Quote: fartown since 1961 "Well I went back and looked at the wood where our barrier used to be !!!
In my mind I could still see the stands and supporters club, smell the liniment at the back of the main stand.
The programme seller selling the old yellow style programme,
The old tea bar, windows at the back of the main stand the host of claret and gold scarves and hats very few replica shirts in those days and the dulcet tones of several fans with rattles.
Two blows from the microphone followed by Trevor Kay welcoming us to Fartown, the floodlights never with every lamp burning and my old chums several of them stood at our barrier awaiting a healthy debate about the days prospects.
More often than not it was cold especially at Xmas and New Years derbies with the men in blue and white from Halifax my friend Ilmar's Dad an early Latvian in Huddersfield with his 100% Vodka to warm us up.
Then at 2.55pm the Huddersfield team resplendent in the original claret and gold hoops and white shorts would almost apologetically emerge from the tunnel at the end of the stand to applause and the smell of more liniment.
Rain, snow, hail and shine we were there it was a different game in my early days, competitive scrums, no limit on tackles, later to change to four then the current six !!!
The place was starting to age even in those days but we witnessed semi finals of the Challenge Cup, Championship Finals and the touring Australians and New Zealanders and bright days and dark days but the loyal few hundred when the gates dwindled were always there even in the dark times of John Bailey.
Memories of 'Seth' (Ken Senior) popping up to score in the most unlikeliest of places for a former Great Britain wing, Don Close winning every scrum against Swinton and taking us to the Semi Final at Central Park in 1972, Malcolm Branch's hat trick against the finest of Salford teams a 0-0 draw and a 2-0 win against Trinity when the sprinter Berwyn Jones ran 90 yards but put a foot in touch to our great relief.
I could go on and on !!!!!!
However as I walked away I could still imagine it all behind me, the colour the spectacle, the winter game long since gone and the commentary of Eddie Waring a lovely Rugby man when we were on telly on a Saturday afternoon !!!
So thank you Stevo for re acquainting me with a time, a place and friends many of whom have passed away and maybe were in the claret and gold sky on LLS Sunday.
The guy from Wigan was right despite the ravages of time I'm glad the bulldozers did not move in and take it all away that field on which the 'Team of all talents played and so many of my heroes with far less skill but no less passion !!!
So if we win the Grand Final this year or in the future I can go back and share it with my friends in their claret and gold scarves, a rosette pinned to their chest and salute our team and the greatest of games !!!
With what you say of course Ilmar's Dads 100% Vodka because to them it will always be a game for winter for me I am glad this place of so many memories still exists !!!'"
I really enjoyed reading this.
You clearly have a knack for writing. As I read it I could picture everything you described.
I only managed a few years as a lad at Fartown but still love the place.
Nice one
