BLUMAX

It was one fan who attacked the Linesman,A Mad Farmers Lad from Holmfirth,Very nasty and quite disturbing considering Football Hooliganism had mostly petered out by then. The Police marched him past the Latics fans before taking him to the cells and he was like a walking punchbag with the Police giving little regard for his safety.

it was at burnley , i saw the lad walking along the side of the pitch with his dad and st johns man with the dart in his head , and the next day on Granada Reports with bob greaves talking about it , i know the dad said it was his son's last game he was going to watch , i wonder if the lad went to matches after that ? I TOLD YOU EARLY ON BOB,HE SAID IT HAD DONE NO LONG TERM DAMAGE BUT HE LATER SUPPORTED CITY,SO THE NO DAMAGE STATEMENT IS DEBATEABLE!

You can always wind up the Reds by telling them West Brom had the biggest ever away following at Latics,15,000 in the Rochdale Road End and half the Main Stand. I can remember some Parking near Dogford Road in Royton and walking to the game.

The Burnley incident was 1979,AWAY! The lad in Question was called David "Nutty" Hazelhurst from Shaw,he said in a newspaper article years later that it did no long term damage but he later became a City fan so that is debatable! The same day after the game,a few mates and I got a bus to Todmorden full of Burnley fans,saw a bus full of Latics fans on another Bus which was going to Rochdale and,against a Bus Inspectors advice,sneaked on the Bus.Little did we know but the whole Bus load had been Arrested for smashing up lights upstairs!! After half an hour in the Cells the story got better as, bar one 20 Stone Beefer,we escaped and ran over the moors to Littleborough. Always remember the late,great Jim Kirtons 9 year lad saying "Dad,have we been arrested?" and Jimmy giving some sharp Fatherly advice "Dont tell your mum". I am sure to this day the Todmorden Police left the back door open to avoid all the Paperwork.

(I'd forgotten about Froggies. And Smokies, although I always thought it was a bit cack) I Knew the lad who used to dress up as a Giant Frog at Froggies,jumped on his back one night for a laugh-didnt realise he had finished the night before and it was some frightened School leaver who took his place,soon found myself on union street! Smokies,full of Wanabee Airline Pilots trying to pull Wanabee Air Hostesses. Tower Club-saw Sad Cafe their late seventies

think it was scandals or maybe jo jo's in my time... 1971-1975 Strathmore Restaurant 1976-1983 Tramtracks (Last saw the Tram signs for Chadderton,Royton and Shaw on an episode of the Osbornes-somebody must have exported them and auctioned them off) 1983-1995? Scandals 1995-1998 JO jos 1998-? Eros

full-back Tommy Bell had to cover for Fred in goal Ironically,Tommy,s son Graham played in the same side as Freds son Chris in the seventies

Noting from the progamme that the referee was Roger Dilkes from Mossley Now President of Saddleworth Cricket Club

On landing at Manc Airport, one of the fans was taken off first as he was ill. Was that Mr Ian Hurst with Hypothermia?

You old Bugger Bob! Phil the Dil,was called Phil Higgins,Always remember him chasing a bolton fan who nicked his scarfe over the Motorway by pass at the back of the old Burnden Park,Perhaps he is still chasing him now. Carl Spiers moved to the promised land (Royton) and I see him on a regular basis,will text him to get in touch with you.Kenny Jones still goes and funnily enough Tony Kirton was sat behind me when we played Hudders last week. Jim Rag still makes it as does his brother Steve who sometimes posts on here. Dutty used to go on the Booze cruise,not been on that for a few years, Carl Broadbent last seen working for Pulse in Royton about 15 years ago. I will go and get my Cocoa now and get the Matron of the home to tuck me in!!!!

We took a massive amount to York in the 1973/74 Promotion season,counted around 60 Coaches and loads went on the train. In the seventies you could never tell how few we took to some places as there was not always segregation,didnt think we had a lot at Old Trafford 74/75 until we scored and there was quite a roar from three quarters of the ground. My mates went to Swansea for a night match early eighties,counted around 35 fans. Personally,Plymouth away 1978,just over 100 went on 2 coaches that stayed for the weekend in Torquay.That was run by Craig Salt of the Junior Supporters Club.

Barnsley yes, Bradford...not too sure,its a big City with big potential but our history has been very similiar. Peterborough? Similiar size Club but they are not really in the shadows of anybody,bit of a backwater if anything.

LARGING IT WITH THE DALE WOULD BE ASKING FOR IT! You only have to look how we have raised our game against Big time Charlie neighbours over the years, Rochdale fans are as proud of their Club as we are, Well run Club who have fought tooth and nail to stay in existance,remember when Altrincham nearly joined the League in teir place after splashing the Cash about? Back to the main subject, I would like to think we are a mirror image of Charlton, although Luton is more realistic.

Been taking my lad since he was 3, hes nearly 11 now and I cant remember him seeing any trouble.My 7 year old Daughter has just started going, good age too start. Start the indoctrination now Andy!

Cant believe no ones mentioned Alan Groves, Gets a good mention in Harry Redknapps autobiography.

Steve, Yes it was Phil Deans Dad, Phil is busy as Secretary of both Royton Town Football and Roytonians Cricket Club, I will pass on your regards. Harold was a true supporter of local sport,Latics,Royton Cricket and even the Rugby at one time.I believe they wore black arm bands at a recent Curzon Ashton game where Phils Daughter Kelly plays (former Latics Ladies team).

No nonsense Northern Lad,Reminds me more of a Rugby League Player than a Footballer, one of a few bright moments in the Post Dowie era. Would have had him back any time.

>Name? Ian McGeary >Location? Royton >How Long Supporting the Tics? Too Long! 38 Years >Best away match you've been to? Everton 2006 FA Cup, Southampton 1989/1990 Littlewoods Cup >All Time Greatest Player? Andy Ritchie >Biggest Rivals (in your eyes)? Huddersfield