General Manor Memories

[Big Ronaldo]

Up the Manor.

Pulled up in the car outside what was the walkway to the back of the London road a few weeks ago. The yellow and blue Iron entrance gate still there.
Chokes you up when you think about it.
The memories flooding back…


Match day, the place buzzing, shuffling up in a throng of fellow yellows, on the left, the supporters club rammed. Fans everywhere.

One time, before the game, Johnny Aldridge turned up at the back end of the London Road, he was late but he still waded in signing countless autographs as he slowly made his way to the security gate.

Argh, great stuff.

My goodness, it was superb at times in that heaving London Road.

We scored and you rolled down from the back to the front row without your feet touching the ground. Lost a shoe down there in a bundle one time!

Those are memories that you couldn’t buy.

‘We are the right side!’

…!!

 

[SteMerritt]

‘We are the right side!’

...as you could never hear because of being drowned out by the Left Side noise.

 

[Maurice Earp]

Actually played at the Manor in the Final of the Manor Cup way back in 1964. Lost 1 - 2. The week before we were in the Final of the White House Shield which we won 2 - 1.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

I was only a young lad when we were at the manor but I can still remember the smell of the place as you walked into the stands.
My dad used to take me into the beach road most games and even as a kid I appreciated how uncomfortable those wooden seats were!
We used to park a good 10 minute walk from the ground but the buzz you got when you walked around the streets, seeing the programme sellers on the corner of the roads, going to the club shop on the corner before each game was something special every week.

I also used to love the open days at the ground in the summer as a kid, getting to meet all the new players and watching them train was the highlight of my summer every year.

 

[Mad Dog]

So many memories.

My first season as a season ticket holder was 1987/88, with my dad and grandad, we didn't miss a single home game for about 8 seasons, and was always in the Osler road stand, often in the only section that didn't have a roof!

Remember Dean Saunders leaving to sign for Derby, and hating the sight of him in their kit when he came back to play against us!

Remember Mickey Lewis always giving me a thumbs up when I gave him a shout during the warm ups!

The yellow soles of Paul Simpson's boots as he ran off down the wing , after skinning the opposition full back!

John Durnin scoring all four goals in a 4-0 win against Luton, and scoring an absolute worldie from about 35 yards for his 4th goal!

Thrashing league leaders Newcastle 5-2, in the days when we always thrashed the high flyers when they came to the Manor!

John Byrne getting fed up with being constantly fouled, and literally beating the s**t out of an opposition player (Peterborough?) jumping on top of him, and literally punching him in the head about 5 times. Shocking to see, but funny!

Remember the sheer excitement every time Joey or Chrissie Allen got the ball out wide and ran at the full backs!

The shite video scoreboard in the Cuckoo lane end that worked a couple of times, then never worked again!

The kids relay running races on the red gravel track around the pitch during half times!

The Leeds and Chelsea FA cup games, so exciting, we battered Chelsea in the first half!

Watching the carnage in London road whenever we scored!

The floodlights, with half the bulbs not working!

The smell of cigarettes and bovril!

Working my way through a pack of Chewits every game, although years later, they would be replaced by a 10 pack of fags!

The promotion!

The relegations!

The lovely pitch!

The Slope!

I could go on...

I loved that place, and miss it dearly. My fondest memories as an Oxford fan. I still have the occasional dream that I'm playing there, and having a blinder!

I'm looking forward to moving to our new stadium, and calling it home, but no ground will ever be our home like the Manor was.

 

[Gregortheox]

As a child, my grandad lifting me over the wall of beech road before ko so my legs dangled on to pitch side, the PA system kicking out Tears for Fears and The final countdown by Europe (?), David Langans big calf’s and rolled down socks, the smell of Ralgex spray, Ken fish sprinting on with his bucket, The London road chaos, nappy’s loud voice, policeman's helmets in the air…

Joey tormenting the hell out of fullbacks on a cold night under the lights, smell of burgers and onions, the noise and folk fully invested in getting behind the team rather than checking their phones, excitement and happiness. Home.

 

[Essexyellows]

The list is far too long, part of growing up, part of long standing friendships, so many memories of so many special moments, so many people you only knew by a Saturday "nod".

Its in my blood & I miss it.

 

[chuckbert]

Took my boy past there last time we were in the shire and were visiting someone at the JR. Feels weird seeing a corporate hospital building there.