Rovers Then and Now

[OnlyOneTugay]

Is anyone really missing going to the Rovers ? I’ve supported the famous blue and white halves for nigh on 55 years now , but going to home games pre- lockdown just felt like going through the motions . A labour of love , in a half to two thirds empty ground , devoid of atmosphere , watching a bunch of vastly overpaid players , trying to play the fashionable passing game , where after 5 or 6 passes the ball ends up back where it started . Bores me stiff

What I’d give for the buzz I used to get , catching the Accy Corporation bus to the Boulevard and hopping on one of those buses at the side of the railway station to Ewood . Then going into a packed and atmospheric ( and loud ! ) Darwen End , watching the likes of Rodgers , Hole , Fergie , Wilson and the young dazzling winger Metcalfe in the mid to late 60s

The match day experience was 10 times better then than it is now or am I just getting old ?

 

[Drog]

Both.

 

[Wilpshire Blue]

I definitely think it's a case of getting older but also allied to the success we had in the nineties.
In my youth we trundled along in the second and third divisions and we knew we would sometimes go to Ewood and see us lose.
I think nowadays, with the glut of TV football and the glamour of the Prem, we perhaps have unrealistic expectations, especially with the current squad.

 

[Alan]

I miss those days too, although my memories are a little older. I used to catch a bus from Brownhill to town to meet my mate Eric Stazicker about 12 noon. We would go for a curry at the Chinese on Penny Street opposite Reidy's, I forget the name, from there we went to the snooker hall across from the River Blakewater (now culverted) for a couple of games. Fred Pickering was often in there before the match. We then caught the special bus up to Ewood and met two more mates in the now closed pub near the ground on Bolton Road and at the last minute went to the match. Those were great days. I can't believe that I can't remember the name of the pub. Must be old age.

 

[khmerblue]

Albion

 

[Alan]

Albion

Thanks.

 

[steve w]

I definitely think it's a case of getting older but also allied to the success we had in the nineties.
In my youth we trundled along in the second and third divisions and we knew we would sometimes go to Ewood and see us lose.
I think nowadays, with the glut of TV football and the glamour of the Prem, we perhaps have unrealistic expectations, especially with the current squad.

I think when we turned up in the 70's there were no expectations, so any success, no matter how small, was gratefully received,
We turn the TV on and watch the like of City, Liverpool or Barcelona and can only face the grim reality that they are on a different planet, you only have to look at the last 4 in this years FA cup to see the futility of our (and many, many others) plight
My favourite season in years was our promotion back to the Championship (Div 3 to Div 2 in old money) - says it all!!

 

[Drog]

Chinese? Silver Lantern I think Al.

 

[Alan]

Chinese? Silver Lantern I think Al.

That's right Gord. Thanks for that. They made a really tasty Chinese curry and it was cheaper at lunchtime. (Special 3 course menu.)
I still like Chinese curry better than Indian but have never found one as tasty as theirs since.

 

[Smells Like Kean Spirit]

going to home games pre- lockdown just felt like going through the motions

Felt similar during the Roy Hodgson era but saw the sunny uplands when Souness came in.

 

[khmerblue]

I've missed going rovers since zBFS arrived,next season WAGGYJUNIOR and WAGGYJUNIOR 2 are getting season tickets ,could it be my return.

 

[Drog]

I've missed going rovers since zBFS arrived,

Take that now wouldn't you? Don't say I did tell you so.

 

[khmerblue]

Nope