Fan's View - Bradford away

Thanks Paul,as ever, a measured and informative report. We spent the day in Bournemouth looking after my 92 year old mother who is quite demanding and can be hard work. Not understanding football and having no interest at all, she sort of brought things back into perspective.
Taken some time off work to allow for the drive up to Oxford on Tuesday so very, very hopeful of an entertaining evening but, somewhat sceptical. The joys of supporting OUFC eh!
 
I heard a few people who were really quite passionately anti-Payne. Why they would have any animosity towards him is completely beyond me, unless he's said something I haven't heard?

I'd also say that Bradford and Blackburn are very similar towns - intensely depressing, and genuinely horrendous places. Valley Parade, however, is one of the (if not the) most characterful and charming stadiums I've ever visited. A real pleasure to have seen it.
 
Great piece As ever. I'd expect bashamwonderland to think of Bradford or Blackburn as "genuinely horrendous places" and I think we can all imagine why. Nothing to do with the quality of life there. Just his problem with Muslims.
 
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I like Bradford. I like the pubs. The locals I've come across are friendly. They've got the National Science and Media Museum - well worth a visit. Some really interesting buildings too.
 
I heard a few people who were really quite passionately anti-Payne. Why they would have any animosity towards him is completely beyond me, unless he's said something I haven't heard?

I'd also say that Bradford and Blackburn are very similar towns - intensely depressing, and genuinely horrendous places. Valley Parade, however, is one of the (if not the) most characterful and charming stadiums I've ever visited. A real pleasure to have seen it.
Some of our tough guy supporters are actually such snowflakes that they can’t cope with any sort of rejection. They hate Payne because he chose not to stay with us
 
Some of our tough guy supporters are actually such snowflakes that they can’t cope with any sort of rejection. They hate Payne because he chose not to stay with us
It was Huddersfield's decision to recall him, not the player's.

"It has been great and I have loved my time at Oxford. It was a little bit out of the blue to be recalled but I came in today to say thanks to the players and management for making me feel so welcome and I want to thank the Oxford fans as well. They have been brilliant with me and I think it is a club that will continue to move forward. It has been fantastic to be a part of it." - What he said at the time.
 
It was Huddersfield's decision to recall him, not the player's.

"It has been great and I have loved my time at Oxford. It was a little bit out of the blue to be recalled but I came in today to say thanks to the players and management for making me feel so welcome and I want to thank the Oxford fans as well. They have been brilliant with me and I think it is a club that will continue to move forward. It has been fantastic to be a part of it." - What he said at the time.

Makes the attitude of a minority even more depressing does that.
 
I heard a few people who were really quite passionately anti-Payne. Why they would have any animosity towards him is completely beyond me, unless he's said something I haven't heard?

I'd also say that Bradford and Blackburn are very similar towns - intensely depressing, and genuinely horrendous places. Valley Parade, however, is one of the (if not the) most characterful and charming stadiums I've ever visited. A real pleasure to have seen it.
Lucky for you that you did not visit in the 80's. Ramshackle stand, crumbling away terracing, outside bogs and weak,weak Stones bitter. Only redeeming feature a 20 yard thunderbolt from Rosie. Those were the days.
 
Lucky for you that you did not visit in the 80's. Ramshackle stand, crumbling away terracing, outside bogs and weak,weak Stones bitter. Only redeeming feature a 20 yard thunderbolt from Rosie. Those were the days.

Incidentally those are all characteristics of a fantastic stadium, in my books.

I think 18 years of bland Kassam surroundings have allowed me to appreciate the grottier stadiums.
 
I like Bradford. I like the pubs. The locals I've come across are friendly. They've got the National Science and Media Museum - well worth a visit. Some really interesting buildings too.

I'd agree on the locals - some of them saw I had away colours on and were happy to strike up conversation. Stewards were also happy to chat.

I didn't go to any pubs in the end - I'll make sure I do next time.
 
Lucky for you that you did not visit in the 80's. Ramshackle stand, crumbling away terracing, outside bogs and weak,weak Stones bitter. Only redeeming feature a 20 yard thunderbolt from Rosie. Those were the days.
Away terrace !? When I went mid-week in early 80's it was a small concrete slope, no steps/terracing, on the side we sat on Saturday. If you weren't by the wall you couldn't see much. I think Neil Whatmore got 2 that day and we lost.
I think Rosie's screamer was following year, 1983, when we played away at Hull. Bradford and Sheff Utd in space of 7 days in the promotion season.
 
Hmm, just when I was considering reviewing my "not doing away games in the league" policy...
However, I have to say that your reports of those "chanters" etc in our ranks does more to keep with the policy than the prospect of poor play.

Nonetheless, I have still got my ticket for Plymouth. COYYs!
 
Away terrace !? When I went mid-week in early 80's it was a small concrete slope, no steps/terracing, on the side we sat on Saturday. If you weren't by the wall you couldn't see much. I think Neil Whatmore got 2 that day and we lost.
I think Rosie's screamer was following year, 1983, when we played away at Hull. Bradford and Sheff Utd in space of 7 days in the promotion season.

I remember those three away games. Did them all. Without looking it up I think we won at Hull and Sheff Utd and drew 2-2 at Bradford when an ex-Oxford player played for them and might have scored one of their goals. Someone called Hare? I'm pretty sure for that draw we were behind the goal on a sizeable terrace.
 
I remember those three away games. Did them all. Without looking it up I think we won at Hull and Sheff Utd and drew 2-2 at Bradford when an ex-Oxford player played for them and might have scored one of their goals. Someone called Hare? I'm pretty sure for that draw we were behind the goal on a sizeable terrace.
Yes, won 1-0 at Hull and 2-1 at Sheff Utd, Biggins and Vintner scored the goals. Both Hull & Sheff Utd were up near the top so both games were 6 pointers.
 
Yes, won 1-0 at Hull and 2-1 at Sheff Utd, Biggins and Vintner scored the goals. Both Hull & Sheff Utd were up near the top so both games were 6 pointers.
Remember that midweeker at Sheffield vividly. Upwards of 20,000 at the Lane and Steve Biggins wrapped it up in the 88th. Was it really that long ago? It was a sweet drive home.
 
Remember that midweeker at Sheffield vividly. Upwards of 20,000 at the Lane and Steve Biggins wrapped it up in the 88th. Was it really that long ago? It was a sweet drive home.
Went to all 3 games also. I think one of the London Road coaches had its window put in on the way out of Sheffield after the night game. Does anyone else remember that or am I confused with another time?
 
Went to all 3 games also. I think one of the London Road coaches had its window put in on the way out of Sheffield after the night game. Does anyone else remember that or am I confused with another time?
Now you come to mention it I do remember that. If I recall correctly the police gave us an escort quite a way out and a few seconds after they'd peeled off and left us to it a brick took one window out. It was quite cold on the journey back home.
 
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