The Old (Proper) Kippax - 20 Years

[Ted Hughes]

Night matches under lights were a magical experience as a kid. I can remember going to a game in the late 70s, Uefa Cup vs FC Twente I think, and going through the corner tunnel in the Platt Lane End and the Kippax coming into view.

Packed to the rafters, bright lights, bright green pitch, loud atmosphere and the smells of the Burger Vans, people smoking, Bovril - the lot.

Got my first Kippax season ticket in 1984 having progressed from the Main Stand and the Platt Lane. A game I remember is the David White Liverpool one, first home game of the season and Curle's home debut so Aug 92 I think. We'd won on the Saturday at Coventry and so the Liverpool game atmosphere was electric. White's first goal separated me from half the group I was with and moved me a good 20 yards from where I started. Whitey got both, Mcmanaman scored for them and then Saunders missed a late pen as he always did against us. A 2-1 win and I swear it was one of the last times the old stand bounced.

Remember that dippers game. Amazing atmosphere. Seem to remember a balls up with season tickets and not getting in until right on kick off.

A good atmosphere lifts the players and I reckon a superb atmosphere is worth a few points over course of a season. Something for the owners to think about re the Etihad perhaps?

And the fans perhaps ?

[Chinners]

Stood with your mates, City score and after 5 seconds you are 30 yds away from where you were stood and dont recognise anyone around you.

This . . . . BIG TIME!

[Chinners]

Gary James‏@GaryJamesWriter
20 years ago today, the Kippax Last Stand was also 1st time I'd been on the Maine Road pitch (legally!)

[nottsblue]

Remember that dippers game. Amazing atmosphere. Seem to remember a balls up with season tickets and not getting in until right on kick off.

A good atmosphere lifts the players and I reckon a superb atmosphere is worth a few points over course of a season. Something for the owners to think about re the Etihad perhaps?

And the fans perhaps ?

Oh, the fans have a major part to play. Of that there is no doubt. The Kippax though helped with the fact that that singers congregated together and the low roof helped retain the noise. The nature of the design of the Etihad accoustically means a lot of noise is lost, unless everyone is singing. Also when we transferred from Maine Road people who used to sing and congregate in one stand were then displaced all over. People who try to start up an atmosphere are on their own or not in enough numbers to make it count. Compare to the Kop.

The point re the owners is maybe to try and reseat singers in specific areas. Won't be easy but is worth a go.

[beehive's dodgy pint]

The "Commit No Nuisance" sign painted on the wall at the back of the Kippax on your way out of the gates. I remember asking my brother what that meant as we left the ground to be confronted by 30 or so blokes kicking shite out of each other by the coaches.

[Hazy2]

Gary James‏@GaryJamesWriter
20 years ago today, the Kippax Last Stand was also 1st time I'd been on the Maine Road pitch (legally!)

I used to have that training top, Dave Ewing RIP gave it to me.

[Hazy2]

Remember that dippers game. Amazing atmosphere. Seem to remember a balls up with season tickets and not getting in until right on kick off.

A good atmosphere lifts the players and I reckon a superb atmosphere is worth a few points over course of a season. Something for the owners to think about re the Etihad perhaps?

And the fans perhaps ?

Oh, the fans have a major part to play. Of that there is no doubt. The Kippax though helped with the fact that that singers congregated together and the low roof helped retain the noise. The nature of the design of the Etihad accoustically means a lot of noise is lost, unless everyone is singing. Also when we transferred from Maine Road people who used to sing and congregate in one stand were then displaced all over. People who try to start up an atmosphere are on their own or not in enough numbers to make it count. Compare to the Kop.

The point re the owners is maybe to try and reseat singers in specific areas. Won't be easy but is worth a go.

The fans were better than the team back then !, I think we have a concrete bowl which should be mental, only the fans can sort it out.

[TheBlueCatsWhiskers]

walking down an Entry to get in or away from the ground, Nobody speaking after certain games for fear of a crack, night matches and tons of horse shit to dodge.

Haha doing the dog shit shuffle through the alley-ways...

[nottsblue]

Here's a thought. If Hillsborough had not happened, would we still have the Kippax or be at Maine Road even?

If the answer is yes, then would the Sheikh or Abromovich or the Glazers or any of the guys who have invested billions, done so?

[South Stand Balti]

Losing to Luton with four minutes left. I had a bright yellow and blue hooped top on for some reason and saw myself on MOTD. I went to that game with a mate I have only seen twice since and am meeting up with again this Friday. Losing at home to the Dippers who got 2 early pens. Tony Coton was having a go at Beatdsley for diving and Beards clearly saying ' I did nt even appeal'. Nothing changed there.
Dodging the horse shit was a feature of every home game then and trying to get served in the Anvil

[ruralblue]

That first visit. Couple weeks after being in the away end for the 10 - 1. Just the whole experience is a happy memory from going through the turnstiles up the steps and through the tunnel to see a sea of fans all singing blue moon. None of this staying on the concourse till the last minute.

Half time pie and boveril and going to them horrible bogs out back.

Being sat upon a barrier in front of Steve and Tony to stop the surge forward. Wasnt long after that before we literally went BANANAS! !!!!

[Hazy2]

That first visit. Couple weeks after being in the away end for the 10 - 1. Just the whole experience is a happy memory from going through the turnstiles up the steps and through the tunnel to see a sea of fans all singing blue moon. None of this staying on the concourse till the last minute.

Half time pie and boveril and going to them horrible bogs out back.

Being sat upon a barrier in front of Steve and Tony to stop the surge forward. Wasnt long after that before we literally went BANANAS! !!!!

My 1st game sad and and great at the same time The King suffered his knee injury, we beat the Scum 4-0, oh and my old man a Rag, fucked off at half time leaving me with my blue uncles, stood at the front in the corner next to the North Stand, fights breaking out all night. Walked back to Bonsall St Hulme to my old man telling me my uncle Malc to go forth and multiply, TBF he calmed down 16 yrs later. What a night.

[Hazy2]

That first visit. Couple weeks after being in the away end for the 10 - 1. Just the whole experience is a happy memory from going through the turnstiles up the steps and through the tunnel to see a sea of fans all singing blue moon. None of this staying on the concourse till the last minute.

Half time pie and boveril and going to them horrible bogs out back.

Being sat upon a barrier in front of Steve and Tony to stop the surge forward. Wasnt long after that before we literally went BANANAS! !!!!

My 1st game sad and and great at the same time The King suffered his knee injury, we beat the Scum 4-0, oh and my old man a Rag, fucked off at half time leaving me with my blue uncles, stood at the front in the corner next to the North Stand, fights breaking out all night. Walked back to Bonsall St Hulme to my old man telling me my uncle Malc to go forth and multiply, TBF he calmed down 16 yrs later. What a night.

[Hazy2]

That first visit. Couple weeks after being in the away end for the 10 - 1. Just the whole experience is a happy memory from going through the turnstiles up the steps and through the tunnel to see a sea of fans all singing blue moon. None of this staying on the concourse till the last minute.

Half time pie and boveril and going to them horrible bogs out back.

Being sat upon a barrier in front of Steve and Tony to stop the surge forward. Wasnt long after that before we literally went BANANAS! !!!!

My 1st game sad and and great at the same time The King suffered his knee injury, we beat the Scum 4-0, oh and my old man a Rag, fucked off at half time leaving me with my blue uncles, stood at the front in the corner next to the North Stand, fights breaking out all night. Walked back to Bonsall St Hulme to my old man telling me my uncle Malc to go forth and multiply, TBF he calmed down 16 yrs later. What a night.

[Hazy2]

That first visit. Couple weeks after being in the away end for the 10 - 1. Just the whole experience is a happy memory from going through the turnstiles up the steps and through the tunnel to see a sea of fans all singing blue moon. None of this staying on the concourse till the last minute.

Half time pie and boveril and going to them horrible bogs out back.

Being sat upon a barrier in front of Steve and Tony to stop the surge forward. Wasnt long after that before we literally went BANANAS! !!!!

My 1st game sad and and great at the same time The King suffered his knee injury, we beat the Scum 4-0, oh and my old man a Rag, fucked off at half time leaving me with my blue uncles, stood at the front in the corner next to the North Stand, fights breaking out all night. Walked back to Bonsall St Hulme to my old man telling me my uncle Malc to go forth and multiply, TBF he calmed down 16 yrs later. What a night.

[littlebig]

Never made it over to Maine Road for various reasons (financial mainly), a decision I very much regret.

Great to read these first hand accounts to tap into what it was like at the legendary ground. Keep 'em coming please.

[simon12]

Singing"dibble dibble give us a wave" to sgt dibble that used to stand on the box at the back.

[john@staustell]

Singing"dibble dibble give us a wave" to sgt dibble that used to stand on the box at the back.

We also had officer Dibble playing in goal sometimes as I recall.

[roblues]

First went as a 7 year old, remember how massive the stand seemed, and that I couldn't see anything for the majority of the game. I recall Stuart Pearce scoring an equalizer for Forest in the game as we were heading for the exit.

They let my dad lift me over the turnstile for a game against Wimbledon rather than have to break a twenty, I remember being stood at the gate opening with ten minutes to go against Leeds on the opening day of the season when Brian Deane scored twice (only one counted) and from my perspective it looked like Beagrie hit a thunderous volley against the bar from the half way line against either Newcastle or Norwich (he was outstanding in both games which were back to back). That's pretty much all I remember except for one immortal line "Andy Hill, you lazy twat!" (Dad, what's a twat?)

[Benjay]

We also had officer Dibble playing in goal sometimes as I recall.

Too often from what I remember. I remember seeing a never ending sea of people whilst Rick Holden sauntered down the byeline whipping in a cross with minimal effort. It was a massive and beautiful stand replaced by a monstrosity that cost far too much.