Just watching some old football on ITV4 from 1978 they have a slot on at the end of Boltons game against Fulham, the players are parading around the pitch the Lever ends going Barmy, the players climbing up in the Manny road stands, fans on the pitch singing, scarfs out everything going on.

Seamus Mcdonaugh in his Blue jersey, Mikey Walsh, Sam in his No6 jersey, subs in yellow trackie tops with Cambrian soft drinks logo'd on the back, then a lonesome figure in the Burnden dressing room Ian Greaves apparently drained of emotion leaning on a table staring at the floor, chewing gum with a polystarene cup in his hand, a logo on the door behind reads "If you miss the ball you could always kick the referee"

 

Happy times whys it not like this anymore?

I was at that match as a teenager, Happy Days.

Just watching some old football on ITV4 from 1978 they have a slot on at the end of Boltons game against Fulham, the players are parading around the pitch the Lever ends going Barmy, the players climbing up in the Manny road stands, fans on the pitch singing, scarfs out everything going on.

Seamus Mcdonaugh in his Blue jersey, Mikey Walsh, Sam in his No6 jersey, subs in yellow trackie tops with Cambrian soft drinks logo'd on the back, then a lonesome figure in the Burnden dressing room Ian Greaves apparently drained of emotion leaning on a table staring at the floor, chewing gum with a polystarene cup in his hand, a logo on the door behind reads "If you miss the ball you could always kick the referee"

 

Happy times whys it not like this anymore?

Without looking it up, I think you mean May 1978, winning the 2nd Division.

 

I think that we played Everton in the snow on 01.01.79 (not ratified, could have been the year after!)

Edited January 1, 200917 yr by boltondiver

Without looking it up, I think you mean May 1978, winning the 2nd ivision.

 

I think that we played Everton in the snow on 01.01.79 (not ratified, could have been the year after!)

I thought it was weird for them to be celebrating like that at that time of the season

I stand corrected just rewound it on sky + & it was an overveiw of that season, the game from December 31st was Scum 3 - WBA 5

Cyril Regis notchin

I was at that game. There was a banner in the Burnden Terrace which said Big Sam Eats Craven Cottage Pie.

Wasn't it the last game of the season the match after we went to Blackburn and won Division 2 ?

Wasn't it the last game of the season the match after we went to Blackburn and won Division 2 ?

 

 

Yes it was.

 

It was a 0-0 game played on the 29th April, 1978 - in front of a crowd of 34,110

 

 

We played no game on the 31st December, 1978.

Wasn't it the last game of the season the match after we went to Blackburn and won Division 2 ?

Certainly was. After the game everyone piled down the town and onto the Town Hall steps. I remember seeing people from WH Smiths opposite on the roof of the shop taking piccies of the mass - would love to see one of them.

I also remember the one coach containing Fulham fans wending its way down Manny road after the game and Bolton fans ripping open the door and piling in - which seemed a bit over the top on a day like that, but then this was the late 70s

I seem to recall Ste. Whittleston on top of the home dug-out wearing Big Franks No:10 shirt after the last game of the season. Would it be that season?

Remember it well, it is a little sad that today we treat being in the premier league with disdain, back then the hysteria and excitement was very powerful, can still remember the joy I felt with the achievement, probably the 3 failures in previous years and 17 years out of the top flight heightened the emotions, happy happy days,

Oh the nostalgia, reading all this brings the lump to the throat. Great times never forgotten but never will be repeated.

 

Beer swiller

Oh the nostalgia, reading all this brings the lump to the throat. Great times never forgotten but never will be repeated.

 

Beer swiller

indeed

and if you want nostalgia, try the inside of the back page of that programme:

Oh the nostalgia, reading all this brings the lump to the throat. Great times never forgotten but never will be repeated.

 

Beer swiller

 

 

We've been promoted from the fourth division, the third division and to the Premier league (three times) since then.

 

We've played in Europe for the first time in our history.

 

We've had play for Bolton a number of World Cup and European Cup Winners.

 

We've watched great players such as Anelka, Djorkaeff, Hierro and Okocha pull on the Bolton shirt.

 

And we have played the last eight years in probably the world's greatest football league.

 

Where have you been since 1978???

I remember waiting for the Tottenham v Southampton result to come through at the end to see if we where champions

 

I think they drew

 

Had my first drink of Champagne that day in the Manny Rd end, I was still at Primary school as well

 

We've been promoted from the fourth division, the third division and to the Premier league (three times) since then.

 

We've played in Europe for the first time in our history.

 

We've had play for Bolton a number of World Cup and European Cup Winners.

 

We've watched great players such as Anelka, Djorkaeff, Hierro and Okocha pull on the Bolton shirt.

 

And we have played the last eight years in probably the world's greatest football league.

 

Where have you been since 1978???

I think the point is that the times and the background to the events, and the atmosphere surrounding them will never be repeated. They can't be, the world has changed since then; Bolton have moved on, literally. Many things that happened since then are indelible memories: the excitment of travelling to the first UEFA away in Bourgas; subsequently going watching them in places like Belgrade, Istanbul, Skopje and the rest; having the pitch graced by Okocha and Youri; the many visits to Wembley and Cardiff. But if they are all on the top table of memories then so are the times in the late 70s when 35k crammed into Burnden. Of course that didn't happen every week - far from it. But when it did it had a compelling ferocity that nothing in modern football can touch. So yeh, great times and will never be repeated. Not necessarily better than what happened subsequently, but different and whatever happens in the years to come we'll not see their like again.

I think the point is that the times and the background to the events, and the atmosphere surrounding them will never be repeated. They can't be, the world has changed since then; Bolton have moved on, literally. Many things that happened since then are indelible memories: the excitment of travelling to the first UEFA away in Bourgas; subsequently going watching them in places like Belgrade, Istanbul, Skopje and the rest; having the pitch graced by Okocha and Youri; the many visits to Wembley and Cardiff. But if they are all on the top table of memories then so are the times in the late 70s when 35k crammed into Burnden. Of course that didn't happen every week - far from it. But when it did it had a compelling ferocity that nothing in modern football can touch. So yeh, great times and will never be repeated. Not necessarily better than what happened subsequently, but different and whatever happens in the years to come we'll not see their like again.

 

What I was alluding to earlier was let?s remember the past certainly - but do not live in it.

 

I was there that day back in 1978 - I'd been to Blackburn too and most other of the games back then - so I was very much caught up in the moment too.

 

But that was thirty years ago and a lot of things have happened since - some good, some bad.

 

I'm not one for saying this, that or t'other was my best memory of being a Bolton fan - neither like many off here - did I stop supporting the club when things got pretty bad for us either - plenty did though - remember gates of sub 5,000?

 

I'm a great one myself for remembering past events - that?s why I do the Sluffys Date's thing.

 

Anyone whose been along for the ride for the last twenty / thirty / forty / fifty years should be absolutely delighted to where we find ourselves now and what we've achieved on the way.

 

We are playing in the 2008/09 season - in the richest league in the world - for the eighth consecutive season - yet some folk still like nothing better than to slag the club, its manager and most (if not all) of its players off!

 

So lets enjoy the moment now - and if the likes of Beer Swiller want's to think that nothing much as happened in the last thirty years and that the club, its management and players have all gone down hill since then and could never be as good ever again - then I would be fascinated to hear how they would have done things any better - without sending the club into financial oblivion?

I was at that Fulham game aged 8 with my old man. I see the ref was Mr Styles.

Edited January 1, 200917 yr by jolly-olly

I think the point is that the times and the background to the events, and the atmosphere surrounding them will never be repeated. They can't be, the world has changed since then; Bolton have moved on, literally. Many things that happened since then are indelible memories: the excitment of travelling to the first UEFA away in Bourgas; subsequently going watching them in places like Belgrade, Istanbul, Skopje and the rest; having the pitch graced by Okocha and Youri; the many visits to Wembley and Cardiff. But if they are all on the top table of memories then so are the times in the late 70s when 35k crammed into Burnden. Of course that didn't happen every week - far from it. But when it did it had a compelling ferocity that nothing in modern football can touch. So yeh, great times and will never be repeated. Not necessarily better than what happened subsequently, but different and whatever happens in the years to come we'll not see their like again.

That is it.

 

But is it an age thing, youngsters?

 

Didn't we have some of that from being in Europe?

 

Is it about standing rather than sitting?

 

Is it only reserved for the clubs in Champs League?

Edited January 1, 200917 yr by boltondiver

I'm a great one myself for remembering past events - that?s why I do the Sluffys Date's thing.

I am not. I get mixed up with dates and crowds and statto stuff.

 

But what I do remember is what satangreavsie has described, the excitement leading up to the matches and the passion on the terraces. It was a big part of our lives. A lot of it was because of our age, and everything that went with being a teenager such as the music at the time etc.

Todays yoof will get a Buzz now like we did then. In 30 years time they will be grumpy old men like us saying "It's not like it used to be in ar day"

That is it.

 

But is it age thing, youngsters?

 

Didn't we have some of that from being in Europe?

you beat me to it bd. fastest finger first

What I was alluding to earlier was let?s remember the past certainly - but do not live in it.

 

I was there that day back in 1978 - I'd been to Blackburn too and most other of the games back then - so I was very much caught up in the moment too.

 

But that was thirty years ago and a lot of things have happened since - some good, some bad.

 

I'm not one for saying this, that or t'other was my best memory of being a Bolton fan - neither like many off here - did I stop supporting the club when things got pretty bad for us either - plenty did though - remember gates of sub 5,000?

 

I'm a great one myself for remembering past events - that?s why I do the Sluffys Date's thing.

 

Anyone whose been along for the ride for the last twenty / thirty / forty / fifty years should be absolutely delighted to where we find ourselves now and what we've achieved on the way.

 

We are playing in the 2008/09 season - in the richest league in the world - for the eighth consecutive season - yet some folk still like nothing better than to slag the club, its manager and most (if not all) of its players off!

 

So lets enjoy the moment now - and if the likes of Beer Swiller want's to think that nothing much as happened in the last thirty years and that the club, its management and players have all gone down hill since then and could never be as good ever again - then I would be fascinated to hear how they would have done things any better - without sending the club into financial oblivion?

 

I will drink to that, what a wonderful, colourful life I have had watching Bolton,I think the experience and the ride I have had have would have been unparalled if you rolled barcelona/madrid and Man U into one, would not have missed it for the world, tears, laughter smiles and joy, been fooking brilliant, long may I continue to savour the delights of being a White.

Edited January 1, 200917 yr by Mounts Kipper

I will drink to that, what a wonderful, colourful life I have had watching Bolton,I think the experience and the ride I have had have would have been unparalled if you rolled barcelona/madrid and Man U into one, would not have missed it for the world, tears, laughter smiles and joy, been fooking brilliant, long may I continue to savour the delights of being a White.

and many good friends made along the way.

I will drink to that, what a wonderful, colourful life I have had watching Bolton,I think the experience and the ride I have had have would have been unparalled if you rolled barcelona/madrid and Man U into one, would not have missed it for the world, tears, laughter smiles and joy, been fooking brilliant, long may I continue to savour the delights of being a White.

amen to that Mounts

The issue is not with what's happened since the late 70s - that's been, as you say, an amazing journey crossing all 4 divisions and many different countries. In the course of that I've seen them in front of 1,978 fans (Wimbledon LC 2nd leg 1992) right through to 75,595 (Liverpool LC final) - two league Cup games, but what a difference!

I guess the point is that there was summat about back then that is unique and will never be replaced. it's all very well saying that we're in the richest league in the world etc etc, but times have changed and the impact of being amongst those teams has diminished, partly because of the nature of the teams.

Back in 1979 we played Liverpool at Burnden. Here's the programme:

Now I remember going to that game (35,200 there that night) - I got the bus from Howfen, and getting off in town you could sense the atmosphere. It was like on Bommy night when you can smell the cordite hanging in the air; same thing, you could "smell" the tension, anticipation, and violence (it had been kicking off all over the shop) hanging in the air. It really was that palpable; you knew you were about to go into an event utterly transposed from the everyday, totally transmundane.

Now? Well look again at that programme. The Liverpool players were household names, yet because MOTD only showed 2 matches and Kick Off on sunday just one (I think??) their exposure was limited. The only time you would see them live on tv was a Cup Final (FA , or in their case European).

Compare that line up to the one that faced us on Boxing Day:

Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Gerrard (Leiva Lucas 73), Alonso, Riera (El Zhar 69), Keane, Kuyt (Ngog 76).

How many of them are household names?

All in all, therefore, I'm not sure it's true to say it's just an age thing. Of course today's yoof will end end up grumpy owd ćunts like me, but what they say they miss will be different. It's not about better or worse it's about difference. And the simple fact is that in today's homogenised, sanitised, regimented game dominated by money and overpayed primadonnas, the really great memories will start to become fewer and further between.

To end, 3 irreplacable memories that I'll take to my grave:

Big games at Burnden.

Okocha.

The flight out to our first UEFA game.

To explain: we'll never have the crowds or the atmosphere of a big (and yes, there were many, many, many small) game at the old ground; Okocha was a privilege and the only time we've had someone who I would genuinely apply the phrase "genius" to; the anticipation and wonderment of the trip of to the Plovdiv game was, by definition, unrepeatable.

Amongst those household Liverpool names am I right in saying that two of them have passed away? Jimmy Case & one of the Kennedys ??