Bristol Rovers v Sheffield United. Watney Cup Final 1972

[leenyburghers]

Doesnt the Bristol Rovers player at 1.32 look like that vicar who did that show on bbc 2 about various religions a while ago (How obscure is that ) I know I need to get out more. Sad bitch that I am !!!

[copperpotbaby]

I remember Tom McAlister playing for West Ham and he was great! His double save in a game against Soton was brilliant. We had two really great keepers that year!.

[madina08]

we have obviosly never been good at pens :(

[istprain]

if anybodys got anymore films of this team in particular and up to about 1975 i would love to see them.

[paulpayback]

As opposed to City's full trophy cabinet,full of......?

No,can't remember what you've won either.

[BS15RED]

Sad old Gas, celebrating a two bit cup win. UP THE CITY!

[gemsdiamond]

Brings back memories seeing the Tote End again. First time that i have seen the ground before it was burnt down. Bloody Ikea store! we had many a punch up outside that old ground. I loved going dog racing there, only to visit and re-live memories.

[123Scears123]

Thanks again. Can you tell me who (and when) we played with Malcomn Dalrymple (sp?) in goal around that time? I remember being 3 up at half time and then it ending 3-3.

[OldEs2006]

It was in Oct 1971 when Malcolm Dalrymple signed for Rovers (I was 11 so cannot even recall him) but he made 8 first team appearances before joining Watford in 1973. We had 2 3-3 draws in 1973 both at home, the first in Feb Oldham and the second was Charlton in April.

[123Scears123]

Thanks for the infos OldEs!

I was at the 2-1 at Old Trafford too! I still have the programm somehwere!

Was our awful 4-0 thrashing at Wolves the next cup game? I was also there. I'm getting forgetful in my old age!

[OldEs2006]

Yes the Wolves game was next. Thankfully my dad or brother couldn't make that one so I couldn't go either. It was still a bit of a shock though to lose 4-0 after the Man Utd game.  I know Utd were on the slide then but I (in my youth) thought we were unbeatable after that, how could Wolves beat us?

[gemsdiamond]

Tom McAlister was a great keeper. I loved him playing for West Ham in the 1980's. Don't be fooled by his display in the penalty shootout. I'll always remember his double save during a game which was brave and remarkable. Phil Parkes was our number one then, but Tom was just as good.

[123Scears123]

Brilliant memories. Thanks! I heard that Dick Sheppard died a while back. Does anyone know what happened? I was at the match where he got his skull fractured in the 70s. Who was that against? Bradford?

[OldEs2006]

Dick died in 1998 but I'm not really sure of any details. All I know he was a fabulous keeper for Rovers and a schoolboy hero of mine. As a 12 year old I saw him save a George Best penalty at Old Trafford when Rovers went there and won 2-1 in the old league cup.

It was at Eastville in 1973 when he fractured his skull in a collision with Eddie Loyden of Tranmere Rovers.

[porkyblade]

I was there supporting United and still have the programme. Great to see all the old players. Those were the days we used to like our players who rather more than humourless mercenaries. Many thanks for sharing the footage.

[samothraki1]

was bruce bannister one half of "smash and grab"? If so,which one was he? And who was the other one? And where on earth did you get this footage? Sorry about all the questions.

[OldEs2006]

Alan Warboys was Smash and Bruce Bannister was Grab and together were pretty awesome and had quite a nationwide reputation.

I had a very old video tape that I converted to dvd.

[redbluebirduk]

That brings back great memories, what a team Rovers were in those days. Anyone remember the Smash and Grab era? Fraid they will always be the Pirates to me and the Ancestral home at Eastville will never be equalled, not even by a new stadium. Great days!!!!!

[frenchiegas]

I was at the match,as a teenager,and remember it well.Stood on North Stand terrace as usual.Now an Ikea store on ground.Current stadium being rebuilt at end of this season,assuming no more problems with Bristol Council.

[griff969]

What was this cup competition? I think its such a shame to see these old stadiums, full of fans, that the clubs had to leave. Am I right in thinking Bristol Rovers are getting a new, redeveloped ground soon?

[OldEs2006]

It was the Watney Cup and was played between the two top scoring teams from each division that were not promoted.

[WISBECHBLADE]

Tom McAlistair was a Blades hero until he broke his leg against Man City but I agree that was shite goalkeeping in the shoot out........

[sheffieldunited633]

was this match played at the old eastville ?

[OldEs2006]

Yes mate, there is only one Eastville Stadium that Bristol Rovers played at. Great days...

[sheffieldunited633]

cool thanks shame that is i no you ben playing at bath and the rugby groung i think are you getting a new stadium /ps its nice to see the two bristol clubs doing well again we will be playing your rivals next season lol .enjoyed your win in the play off final glad you went up leeds and forest nex season for you should be cool >ps why are you called the gas men is that rite ?

[OldEs2006]

Our official club nickname is The Pirates but we took on the name Gas in our later years at Eastville.

The old stadium stood next two a couple of Gas tanks that regularly let off a waft of Gas which we all could smell. Some say it was a name given to us by Bristol City fans in exchange for the nickname we gave them "The Shit".

[sheffieldunited633]

COOL THANKS now i no ,you think of your rivals like ours the pigs wednesday lol

[PressureDropUK]

Just spotted an old mate of mine on here, Mike Norse of Patchway - couldn't miss his big mouth.

Brings back great memories - only seems like yesterday!

[tonycurrie]

trevor hockey man, that beard was immense!

[andyjg]

how shite was the sheff utd keeper in the shoot out

[jeffnz]

Fantastic! I WAS THERE! One of the first penalty competitions in England.

[costahotshot]

excellent, brings back lots of memories

a great day, as was last saturday

great post

[creamofcardstv]

Great video and I've rated it as five stars. Please check out mine on 1920's trading cards of early soccer players. It includes players from Sheffield United etc.

[CheekyRachael]

All Baldes Aernt We..?

[russ432]

There (was) only one Trevor Hockey! He made Alan Corks beard look like a little goatie

[iyers]

Brilliant!

A month before I was born.

Thanks for posting.