Away days in the 60's - travel

[oldbutdim]

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Early 70's. Pentland Branch travelling from The White Hart in the Grassmarket. Sometimes City Link or train.

Singing stop the bus I need a wee wee, having a wee wee against the bus as travellers sped past trying not to look, getting chased through Aberdeen and Perth just to mention a couple, bus window put in at Ibrox and Tannadice, darts thrown at us at Rugby Park, bottles thrown at us at various grounds and Turnbull's Tornadoes.

Oh yes Happy days indeed.

Vodka and Pomagne cocktails with beer chasers...………… packed bus leaving from the Grass Market, but usually a few empty seats on the way back as the more radge members would be detained by the local plod...………

Happy days sure enough.

[Jonnyboy]

I travelled on the Hawkhill bus under the guidance of Maud Macfarlane. We loved a sing song but Maud was pretty strict if swearing was involved

Every away game she told us to hide our scarves as we neared the ground. That was fair enough but she did the same with our tartan scarves when Scotland were playing Bulgaria at Hampden. Clearly she'd heard that the Bulgarian casuals were waiting on us

[IberianHibernian]

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Sandy McNair, in one of his trademark articles told tales of the corporation buses that would run from St Andrews Square to away games. They were named Excursion 1, 2, 3 and so on depending on demand, and Excursion 1 was deemed the premium and most desired bus to be on for extra kudos. Maybe the Uber Fans of the day’s bus of choice!

Remember these , probably mid / late 70s . Usually 2 or 3 buses ( hence chants like " Excursion 1 they kill for fun " ) but big matches like cup match at Motherwell ( about 8000 Hibbies - anyone remember the massive show of tricolours with We Are Sailing belted out by Hibernian support ? ) ) probably over 20 buses . Buses were cheap and great connection for fans who weren`t based in Edinburgh . Train football specials were great too but was obviously hard to predict demand so I remember some empty trains and some of the trains used seemed to be from age of steam . Particularly bad memories of one which broke down on Tay Bridge after a vist to Dens and took a couple of hours to be repaired (maybe not a special train ) . Would like to see re introduction of football specials for big occasions like cup semis and finals but thinking mainly of non football fans who are entitled to travelling without company of loads of fans .

[Forza Fred]

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I was not in an Official Supporters Club but I occasionally travelled on the SMT " Hibernian Supporter Hires" which left from St Andrews Square. Does anyone remember the name of the pub which was situated in close proximity to the bus stands? I was a frequent visitor in these now far off days.

The Highwayman.

[Forza Fred]

Carlton Branch bus under the stewardship of Davie Panton and Eddie Campbell.

Left from Hibsclub and picked up at fit o the walk, and occasionally at Barnton.

Still remember the single fish running down the back window, disposed of via empty new fangled Skol ring pulls, through the roof skylights.

[bigwheel]

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Small world, I was actually sitting on the very back seat up stairs.My young brother was sitting beside the lad tha got killed. I was pretty unscathed apart from shock and managed to get a lift to the game for which was a daze. February '82 was when the accident took place.

Remember the guy (not his name sadly)...very likeable character - wasn't on the bus, was on Central branch, but remember the day...everyone was stunned. Recall chatting to some who turned up at the match

Respect to any of his friends or family looking in..


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[.Sean.]

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Theres definitely a niche in the market for football specials, Virgin West Coast run the odd ones for big matches in London involving teams from the North West but thats about it. These were done away with due to trouble as another poster says. Its different these days though, CCTV is everywhere on trains as a deterrent to would be animals.

With all the old rolling stock that is currently being withdrawn a TOC could buy them and use them for specials and because they're so old it wouldn't really matter if the crowd was a bit rowdy. It would keep the fans away from day train services and stop them annoying normal punters.

That’d be brilliant and 100% something I would use

[SON OF PADDY]

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I was not in an Official Supporters Club but I occasionally travelled on the SMT " Hibernian Supporter Hires" which left from St Andrews Square. Does anyone remember the name of the pub which was situated in close proximity to the bus stands? I was a frequent visitor in these now far off days.

Could be wrong!
But possibly The Highwayman.

[The Harp]

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Joined Hibs club when it was up Carlton Terrace (I think it was) was on Bernie Glanceys St Giles juveniles bus which left from the Grassmarket. Great memories of going to Shawfield, Cathkin Park etc 😊 that must have been 1963 IIRC.

Joined the club in '63 at 7 Carlton Terrace and travelled on the St Giles, what a branch that was back then. Bernie was a great guy and was like a 2nd dad to us young laddies.

Can remember the last game of 62/63 season when we had to win at Starks Park to stay in the old 1st Division. So many fans turned up in the Grassmarket for the bus that we were sitting 3 to each double seat and that still wasn't enough to get everyone on board, so Bernie borrowed chairs from the pub and set them up in the aisle to accommodate everyone.

We got as far as Haymarket when we were stopped by the police. A young policeman got on board and looked bewildered to see a sea of faces looking up at him. There must have been 80+ on the bus which was meant to sit about 40. Fortunately, after booking the driver, he let us continue our journey to Kirkcaldy, much to the relief of everyone on board. Needless to say, Bernie started up a special collection from the passengers to help pay for the driver's fine.

[Bradford]

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I travelled on the Hawkhill bus under the guidance of Maud Macfarlane. We loved a sing song but Maud was pretty strict if swearing was involved

Every away game she told us to hide our scarves as we neared the ground. That was fair enough but she did the same with our tartan scarves when Scotland were playing Bulgaria at Hampden. Clearly she'd heard that the Bulgarian casuals were waiting on us

I spent a few years on the back seat of the Hawkhill bus in the late 1960s-early 1970s before going to London. You are spot on about Maud but she (and Mrs Currie) were fine people. Before that we used to travel by Eastern Scottish excursion bus, train to Aberdeen and on the Tynecastle Branch bus where Frank Dougan (amongst other c
haracters) was a member.

[Fanforlife]

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Carlton Branch bus under the stewardship of Davie Panton and Eddie Campbell.

Left from Hibsclub and picked up at fit o the walk, and occasionally at Barnton.

Still remember the single fish running down the back window, disposed of via empty new fangled Skol ring pulls, through the roof skylights.

Davie (Puffin)Panton still goes to the games.He is back staying in the Inch and can be found any Saturday drinking in the Globe or other Niddry Street establishments😂😂

[MM19]

I used to go with the excursions from St Andrews Square then joined the St Giles branch. It was a great bus to travel with.

Me and my husband were on the bus that crashed going to Tannadice. We just had cuts and bruises and ended up on the St Giles bus that stopped to see if people were ok and took us up. Remember being really shaky at the match especially when Hibs equalised.

[green with envy]

[QUOTE=bigwheel;5810402]Remember the guy (not his name sadly)...very likeable character - wasn't on the bus, was on Central branch, but remember the day...everyone was stunned. Recall chatting to some who turned up at the match

Respect to any of his friends or family looking in..

18 year old Mark McGhee, AKA rude boy (RIP), due to his love of 2-Tone. He was always seen most weeks going to the games wearing his signature pork pie hat along with sta-press, loafers and harrington etc.

[bigwheel]

[QUOTE=green with envy;5810666]

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Remember the guy (not his name sadly)...very likeable character - wasn't on the bus, was on Central branch, but remember the day...everyone was stunned. Recall chatting to some who turned up at the match

Respect to any of his friends or family looking in..

18 year old Mark McGhee, AKA rude boy (RIP), due to his love of 2-Tone. He was always seen most weeks going to the games wearing his signature pork pie hat along with sta-press, loafers and harrington etc.

Thank you. Yes! Great guy - black Harrington. Sometimes the hat. Fun character. Respect

[Waxy]

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Libby travel bus for years with the mental Dougie Sneddon as convener, crazy days 😲

Remember breaking down on the outskirts of Glasgow after ibrox (i think)then having to abandon it and walk back for a train 84/85ish

[brog]

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Davie (Puffin)Panton still goes to the games.He is back staying in the Inch and can be found any Saturday drinking in the Globe or other Niddry Street establishments😂😂

That's good to hear. Think it was a friendly at Coventry, we left overnight from the Hibs Club in the bus, 1st pit stop for drink was The Jolly Farmer at Liberton! IIRC Davie was dressed up in a 3 piece suit, fell off the step of the bus & landed in a ditch beside the pub! Lovely thread this.

[BILLYHIBS]

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That's good to hear. Think it was a friendly at Coventry, we left overnight from the Hibs Club in the bus, 1st pit stop for drink was The Jolly Farmer at Liberton! IIRC Davie was dressed up in a 3 piece suit, fell off the step of the bus & landed in a ditch beside the pub! Lovely thread this.

Aye,that sounds like Puffin!

[Earlydelivery]

Remember the excursions well .. went on one to the Dundee replay 73/74 got gubbed 3-0 ... that for me was the biggest hibs traveling support I’ve ever seen outwith a cup final !! 33k at that replay

[MSK]

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Remember breaking down on the outskirts of Glasgow after ibrox (i think)then having to abandon it and walk back for a train 84/85ish

I remember going through, possibly Maryhill and driving past a wee park, wee laddies giving us the two fingers and the middle finger salute, of which we returned in kindness, all of a sudden Dougie shouted duck !! As the wee *******s started lobbing stones etc, think we lost a couple of windows that day 😆

[southsider]

When we went to Aberdeen the buses used to leave at midnight. Was in a bar with a live band when a huge fight broke out and a few boys, me included got lifted. Taken to the local nick. I asked to phone my lawyer. After he stoped laughing (who the **** dae ye want Petrochelli a tv programme of the time) . Naw Mr Walter Sutherland QC who will be in the East Nuek bar. Walter used tar drink in the Vic on Causewayside wi my granny. Anyway the bold Walter turns up at the jail immaculately dressed in a Harris Tweed suit and deerstalker hat. But wi green & white balloons attached. Just when he was going to his big speach the Sargent says U come for that laddie ( I was 18). Yes sir Just take him. In fact just take the ****im lot of them. Thanks to Walter we all got off. Some man.Carried a walking cane with a big silver head.

[eastterrace]

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Remember the excursions well .. went on one to the Dundee replay 73/74 got gubbed 3-0 ... that for me was the biggest hibs traveling support I’ve ever seen outwith a cup final !! 33k at that replay

yes I was at the replay after a 3-3 draw at Easter road. Imagine getting 33 thousand for a Wednesday night replay now. Jockey Scott was unplayable that night he run us ragged.

[BILLYHIBS]

I remember one of our pick up points was North Junction Street.
This guy asked us what all the fuss was?
We explained we were off to watch the Hibees and were picking up supporters
He asked if there was any seats left?
We said aye and he jumped oan
He had told his Mrs he was popping out for a paper and some rolls
This was in the days before mobile phones.
I think his name was Billy Singh
This sort of thing used to happen all the time
Brilliant!

[Forza Fred]

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That's good to hear. Think it was a friendly at Coventry, we left overnight from the Hibs Club in the bus, 1st pit stop for drink was The Jolly Farmer at Liberton! IIRC Davie was dressed up in a 3 piece suit, fell off the step of the bus & landed in a ditch beside the pub! Lovely thread this.

Was on that bus and remember two things, but not stopping at the Jolly Farmer...

One having drunk to excess that Friday night up Royal Terrace was violently sick on the bus BEFORE it left the Hibs Club.

The second was coming home when the driver (who may have had a couple) took a wrong turning and we nearly ended going the wrong way on the motorway!
Resulting in a a kefuffle about this on the bus at the time....

[Forza Fred]

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Davie (Puffin)Panton still goes to the games.He is back staying in the Inch and can be found any Saturday drinking in the Globe or other Niddry Street establishments😂😂

I actually spoke with the puffin several months ago...I phoned my brother and he had bumped into Mr Panton and they were in a hostelry together at the time.....

[Fanforlife]

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I actually spoke with the puffin several months ago...I phoned my brother and he had bumped into Mr Panton and they were in a hostelry together at the time.....

😁👍

[Wembley67]

What's the story with the bus that crashed?

[MSK]

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What's the story with the bus that crashed?

Libby travel double decker travelling to Tannadice for a Scottish cup game, bus was heading towards Bridge of Earn and as the bus took the big swinging bend it was buffeted by winds coming off the hills, the bus rocked a bit then all of a sudden we were slammed again and the driver struggled to keep us on the road.

Within a few seconds we were bouncing off both axels then we went over onto our right side, absolutely terrifying. Bus slid down the road a bit then came to rest at the central reservation.

[Wembley67]

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Libby travel double decker travelling to Tannadice for a Scottish cup game, bus was heading towards Bridge of Earn and as the bus took the big swinging bend it was buffeted by winds coming off the hills, the bus rocked a bit then all of a sudden we were slammed again and the driver struggled to keep us on the road.

Within a few seconds we were bouncing off both axels then we went over onto our right side, absolutely terrifying. Bus slid down the road a bit then came to rest at the central reservation.

Crikey, that must have been petrifying.

[MSK]

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Crikey, that must have been petrifying.

Especially as kids, and there quite a few on the bus that particular day, I have travelled that same road and cornered the very same bend many times since in the beer lorry and it used to give me the shivers each time I passed that spot where we went over, I keep thinking of that poor fellow hibbie who lost his life 🇳🇬

If I recall correctly, not long after our crash a mini bus carrying hearts fans crashed at the same bit, I think the mini bus went down the ditch to the left of the road, I think there was a fatality on that bus too. I knew a hearts fan from Bingham (where we lived too) who was seriously injured.

[green with envy]

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Especially as kids, and there quite a few on the bus that particular day, I have travelled that same road and cornered the very same bend many times since in the beer lorry and it used to give me the shivers each time I passed that spot where we went over, I keep thinking of that poor fellow hibbie who lost his life 🇳🇬

If I recall correctly, not long after our crash a mini bus carrying hearts fans crashed at the same bit, I think the mini bus went down the ditch to the left of the road, I think there was a fatality on that bus too. I knew a hearts fan from Bingham (where we lived too) who was seriously injured.

Correct.