Re: The Willows : Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:45 am  

middleman wrote:

The Salford team of the late 70's running on the pitch to the 'Radetzky March' ( Theme to Monty Pythons Flying Circus ) . bizzarre then, appropriate now.

That tune is (I think) The Liberty Bell by Sousa. The Radetzky March by Johann Strauss senior is the one they play on the Last Night of the Proms.

Re: The Willows : Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:35 am  

John Charnock wrote: That tune is (I think) The Liberty Bell by Sousa. The Radetzky March by Johann Strauss senior is the one they play on the Last Night of the Proms. Your right it was The Liberty Bells. Tune

John Charnock wrote: That tune is (I think) The Liberty Bell by Sousa. The Radetzky March by Johann Strauss senior is the one they play on the Last Night of the Proms. Your right it was The Liberty Bells. Tune

Re: The Willows : Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:42 am  

theredshed wrote: Your right it was The Liberty Bells. Tune Oh please, please, please, pleeeeeeease make this the tune the players run out to for the remainder of life at the Willows!!!

theredshed wrote: Your right it was The Liberty Bells. Tune Oh please, please, please, pleeeeeeease make this the tune the players run out to for the remainder of life at the Willows!!!

Re: The Willows : Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 am  

Yorkshire_Red wrote:

With regards to Salford players with a 100% goal-kicking record, didn't Mike Coulman pop over a late conversion in his swan-song for us at the North Stand end? I definitely remember him taking it & I'm almost certain he was succesful.

Alan Hunte also kicked 100% for Salford. IIRC he had kicked 1 towards the end of a season (I forget who against) then in another game later in the season, as we'd scored a try, Steve Blakeley was being substituted on, as he wasn't allowed to be subbed on and take the kick, we had no goal-kicker, so Alan stepped up again making it 2 out of 2.

Re: The Willows : Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:55 am  

As for my own personal memories of The Willows,

5-2 v Harlequins (1st Super League game to contain no trys),
Playing in the kids game at Half Time in the 31-30 win over Wigan,
Martin Offiah's drop goal v Bradford to make it 1-0,
David Hulme nailing a young Andy Farrell,
A fight v Wakefield with Bobbie Goulding just running around giving players on the outside of the 'huddle' digs in the back,
The Devil Duck,
Steven Tyrer's flick back to Fitzy v Hull last season was also pretty special,
Being mascot in Steve Blakeleys return game after his 'spell' at Warrington,
Every time Blakeley made a sandcastle to kick from, he wasn't having any of the new modern tee's,
Everyone in the ground singing "Alker For Britain" every time Brian Noble walked across the pitch v Wigan,
Generally watching the game from right next to the tunnel (where the classroom is now) with my older brother while my dad stood in the shed.

Re: The Willows : Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:15 pm  

stockport wrote:

am going to blubber like mad when the curtain comes down and the fat lady sings for the last time. Since 1985 my dad has been taking me to the willows and the memorys are endless. Salford rlfc and the willows have been a very large part of both our lives and as i do this a tear builds up. Highlights include meeting many players and officials in the lifeline bar as a kid my autograph book was top class. Autographed programmes by some of the worlds best players and coaches. Aged either 9 or 10 on my birthday was invited into the dressing room for photos with garry jack. Darren bloor. Mick mctigue. Peter glynn. Kevin ashcroft and many others. As a kid member of junior red devils with cap scarf and real rugby shirts hardly missed a game and all for around £5 for the season. Remember watching paul shaw a great aboriginie lad mesmerising defences. The rivalry with swinton, the old scoreboard. Stands being burnt down the parachutist hitting the north stand. Going on the pitch to take pics of ian blease and co picking up a trophy. Doing a rugby league coaching course at the willows with players doing the same course including batley bob. Watching the reds beat wigan in the cup was amazing even had a bet on us that day as part of a treble we were large outsiders. More recently had many sponsors doo's at the willows and have picked man of the match and watched dad do the presentation. So many memorys more will come before end of season. lovin love the place. Salford rugby never die.

great post mate - have got great memories as well stretching back to my first game at the Willows.Think I must have been about 5 sat with my dad in front of the main stand on the front row of the seats then moving over to behind the sticks with the big scoreboard at the back (before the North Stand was built)

Then standing fifth step down in the NS terrace to the left of the sticks (directly in line with the "e" on Pontinental advert.Great memories (all with my dad who sadly is no longer here)...fantastic team of the early to mid-70's/2 league titles/Cup finals (sadly not the Challenge Cup ).Great crowds/packed stands...then moving over to the one and only Shed early 80's.

Will deff be "Shed"ding a tear on 11th Sept - wonderful times at The Willows - let's hope we move on to bigger and better times at Barton !!!

Re: The Willows : Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:49 pm  

our very own "9 11"

memories later after i have put the hankies away

Re: The Willows : Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:47 pm  

Having read all the posts you have put on here I must admit I was feeling for you all at the loss of the Willows. As I have already said, and also being a Swinton supporter, I remember many good visits to the ground during the derby games and it is without doubt (after Station Rd's demise) one of my favourite grounds to visit due to the closeness you get to the players all the smells you refer to i.e the linement in the days when we had winter rugby and yes the smell of the dreaded death burgers which still exists today.
However my very lasting memory of the Willows if all goes to plan will be watching the very last trophy held aloft at the ground in Aug/Sep of this year by Mr Lee wingfield, captain of Swinton Lions.

Re: The Willows : Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:27 am  

Do you honestly think there will be any grass left to play on after our last game? B&Q had better stock up on extra spades! That turf must be the best in rugby league

Re: The Willows : Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:40 am  

Not to sure if we finish our games before you but I do agree the playing surface is without doubt second to none.