Princes Park vs Watling Street

[Capricorn25]

I have special memories of the old Watling Street Ground; my first game attended, was with my Dad and Grandad in the early sixties, cannot tell you who we played? But the excitement of just going to a football match was in itself a wonderful experience that will never be forgotten. The atmosphere generated at W.S was a combination of cigar and pipe smoke (not P.C. now) and peppermint, with the occasional waft of Wintergreen Liniment, and also the usual blend of naff music bellowing out of the crackly old Tannoy.
I remember that most of the older generation would wear a Flat Cap or a Trilby, and the younger fans would have a wooden rattle,( wouldn’t get in the ground with one now?) and some would have their Rosette pinned proudly to their chest.
My old Grandad used to live in Watling Street in the early seventies, and Saturday afternoon at final whistle, I had to run home to his house and take down the football results, and then put kettle on; “Black Beauty” was on the telly at the time, and now whenever I hear the theme music, it will always remind me of my Grandad and the precious memories of bygone days.
The old W.S died the day Maidstone FC had taken up residence, with their yellow and black covering our home like some incurable disease, which inevitably proved fatal for the old girl.

Watling Street will always hold treasured memories for most of us older fans, and hope that P.P. will have the same effect for the present generation of younger fans in years to come.

[Kentc]

I have special memories of the old Watling Street Ground; my first game attended, was with my Dad and Grandad in the early sixties, cannot tell you who we played? But the excitement of just going to a football match was in itself a wonderful experience that will never be forgotten. The atmosphere generated at W.S was a combination of cigar and pipe smoke (not P.C. now) and peppermint, with the occasional waft of Wintergreen Liniment, and also the usual blend of naff music bellowing out of the crackly old Tannoy.
I remember that most of the older generation would wear a Flat Cap or a Trilby, and the younger fans would have a wooden rattle,( wouldn’t get in the ground with one now?) and some would have their Rosette pinned proudly to their chest.
My old Grandad used to live in Watling Street in the early seventies, and Saturday afternoon at final whistle, I had to run home to his house and take down the football results, and then put kettle on; “Black Beauty” was on the telly at the time, and now whenever I hear the theme music, it will always remind me of my Grandad and the precious memories of bygone days.
The old W.S died the day Maidstone FC had taken up residence, with their yellow and black covering our home like some incurable disease, which inevitably proved fatal for the old girl.

Watling Street will always hold treasured memories for most of us older fans, and hope that P.P. will have the same effect for the present generation of younger fans in years to come.

Great read

[Capricorn25]

In the 80s we drew 1-1 in the fa cup with Bournmouth who were in L1 at the time.
When the 3rd round draw was made on the saturday out came
.......Man United v Dartford or Bournmouth.
Unfortunately we lost the replay 4-1 but if we had of got through
We would have had a a lasting memory of taking on Man U at old trafford. We would probably have got well beaten but what an experience it would have been.

If i recall , we also played Bournemouth the following season in the FA Cup , drawing 0-0 at theirs , and the replay on the Tuesday night we lost 0-2 on a snow covered Watling Street .

[silverado]

I can't remember when my Dad started taking me to Watling Street; I guess it must have been around the mid-50s. My powers of recall have never been very good, but reading all these posts has certainly brought some memories flooding back.
Re the peanut man - does anyone remember if he also sold tiger nuts (aka milk nuts). I know I got to like them from someone, and often bought them in town, in a little sweet shop that is no more, on the corner of the alley down to the public baths (also no more) in Hythe Street.
I also remember the tea bar, located on the WS end of the main stand.
My Dad and I used to watch the game from behind the goal, switching to/from the WS grass bank (hence the name of the PP approach road, I assume) end from/to the bottom end at half time. In the rain we would of course resort to the old tin stand.
As for FA Cup matches, I'll never forget the Man Utd draw. What a big if only...! I also seem to recall our playing Exeter in the Cup (and getting a replay?) but can't remember the score or when. One Cup score I do remember is our losing 8-2 away to Bristol City (in the early 1960s?). The result did not outweigh the sense of occasion, though, with the huge following carried on trains laid on specially by BR. Ah those were the days - our biggest day out since Division 1 Derby County away in the 1930s (before I was born, of course!).
And the players: Huckstepp, Pacey, Ripley, Carr, Stevens, Burns, Taylor, to name but an unforgettable few from different eras.
[Big sigh...]

[mickw]

When they were pulling WS down I stopped there one afternoon to see if I could get a small patch of the pitch or a bit of the old stand as a momento. I approached the gate where there was a hard hatted guy controlling access. I explained to him that I was a lifelong fan, a bit sentimental and told him what I wanted. He gave me a quaint old fashioned look and told me to 'f**k off'. I was bitterly disappointed and have never really recovered my faith in mankind.

[Pedro]

My first game was beating Aldershot in the FA Cup 3-1 I think - had no idea of the game's importance.
Les Burns regularly smashing penalties in the net - Robbo (not Steve) one of our leading goalscorers during one season - almost all from the spot.
Vic Akers by-line shot and goal in the League Cup against Yeovil (I think). Leading Plymouth in the FA Cup who were flying high in what is now League 1 (again I think so) only for one Paul Mariner to spoil things at the end.
The 0 - 0 draw against Macclesfield in the F A Trophy semi final second leg and the trip to Wembley. Parading the massive Southern League Shield later that season. The Still and Taylor eras.
However, the layout, facilities and comfort of Princes Park (apart from the rain blowing in) is fantastic and the envy of many clubs I am sure. The long TB era and more good times than bad at Princes Park - just a shame that we cannot attract more no-strings investment.
COYD

[Trevor B]

Siverado mentioned

One Cup score I do remember is our losing 8-2 away to Bristol City (in the early 1960s?). The result did not outweigh the sense of occasion, though, with the huge following carried on trains laid on specially by BR. Ah those were the days

1961-62 season and I travelled on one of those trains with my uncle and dad and we were in the same small carriage as John Ripley Lew Cooper and a couple of other players and some were playing cards on the journey to the game and we arrived at Ashton Gate station right behind the ground expecting a good game but it was not to be but great memories none the less

[Disco Stu]

In the 80s we drew 1-1 in the fa cup with Bournmouth who were in L1 at the time.
When the 3rd round draw was made on the saturday out came
.......Man United v Dartford or Bournmouth.
Unfortunately we lost the replay 4-1 but if we had of got through
We would have had a a lasting memory of taking on Man U at old trafford. We would probably have got well beaten but what an experience it would have been.

The 1-1 draw was 34 years ago today.

[Ozymandias]

Nice one mickw, I had a titter. You obviously didn't offer me enough money. Joking, joking

[Ozymandias]

After Saturdays game, it had me thinking. The old rusty roofed stand at WS, at least we all had somewhere to run to/under when it pissed down. Home supporters, away and neutrals.