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Author Topic: best Holte End memories - standing  (Read 13411 times)

Offline Damo70

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #45 on: July 22, 2018, 12:06:34 PM »
Sunderland in 1974/75, absolutely jam packed and great atmosphere

I've said on here before now, this was one of the most amazing days ever at VP.  I was amongst the first 100 or so inside the ground (I knew it would be a sell out, so I was queuing up outside the old Trinity Road Enclosure before 1.00pm).   I used to sit about 12 rows from the front just to the Holte End half of the half way line.

The memories of looking at a rammed Holte End and then looking at the old clock on the Witton Lane Stand saying barely 2.00pm and thinking "WOW" are ones that I've never forgotten and hopefully never will.  Words can't explain how it looked.



I can tell you a story that is the polar opposite of your story. I had a 'year off' from the Holte in the mid eighties and sat next to my mate and his dad in the Trinity. We were there for the Southampton game (attendance 8,456). I couldn't believe how empty the Holte was in the hour leading up tothe game and was waiting for it to fill up. It didn't and it was quite eerie and surreal.

Offline wittonwarrior

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #46 on: July 22, 2018, 11:52:07 PM »
For me the best atmosphere ever was the 4th Round FA Cup tie against West Spam. At the time it was not only Brian Little who walked on  water but everything connected to the Villa.  It was just before the QPR semi first leg and the place was buzzing.  The Holte that afternoon was amazing.

Offline The Laughing Policeman

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #47 on: July 25, 2018, 11:19:56 AM »
My old man taking nine year old me down the Villa for the first time as my birthday present on 19 March 1955.
I'd been down to Villa Park on my own on non match days and used to stare in wonder at the outside of the ground and wishing I was big enough to go to a match.
Going through the turnstiles and seeing inside the Holte End for the first time I was filled with awe, I imagine it was the same feeling that westerners had when they first set eyes on the pyramids.
The noise, the size of the crowd was an assault on my senses I just couldn't take it all in.
And to top it all off we were playing the Baggies who we proceeded to thrash 3-0. :D
I have lots of other memories of the Holte good and bad but that first time will never be beaten.

Offline dave shelley

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #48 on: July 25, 2018, 11:43:28 AM »
The thing is for people of my generation is the fact that there wasn't the saturation coverage that there is today, progress and all that.  You would have to wait a fortnight between matches to go down the Villa if you couldn't afford to travel away which; as a young kid we couldn't.

Not living in Brum for over thirty years; when I do get home and get to go to a match, I still get that same excitement that I did as that seven/eight/nine-year-old little boy.  Before all my relatives passed away and my son and family moved to Shropshire, if I was at home on holiday; I would always try and make a point of going to Villa Park to take in the atmosphere and be transported back across all those years.

Offline Damo70

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #49 on: July 25, 2018, 04:56:35 PM »
I think we lost 0-3 to Liverpool on my first time on The Holte in the early eighties. I had been to three games before that. At home to Manure (0-3) and Spurs (1-0 Dennis Mortimer) in 1979 when I was in the Trinity and away to Small Heath in the title winning season.

Offline clash city rocker

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #50 on: July 25, 2018, 05:30:58 PM »
Well for me the best was the 5-1 vs Liverpool. At lot of Scousers bailed at half time that night.

Offline Damo70

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #51 on: July 25, 2018, 10:51:08 PM »
Well for me the best was the 5-1 vs Liverpool. At lot of Scousers bailed at half time that night.


If you are going to use the words 'Scousers' and 'bailed' in the same sentence then you really need to clarify in what context.  ;)

Offline PeterWithesShin

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #52 on: July 26, 2018, 12:57:05 AM »
The thing is for people of my generation is the fact that there wasn't the saturation coverage that there is today, progress and all that.  You would have to wait a fortnight between matches to go down the Villa if you couldn't afford to travel away which; as a young kid we couldn't.


It was always exciting when you got to the ground and saw the TV cameras were there.

Offline Damo70

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #53 on: July 26, 2018, 10:13:41 AM »
The thing is for people of my generation is the fact that there wasn't the saturation coverage that there is today, progress and all that.  You would have to wait a fortnight between matches to go down the Villa if you couldn't afford to travel away which; as a young kid we couldn't.


It was always exciting when you got to the ground and saw the TV cameras were there.


Absolutely. One of the great long lost football chants is "Can you hear us on the box".

Offline clash city rocker

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #54 on: July 26, 2018, 05:22:05 PM »
Well for me the best was the 5-1 vs Liverpool. At lot of Scousers bailed at half time that night.


If you are going to use the words 'Scousers' and 'bailed' in the same sentence then you really need to clarify in what context.  ;)

Ok....they legged it

Offline Des Little

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #55 on: August 27, 2018, 12:01:25 AM »
One of my fondest memories on the Holte was during the second division campaign 87/88, playing Hull at home and we ripped them a new one - was it 5-0? I can remember feeling that we really were on our way back that day. It also reminds me of the song ‘Heaven is a place on earth’ too for some reason!
« Last Edit: August 27, 2018, 12:05:44 AM by Des Little »

Offline Damo70

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #56 on: August 27, 2018, 09:57:28 AM »
One of my fondest memories on the Holte was during the second division campaign 87/88, playing Hull at home and we ripped them a new one - was it 5-0? I can remember feeling that we really were on our way back that day. It also reminds me of the song ‘Heaven is a place on earth’ too for some reason!

87/88 was when I had just left school and my first season going to away games regularly.  I was in Australia on a trip with my family over Christmas and New Year. The last game I went to before I left was the away win at Bradford (which I think sent us top for the first time). My first game game back was the away trip to Leeds in the FA Cup and for some reason I distinctly associate that day with hearing 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth' being played on the coach and being chuffed at being back on the road watching Villa.

Offline Kimaster1976

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #57 on: August 27, 2018, 04:54:54 PM »
Being in the Holte Boxing day late 80's beating Man Utd 3-0, absolute pandomonium in there ill never forget it!

Offline Damo70

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #58 on: August 27, 2018, 05:05:44 PM »
Being in the Holte Boxing day late 80's beating Man Utd 3-0, absolute pandomonium in there ill never forget it!

I seem to recall "Thank you very much for Paul McGrath" being sung long and loud.

Offline usav

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Re: best Holte End memories - standing
« Reply #59 on: August 27, 2018, 08:48:33 PM »
Being in the Holte Boxing day late 80's beating Man Utd 3-0, absolute pandomonium in there ill never forget it!

And then beating Arsenal two days later.  Two full houses back to back, playing some great football.

 


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