Motherwell: Saturday is Service Day

manscript extract five:

Of course the recent history between us included their infamous ambush of our mob up there in August that year, when 47 were arrested in a carefully planned Police operation. On the train on the way up the mood was jovial until we hit Stonehaven again, when the occasion started to produce the inevitable butterflies. The train arrived in Aberdeen with ASC conspicuous by their absence. A couple of spotters were clocked but they kept their distance. Again I hung back with some of the older ones just in case an attack came from the rear. I was right at the back, eyes darting back and forth, as well as sideways. Going past the docks there were a few streets leading off to our left, at the top of which I could see some ASC tracking our progress along a parallel street. It was obvious something was going on and others had clocked it as well. I had a copper walking right beside me being rather chatty for a change, they usually took great delight in telling us we were scum and they had enough to deal with without us going up there. This one surprised me by telling me ASC’s plans. "They’re going to hit you at the top of this road, where the two streets come to a point, better get your boys ready." I looked at him, puzzled. "You lot better not shit it, they’ll have a right team and we’re going to be outnumbered so tell your boys." I passed the word up to the front, immediately a buzz formed among our lads. We were heading up a slight incline, "This is where it’s going to happen, just at the top of the road. You ready?" asked the screw. I nodded and passed the word again, he took out his truncheon and quickened his pace. "Come on then, get ready." The ones at the front had speeded up as well, sparking a chain reaction down the ranks. Some ASC came into view at the top of the hill, prompting a few verbals. The front runners started up a narrow path towards ASC as more of them appeared at the top. "This is it." my new pal shouted, "Let’s go." and off he went, some missiles rained down on us from further up, some of our lot returned fire as they built up pace into a full sprint. We charged up the path and some ASC started down towards us but, before a punch could be thrown, more OB appeared and charged into ASC, nicking quite a few. Vans appeared from everywhere, herding the lads at the top into the side, and more charged down towards us to head us off. More ASC came into view from the other side of the road but the OB were well on top by now and any chance of an off had disappeared. They were obviously well informed as to the intentions of their mob. In all 47 were arrested, one of ours who got a bit too lippy on the way to the ground, whilst exchanging pleasantries with ASC across the road. Unfortunately for him his name and address was printed in the local paper and he received all sorts of abusive letters over the coming months. Once we reached the ground the OB escorted us round to the Main Stand as the traditional away end, the Beach End, was housing the home fans that day due to ground improvements elsewhere. Main Stand equals extra dosh, and some of the lads complained they didn’t have enough money. Load of bull of course but we banked on OB letting us in the Beach End if we all stood together, pleading poverty. They weren’t amused and put us up against the wall whilst they decided what to do with us. Some of the older lads tried to negotiate a compromise, those without the entrance money couldn’t be left outside so if they were let in at the Beach End prices we’d all go in. OB flatly refused and we decided no-one was going in at all, hoping they’d relent. Did they buggery, they marched us back to the station and sent us on a train. A spectacular failure, our attempt to call their bluff. We weren’t best pleased so some of them decided we’d get off at Dundee for a rumble. A few made for Dundee city centre when we arrived while the rest of us waited for them to bring trouble back to us. They came back eventually with news that Dundee were on their way. They’d had a bit of a ruck with a few locals and let them know we were waiting. We waited and waited, but nothing came except OB. The next train south was due shortly and we got itchy feet at the prospect of missing out again. Some of us tried to get out but were forced back into the station and down to the platform. The train arrived and still no sign of Dundee, so we reluctantly got on the train. To our disgust, just as we were boarding the train they appeared. A few tried to get off again but were bundled back on and the train doors closed. As the train pulled away Dundee eventually made it onto the platform, just in time to give it the big come-on, couldn’t be sure if they planned it that way. Good job for them anyway, there were some angry boys on our carriage.