Slight emergency, help needed.

[ferrarilover]

Guys, I need to know all about the Grandstand. Particularly:

the 1930 incident of the roof being blown off

Both fires (one in 1985, the other in year unknown)

Everything else you guys know. No detail too small. Need to know this evening please.

TIA,

Matt.

[budleigh]

The storm that blew the roof off came in January 1930, only three years after the stand was purchased from Buckfastleigh racecourse for £150. As there was no funds, or insurance, to pay to have it replaced our neighbours Exeter and Plymouth both offered to play friendlies to stave off what Charles Dear, Chairman at the time, felt was a chance of the club disappearing into oblivion. These games, allied with countrywide fund-raising, brought in sufficient funds to replace the roof.

[ferrarilover]

Nice one Budders, keep it coming (PM or here, not fussed which)

Matt.

[Southampton Gull]

This could develop into a great thread once some of our more senior members start contributing, surely Trojan was around in the 30's?

[Wonderland]

Hi Matt

Our old grandstand was bought for £150.00 second hand , having been dismantled at Buckfastleigh Racecourse and reassembled in time for TUFC’s first ever Football League Match against Exeter City.
The roof was completely blown off during the winter of 1930 It was replaced so my Dad told me with either galvanized or asbestos sheets
Matt, you are too young to remember but you know that 10th May 1985 saw the disaster which upset all fans nationwide when the Bradford City stand burnd down with many many casualties = 56 deaths and over 265 injured.
Well 6 days later Plainmoor old stand was burned down – well one third of it. No one was hurt , it was in the morning during working time. Very strange there was nobody around and the cause was never found.
There were some legends told that the Manager wanted some insurance for new players. Purely a myth!
But when that manager became the new owner of Yeovil Town, I remember a certain builder who stands with us said ‘Well he can’t burn down a concrete stand!!’
That is purely another myth of course !

Den

[ferrarilover]

HAHAHAHA, nice one Den, cheers mate. Love the anecdote about our builder friend, I'll be sure to put that to him on Saturday.

A note to all: As of now, we are being especially nice to the following posters, for being thoroughly good eggs
Budleigh
Stefano
Woger of Awabia
Wonderland
Ferrarilover (why wouldn't you be nice to me?)

Matt.

[robbotufc]

This could develop into a great thread once some of our more senior members start contributing, surely Trojan was around in the 30's?

southampton gull, trojan was old when we were both causing havoc in ellacombe in the late sixties

[Glostergull]

Old. You don't know how old. He was the main man when Noah needed help putting the ark together. If I am not mistaken he was the Ark Welder.

[lovinthatsurf]

really enjoyed these interesting facts and myths (yeah right !! lol) thankyou to all for taking the time...if anyone else have any historic walk down memory lane stories..im sure we would all love to hear them.Beats the quote im trying to trawl through here at work.!!!!

[ferrarilover]

More content needed. Anecdotes etc, keep them coming people.

Matt.

[stefano]

More content needed. Anecdotes etc, keep them coming people.

Matt.

Just a quick addition to the PM I sent you Matt the newer section of the grandstand towards the Family Stand end would appear to have been added in 1955. Looking at an old photo from 1954/55 season it was not there but it is in a photo at the start of the 1955/56 season. I have never heard of another fire that you mentioned, just the one when Webb was around.

[Plymouth Gull]

Whats this for, out of interest?

[ferrarilover]

All will become clear, grasshopper.

Any danger of a match day thread?

Matt.

[bc-gull]

So what was it for then Matt

[ferrarilover]

Blimey, you lot are impatient, aren't you? All will become abundantly clear mercifully soon.

Matt