Just thinking about favourite Town matches over the Christmas period...

I think for the atmosphere I remember being in the Pontoon for Town v Barnsley for the 4-2 win in 1992.

Gilrbert scoring in what I recall was the first minute really got the crowd up for it.  I remember the Pontoon going nuts when Tommy Watson scored the fourth.

I remember the Geordies coming one Boxing Day years ago that was some atmosphere , always sticks in the memory

Boxing Day v Barnsley 1979/80 season, the one where Norman Hunter get his marching orders

Lincoln in the snow, 2005 was good fun. 3-0.

Loads of great away days with the boys on the minibus, half the time it was just a shame that football got in the way! The trips I seem to recall are the Lincoln games, Huddersfield (we had about 3500 there that day I think), Hartlepool and Macclesfield

That Barnsley game mentioned above I was helping to sell programmes for a mate of mine. I think it’s the second goal you can see us in the osmond going through the away fans as mendonca (I think) scored. Didn’t celebrate until we were out though!

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Boxing Day v Barnsley 1979/80 season, the one where Norman Hunter get his marching orders

O yes!

Quoted from Poojah

Lincoln in the snow, 2005 was good fun. 3-0.

You mean the worst winter on living record according to Lincoln fans.  The snow from it at Caistor Top only just melted this year.

Good Xmas that for Town.  Win at Bury on Boxing Day, stuffing of the Imps few days later and then a Glen Downey led smash and grab at Wrexham on NYE.   2 days later champions elect Carlisle came here and schooled us a bit, was that point I think I thought maybe we're not invincible.  January turned out to be quite a excrement month, only picking up 5 points from 18.

Rather Enjoyed our trips to Gimpland on Boxing Day for a few years, We Always won, their fans came dressed as seats and then they cried to the league to get the games changed

Quoted from diehardmariner

You mean the worst winter on living record according to Lincoln fans.  The snow from it at Caistor Top only just melted this year.

Good Xmas that for Town.  Win at Bury on Boxing Day, stuffing of the Imps few days later and then a Glen Downey led smash and grab at Wrexham on NYE.   2 days later champions elect Carlisle came here and schooled us a bit, was that point I think I thought maybe we're not invincible.  January turned out to be quite a excrement month, only picking up 5 points from 18.

It's like, where were you when Kennedy was shot, the moon landing and Glen Downey scoring, I was there at Wrexham that memorable day.

Quoted from Yossarian

Just thinking about favourite Town matches over the Christmas period...

I think for the atmosphere I remember being in the Pontoon for Town v Barnsley for the 4-2 win in 1992.

Gilrbert scoring in what I recall was the first minute really got the crowd up for it.  I remember the Pontoon going nuts when Tommy Watson scored the fourth.

If I remember right, there was snow or ice on the pitch, and I remember Gilbert scoring too at the Osmond end.  I was stood with my Dad in the area between the Ponny and the Main.  Happy days.

Quoted from Hagrid

Rather Enjoyed our trips to Gimpland on Boxing Day for a few years, We Always won, their fans came dressed as seats and then they cried to the league to get the games changed

Can't remember the year, 2011 or maybe 2012, when Will Antwi no-showed before the game there.  Charlie I'Anson came in but got absolutely pole-axed early doors and the completely forgotten about Scott Garner came off the bench, scored the equaliser in front of the Town fans.

Boxing day 2000, 1-1 against Stockport. Burnett scoring a cracker

Quoted from arryarryarry

It's like, where were you when Kennedy was shot, the moon landing and Glen Downey scoring, I was there at Wrexham that memorable day.

Mental game.  Rob Jones off injured at the break so Martin Gritton came on, Gary Jones emergency centre-back.  Soon after Simon Ramsden goes down injured, Downey on to left-back with Tom Newey going into the most makeshift of central defence pairings you can ever imagine.   The complete re-hash of the back four is complete when Gary Croft gets injured so Paul Bolland goes to right-back, JPK coming into midfield.   Ending the game with a back four of Bolland-G.Jones-Newey-Downey.    Bolland then gets booked late on and to this day I'm certain the ref buggered up a minute or so later when issuing him a second yellow but changed his mind realising the first was harsh.

As mentioned above the Barnsley 3-0 in 1979 was pretty special and was a weak before the mass exodus to Anfield for the FA Cup third round match. Also recall the Newcastle match, Mick Hartford’s debut for them I believe after his move from Lincoln, also a 1-0 Boxing Day win over Sheffield Wednesday around 1982. Funnily enough Wednesday’s sub that day was a 17 year old Tony Simmons who now lives in our village and recalls Jack Charlton asking him to warm up and laughs now at the abuse him being a ginger headed Yorkie was not unnoticed by the town fans in the main stand!

I pretty sure, we played the scunts away one Boxing Day. Drew 2-2? Was my first away game

I really enjoyed a 4-2 home win against Stockport in about 1989 with, I think, an absolute pile driver of a header from Ian knight being one of our goals. Might have been new years day tho.

Christmas Day 1957, morning kick off, home after the match for the Christmas dinner and presents.
3-3 with Liverpool.
In those days the return fixture was on the Boxing Day.
We lost at Anfield 3-2, playing most of the match with 10 men.
Clarrie Williams, our goalkeeper,was injured and was stretchered off.
Scorers on Christmas day, Johnny Scott and Jeff Whitefoot, both signed from Manchester United.
Jimmy Fell, local lad scored the third.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Mental game.  Rob Jones off injured at the break so Martin Gritton came on, Gary Jones emergency centre-back.  Soon after Simon Ramsden goes down injured, Downey on to left-back with Tom Newey going into the most makeshift of central defence pairings you can ever imagine.   The complete re-hash of the back four is complete when Gary Croft gets injured so Paul Bolland goes to right-back, JPK coming into midfield.   Ending the game with a back four of Bolland-G.Jones-Newey-Downey.    Bolland then gets booked late on and to this day I'm certain the ref buggered up a minute or so later when issuing him a second yellow but changed his mind realising the first was harsh.

I thought it was mistaken identity when he booked Bolland a second time and the 4th official put the ref right🤔

Quoted from Yossarian

Just thinking about favourite Town matches over the Christmas period...

I think for the atmosphere I remember being in the Pontoon for Town v Barnsley for the 4-2 win in 1992.

Gilrbert scoring in what I recall was the first minute really got the crowd up for it.  I remember the Pontoon going nuts when Tommy Watson scored the fourth.

Oddly, I can’t remember that game at all. Nothing.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

I pretty sure, we played the scunts away one Boxing Day. Drew 2-2? Was my first away game

Can’t remember the year and can’t be ar$ed to check right now, but I’d pick that out. Rammed in behind the goal. Big Keith scored at our end. Great day.

I also seem to think there was a Hull City away game in the late 80s that was also packed with Town. Can’t remember the score. Boothferry park. Amazing atmosphere.

Quoted from chaos33

Can’t remember the year and can’t be ar$ed to check right now, but I’d pick that out. Rammed in behind the goal. Big Keith scored at our end. Great day.

I also seem to think there was a Hull City away game in the late 80s that was also packed with Town. Can’t remember the score. Boothferry park. Amazing atmosphere.

League cup away first round first leg wasn't it. Seem to think 0-0. We beat them with a child's screamer into top right hand corner in second leg.

Christmas 1933 takes some beating.

On Christmas day we beat Manchester United 3-1 at Old Trafford (Pat Glover hat trick). Then on boxing day we beat them 7-3 at Blundell park.

Yes, you read that right, 7-3 !  Scorers: Holmes, Glover 2, Jennings, Bestall 2, Craven.

I am not making this up.

And before anyone asks, no, I wasn't there!

To mess with the vibe...

Barnsley away on Boxing Day. Stood on an open terrace and it p*ssed down. Town were awful and we got hammered. Ran out of petrol on the A180 on the way home.

It transpired that we were so awful because Crofty had had a party on Christmas eve and a lot of the players had been less than professional in their approach to the event.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

As mentioned above the Barnsley 3-0 in 1979 was pretty special and was a weak before the mass exodus to Anfield for the FA Cup third round match. Also recall the Newcastle match, Mick Hartford’s debut for them I believe after his move from Lincoln, also a 1-0 Boxing Day win over Sheffield Wednesday around 1982. Funnily enough Wednesday’s sub that day was a 17 year old Tony Simmons who now lives in our village and recalls Jack Charlton asking him to warm up and laughs now at the abuse him being a ginger headed Yorkie was not unnoticed by the town fans in the main stand!

The Wednesday game was a cracker - they were way out at the top of the table. Gates had been opened at the Osmond   because of massive queues and the stand was overfull. Probably bordering on the dangerous. A few Wednesday were in the Lower in front of me and my dad and then some CBP types laid into them. Think Waters got the winner.

Quoted from toontown

League cup away first round first leg wasn't it. Seem to think 0-0. We beat them with a child's screamer into top right hand corner in second leg.

I remember that well, but seem to think there was a Christmas score draw at Boothferry….maybe 1-1 or 2-2. I might’ve dreamed it though. I’ve had a fair few drinks since then

3-1 win at Man Utd on Christmas Day 1933 followed by a 7-3 win at home in the return on Boxing Day was pretty good.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

I pretty sure, we played the scunts away one Boxing Day. Drew 2-2? Was my first away game

Yeah that was a great away day , I think we was 2-0 down too if I remember right

Probably Guiseley away 15/16. Called off about 8am before we’d set off from the pub, I was absolutely spangled in the P&M before dinner & tucked up with a turkey curry by 5pm, just as Boxing Day should be done.

The Wednesday game was a belter. I'd just moved to the north east so we booked hospitality in McMenemy's and seats in the upper. Towards the end of the meal a suited gentlemen explained that there had been a member up with the tickets and would we mind sitting in the vice presidents lounge.
Jumped at the chance but the atmosphere was dead through the glass. Still a great game

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Boxing Day v Barnsley 1979/80 season, the one where Norman Hunter get his marching orders

That was my best ever Bobby Cummings and Norman hunter kicking s
Chunks out of each other and squaring up in front of me in the main stand what a match

Quoted from RonMariner

Christmas 1933 takes some beating.

On Christmas day we beat Manchester United 3-1 at Old Trafford (Pat Glover hat trick). Then on boxing day we beat them 7-3 at Blundell park.

Yes, you read that right, 7-3 !  Scorers: Holmes, Glover 2, Jennings, Bestall 2, Craven.

I am not making this up.

And before anyone asks, no, I wasn't there!

I take it you had to work! LOL

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

The Wednesday game was a cracker - they were way out at the top of the table. Gates had been opened at the Osmond   because of massive queues and the stand was overfull. Probably bordering on the dangerous. A few Wednesday were in the Lower in front of me and my dad and then some CBP types laid into them. Think Waters got the winner.

I might be wrong but my memory tells me that Waters did a fantastic run from the half way and then pulled it back for Wilkinson to turn in at the near post, however, it could have been the other way around but goal was definitely at the Osmond end!!!

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

To mess with the vibe...

Barnsley away on Boxing Day. Stood on an open terrace and it p*ssed down. Town were awful and we got hammered. Ran out of petrol on the A180 on the way home.

It transpired that we were so awful because Crofty had had a party on Christmas eve and a lot of the players had been less than professional in their approach to the event.

The Battle of Oakwell

I went on a coach full of loons and the organiser sorted a pub in Donny marketplace from 10am.All was well till we devoured the buffet before his regulars got in . A bit of muttering and the anti Yorkshire chanting began.Right on que several buses off Newcastle fans on the way to Leeds arrived and all hell broke loose.The bus was escorted out of Doncaster by SYP minus around 10 of ours. We arrived in Barnsley all drunk as skunks and stuck in traffic on the big hill we could see Town one side of the road Barnsley the other with Police in the middle we piled off the bus and got straight into the Barnsley lot. At the ground they never had enough turnstiles open for the huge following we had so everyone was jumping the turnstiles. Got in the ground Barnsley scored in the first minute and the Town fans poured across to the side stand and piled in.Hordes of police and stewards arrived but wouldn't let us into the terrace of the other side stand with a roof.Que more mayhem and the SYP renowned for being heavy handed at the best of times got more than they bargained for when they started randomly whacking people with truncheons. They got run out the stand with a chant of you stupid Yorkshire barstewards ringing in there ears.The rain got heavier the mood got uglier and the SYP had locked us in the ground with most of the 3k Town fans wanting out.The game ended the gates opened and the SYP were waiting in the carpark to crack some skulls. They had forgotten that half the 3k Town fans were in the top tier of the side stand and now found themselves stuck in the middle of a very hostile crowd. Pretty sure there were 50 odd arrests made and loads injured including more than a dozen police.In all the years I've gone to football only Coventry away in the league Cup comes close to the police actually causing mayhem. A bad day on and off the pitch.

Quoted from toontown

League cup away first round first leg wasn't it. Seem to think 0-0. We beat them with a child's screamer into top right hand corner in second leg.

That wasn't Xmas.

Hull away was 85/86 and Town had around 7k at Boothferry Park Lyons played himself up front and we lost 2-0

Quoted from chaos33

Can’t remember the year and can’t be ar$ed to check right now, but I’d pick that out. Rammed in behind the goal. Big Keith scored at our end. Great day.

I also seem to think there was a Hull City away game in the late 80s that was also packed with Town. Can’t remember the score. Boothferry park. Amazing atmosphere.

Scunny was 88
Hull 85/86

Quoted from buckstown

The Wednesday game was a belter. I'd just moved to the north east so we booked hospitality in McMenemy's and seats in the upper. Towards the end of the meal a suited gentlemen explained that there had been a member up with the tickets and would we mind sitting in the vice presidents lounge.
Jumped at the chance but the atmosphere was dead through the glass. Still a great game

Think that's the biggest attendance 16k  for a league game at BP since Town won the 3rd division championship 23k

Derby 1 Town 3
A John Oster inspired Mariners grabbed a very unlikely win .We arrived early and the copper who directed us to the pub said he was expecting 3-400 from Grimsby. Think we had around 2.5k turned up and it is like a black and white carnival at kick off. The away support really lifted the team and they played great Oster scored possibly even two and digger Soames the 3rd.
Macclesfield 0 Town 1
A really early goal went in the sky went dark the rain started followed by hail and finally snow .A fast getaway in near blizzard conditions over snake pass and once through Sheffield a clear run home. Loads of others 10 mins behind us had a nightmare and many got stuck in snow and had to stay over in hotels.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

I pretty sure, we played the scunts away one Boxing Day. Drew 2-2? Was my first away game

Oh yeah - i forgot that was on boxing day... Insane game.  Abolsutely packed in the away end - 0-2 down, Alexander top corner (thought he'd missed) and then last minute 2-2 (I think).  I do recall that we could have won it when someone broke down the right and all they had to do was square it to a waiting player but they took a shot.

Quoted from Yossarian

Oh yeah - i forgot that was on boxing day... Insane game.  Abolsutely packed in the away end - 0-2 down, Alexander top corner (thought he'd missed) and then last minute 2-2 (I think).  I do recall that we could have won it when someone broke down the right and all they had to do was square it to a waiting player but they took a shot.

Paul Reece made one of the best saves I've ever seen in that game tipping a volley over the bar.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

The Battle of Oakwell

I went on a coach full of loons and the organiser sorted a pub in Donny marketplace from 10am.All was well till we devoured the buffet before his regulars got in . A bit of muttering and the anti Yorkshire chanting began.Right on que several buses off Newcastle fans on the way to Leeds arrived and all hell broke loose.The bus was escorted out of Doncaster by SYP minus around 10 of ours. We arrived in Barnsley all drunk as skunks and stuck in traffic on the big hill we could see Town one side of the road Barnsley the other with Police in the middle we piled off the bus and got straight into the Barnsley lot. At the ground they never had enough turnstiles open for the huge following we had so everyone was jumping the turnstiles. Got in the ground Barnsley scored in the first minute and the Town fans poured across to the side stand and piled in.Hordes of police and stewards arrived but wouldn't let us into the terrace of the other side stand with a roof.Que more mayhem and the SYP renowned for being heavy handed at the best of times got more than they bargained for when they started randomly whacking people with truncheons. They got run out the stand with a chant of you stupid Yorkshire barstewards ringing in there ears.The rain got heavier the mood got uglier and the SYP had locked us in the ground with most of the 3k Town fans wanting out.The game ended the gates opened and the SYP were waiting in the carpark to crack some skulls. They had forgotten that half the 3k Town fans were in the top tier of the side stand and now found themselves stuck in the middle of a very hostile crowd. Pretty sure there were 50 odd arrests made and loads injured including more than a dozen police.In all the years I've gone to football only Coventry away in the league Cup comes close to the police actually causing mayhem. A bad day on and off the pitch.

I seem to remember very unusually the Humberside police liaison officer saying in the telegraph that his south Yorkshire colleagues were to blame for some of the trouble which shows you how bad it was policing wise. The coppers wouldnt let people go under cover at half time when it was pissing down as I recall it and started fighting with fans who just wanted to get out of the wet.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

That wasn't Xmas.

Hull away was 85/86 and Town had around 7k at Boothferry Park Lyons played himself up front and we lost 2-0

Was that the game Batch saved a pen but was ordered to be retaken.  A few of us went into Hull centre but it was mayhem so we jumped in a taxi and went inside ground for safety reasons.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Think that's the biggest attendance 16k  for a league game at BP since Town won the 3rd division championship 23k

1-5 loss to West Ham 18k, Mags Boxing Day 1980 18k. The attendance at the Wednesday game was declared as 16k  mind but it was at least as many as those 2. As per above I’ve never seen the Osmond so packed - there was no way to get all the Wednesday fans through the turnstiles

Quoted from Sigone

Was that the game Batch saved a pen but was ordered to be retaken.  A few of us went into Hull centre but it was mayhem so we jumped in a taxi and went inside ground for safety reasons.

That was the one.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

1-5 loss to West Ham 18k, Mags Boxing Day 1980 18k. The attendance at the Wednesday game was declared as 16k  mind but it was at least as many as those 2. As per above I’ve never seen the Osmond so packed - there was no way to get all the Wednesday fans through the turnstiles

I stand corrected never realised either game had as many fans as mentioned that Wednesday following was huge .

Quoted from toontown

I seem to remember very unusually the Humberside police liaison officer saying in the telegraph that his south Yorkshire colleagues were to blame for some of the trouble which shows you how bad it was policing wise. The coppers wouldnt let people go under cover at half time when it was pissing down as I recall it and started fighting with fans who just wanted to get out of the wet.

Exactly that .The police where spoiling for a fight and set out to provoke the Town fans .Not the wisest of choices when many had been on the ale all day and had memories of previous encounters with the SYP. Naturally the papers had it down as the Town fans to blame for all the trouble I imagine an independent viewpoint would have seen things very differently.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Boxing Day v Barnsley 1979/80 season, the one where Norman Hunter get his marching orders

My first season as a Town fan and I'd been given a scarf for Xmas. How I enjoyed that game.

Quoted from Poojah

Lincoln in the snow, 2005 was good fun. 3-0.

When the Chimps thought the snow would cause the game to be abandoned with Town 3 0 up! That was a disappointment for them then.

The Newcastle and West Ham games great memories even though I thought the wham game was later on the season anyway I enjoyed beating derby at their shiny new stadium one box day 1-3

I remember being at the 2-2 draw against Hull in 1980. We arrived on a football special train at Boothferry’s own station.
It was well after Christmas and beating Hull was a clear indicator we were going to win the league.
Hull were leading 2-1 when we equalised towards the end of the match if I remember correctly. The noise of town fans signing “we’re gonna win the league” was deafening.

My next favourite was beating Newcastle at Newcastle.  I was working up there at the time and I think we were the only team to beat them at home. ( I might be wrong) They romped the league that season and we managed a draw 0-0 at home. Kevin Keagan  said afterwards “ oh yes we went to Grimsby and gave them a proper football lesson by thrashing them nil nil .”
Really enjoyed chatting to all my Geordie workmates on the Monday,