Home Team / Ground WBA – The Hawthorns
Visitors Leeds United
Date 18 May 1982
Competition Football league Division 1
Report
Quite simply the worst experience I have ever had as a football fan. The scenario was that Leeds needed a point to stay up. That would have left them on 43 points and Stoke and WBA would have been on 41 and 42 points respectively. This was Leeds last game of the season. Stoke and WBA still had to play each other. This was not the time of synchronised finishes to the season. Teams staggered to the end of their fixtures when they could.
Leeds had been grim all season. A dour team under a dour manager in Alan Clarke. Basically they had blown the transfer budget on Peter Barnes who was an erratic winger. He then played him up front and no goals was the inevitable outcome. He was a player who knew he had made a terrible career move and not wait to be off. Some of the other regulars that season weren’t bad. I had a liking for Arthur Graham. Paul Hart was massive. Kenny Burns was frankly deranged. Eddie Gray remained a class act but had had too many injuries to be truly effective. Others were purely journeymen.
I can remember very little of the game. In hindsight I’m glad that I saw Cyrille Regis play and score. I just wish it had been another place and another time. The atmosphere was toxic throughout but when West Brom got a second it kicked off to an extent I have never known before or since. Those at the back of the stand were systematically kicking it to bits. Those at the front and sides were intent on dismantling the security fencing. Once they succeeded and the police entered the arena and the baton charges began the referee quite understandably decided that was enough. I believe I was with a guy called Malcolm Baxter last known practising as a dentist in Wickersley. Not sure how we got out of the ground not sure how we got through the police and back to the car. It was a very quiet journey back. What we had been caught up in was a riot pure and simple. Don’t let anyone tell you it was all a bit of a laugh. Don’t let anyone tell you football in those days was fun and that awaydays and firms were just a bit of banter. A lot of fans hated the police and the police saw all fans as the enemy. Something had to change and the shame of it is that it took Heysel Hillsborough and Valley parade for it to happen. And if you think I’m exaggerating have a look at this
Ground
We were in a wooden terrace dating back to 1906. Pillars and a security fence did not make for a great view. I cant remember much about toilets or catering but I doubt that there was a selection of real ales or a range of ciabatta rolls on offer.
Memorable Event
Getting out alive. I was sufficiently incensed by Allan Clarkes comments on look North the following day to write to the club demanding that he be sacked. He was but I don’t think I can claim all the credit.
Result 2 – 0
Scorers West Brom – Cyrille Regis (50) Steve McKenzie (86)
Attendance 23041
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