Experiences of Hooliganism (Pompey or Otherwise)

[Weybridge]

Funniest one I remember was away at Cardiff pre-season, in the very early 90s. Four of us in the car. We find somewhere close-ish to Ninian Park and park up. About 20 seconds out of the car we're stopped by the police who warn us there is likely to be trouble today. They tell us to remove our scarves, cover up our shirts, and just stash anything Pompey-related in the boot. They even advise us to flip the tax disc over to hide where it was issued. They advise going straight to the ground, and avoid all pubs. They're not kidding around.

We nod and take their advice, and heads down, make our way toward the stadium.

Suddenly, an enormous SOUTHERN SELF DRIVE Luton van screams past us. The brakes are slammed on, and a voice yells out 'TAFFY C***S!!!'. The rear doors open up, and Docker and his mates spill out, heading straight for us.

'We're Pompey you ****!' we stammer.

'Oh, thought you was a Taff', pointing to our mate Kev - and his ginger beard.

[pompeygunner]

Pre-season friendly at Bristol City? 90/91? (Guy Whittingham and Andy Cole swapped hat-tricks). Big fight up in the stands. I took my nephew to that one, and he was terrified. I was grateful we were in the terraces. Wasn't allowed to take him again...

That was the 1st game of the season Weybridge. 92/93 season.

[GreenBlue]

Funniest one I remember was away at Cardiff pre-season, in the very early 90s. Four of us in the car. We find somewhere close-ish to Ninian Park and park up. About 20 seconds out of the car we're stopped by the police who warn us there is likely to be trouble today. They tell us to remove our scarves, cover up our shirts, and just stash anything Pompey-related in the boot. They even advise us to flip the tax disc over to hide where it was issued. They advise going straight to the ground, and avoid all pubs. They're not kidding around.

We nod and take their advice, and heads down, make our way toward the stadium.

Suddenly, an enormous SOUTHERN SELF DRIVE Luton van screams past us. The brakes are slammed on, and a voice yells out 'TAFFY C***S!!!'. The rear doors open up, and Docker and his mates spill out, heading straight for us.

'We're Pompey you ****!' we stammer.

'Oh, thought you was a Taff', pointing to our mate Kev - and his ginger beard.

Brilliant.

[Rjk66]

Just sorting out some of my old stuff in the loft and came across this. Was the evening news headline the next day (Saturday) , saw it after the Pompey home game. I was one of the skinheads involved but we just went there for a quick drink. Needless to say after the events we didn’t get into many pubs, everyone had heard about it. It also gets a mention in the 657 book.

[New Forester]

I was at most games throughout the 50s and until I left the area in 1966. Throughout that time I simply do not recall witnessing any significant crowd trouble. And it has seemed quite peaceful to me since returning to watch more matches in the last 20 years or so. Mind you, my wife tells me I’m not very observant!

[BlueinPLtwenty]

In the 65/66 season, one of my Mates from School said there was a cheap rail excursion to Cardiff where Pompey were playing. These were the days of toilet roll streamers stolen from the train. We arrived in Cardiff, the Central Station is north west of the City centre and Ninian Park (as it was then) was west of the Station. So we marched en bloc slightly on a "dog Leg" through the minor shopping centre of Canton. The guys in front decided to march through Woolworths, which we thought was rather funny. We continued along the Cowbridge Road before turning left along Leckwith Road towards the Ground in Ninian Park Road. I am not sure if there was any damage to Woolworths or items stolen but I did not see anything like that.

I know Cardiff quite well now because several years later I worked in the City for about 4 years