Last League Cup match v Preston

[xerxes]

18th August 1971. I don't think we've played them since, unless there have been Lancashire Cup matches or friendlies.

Preston71.jpg (659.47 KiB) Viewed 32983 times

[Hadrian]

We did win against a decent Preston team two years ago - and 2-1 in 1993 which I didn't remember - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4uwNyR4rnQ (Preston goal)

[FanzoneFan]

Thanks for posting. Fascinating stuff. I’d love to know what the valuable prize was.

[Pedro]

18th August 1971. I don't think we've played them since, unless there have been Lancashire Cup matches or friendlies.

Preston71.jpg

Eric Harrison went on to coach Beckham and Co.
John Rowlands another lousy centre forward.

[pjdaly]

My recollection of this match from very early in our final season in the FL, 1971-72, is that we were beaten fairly comfortably and I was disappointed that we didn't put up a great fight (some things don't change, after our lacklustre second half against MK Dons on Saturday).

I remember bumping into our manager, Don McEvoy, in the locker room at Barrow Golf Club the next morning, and he said he thought it had been – in his words – "a ding-dong battle". He gave the impression of being more satisifed with our performance than I had been but, hey, he was the manager and I guess he had to talk the talk.

Preston had some legendary figures playing, notably Kelly and Spavin. These two went on to create a chain of sports shops in Lancashire after they retired. I also see they had Hugh McIlmoyle in their ranks. Apparently he is still around but is now 85 and has dementia. A statue of McIlmoyle does of course stand outside Carlisle's ground where he was clearly a revered figure.

[Sea Dog Sam]

I attended that game, aged 11. I remember it being a bit of a dreary encounter.

The highlight for me and my mates - we were stood on the Holker End terrace - was watching it being slowly populated by hundreds of Preston fans who then stood singing and chanting - believing that they'd 'Taken' the Holker End.

About 10 mins before kick-off, we then watched as hundreds of the infamous Barrow Boot Boys marched through the Popular side - all with one sole intent.

Shortly after, all hell broke loose! No quarter given. Being far too young to be involved we watched as fierce running battles took place up and down that terrace. It made today's European 'Ultra' shenanigans look like Girl Scouts Tea Parties.

The Preston mob were eventually chased into the Paddock of the Main Stand and our Home territory was reclaimed

Apparently, a human eyeball was found on the Holker End terrace, during an after match inspection. I don't know if this is true or was just a rumour. However, we did see Umbrellas being used as weapons that evening. The fighting was brutal.

I hope this evening's encounter produces far more excitement on the pitch and is far less volatile on the terraces.

[Hadrian]

Umbrellas? At the soccer??

[xerxes]

I attended that game, aged 11. I remember it being a bit of a dreary encounter.

The highlight for me and my mates - we were stood on the Holker End terrace - was watching it being slowly populated by hundreds of Preston fans who then stood singing and chanting - believing that they'd 'Taken' the Holker End.

About 10 mins before kick-off, we then watched as hundreds of the infamous Barrow Boot Boys marched through the Popular side - all with one sole intent.

Shortly after, all hell broke loose! No quarter given. Being far too young to be involved we watched as fierce running battles took place up and down that terrace. It made today's European 'Ultra' shenanigans look like Girl Scouts Tea Parties.

The Preston mob were eventually chased into the Paddock of the Main Stand and our Home territory was reclaimed

Apparently, a human eyeball was found on the Holker End terrace, during an after match inspection. I don't know if this is true or was just a rumour. However, we did see Umbrellas being used as weapons that evening. The fighting was brutal.

I hope this evening's encounter produces far more excitement on the pitch and is far less volatile on the terraces.

Yes, I also remember it as a dreary game. I don't remember too much about the violence, but it was commented on in the programme for the Grimsby match a couple of weeks later -

IMG_0420.JPEG (1.03 MiB) Viewed 32205 times

[Sea Dog Sam]

Umbrellas? At the soccer??

It was 1971.

I believe the lads who brought them in them were called: 'Brolly Boys' - a section of the Barrow Boot Boys.
They were usually attired in Black Crombie Overcoats (red handkerchief nestling in the upper outside pocket), White Levi Sta Prest Trousers and Dr. Marten Boots.

[Tomo]

Umbrellas? At the soccer??

It was 1971.

I believe the lads who brought them in them were called: 'Brolly Boys' - a section of the Barrow Boot Boys.
They were usually attired in Black Crombie Overcoats (red handkerchief nestling in the upper outside pocket), White Levi Sta Prest Trousers and Dr. Marten Boots.

Correct, it was the early days of the brolly boys .

[blue nige]

Umbrellas? At the soccer??

It was 1971.

I believe the lads who brought them in them were called: 'Brolly Boys' - a section of the Barrow Boot Boys.
They were usually attired in Black Crombie Overcoats (red handkerchief nestling in the upper outside pocket), White Levi Sta Prest Trousers and Dr. Marten Boots.

Brogues!

[McMark]

It was 1971.

I believe the lads who brought them in them were called: 'Brolly Boys' - a section of the Barrow Boot Boys.
They were usually attired in Black Crombie Overcoats (red handkerchief nestling in the upper outside pocket), White Levi Sta Prest Trousers and Dr. Marten Boots.

Brogues!

Is this the model that Glasgow Rangers follow to this day

[Hadrian]

With a sash?

[Cromwell58]

Brogues!

Is this the model that Glasgow Rangers follow to this day

The brogues were steel-toe capped safety shoes which were issued at VSEL.

[Sea Dog Sam]

The Brogues that are being referred to were smart dress shoes with a pattern on the front. Usually worn on nights out to the local pubs and Nite Clubs. Certainly not steel toe capped boots! You wouldn't have got in...