[AlbionBest]

Rolfe Street station was infamous yet iconic in the memory as I grew up supporting the Albion...............

Used to be the place where many an Albion football 'special' would depart from yet was also a battle ground most match days ( and I had to catch the bus back from Smethwick High Street near there!).

Who remembers the 'great' football specials ? only seem to happen for Wembley games now.

[Greenock Baggie]

I remember them yes but cant divulge too much in the public eye, if you catch my drift. Some of the football specials were little more than cattle trucks and "saw" many a battle with the old clubhouse and later Section 5 in and around the station and the Blue Gates pub just down the road.

[KnaveofAlbion]

As a younger (not that young, i'm 31) fan i have no idea what this is. Football thug stuff at a guess?

[global]

I remember the football specials, "fantastic days out ". As the train pulled into the station and before it had stopped the doors would fly open and loads of spotty little kids in doc martens ( me included ) would overtake the train as it was still moving,armed with bog rolls to throw during the game  They would then run riot  through the town abusing the locals on the way to the ground & mopping up any "welcoming locals"
Different story on the way back, they were usually chased back to the station. 
I too remember the battles at rolfe st station, oh teenage life !   

[Adamstv]

Remember going on a "special" to Man Utd. As our train arrived in Manchester another train pulled in on the other side of the track. When the two trains departed there were 50 or so of us on one side and about 500 man u fans on the other!!!!! Luckily police gave us a good escort to the ground. 

Derby County away on a special to the baseball ground was always a riot ( literally ) bottles bricks and stones going everywhere and getting chased by police on horseback .

Happy memories!!!!!

[Turkish baggie]

  Yes do remember the escapdes at Rolfe St. I've mentioned before on this forum that in those days, first skinheads then suedeheads, anything from 20 to 40 lads from Tipton and Dudley would meet in Owen St. Tipton then get the train for home games either at Tipton or Dudley Port. This must have gone on for about 10 years & in that time we did get into some right battles on or around Rolfe St.

You can imagine over that time there were lots of instances but a few really do stick in my mind!

We played the wolves at home, it was the days of the Temple St. & Queens st. wolves. For this game   they did have a big diesel special train which stopped at all stations. We boarded the train at Tipton and just plonked ourselves down. It started to get a big tense? It all kicked off as the train was pulling in and continued on the platform. We were really out numbered but we made a line and just let them come. As it turned out most of them turned and ran but some did take us on! The police arrived but it didn't stop it as we all walked up Halfords Lane. The return journey wasn't as bad as the police wouldn't allow us on the station until the wolves train had left but I'm afraid there was a few battles in Tipton that night?

Chelsea at home. Loads of them were on the platform back to Brum, we on w'ton side. This one tuff guy kept on & on how he was going to kill us? Anyway one of my mates had enough, jumped on the line and onto the platform, we all followed like the charge of the light bridgade! Total mayhem but it really was a toe to toe fight which seemed to last for hours but obviously didn't. Police stopped that one.

Lots of fighting, lots of blood but to finish a couple of lighter ones.

We played Coventry and whilst we were buying our tickets(we never payed going only return journey) about 20 Cov fans came in to get to platform. We closed the doors and it started. The ploice came and got stuck into everyone, I got collared but I pretended to be mute and with hand movements & mouthing explained that I was not involved. The copper fell for it and slowly started talking and using his hands like a windmill. When he finished explaining how I should get back to Tipton I just said 'thankyou'. The look on his face? I think he was too ashamed to nick me?

After a big punch up with some Arsenal I got collared. I was put to one side and was being 'guarded' by a woman police officer. I started to talk to her & she really was a good looking woman. She was friendly so I asked her out. She said yes and to make it better I didn't get charged. I met her on the Wednesday in the Red Cow Smethwick and had a great night. Since then always had a soft spot for Arsenal???

Eventually with lads getting married, joining the army and I'm afraid some going to prison we all started to move a part. I often wonder what happened to my fellow warriors? They would all be in their late 50's, early 60's now.
I am not proud of what we got up to in the name of the Albion but we did have a eventful time! Some of you out there would know exactly what I mean that we were organised and like a little army! Maybe you will know some of my mates but look at them as too old? I tell you they would not run from anybody!   
 

[BobTaylor]

I know two brothers that love talking about the eventfull days, in there 50s, great stories they come out with, travelling up on the specialls and coaches and coming back in less than one piece most saturdays  , up the baggies.

[BRIAN]

I remember a train trip to Leeds. On arrival one our lot was arrested as he got off the train with what looked like a length of piping.
When we left the platform, the "enemy" were waiting and started chasing our blokes. One poor bugger was looking round and ran into a bus stop. He looked in a bad way.
On the return journey,we were just out side Leeds when a housebrick came through a window. Luckily no one was hit.
I can also recall the time the Leeds loonies broke down the fencing at the Smethwick End and invaded the pitch in view of there having been relegated.
I once said to my son, "The only difference between other clubs hooligans and ours is that they have more than us."
Reading some entries on this forum and hearing the poor sportsmanship of most club's supporters from all teams I feel I don't want to attend games now.
I first saw Albion play Fulham around 1948,people knew how to behave then

[Smooth Lad]

I've always said it, i really was born in the wrong decade. I'd give my left testy to by 20 in 1979.

Some cracking stories fellas.

[albion59]

I've always said it, i really was born in the wrong decade. I'd give my left testy to by 20 in 1979.

Some cracking stories fellas.

i was 19 in 1979 and i loved the buzz and excitement of  getting ready on a saturday morning to go to the game not knowing who we would face and what would happen i have been chased all over the country been battered and arrested my mrs could never understand the thrill and how high i was when i got home(eventually) not high on drugs! anyway i am in my 50s now and have my grandson with me but sometimes i forget that and think its the 70s again and want to go into battl;e again, but i dont!!

[BigFrank20]

I used to 'associate' with a group of Brummie Baggies in this era and we traveled to away games around the West Midlands on a Birmingham corporation bus that one of the group used to hire as he worked for the bus company. Home games we would catch the train to Rolfe Street though. Happy days!!! 

[Tipton Baggie]

Yes do remember the escapdes at Rolfe St. I've mentioned before on this forum that in those days, first skinheads then suedeheads, anything from 20 to 40 lads from Tipton and Dudley would meet in Owen St. Tipton then get the train for home games either at Tipton or Dudley Port. This must have gone on for about 10 years & in that time we did get into some right battles on or around Rolfe St.

You can imagine over that time there were lots of instances but a few really do stick in my mind!

We played the wolves at home, it was the days of the Temple St. & Queens st. wolves. For this game   they did have a big diesel special train which stopped at all stations. We boarded the train at Tipton and just plonked ourselves down. It started to get a big tense? It all kicked off as the train was pulling in and continued on the platform. We were really out numbered but we made a line and just let them come. As it turned out most of them turned and ran but some did take us on! The police arrived but it didn't stop it as we all walked up Halfords Lane. The return journey wasn't as bad as the police wouldn't allow us on the station until the wolves train had left but I'm afraid there was a few battles in Tipton that night?

Chelsea at home. Loads of them were on the platform back to Brum, we on w'ton side. This one tuff guy kept on & on how he was going to kill us? Anyway one of my mates had enough, jumped on the line and onto the platform, we all followed like the charge of the light bridgade! Total mayhem but it really was a toe to toe fight which seemed to last for hours but obviously didn't. Police stopped that one.

Lots of fighting, lots of blood but to finish a couple of lighter ones.

We played Coventry and whilst we were buying our tickets(we never payed going only return journey) about 20 Cov fans came in to get to platform. We closed the doors and it started. The ploice came and got stuck into everyone, I got collared but I pretended to be mute and with hand movements & mouthing explained that I was not involved. The copper fell for it and slowly started talking and using his hands like a windmill. When he finished explaining how I should get back to Tipton I just said 'thankyou'. The look on his face? I think he was too ashamed to nick me?

After a big punch up with some Arsenal I got collared. I was put to one side and was being 'guarded' by a woman police officer. I started to talk to her & she really was a good looking woman. She was friendly so I asked her out. She said yes and to make it better I didn't get charged. I met her on the Wednesday in the Red Cow Smethwick and had a great night. Since then always had a soft spot for Arsenal???

Eventually with lads getting married, joining the army and I'm afraid some going to prison we all started to move a part. I often wonder what happened to my fellow warriors? They would all be in their late 50's, early 60's now.
I am not proud of what we got up to in the name of the Albion but we did have a eventful time! Some of you out there would know exactly what I mean that we were organised and like a little army! Maybe you will know some of my mates but look at them as too old? I tell you they would not run from anybody!   

I could listen to stories like this until i sleep, heard many tales of the 70s and 80s away with england an albion, cor beat it

[hardtobeat]

 The authorities in their wisdom once put on a combined special shared by us (Qpr)and Blues(Arsenal) comes under the heading of hectic Fun on the way down sheer manic on the way back with various teams fans doing Duncan Norvelle 'chase me chase me' impersonations around the concourse of Euston,happy days!

[232kev]

there's a great book 'son's of albion' full of store's like these got mine from amazon seen it at warterstones to

[Turkish baggie]

I remember a train trip to Leeds. On arrival one our lot was arrested as he got off the train with what looked like a length of piping.
When we left the platform, the "enemy" were waiting and started chasing our blokes. One poor bugger was looking round and ran into a bus stop. He looked in a bad way.
On the return journey,we were just out side Leeds when a housebrick came through a window. Luckily no one was hit.
I can also recall the time the Leeds loonies broke down the fencing at the Smethwick End and invaded the pitch in view of there having been relegated.
I once said to my son, "The only difference between other clubs hooligans and ours is that they have more than us."
Reading some entries on this forum and hearing the poor sportsmanship of most club's supporters from all teams I feel I don't want to attend games now.
I first saw Albion play Fulham around 1948,people knew how to behave then

You of course are correct, as I said in my post I am not proud of what I did but I was a young man who thankfully saw sense at 25!
It stopped for me at Heysel. I was there with about 10 other Albion and we got our tickets outside the ground from some Italians. That meant I was with Juve supporters in the Liverpool end. Fighting started in our block with us and them. The main body of pool fans then charged and as we were in with the Juve fans who started to run I got knocked over. Someone & I don't know who pulled me up as I was getting trampled. If not for that person I could have died, as it was I ended up with a broken nose and bruises everywhere. To see so many dead people in front of me was a nightmare. After the game the police hereded us into sheds and wouldn't let us out, then took us to the ferries. My partner, later my wife didn't know if I was dead or alive until I got back to Dover and could phone. I grew up that day!!!

A bit of bother is what growing up is about, to learn the hard way but death over football, NO WAY.

The past is the past and it should stay there! 

[DJ EmmJee]

Buy the book! Some cracking stories in there from the Clubhouse days, and then S5. I drink with a few of the old boys and despite being well out of the whole thing now, they always regale you with cracking stories from back in the day.

Before the days of CCTV and Portman watching your every move. 

[albion61]

You of course are correct, as I said in my post I am not proud of what I did but I was a young man who thankfully saw sense at 25!
It stopped for me at Heysel. I was there with about 10 other Albion and we got our tickets outside the ground from some Italians. That meant I was with Juve supporters in the Liverpool end. Fighting started in our block with us and them. The main body of pool fans then charged and as we were in with the Juve fans who started to run I got knocked over. Someone & I don't know who pulled me up as I was getting trampled. If not for that person I could have died, as it was I ended up with a broken nose and bruises everywhere. To see so many dead people in front of me was a nightmare. After the game the police hereded us into sheds and wouldn't let us out, then took us to the ferries. My partner, later my wife didn't know if I was dead or alive until I got back to Dover and could phone. I grew up that day!!!

A bit of bother is what growing up is about, to learn the hard way but death over football, NO WAY.

The past is the past and it should stay there!

Good post mate its a different world to the 80s now when the football crowd consisted of mainly gangs of Council estate kids and young men ,you hardly ever saw a Woman or Kid there i was part of that scene then but as you said we were young and daft lol i was 20 in the early 80s iam 51 now and wouldn't get involved with any trouble ,i never regret anything i have done it was part of growing up then (Not saying it was right)and to be fair you had to be in a firm to stay safe at most grounds then ,football was a dangerous place to be in the 70s and 80s much better now .But we have lost the great Atmosphere that went with it 

[WBAinDEVON]

What label did you folk wear, i still got me Tacchini trainers from the early eighties

[Greenock Baggie]

I remember a train trip to Leeds. On arrival one our lot was arrested as he got off the train with what looked like a length of piping.
When we left the platform, the "enemy" were waiting and started chasing our blokes. One poor bugger was looking round and ran into a bus stop. He looked in a bad way.
On the return journey,we were just out side Leeds when a housebrick came through a window. Luckily no one was hit.
I can also recall the time the Leeds loonies broke down the fencing at the Smethwick End and invaded the pitch in view of there having been relegated.
I once said to my son, "The only difference between other clubs hooligans and ours is that they have more than us."
Reading some entries on this forum and hearing the poor sportsmanship of most club's supporters from all teams I feel I don't want to attend games now.
I first saw Albion play Fulham around 1948,people knew how to behave then

Not at all true. My old man was in a fight at the Moulinex in the early 50's that started when some Dingle had a "go" at my mum who was slating Billy Wright because she liked Ray Barlow ! 

[Turkish baggie]

What label did you folk wear, i still got me Tacchini trainers from the early eighties

Trainers? No way my son. Only good for running. First Doc Martins then they were for going out.Crombies, Staypress, Ben Sherman and jaytex. After Doc's on match day it was steel toe caps. Until police noticed we used to screw points into our umbrella's which for a few years was the weapon.
Later in Suedehead era I usaed to go to games as if I was going out at night! Our Tipton & Dudley women would wear the same but with monkey boots & sow razor blades into their lapels. There were hooligan groupies! When we went away some away women would just want to be with you and make you happy?? 

[albion61]

What label did you folk wear, i still got me Tacchini trainers from the early eighties

only one trainer label mate addidas still got my trim trabbs /forest hill/samba and gazelles from then (only things that fit from then)i loved to wear cerutti stuff which i brought back from a italian hoilday early 80s and my pringle/lyle n scott jumpers and lois jeans lol loved the scene then and still like the casual attire now (we called ourselves trendies then) was in the Clubhouse great days

[Smooth Lad]

only one trainer label mate addidas still got my trim trabbs /forest hill/samba and gazelles from then (only things that fit from then)i loved to wear cerutti stuff which i brought back from a italian hoilday early 80s and my pringle/lyle n scott jumpers and lois jeans lol loved the scene then and still like the casual attire now (we called ourselves trendies then) was in the Clubhouse great days

Fetch a few bob on ebay your original trabs will mate, obviously worth more sentimentily, but if you're ever a bit short on cash. Had to sell my navy/argie trimm trabs earlier in the month because i was out of work and they fetched £150.

[BRIAN]

Greenock Baggie, i was referring to the late 40s not the 50s when all the silliness started. No doubt there was the occasional punch-up but they were few and far between.
I can remember being at Molineux in the very early 50, I was on the North Bank and Wolves were playing Arsenal. One of the Arsenal players put a hefty tackle in on a Wolves man and I shouted out, "You dirty bleeder."
 A bloke turned round and said, "Cut out that language in front of my girl friend."
Certainly things have changed, and for the worst  i'm sorty to say. 

[bolty baggie]

My uncle always talks about the old days, you cant beat the old stories. He always mentions when Spurs came down and took our end? That would have been something to be part of. Nowadays you can barely fart without being thrown out.

Its funny to compare the stories from now and then. When I've got kids all I can tell them is how I got told off by a steward for standing up, hardly a good story! Im not sticking up for it but I bet it was a good buzz when it happened. Keep the old stories coming!

[deejay]

look admit it man , i used to sit in the paddock with all those boys in thev early 80s  you all wore Farrahs... Now be proud