Ayresome Park in uproar

Ebor

Well-known member
Is there anyone on here that actually saw N Korea beat Italy at the ground?

I was in a pram, in Germany, as my Dad watched us win the final
 
I wasn't there, but we had a couple of Italians staying with us who were absolutely devastated when they got back from the game.
 
I wasn't there as I wasn't born, but both my dad and grandad were, hence the username. My dad must've been 11 at the time and he told me once it was typical, they went to see the mighty Italians and ending supporting a team from a country that he didn't even know where it was. I remember my grandad used to say well at least they were Northern, couldn't have supported a Southern team😊
 
I didn't go to any games, but my Dad was the airport manager at that time, and the N Koreans stayed at the airport hotel so he was involved to some extent. The N Koreans had the biggest delegation of any team at that World Cup. There were more security people than players, by some way. There was some concern that there would be demonstrations against the players (the Korean War was only 12 years before), but there was no hostility at all. The players did some training at the airport on the football field there, with an army of security people round the pitch. There was also a well publicised trip to the Oak Tree pub, where they were given beer (I don't think they liked it), accompanied by their chaperones.

The N Koreans played all three group games at Ayresome Park, but the crowds were pretty poor - just 16K or so I think.

My Dad reckoned the huge security presence was to stop the players from defecting, especially after the win over Italy. The team set off for Liverpool to play the quarter final against Portugal, and I think they were intending to stay on at the airport hotel. The logistics were just too difficult though, and they had to stay somewhere in Liverpool, presenting their minders with a huge headache because they couldn't secure the place.

Anyway, they lost, and the story is consigned to history.
 
Does anybody know why the crowds were low?

Although we were generally division 2 in that era with a season in the third division, there were still some hefty crowds in Ayresome. A year later they were all sat around the pitch weren’t they?

Imagine if we got a couple of World Cup games now? You wouldn’t get near it I don’t think.
 
I was in the Bob end for all 3 matches. They were well beaten by a good Russia side in the first game but the crowd reacted to there pluck and tenacity. This support grew for the next game against Chile 1-1 and by then the fans were firmly on their side.Come the Italy game the crowd were chanting their name and when Pak scored they all went wild.
There were reports of some fans going to Goodison for the quarter final I don't know if that was true
 
Does anybody know why the crowds were low?

Although we were generally division 2 in that era with a season in the third division, there were still some hefty crowds in Ayresome. A year later they were all sat around the pitch weren’t they?

Imagine if we got a couple of World Cup games now? You wouldn’t get near it I don’t think.

It was quite expensive, I think my dad paid £1 for our tickets in the North Stand. My season ticket 3 years later was a fiver.

I remember him telling me that touts offering cut price tickets outside.
 
I went with my Dad, I was only 6 and was more interested in what was going on around me. The main reason I remember was the ticket was bought for my older brother, he wasn't in when Dad came home so he took me.
My brother was livid, occasionally still rib him about it.
 
"At least they were Northern" - presumably run by the fat lad's ancestors.
Probably, but I think it was said with tongue firmly in cheek, I don't think my grandad was a big fan of dictators, but you never know, he was a staunch Labour man after all😉
 
It was quite expensive, I think my dad paid £1 for our tickets in the North Stand. My season ticket 3 years later was a fiver.

I remember him telling me that touts offering cut price tickets outside.


I doubt tickets were £1 for the N Korea matches. Pretty much the only tickets that were more than £1 were for the semi finals and final at Wembley. Even then they were only £2 or £3.

Tickets for the games at Goodison and Old Trafford were 7/6, which is 37½p in new money.
 
Yes, I'm sure they were £1 for the North Stand Upper.

I've just tried searching for pricing and a 3 match season ticket was £3.

Standing tickets were cheaper.

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I was there aged 10 with my dad in the south east corner and still have a few memories of the night but probably didn't realise how sensational the result was at the time.
 
Is there anyone on here that actually saw N Korea beat Italy at the ground?

I was in a pram, in Germany, as my Dad watched us win the final

Yes, I saw all three games. The first two were quite turgid as far as I recall but the Italy game was quite an experience when the atmosphere kicked in. I was in the area below the Boys' End, the Italian supporters certainly didn't expect to be going out that night.
 
Does anybody know why the crowds were low?

Although we were generally division 2 in that era with a season in the third division, there were still some hefty crowds in Ayresome. A year later they were all sat around the pitch weren’t they?

Imagine if we got a couple of World Cup games now? You wouldn’t get near it I don’t think.
I read somewhere that 1966 It was the lowest average attendance for any World Cup - I don't think that would be the case if we ever get another one.
 
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