Leader of the Pak

Last updated : 16 January 2009 By Dad of Dave the Shrimper

Our meetings with Stockport in 1966-67 were in the old Fourth Division, a season that ended with Stockport being promoted as Champions.

However, both games were played in a somewhat unpleasant atmosphere.

Easter Saturday 25th March 1967

STOCKPORT COUNTY 4-1 SOUTHEND UNITED

Stockport will not leave such happy memories. After the game an unruly collection of home fans found it necessary to daub the Southend Coaches and private vehicles with slogans and to hurl bricks towards the windows. Our fans however, acted wisely in driving them away as peacefully as the situation allowed. One does not like to reflect on what would happen if a visiting side won at Stockport. Let's hope there will not be a repeat of this behaviour in the return game on May 13th.

(From : Southend v York Programme 31st March 1967)

Saturday 15th May 1967

SOUTHEND UNITED 0-1 STOCKPORT COUNTY

I was only fifteen for this match and looking back it all seems a bit unreal. Southend fans incensed at the treatment they had received at Stockport seven weeks previously, were looking to settle scores. Stockport were already Champions and bought quite a few fans with them to Roots Hall, unusual for the time.


The first I knew of any problems was when the Pak arrived most of them armed with three foot brand new, white wooden broom handles. How could anyone allow them to take them into the ground, but in those days nobody bothered. Eventually, well after about an hour actually, the police arrived in force and went round confiscating them. Although aggravational nothing much happened during the match, it was the usual "we'll see you all outside" attitude.


As was not uncommon in those days Northern clubs would arrive early morning and make a day of it and they would park in the Kursaal car park. After the game the Stockport fans made the half hour walk back to their coaches, but before they boarded the Pak arrived in force. The two sides confronted each other abuse was thrown at each other, but it didn't develop much further, eventually the police arrived and it was dispersed. The Pak felt they had the moral victory by arriving in mass at such a distance, Stockport felt they had, because they stood their ground. The reality was that this was more than the usual isolated disturbance at football, this had been organised.

Oh by the way Stockport won 1-0!