Post by gazz on Dec 3, 2013 13:01:06 GMT
"Oop for t'Coop."
bringbacklenwhite
A phonetic rendering of the way northerners say "Up for the Cup (apparently), the phrase was popularised by metropolitan journalists in the 1950's. Supporters of London clubs were never described as being "Ap ferva Cap" because while northern accents are endearingly comical those of southerners are simply course."
Harry Pearson "Dribble".
Thought you might appreciate this as I consider all Heaveners as "professional northerners" (including Downey since his move to Perth).
Oldham (A)
sandbachhatter
It was the first game of the season (I believe the 2009-2010 season?) and we drew 0-0.
I couldn't make the game myself as I was in Vancouver but got up around 5.30am and donned my full kit, sitting down with tea and toast ready for kick off on County Player (a first).
Towards the end of the game, Pure asked for everyone listening at home to get in touch - so I sent them an e-mail and got a mention.
".... and listen to this one, SandbachHatter is listening in Vancouver!"
Oldham Athletic (A) 26 January 1963
archie
One of only 2 games that County played during the big freeze of 1963. After a 4-3 win at home to Exeter on 29/12/62 there was only this match and a 2-1 away win at Doncaster on 9/2/63 until normal service was resumed in early March.
It's perverse that Oldham, at one of the highest grounds in the country, were able to play several of their home games during that 9 week hiatus. In fact, this game was one of 4 consecutive home matches for them that they won 11(eleven)-0, 4-1, 2-1 and 5-1 and this run set them up for promotion, finishing second. Fortunately, this match was the 2-1.
At my advanced age the memory can play tricks but I seem to remember a pitch covered in frozen snow that played remarkably well but would be considered much too dangerous these days. Blue pitch markings and an orange ball and off they went. Pretty sure that later County favourite, Bert Lister, scored at least one of the Oldham goals following up on the 6 that he scored against Southport on Boxing Day and the book says that Johnny Evans scored the County goal.
The abiding memory is the dawning realisation of just how cold it gets at Boundary Park. Many severely discomfitted brass monkeys observed on the way home.
Oldham (Away)
bringbacklenwhite
It was always entitled - A Pie, a Pint and a Punch-Up.
Forget the football and get on with the game, lads.
Oxford United: no Ordinary Opposition
hatter in macc
The last part of this piece has been lifted from one of my early posts on the forum, but, for reasons that I hope other Heaveners will understand, it bears repeating.
It was also the post that really ignited my involvement in CH, and, for the purposes of this chapter, helps explain...
If I had to pick (goodness nose, no pun intended ) a 'bogey' away-trip from my time following County, it would have been that to the old Manor Ground in Oxford. It wasn't without its quirky charms - three separate stands, if I remember rightly, ran along one length of the dilapidated arena! - but, in the course of my five visits there, I grew to loathe the place.
And here's why:
Visit 1, January 1995
I took the train for my first visit. Big mistake. Huge, in fact. The ground turned out not to be in Oxford at all, but in Headington, requiring a four-mile schlep, uphill, from the city station. Worse was to follow: on arriving there from my hike at around 1.30, I learned of the game's postponement...despite the sun having come out, and the one drop of remaining surface water being no larger than the size of a modest dinner plate and certain to dry up by kick-off time. I pitied the Oxford Stewards who were having to explain a decision to call off, without agreeing with it themselves. And, as I made my way back down the hill, I vowed to bring the car next time...
Visit 2, February 1995
The match was rescheduled within just over a month, and I did indeed drive down on a balmy winter's evening to turn up for that. County, on the other hand, didn't really turn up at all, letting four in without reply and seeing Ian Helliwell red-carded.
Visits 3 and 4, October 1995 and February 1998
Two more visits, two more defeats. We actually managed a goal for the first of these, but let in five all told...but I'm saving the worst until last...
Visit 5, May 1999
Ugh!
This was the final match in one of our Championship-level seasons. With County safe, and Oxford already relegated, there was nothing to play for...not that our hosts were working to that script, mind, hitting us for five - again without reply - and, in the process, signalling the end of Gary Megson's spell at EP. And even that silver lining in the eyes of some soon disappeared when Andy Kilner became Manager in Megson's place.
Big Kev was playing for Oxford by then, and, frankly, paying respects to The Legend was the only subject for cheer among the travelling supporters that day. On another positive note, it was to prove our final visit to the old ground...and I, for one, wasn't too distraught when it came to be demolished.
But what next, so far as the Oxford away-day experience might be concerned? As it goes, things were to get rather better:
Visit 6, August 2005
The new Kassam Stadium saw County, on their first visit there, avoid defeat in Oxford. A one-all draw, gained courtesy of a Rob Clare equaliser, didn't attract many headlines on the day (although, for those of us who had endured nothing but misery at the Manor Ground, it was pretty damned remarkable!). But, come the end of the season, and our last-gasp, final-day escape from the Conference trapdoor, at who else but Oxford's expense, it was a result for which we became rather more thankful!
Visit 7, September 2010
Another trip to the Kassam, which provided a rare enjoyable moment in the early stages of an awful season. In perhaps the most one-sided match I have ever seen, where all of the pressure came from the DEFEATED team, County somehow sneaked an odd-goal win, setting themselves up for an unlikely 'double' later on...
************************************************************************************************************************
And so to the return-match, at EP in March 2011, which, when the fixtures had first been published, I hadn't seen as having any great significance. It turned out, though, to be an occasion of such bittersweet poignancy as to be forever unforgettable:
I lost my Dad, after a long illness, late that February. His introducing me to 'proper football' as a little 'un, as well as our travels together up and down the country to watch County over the years (which included some of those Manor Ground routs), live long in the memory, and, although his health was not good enough in the latter stages of his life to allow him to attend games, he kept an active interest in the Club's fortunes and was fearful for its future.
At least he was spared from having to go through the wrench that was the end of last season, and, to be fair, Greg Tansey's late strike ensured that the team did do its bit by way of a tribute, when beating Oxford 2-1 on what was the day immediately following his funeral. True enough, the three points weren't going to count for much - but that win was most definitely for him.
George Oghani .........
gazza007
..........he sh****d your wife!
Oggi
archie
Nickname for anyone with the surname Ogden since the year dot - except if your friends are from Essex and can't spell that well, in which case it becomes Ogs. Temporarily superseded by 'Stan' or 'Hilda' but back in vogue now.
Can cause problems if you go to a rugby match in Wales.
Oshor
bringbacklenwhite
It wasn't easy for him back in the day. A lot has been made of the abuse that Brendan Batson, Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham et al suffered while at West Brom, but racist chants were rife at all levels of football, and Oshor got his fair share at times. One word that can describe him is DIGNITY, and he had bucket loads of the stuff. Never heard anyone say a negative word about OW, and it's always great to see him come back as a matchday guest.
Offerton Green Reserves
downunderhatter
January, the last Sunday before going back to work after the Christmas holidays, Offerton Green at home.
I got up bright and early, packed the car and set off. I only got about 300 yards before the car packed in. Not to worry, I was in the AA. I phoned one of the other players to pick me up and I could phone the AA after the game. He picked me, the kit, corner flags and nets up and off we went.
With only 12 players turning up the team picked itself, especially as the 12th player had a "pulled hamstring" after being dragged off in the game before for being sh*t.
Shielding the ball back to my keeper as all good defenders do, I took a slight nudge in the back. I fully expected it as the centre forward was full of all the usual tricks. I fell awkwardly and twisted my knee. I'd done it loads of times and after a couple of minutes it normally feels OK. Not this time though. After 5 minutes the captain noticed I was struggling and tried to bring on Mr. pulled hamstring. "I don't want to risk it" came the reply. I was moved up front to make a nuisance of myself instead of being a liability and funnily enough, I could run backwards easily but forwards was a pain. I played with my back to goal and won the odd flick-on and held the ball up the best I could.
3-2 down in the last minute, I had my chance. 8 yards out I turned on the ball and drove it goalwards only to see it cleared off the line. Straight to our keeper though as he'd joined the attack as we had nothing to lose. From 12 yards out he smashed the ball 10 yards over the bar and that's how the game finished.
I got a lift back to the pub, had a pint, had to limp to the sister-in-law's to get a lift to my car, phoned the AA, "We'll be with you within the hour sir", sat in the freezing cold, he turns up to say the timing chain had snapped and my car was f*cked.
No points, no car, a knackered knee and the first day back at work in the morning. Sunday League football, I love it!
bringbacklenwhite
A phonetic rendering of the way northerners say "Up for the Cup (apparently), the phrase was popularised by metropolitan journalists in the 1950's. Supporters of London clubs were never described as being "Ap ferva Cap" because while northern accents are endearingly comical those of southerners are simply course."
Harry Pearson "Dribble".
Thought you might appreciate this as I consider all Heaveners as "professional northerners" (including Downey since his move to Perth).
Oldham (A)
sandbachhatter
It was the first game of the season (I believe the 2009-2010 season?) and we drew 0-0.
I couldn't make the game myself as I was in Vancouver but got up around 5.30am and donned my full kit, sitting down with tea and toast ready for kick off on County Player (a first).
Towards the end of the game, Pure asked for everyone listening at home to get in touch - so I sent them an e-mail and got a mention.
".... and listen to this one, SandbachHatter is listening in Vancouver!"
Oldham Athletic (A) 26 January 1963
archie
One of only 2 games that County played during the big freeze of 1963. After a 4-3 win at home to Exeter on 29/12/62 there was only this match and a 2-1 away win at Doncaster on 9/2/63 until normal service was resumed in early March.
It's perverse that Oldham, at one of the highest grounds in the country, were able to play several of their home games during that 9 week hiatus. In fact, this game was one of 4 consecutive home matches for them that they won 11(eleven)-0, 4-1, 2-1 and 5-1 and this run set them up for promotion, finishing second. Fortunately, this match was the 2-1.
At my advanced age the memory can play tricks but I seem to remember a pitch covered in frozen snow that played remarkably well but would be considered much too dangerous these days. Blue pitch markings and an orange ball and off they went. Pretty sure that later County favourite, Bert Lister, scored at least one of the Oldham goals following up on the 6 that he scored against Southport on Boxing Day and the book says that Johnny Evans scored the County goal.
The abiding memory is the dawning realisation of just how cold it gets at Boundary Park. Many severely discomfitted brass monkeys observed on the way home.
Oldham (Away)
bringbacklenwhite
It was always entitled - A Pie, a Pint and a Punch-Up.
Forget the football and get on with the game, lads.
Oxford United: no Ordinary Opposition
hatter in macc
The last part of this piece has been lifted from one of my early posts on the forum, but, for reasons that I hope other Heaveners will understand, it bears repeating.
It was also the post that really ignited my involvement in CH, and, for the purposes of this chapter, helps explain...
If I had to pick (goodness nose, no pun intended ) a 'bogey' away-trip from my time following County, it would have been that to the old Manor Ground in Oxford. It wasn't without its quirky charms - three separate stands, if I remember rightly, ran along one length of the dilapidated arena! - but, in the course of my five visits there, I grew to loathe the place.
And here's why:
Visit 1, January 1995
I took the train for my first visit. Big mistake. Huge, in fact. The ground turned out not to be in Oxford at all, but in Headington, requiring a four-mile schlep, uphill, from the city station. Worse was to follow: on arriving there from my hike at around 1.30, I learned of the game's postponement...despite the sun having come out, and the one drop of remaining surface water being no larger than the size of a modest dinner plate and certain to dry up by kick-off time. I pitied the Oxford Stewards who were having to explain a decision to call off, without agreeing with it themselves. And, as I made my way back down the hill, I vowed to bring the car next time...
Visit 2, February 1995
The match was rescheduled within just over a month, and I did indeed drive down on a balmy winter's evening to turn up for that. County, on the other hand, didn't really turn up at all, letting four in without reply and seeing Ian Helliwell red-carded.
Visits 3 and 4, October 1995 and February 1998
Two more visits, two more defeats. We actually managed a goal for the first of these, but let in five all told...but I'm saving the worst until last...
Visit 5, May 1999
Ugh!
This was the final match in one of our Championship-level seasons. With County safe, and Oxford already relegated, there was nothing to play for...not that our hosts were working to that script, mind, hitting us for five - again without reply - and, in the process, signalling the end of Gary Megson's spell at EP. And even that silver lining in the eyes of some soon disappeared when Andy Kilner became Manager in Megson's place.
Big Kev was playing for Oxford by then, and, frankly, paying respects to The Legend was the only subject for cheer among the travelling supporters that day. On another positive note, it was to prove our final visit to the old ground...and I, for one, wasn't too distraught when it came to be demolished.
But what next, so far as the Oxford away-day experience might be concerned? As it goes, things were to get rather better:
Visit 6, August 2005
The new Kassam Stadium saw County, on their first visit there, avoid defeat in Oxford. A one-all draw, gained courtesy of a Rob Clare equaliser, didn't attract many headlines on the day (although, for those of us who had endured nothing but misery at the Manor Ground, it was pretty damned remarkable!). But, come the end of the season, and our last-gasp, final-day escape from the Conference trapdoor, at who else but Oxford's expense, it was a result for which we became rather more thankful!
Visit 7, September 2010
Another trip to the Kassam, which provided a rare enjoyable moment in the early stages of an awful season. In perhaps the most one-sided match I have ever seen, where all of the pressure came from the DEFEATED team, County somehow sneaked an odd-goal win, setting themselves up for an unlikely 'double' later on...
************************************************************************************************************************
And so to the return-match, at EP in March 2011, which, when the fixtures had first been published, I hadn't seen as having any great significance. It turned out, though, to be an occasion of such bittersweet poignancy as to be forever unforgettable:
I lost my Dad, after a long illness, late that February. His introducing me to 'proper football' as a little 'un, as well as our travels together up and down the country to watch County over the years (which included some of those Manor Ground routs), live long in the memory, and, although his health was not good enough in the latter stages of his life to allow him to attend games, he kept an active interest in the Club's fortunes and was fearful for its future.
At least he was spared from having to go through the wrench that was the end of last season, and, to be fair, Greg Tansey's late strike ensured that the team did do its bit by way of a tribute, when beating Oxford 2-1 on what was the day immediately following his funeral. True enough, the three points weren't going to count for much - but that win was most definitely for him.
George Oghani .........
gazza007
..........he sh****d your wife!
Oggi
archie
Nickname for anyone with the surname Ogden since the year dot - except if your friends are from Essex and can't spell that well, in which case it becomes Ogs. Temporarily superseded by 'Stan' or 'Hilda' but back in vogue now.
Can cause problems if you go to a rugby match in Wales.
Oshor
bringbacklenwhite
It wasn't easy for him back in the day. A lot has been made of the abuse that Brendan Batson, Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham et al suffered while at West Brom, but racist chants were rife at all levels of football, and Oshor got his fair share at times. One word that can describe him is DIGNITY, and he had bucket loads of the stuff. Never heard anyone say a negative word about OW, and it's always great to see him come back as a matchday guest.
Offerton Green Reserves
downunderhatter
January, the last Sunday before going back to work after the Christmas holidays, Offerton Green at home.
I got up bright and early, packed the car and set off. I only got about 300 yards before the car packed in. Not to worry, I was in the AA. I phoned one of the other players to pick me up and I could phone the AA after the game. He picked me, the kit, corner flags and nets up and off we went.
With only 12 players turning up the team picked itself, especially as the 12th player had a "pulled hamstring" after being dragged off in the game before for being sh*t.
Shielding the ball back to my keeper as all good defenders do, I took a slight nudge in the back. I fully expected it as the centre forward was full of all the usual tricks. I fell awkwardly and twisted my knee. I'd done it loads of times and after a couple of minutes it normally feels OK. Not this time though. After 5 minutes the captain noticed I was struggling and tried to bring on Mr. pulled hamstring. "I don't want to risk it" came the reply. I was moved up front to make a nuisance of myself instead of being a liability and funnily enough, I could run backwards easily but forwards was a pain. I played with my back to goal and won the odd flick-on and held the ball up the best I could.
3-2 down in the last minute, I had my chance. 8 yards out I turned on the ball and drove it goalwards only to see it cleared off the line. Straight to our keeper though as he'd joined the attack as we had nothing to lose. From 12 yards out he smashed the ball 10 yards over the bar and that's how the game finished.
I got a lift back to the pub, had a pint, had to limp to the sister-in-law's to get a lift to my car, phoned the AA, "We'll be with you within the hour sir", sat in the freezing cold, he turns up to say the timing chain had snapped and my car was f*cked.
No points, no car, a knackered knee and the first day back at work in the morning. Sunday League football, I love it!