My husband’s grandfather recalled travelling to Bradford to watch the Blades, probably early 1930s . Couldn’t understand where everyone was only to realise they’d gone to the wrong Bradford ground. There were two at the time….
“Playing with nine regular players and the trainer, United still won.” Haha, so Hecky, Jack & Stuart McCall could step in, if needed, then . . .
“And of course in the 1950s players always used to travel to home games on the bus, with their boots in a brown paper bag. Always.” I remember reading something similar in Stanley Matthews’ autobiography! And always having their “expenses” scrutinised when travelling by train!
And speaking of similar place names, there’s a (probably apocryphal) story of some Americans visiting the UK who wanted to see the battle site at Stamford Bridge (East Yorkshire) and were taken to Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC!
But like all the modern things we take for granted today, such methods of travel seem positively archaic. However, the history of it is fascinating; thanks for the research.
My husband’s grandfather recalled travelling to Bradford to watch the Blades, probably early 1930s . Couldn’t understand where everyone was only to realise they’d gone to the wrong Bradford ground. There were two at the time….
Thanks, Matthew
“Playing with nine regular players and the trainer, United still won.” Haha, so Hecky, Jack & Stuart McCall could step in, if needed, then . . .
“And of course in the 1950s players always used to travel to home games on the bus, with their boots in a brown paper bag. Always.” I remember reading something similar in Stanley Matthews’ autobiography! And always having their “expenses” scrutinised when travelling by train!
And speaking of similar place names, there’s a (probably apocryphal) story of some Americans visiting the UK who wanted to see the battle site at Stamford Bridge (East Yorkshire) and were taken to Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC!
But like all the modern things we take for granted today, such methods of travel seem positively archaic. However, the history of it is fascinating; thanks for the research.
Sue.