

Yes that walk back to the station was eventful to say the least, their coppers gave us hardly any protection at all