GlossopLatic Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 You know everytime I read these threads which are usually a good laugh reading the random events/antics that people get upto, I can't help notice how many of them involve barlows coaches that break down are they the worst coach company in the world ever? Anyone got anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctblue Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 About 1975 pre season against Huddersfield at the old Leeds Rd a mate and me couldn't afford coach (still at school) so got the 65 bus, 4p I think. Big mistake, had to walk from town centre avoiding very agressive Town fans all the way there. After game got chased around the ground, just as we were running past the main entrance Jimmy Frizz was coming out so I explained our predicament and he said 'No problem lads, jump on the team coach'. Result! Got a lift back to bp with Groves, Blair, Whittle, etc. Happy days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downender2 Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 About 1975 pre season against Huddersfield at the old Leeds Rd a mate and me couldn't afford coach (still at school) so got the 65 bus, 4p I think. Big mistake, had to walk from town centre avoiding very agressive Town fans all the way there. After game got chased around the ground, just as we were running past the main entrance Jimmy Frizz was coming out so I explained our predicament and he said 'No problem lads, jump on the team coach'. Result! Got a lift back to bp with Groves, Blair, Whittle, etc. Happy days. 1976 it was..think we won 3 -0, we also got chased around udders before and after the game...daft as a brush aged 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudemedic Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Do home games as an exile count (especially as my journey is further than some of the games mentioned)? One occassion there was a hold up around Catterick on the a1 so I decide to take the scenic route to get round the problem. Only I then get stuck behind a tractor (well when I got there it was a tractor and 5 other cars, one of which was a micra driven by someone who is well into their pension). To cut a long story short, a 2 hour journey took over 4, fortunately I did leave in plenty of time that I made kick-off (but not the pub beforehand). I think it was about autumn 2004, we were playing Donny at their old ground. I was meeting my Dad in Donny, he got their about 15 minutes before me, told me a few directions, I ended up going past him, drove down this road by the racecourse to turn round. Coming back the other way I clipped a traffic island as I was going a bit too fast and the last of the parked cars on the inside was on double yellows. Cue one puncture, and much embarrassment for me, then cue me and my dad trying to change a tyre including taking loosing the wheel nut covers with a tin lid and missing the start by about 20 minutes. Plus, we were playing Barnsley back in the 90s and we were booked on the coach only for the coach to not turn up, I'll not incriminate my Dad too much by saying precisely what speed he was doing over heartshead moor, but it was more than the speed limit and I shut my eyes for some of it. Of the 50 or so people to be stranded we were the only ones to make the kick-off. Oh and an aborted trip to Yeovil when I got to Stafford and realised I'd be lucky to see any of the game nevermind kick-off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristolatic Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 1958. I was 14, and Latics had drawn Stoke away in the 3rd round of the cup. It was bitter, freezing cold and at the last minute me and my mate decided to nip into the newsagents in Royton to see if there were any coach seats left. There were, so off we went, bugger all to eat or drink but we'd be fine, wouldn't we? At 14, you're fireproof. We stood shivering on the terracing and it soon became obvious that Latics were going to get a hiding. As half time approached, the world went black as I passed out with the cold and yours truly woke up in the ambulance room. I recall getting a bit of a bollocking from the St Johns bloke for being daft enough to be out in those temperatures with nothing warm inside me to ward off the cold. By the time I got back on the terracing, there was only about 5 minutes to go and we were 5-1 down. My mate Chris simply said "You've not missed much, we've been hammered." I missed Gerry Duffy's goal (not that it mattered in the greater scheme of things) and wished I'd never gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 I certainly found it disappointing spending the night sleeping rough in a pile of cardboard boxes in Eastbourne after Southend away, before heading back to Essex for my lift back up North. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yard Dog Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Wembley 1990. Loads of my family went, most in the lucury of cars but about 8 of us at least in a past-it Transit Van, some in the front, the rest in plastic garden chairs in the back. We had to stop on the hard shoulder to let my cousin have a piss and the van would not start up again. We all had to hitch-hike down to Wembley. Only 9 at the time but I clearly remember being on the hard shoulder waving our Latics flags at passing cars/vans trying to hitch a lift. Me and my step-dad ended up getting a lift in the back of a mini Vauxhal Bedford Rascal van. I remeber it being rammed full of tools, shelves and all manner of :censored:, and having to sit on a tall wooden kitchen stool all the way there and back. Anyway we got there in time thanks to 2 lads from Oldham and their rascal van. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Everton FA Cup 2008. Had a raft of ale before, during and after the game. On the train home from Liverpool I fell asleep and my mates left me. I woke up at Rain hill or Edge Hill station I think...thinking this aint right, surely we should be near Manchester by now. Despite being bollocksed, I could sense the train wasn't going in the right direction Asks a man across the carriage if the train was going to Manchester and he confirmed my worst fears - we'd already been to Manchester and were now on the way back to Liverpool. I was going to stay on the train thinking it must just go back and forther between Lpool and M/cr all day but something made me get off in Liverpool - glad I did cos after I got off I saw that the train was changing its route to Cardiff. Ended up getting back in M/cr Vic in time for second to last train to R/dale but it was too full or something so had to wait for the last one which is always a about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorrro Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 I can't recall any nightmare trips. I think the worst one was as a kid being stuck in the back of my dad's car with two of his best mates who still reeked of stale ale and farts. I think we were on our way to Sheffield United. Must've been '92 or something like that. I think we lost. Actually, Tranmere at the start of Sheridan's ill-fated season was a bit of a 'mare and sheer brilliance in equal measure. If I recall correctly, I got the train up from London first thing, and via Oldham/Lydgate/Oldham again/Droylsden (leaving there at 2pm) we made our way to Merseyside. Not content with already setting off late, that chuffing mechanical spider added another 20mins on to the journey. We eventually arrived at Prenton Park, hastily parked up, legged it to the ground... to find the away turnstiles closed. No surprises really, considering we were 30 minutes late. We managed to persuade one of the home turnstile operators to let us in there and the stewards escorted us into the away end (much to the disgust of the home fans). We sat down, after a bit of gentle goading towards our lovely neighbours from Birkenhead, and moments later the Reubenator rose like a salmon to glance in the winner. Phew. (Speaking of Tranmere-inspired equal parts arseache/legendary, the 4-0 loss on a Friday a few years ago was tempered by a quick dash back to Manchester on the train, straight to 42nd Street, plastered by 1am. Good times.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankly Mr Shankly Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 (edited) my mates coach broke down on the way back from qpr play off in 2003. Worse than that. I drove down with Slurms as passenger in my old Renault Clio. Managed to have a tyre blow out in the fast lane on the M6 around Wolverhampton. As I resigned myself to being stuck in the middle of the motorway and my car slowed down a gap somehow emerged in the other two lanes between the artic lorries so I steered over to the hard shoulder to assess the damage. Tyre was a complete mess as was my wheel arch so with my crappy scissor jack we somehow managed to do a tyre change at the side of the M6 with the gust of wind from each truck rushing past us (along with several amused Latics fans who beeped). Back on the road with hands completely black drove gingerly the rest of the way without a spare hoping to god my spare tyre would hold up. We made it, about half an hour to kick off. Extreme disappointment at the game, felt like my insides were torn out and replaced with sawdust, stuck in traffic around Shepherds Bush with jubilant QPR fans all around us. Drove about 50mph on the way back before stopping off for some refreshments somewhere on the M42. Couldn't restart the car as the battery had now had it so after a push start we continued our journey back. I finally got into bed at about 4.30am and had to be up for work at 7am. Most definitely my worst away trip ever. Russia v's England Moscow 2007 Got robbed, missed the game, couldn't find the hotel and had to spend all the night on the streets trying to avoid being beaten up from mobs of Russians. Not what I'd call a bad trip but I went to Poland watching England in 1997. Stayed in Berlin with 20 Oldham lads for a couple of nights before then we got what we thought was the Express train from "Berlin Station" to Katowice. Except there's about 5 main stations in Berlin and we all got cabs to the wrong one. Only thing we could do was catch local trains for the whole 800-odd mile journey there, getting off and on another train about 7 times. Each train got older and older and we got more and more pissed along the way. Finally got there 14 hours later completely :censored:faced in cold, wet Katowice to spend the next 3 days avoiding/battling Polish neo Nazi football thugs who all looked about 6'4" tall and getting whacked of Robocop-like riot police with huge sticks. An insane experience which I'll always remember. Edited November 22, 2010 by Frankly Mr Shankly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futchers briefs Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Littlewoods cup QF at Southampton - BARLOWS!! Had a decent journey down to be fair, a couple of butties and beers(hidden in my bag!) on the coach on the way down, sat at the back with our travel monopoly and lucky to get in when we got there - the rest of the game is history as they say. But on the way back, my mate sat in the corner at the back of the coach, spewed up all over the floor about 10 minutes into the journey - 5 hours later and the floor still rolling in ham buttie and skol spew, we had a puncture!! Another hour sat there waiting for it repaired, another hour later - Another puncture FFS!! Travel monopoly covered in spew, freezing cold on the back of a damp, Barlows coach, 2 punctures, an 8 hour journey home. Was it worth it? Too Bloody right!!! QPR play off away - more mates spew - an offending Ginsters this time, so he claimed! - A dodgy walk to the ground from Shepherds Bush, after a few pre-game ales, an even dodgier one walking back to the coach after!!! - Was that worth it this time - Too Bloody right!!! There's a few more in there, but all great days out! Hopefully there's a few more in the tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Sinnott Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Littlewoods cup QF at Southampton - BARLOWS!! Had a decent journey down to be fair, a couple of butties and beers(hidden in my bag!) on the coach on the way down, sat at the back with our travel monopoly and lucky to get in when we got there - the rest of the game is history as they say. But on the way back, my mate sat in the corner at the back of the coach, spewed up all over the floor about 10 minutes into the journey - 5 hours later and the floor still rolling in ham buttie and skol spew, we had a puncture!! Another hour sat there waiting for it repaired, another hour later - Another puncture FFS!! Travel monopoly covered in spew, freezing cold on the back of a damp, Barlows coach, 2 punctures, an 8 hour journey home. Was it worth it? Too Bloody right!!! QPR play off away - more mates spew - an offending Ginsters this time, so he claimed! - A dodgy walk to the ground from Shepherds Bush, after a few pre-game ales, an even dodgier one walking back to the coach after!!! - Was that worth it this time - Too Bloody right!!! There's a few more in there, but all great days out! Hopefully there's a few more in the tank I thought you were gonna say Old Bolts away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futchers briefs Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 I thought you were gonna say Old Bolts away. There are definately some dodgy ones out of that lot as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisA Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 (edited) Two Barlows breakdowns. One to Lincoln about 1998. They sent a coach of fans back and me and a couple of mates got on that. The rest of my mates waited for another Barlows. It turned up late for them. New coach too claimed the driver. We were only 5 minutes from BP! They missed the first 2 goals we scored and then their replacement chugged all the way home. New Barlows my arse! Also Notts County when one broke down, they just stuffed another coach with fans for the last ten miles or so all stood in the aisle. No doubt broke all sorts of rules. The final trips I made with them was the quite mental 6 hours to West Ham when we just made kick off for the Carling Cup win. Going home we'd be going about an hour or so and then oh dear. The sigh of disappointment when Canary Wharf was seen at 11pm.... 3 days later I'd booked myself to go to Plymouth. Just the 14 hours. I wish I'd never bothered and we got a point! Edited November 22, 2010 by ChrisA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy_Fent Posted November 22, 2010 Author Share Posted November 22, 2010 I was always told to avoid Barlows coaches like the plague Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejh45 Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 During our 90-91 promotion season, went to Vale Park when we were unbeaten going into the game. Sat in the stand in the first available seats......about row 9 (the first 8 rows were taped off). The gits scored and the home animals tried to climb into our stand....a scene a bit like going over the top of a WW1 trench until this police sergeant ran to the front and beat 7 shades of crap out of the Vale fans. Scary at first but funny when the Vale fans started cursing the copper for not letting them having a go at us and receiving another smack!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
another fan Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Seem to recollect that the train back from Wembley (Second time) broke down resulting in a long delay back home What could have been a great day turned out to be :censored:e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loftyboy Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 During our 90-91 promotion season, went to Vale Park when we were unbeaten going into the game. Sat in the stand in the first available seats......about row 9 (the first 8 rows were taped off). The gits scored and the home animals tried to climb into our stand....a scene a bit like going over the top of a WW1 trench until this police sergeant ran to the front and beat 7 shades of crap out of the Vale fans. Scary at first but funny when the Vale fans started cursing the copper for not letting them having a go at us and receiving another smack!!! Bit off topic but the big time FCUM away following have just had a nightmare watching their team get beat for the second time this season at Ashton United........ I absolutely loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudemedic Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Seem to recollect that the train back from Wembley (Second time) broke down resulting in a long delay back home What could have been a great day turned out to be :censored:e Oh that reminds me, coming back from the first Wembley game i seem to recall there being roadworks on the M1 around Luton, really great considering the two teams were going back that way. The coach I was on seemed to go round the diversion (itself a good 45 minutes long) about 3 times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penrhyn Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Not my trip, my dads. Went to Aston Villa way back when. He travelled in a Triumph Herald with his mates. On way down got stuck in traffic, played football on Motorway. Sole came off shoe as kicked ground...taped up.... Got to ground late open end mixed in with Villa fans. Villa score Brian Little..... bloke in front celebrates throwing bovril over dad behind him. First half he thinks it finished 5-0 Little 4 + penalty miss. Game finished 6-0. Little 5. Trip back fastening on car bonnet breaks and its lifting obscuring view. Then radiator overheats and has to keep going into gents on services with a small flask. Glad to get home...... There is plenty more were that came from,he aint tellin though Hope all is well Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaticsLee Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 colchester away first time we visited there new stadium... enough said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 rotherham away a few years back under ronnie, it was a midweek game and i think its the one where chris swailes scored an og and apparantly ronnie moore found it funny, anyway me and a mate decided to go about 5.30pm and went on the train, we had just enough for the train and the ticket and a few cans each, missed the 1st 15 minutes of the game because of setting off quite late, the game itself i think we lost 3 nil, we were awful. on the way home we missed the train from rotherham to sheffield that would have got us to sheffield in time for the train back to manchester, so we got the next one to get to sheffield and find out the last train from sheff to manc was a crawler one at about half 11 and it took 90 minutes, so we got back to manchester about 1am with 50p between us, lovely 9 mile walk home. not the best of days. a few years back away at brighton think we drew 0 - 0, barlows coach broke down at the services and we didnt get home until around 5am, got in trouble off security for helping ourselves to the coca cola in the closed cafe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafcprozac Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 rotherham away a few years back under ronnie, it was a midweek game and i think its the one where chris swailes scored an og and apparantly ronnie moore found it funny, anyway me and a mate decided to go about 5.30pm and went on the train, we had just enough for the train and the ticket and a few cans each, missed the 1st 15 minutes of the game because of setting off quite late, the game itself i think we lost 3 nil, we were awful. on the way home we missed the train from rotherham to sheffield that would have got us to sheffield in time for the train back to manchester, so we got the next one to get to sheffield and find out the last train from sheff to manc was a crawler one at about half 11 and it took 90 minutes, so we got back to manchester about 1am with 50p between us, lovely 9 mile walk home. not the best of days. a few years back away at brighton think we drew 0 - 0, barlows coach broke down at the services and we didnt get home until around 5am, got in trouble off security for helping ourselves to the coca cola in the closed cafe. Used to be a football fan's right in the 80s - especially the big clubs' fans used to strip services bare and pay for sod all, same with not paying on trains. We're a much more civilised lot these days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 colchester away first time we visited there new stadium... enough said. at least you saw all the goals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaticsLee Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 at least you saw all the goals. i missed our 2nd ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemathieson Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 As mentioned, Rochdale, flying over to the Isle of Man on my birthday, with my girlfriend for her first ever footy match! Hope the next one isn't cancelled!! Also although obviously great day, only got to the City 1-0 Vernon match just before half time. Was supposed to be getting the fast boat over to Liverpool, but got moved to the heavier boat to Heysham due to the high winds. Seen on the telly on the boat reporter at BP saying match is in danger of being called off due to advertising boards being blown off or something IIRC. Got to Heysham about 30 mins before kick off, had to pay for a taxi straight to ground. Heard about the goal via text and on the radio! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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