120 years ago

[dunsbyowl]

Wednesday fans were anticipating the move to the new ground due to open in September 1899 - just beyond the Forge Bridge - suggested names being Owlerton or Wardsend !

 

#OlderBiggerBetter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tamworthowl]

Two observations:

 

"drains very easily". Really?

 

Why no mention of the pig farm?

[dunsbyowl]

45 minutes ago, Tamworthowl said:

Two observations:

 

"drains very easily". Really?

 

Why no mention of the pig farm?

 

It should - when they built the North Stand in 1960/61 they found a layer of gravel - remains of the river bed of the Don when it was much wider.

[nevthelodgemoorowl]

1 hour ago, Tamworthowl said:

Two observations:

 

"drains very easily". Really?

 

Why no mention of the pig farm?

As Dunsby  says one of the best until the harsh winter of 1963 when some very heavy machinery went on the pitch to try and break up the ice. The ice was never broken up but the aggregate was compressed by the weight and the drainage we had been used to was lost. 

[VictoryBell]

"Owlerton" was often heard from the gobs of old blokes in reference to Hillsborough when I was growing up. They will, most likely, all be dead now - although I hope some stalwarts survive.

 

I used to think it was a charming and romantic thing to call Hillsborough by its older name but I'm glad it became "Hillsborough". It's the name I grew up with and it's sonorous and beautiful and famous and "justified and ancient".

 

May it last forever!