Brentford 6-0 Newport County Leyland DAF Southern Area Final 1985

[Jimbee]

I know a lot of people take the piss out of the competition but remember the Bees had been starved of success for a number of years and then all of a sudden we were on the verge of a Wembley appearance. Nervous about the prospect of losing out, there was a tense atmosphere on the Royal Oak that night but we blew Newport apart with Gary Roberts scoring 4 goals, 3 of them spread over four minutes either side of half time. A team that should have achieved a lot more at least got the consolation of appearing beneath the Twin Towers.

[Hungerford Bee]

I agree, this was one of my best nights at GP. There was a great atmosphere that night as we were 5 - 0 ahead after 3 minutes of the second half and knew that not even Brentford were going to screw up and we were going to Wembley.

['Ayes B]

Imagine todays ground, with the paddock and newroad being terraces, and with the Royal Oak (capacity 7k-10K) heaving at the Brook Road end of the ground.

Although I normallt stood on the Oak, I decided taht I wanted to view it from the paddock, to see it in its finest glory. The trouble was that we were watching the game 6 deep on the steps that lead upint the paddock.

The crowd, bearing in mind that the ground was virtual all terrace was packed, to the rafters, even under the fllodlight pylons and the corner terrace (now lost completly) where the New Road curved around into the Royal Oak was full.

What was the attendance, under 10k officially but ask anybody who was there and they'll tell you that it must have been between 19-25k

[The H]

very balmy night too.

was it after the cup final?

[Lord Mad]

The Newport game is blurred for 2 reason for me.

First, I arrived a little late thinking it was only a Mickey Mouse competition and only a few would turn up hence I availed of half a dozen cans of Swan and vision was somewhat impaired. Gait was also unsteady.

Second, as the forth went it, my specs were sent flying in the ensuing celebrations near the back of the Royal Oak and I watched much of the second half with only one lens. Must've looked a right raspberry.

Less said about the final the better.

[Luton Bee]

I'll let you all in on alittle secret...I was a matchday steward in those days and had the glory of being up in the stand with the players (and the bubbly) after the match. I seen to remember Keith Cassels nearly braking his neck on the steps as the silly lad came out with his boots still on!

Happy Days indeed.

I believe BTW that both Keith Cassels and "gasping" Gary Roberts went on to become coppers? Can anyone confirm? I know Gasping was in the Baldock area at one time, playing for Baldock Town.

[markbfc]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Luton Bee:
I'll let you all in on alittle secret...I was a matchday steward in those days and had the glory of being up in the stand with the players (and the bubbly) after the match. I seen to remember Keith Cassels nearly braking his neck on the steps as the silly lad came out with his boots still on!

Happy Days indeed.

I believe BTW that both Keith Cassels and "gasping" Gary Roberts went on to become coppers? Can anyone confirm? I know Gasping was in the Baldock area at one time, playing for Baldock Town.</font>

yes they are. I have a copy of that game on video somewhere too....

['Ayes B]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by The H:
very balmy night too.

was it after the cup final?</font>

No it was on a Friday night and Everton were playing in League the cup final on the Saturday. There were Everton fans in the Ealing Road supporting Newport.

[Chrisbee]

I was living in Ilfracombe(North Devon)at the time.I couldn't make the game.Luckily,BBC Wales had highlights on at 10.30pm and reception over the Severn Estuary was ok.The people in the flat below couldn't work out what all the noise was as the goals flowed in.(No radio 5 live then)!
I went to the Final.I got a coach from Barnstaple bound for the Chelsea Flower Show for just £5.Brentford was mental on the Friday evening before the final.Traffic on the Ealing Road was held up for half an hour as we danced in the streets!I crashed out in a house opposite the Brick!The owners are now good friends!! http://gpgrapevine.co.uk/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Brickie Chap]

Treated Mrs BC to the very entertaining evening of watching our superb Cup match back in '85 last night. Unfortunately she said she was feeling unwell and had to go to bed early...I think she was telling the truth:rolleyes:

The quality is not bad considering it was recorded 17 years ago to be honest and it does pick up the crowd noise fairly well. The sight of some of the clothes being worn is worrying though.


Anyway back to the game....THE ROYAL OAK...WHAT A STAND!!! I know we won 6-0 and the atmosphere is pretty good, and you can see some 'crowd' action(1st half penalty, Newport marching across the Ealing Road terrace to get nearer to the Paddock & end of game 'march' towards Newport by 100's of Bees), and you had three pitch invasions(I thought there had been more), and the goals were quality, and Hurlock was playing, and we won....BUT THE ROYAL OAK IS THERE!!!

Why oh why was it knocked down:(


Anyway, well worth the £65 I paid to aid Bees United. Might be worth trying to show this after one game in Stripes(entrance fee of £3 to Bees United?) as I am sure a number of fans would like to see it and for the younger supporters they can see what all us 'Old Gits' are going on about when we talk about THE ROYAL OAK!!.


What do you think?

[The Joker]

I'd love to see a film of the Royal Oak. I've only been a Bees fan for 10 years, so have never seen it. Showing it in Stripes is a good idea IMHO.

[Sweepy]

Great memories. That video is worth every penny you spent. I remember the penalty later in the game, which I think was for 6-0. Supporters were preparing to invade the pitch, making their intentions very clear by gathering on the running track - before the spot kick was taken. Then BANG... GOALLLLLLLLLLL!

How I would love to check the video to see if the 8 year-old Sweepy was filmed on camera running onto the field of play. Wasn't it great in those days, when celebrational pitch invasions weren't considered to be anti-social? I remember travelling to Bournemouth in the previous round with my cousins - 3-2 I think, and more excellent pitch invasions.

When did the old Freight Rover Trophy lose its value?

[Bee H]

Originally posted by Brickie Chap
and you can see some 'crowd' action(1st half penalty, Newport marching across the Ealing Road terrace to get nearer to the Paddock & end of game 'march' towards Newport by 100's of Bees), and you had three pitch invasions(I thought there had been more)

as well as the pitch invasions I bet people swore as well ? Wayne King would have closed us down for good if he'd been around !

Great idea re Stripes - but will Wayne allow it ? It might interfere with his Circus activities !

[Park Royal Ben]

Me and my mates got legged all over The South Ealing Road after the game. Because it was played the day before the Man Utd V Everton 85 Cup Final, some of there fans were in attendance.

therefore it seemed every team in London had a hoolie firm in attendance. Coming out of the Subway under the A4 to be greeted by 30 bouncing Orient/ICF saying "come on Scousers let's have it" was not pleasant, even the response of "Errr we're not Scousers were ummm Brentford" was greeted by a smack in the mouth for my mate and kick up the arse for everyone else before we got away.

Worth it though for Gaspers 9 minute hat-trick and the prospect of Wembley later that month :)

[RoyBee]

Great idea. Get it in Stripes.

What a night!!!

[Voice from the Braemar]

funniest moment was the 200 heading straight through the awaiting players(who thought they were going to be carried off) and up to the newport in the ealing - wayne king would have been most disappointed!!!

great night had by all.................!!

[Park Royal Ben]

I was on the pitch then as a gobby 16 year old, in much the same way I suppose that the kids ran on against Reading last season, no intention of doing anything as then much the same as now I was an unmitigated coward.

I do have a memory though of Newport and whoever else was in with them that day, actually very much wanting it, and not going anywhere other than down to the front to try and have it.

Indeed a load of my mates got chased round the ground before the game by them twice!

We were stood on Braemar Rd waiting to go in as they came round the first time:

Me "Oi where you going? wer're going in here

Them: "Can't stop see you in the ground" said as they ran past at 30 mph with 30 Newport 10 feet behind them.

It was like a comedy sketch.

[Voice from the Braemar]

remember going to wembley for the final and at the end of the game walking back across wembley way with some mates when some 20 or so wigan in front decided to get brave with a few bees only for 30 or so to turn the corner and really batter these northern divs into next week - funniest moment was one wigan standing there shouting 'dont run' to no-one as all his mates had scattered leaving him on his jacks - everyone just laughed at him and moved on!!

wayne king would not be best pleased...!!!

[WarrenBee]

Originally posted by Voice from the Braemar
remember going to wembley for the final and at the end of the game walking back across wembley way with some mates when some 20 or so wigan in front decided to get brave with a few bees only for 30 or so to turn the corner and really batter these northern divs into next week - funniest moment was one wigan standing there shouting 'dont run' to no-one as all his mates had scattered leaving him on his jacks - everyone just laughed at him and moved on!!

wayne king would not be best pleased...!!!

Ah the good old day's.Am I allowed to say that in these P.C times?
Who give's a f**k.Have it.










:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Come on you Bees.

[wanderingbee]

What a great Idea showing the Video.

Stripes may be a bit stiff in letting this happen after a game but Ralph and Sue in the Griffin may be inerested in showing it in the Royal oak like they did for the film a couple of weeks ago, may be worth asking them. ???????