' ARSENAL V CARDIFF HIGHBURY 1956

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

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From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

WOW

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

Yes my Dad said the same. He was a Canton lad and he and his pals used to take the train up and last train back. Did that for a lot of aways as there were always discounted rail travel offers.

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

Yes my Dad said the same. He was a Canton lad and he and his pals used to take the train up and last train back. Did that for a lot of aways as there were always discounted rail travel offers.

My dad often used to tell me the story of when he went to see city v Arsenal and they got off at Ninian halt and they were queuing for the grange end from the bottom of the steps of the station

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

Went to that match 18/8/56 the day after my 23rd birthday, the match ending 0-0, as stated above there was no segregation in the ground and have too say the arsenal fans were excellent, we went up on what used to be called Football Special trains. leaving Cardiff about 8am and used to leave Paddington station on the return journey at 12-30am the trains used to packed and you had to book well in advance to get on the train. great times

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

Went to that match 18/8/56 the day after my 23rd birthday, the match ending 0-0, as stated above there was no segregation in the ground and have too say the arsenal fans were excellent, we went up on what used to be called Football Special trains. leaving Cardiff about 8am and used to leave Paddington station on the return journey at 12-30am the trains used to packed and you had to book well in advance to get on the train. great times

Arsenal game a little early for me but I remember the train 'specials' and them stopping behind the stadium in what are now the sidings. At one point there was a access into the back of the Bob Bank

I know this image is at Highbury; but some great atmospheres in the old Ninian Park ground when it was full and one of the reasons I got hooked on the Bluebirds

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

Yes my Dad said the same. He was a Canton lad and he and his pals used to take the train up and last train back. Did that for a lot of aways as there were always discounted rail travel offers.

My dad often used to tell me the story of when he went to see city v Arsenal and they got off at Ninian halt and they were queuing for the grange end from the bottom of the steps of the station

Amazing crowds back then. I know we've debated our crowds on here many times but I still don't really understand that given our massive catchment area, why our crowds are not significantly bigger, even without the PL transient fans.

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

Went to that match 18/8/56 the day after my 23rd birthday, the match ending 0-0, as stated above there was no segregation in the ground and have too say the arsenal fans were excellent, we went up on what used to be called Football Special trains. leaving Cardiff about 8am and used to leave Paddington station on the return journey at 12-30am the trains used to packed and you had to book well in advance to get on the train. great times

That's right, my Dad mentioned the Football Specials, the late train meant they could enjoy a few pints after the game and said they had to be booked in advance.

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

Yes my Dad said the same. He was a Canton lad and he and his pals used to take the train up and last train back. Did that for a lot of aways as there were always discounted rail travel offers.

My dad often used to tell me the story of when he went to see city v Arsenal and they got off at Ninian halt and they were queuing for the grange end from the bottom of the steps of the station

Amazing crowds back then. I know we've debated our crowds on here many times but I still don't really understand that given our massive catchment area, why our crowds are not significantly bigger, even without the PL transient fans.

I think it’s all to do with other life options available mate.

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

Yes my Dad said the same. He was a Canton lad and he and his pals used to take the train up and last train back. Did that for a lot of aways as there were always discounted rail travel offers.

My dad often used to tell me the story of when he went to see city v Arsenal and they got off at Ninian halt and they were queuing for the grange end from the bottom of the steps of the station

Amazing crowds back then. I know we've debated our crowds on here many times but I still don't really understand that given our massive catchment area, why our crowds are not significantly bigger, even without the PL transient fans.

I think it’s all to do with other life options available mate.

Completely agree mate. And it's not just us. Reviewed Championship attendances last week and their woeful with a couple of exceptions. I've crunched the population stats that suggest we should get more but the litmus test for me is that we can't fill the Mill Stad with a Wales game, even with a 3.5M population. But even still, I think we should be doing better than the actual 15K average at home and so cheap.

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

Yes my Dad said the same. He was a Canton lad and he and his pals used to take the train up and last train back. Did that for a lot of aways as there were always discounted rail travel offers.

My dad often used to tell me the story of when he went to see city v Arsenal and they got off at Ninian halt and they were queuing for the grange end from the bottom of the steps of the station

Amazing crowds back then. I know we've debated our crowds on here many times but I still don't really understand that given our massive catchment area, why our crowds are not significantly bigger, even without the PL transient fans.

I think it’s all to do with other life options available mate.

Completely agree mate. And it's not just us. Reviewed Championship attendances last week and their woeful with a couple of exceptions. I've crunched the population stats that suggest we should get more but the litmus test for me is that we can't fill the Mill Stad with a Wales game, even with a 3.5M population. But even still, I think we should be doing better than the actual 15K average at home and so cheap.

I agree that we definitely have the fan base to get a lot more support mate but I believe we have around 15K and another 3-4K who may come to the bigger games if we’re doing well, going for play offs etc and then there’s another 5-6K who are waiting in the wings for the premiership dream again.
Tbh I’d turn up to watch the grass grow on a Saturday afternoon (even that would be better than the Durban years) but with money becoming increasingly tighter, people demanding to be entertained rather than supporting the club as a fan, no matter what, plus the other life choices that I mentioned all mean that clubs need to work harder to get you through the turnstiles these days.
All that said, I’d rather be in our position than say Derby’s!!

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

Yes my Dad said the same. He was a Canton lad and he and his pals used to take the train up and last train back. Did that for a lot of aways as there were always discounted rail travel offers.

My dad often used to tell me the story of when he went to see city v Arsenal and they got off at Ninian halt and they were queuing for the grange end from the bottom of the steps of the station

Amazing crowds back then. I know we've debated our crowds on here many times but I still don't really understand that given our massive catchment area, why our crowds are not significantly bigger, even without the PL transient fans.

I think it’s all to do with other life options available mate.

Completely agree mate. And it's not just us. Reviewed Championship attendances last week and their woeful with a couple of exceptions. I've crunched the population stats that suggest we should get more but the litmus test for me is that we can't fill the Mill Stad with a Wales game, even with a 3.5M population. But even still, I think we should be doing better than the actual 15K average at home and so cheap.

I agree that we definitely have the fan base to get a lot more support mate but I believe we have around 15K and another 3-4K who may come to the bigger games if we’re doing well, going for play offs etc and then there’s another 5-6K who are waiting in the wings for the premiership dream again.
Tbh I’d turn up to watch the grass grow on a Saturday afternoon (even that would be better than the Durban years) but with money becoming increasingly tighter, people demanding to be entertained rather than supporting the club as a fan, no matter what, plus the other life choices that I mentioned all mean that clubs need to work harder to get you through the turnstiles these days.
All that said, I’d rather be in our position than say Derby’s!!

Agree with everything you've said, I think it affects most clubs looking at their attendances and potential catchment areas. I still think that we should be doing better though and somehow we're missing a trick but maybe that's just simply how it is, with crowds increasing when playing better and challenging for promotion. We are definitely in a good position financially and many are not and that's vital. I'm not sure what else the club can do either, we've tried free tickets for schools a few times but most don't seem to come back. STs are still good value too. I've also never understood local fans of the big six when they've got a fantastic club on their doorstep but then again, the ones I know only go to a couple of games and generally happy to watch it on TV,

Yes I think between us we’ve pretty much summed it up. Out for a beer or two now and then sleeping over at grandchildrens house probably to be eokdd re n around 5sm!!
Have a good Christmas mate - look forward to chatting again soon

I think we have mate, have a great Christmas with the family and have a after dinner snooze if your up with the sparrows.

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

Yes my Dad said the same. He was a Canton lad and he and his pals used to take the train up and last train back. Did that for a lot of aways as there were always discounted rail travel offers.

My dad often used to tell me the story of when he went to see city v Arsenal and they got off at Ninian halt and they were queuing for the grange end from the bottom of the steps of the station

Amazing crowds back then. I know we've debated our crowds on here many times but I still don't really understand that given our massive catchment area, why our crowds are not significantly bigger, even without the PL transient fans.

I think it’s all to do with other life options available mate.

Completely agree mate. And it's not just us. Reviewed Championship attendances last week and their woeful with a couple of exceptions. I've crunched the population stats that suggest we should get more but the litmus test for me is that we can't fill the Mill Stad with a Wales game, even with a 3.5M population. But even still, I think we should be doing better than the actual 15K average at home and so cheap.

Let’s not kid ourselves City we’re supported in great number The reverse fixture was just over 23k and that season most of our fixtures were under 20k in the top division. Our biggest crowd was against Leeds and that was 38k Something we would have done in the premier league as well if stadium was big enough
In the 58/59 season we had crowds as low as 10k and highest 27k against the Wurzels even our game against Swansea was only 24 k
Yes we use to get the occasional big crowd but don’t fool ourselves we have ever been well supported when we see our catchment area

It’s this clubs merry go round.. bottom line is, we haven’t been successful since the 1920s, 100 years nigh.
Nice story rontom, cheers

From FB. Must be all Cardiff as its the clock end.

269808978_4951591144897268_288289624001204123_n.jpg

No segregation in them days so difficult to say.

It probably is mixed as that's a huge crowd.

My dad used to tell me that Cardiff v Arsenal was a massive game in the 50s.

Yes my Dad said the same. He was a Canton lad and he and his pals used to take the train up and last train back. Did that for a lot of aways as there were always discounted rail travel offers.

My dad often used to tell me the story of when he went to see city v Arsenal and they got off at Ninian halt and they were queuing for the grange end from the bottom of the steps of the station

Amazing crowds back then. I know we've debated our crowds on here many times but I still don't really understand that given our massive catchment area, why our crowds are not significantly bigger, even without the PL transient fans.

I think it’s all to do with other life options available mate.

Completely agree mate. And it's not just us. Reviewed Championship attendances last week and their woeful with a couple of exceptions. I've crunched the population stats that suggest we should get more but the litmus test for me is that we can't fill the Mill Stad with a Wales game, even with a 3.5M population. But even still, I think we should be doing better than the actual 15K average at home and so cheap.

Let’s not kid ourselves City we’re supported in great number The reverse fixture was just over 23k and that season most of our fixtures were under 20k in the top division. Our biggest crowd was against Leeds and that was 38k Something we would have done in the premier league as well if stadium was big enough
In the 58/59 season we had crowds as low as 10k and highest 27k against the Wurzels even our game against Swansea was only 24 k
Yes we use to get the occasional big crowd but don’t fool ourselves we have ever been well supported when we see our catchment area

Wasn’t there a massive increase in football crowds generally post WW2.

There was a big increase following the war until 1949 which had crowds for the season of the top four divisions of 41m after that the decreased steadily The last season that crowds were allowed to attend a full season , the four divisions had 33m attendance
That is with less games in the top league where the crowds are usually bigger but the biggest decrease in crowds have been in the lower divisions over that time period

On the subject of games against Arsenal, I bet not many teams can say this, but we once beat Arsenal 3 Saturdays running, home and away in the league, and in the FA cup, our home win in the league was 4-0. Just a little claim to fame.