Even when we were the best team in the country we couldn't fill a 31k stadium. With the overall rise in crowds over the last 30 years we could well have got to filling the stadium regularly had we stayed as a leading Premier League club. I guess it depends on how you define a fan base. Does it include those who will turn up for the occasional big match and take a casual interest in what is going on? If that is the case then 13k is a minority of that total. If you only include those who would ever go regularly to games (depending on the success of the team and other factors relating to the club, such as it's ownership) and/or take a more detailed interest in the club then 13k is a significant proportion. I respect those who have deliberately boycotted - that must be a painful thing to do. But surely the reality is that the managed decline of the club and the lack of success on the field is the key factor in the hollowing out of the support. The season in League One showed that supporters will return if there is a genuine prospect of success.

Why should that have ruined him? Did a bit of a stupid thing and was harshly punished but no big deal really. Trav was sent off at Portsmouth early on his career - he seems to have recovered ok. Unfortunately Buckley hasn't kicked on after a promising start and probably best for all that he moves on. If he drops down a division or two he could well be a 'big fish' and that might help him have a better career.

Emi Martinez - total knob of a bloke but a world-class keeper. And when they won in 86 I seem to remember some bloke called Maradona 😉 '78 - home advantage offset lack of a truly world-class player although Kempes and Passarella (at least) were probably close. However it's a fair point that teams can win things without a world-class player - e.g. Greece in the Euro's - if the management is world-class.

And having the right footed winger on the right wing - what were they thinking. How on earth did they expect him to cope with cutting inside onto his weaker foot?

Brings back memories. Particularly nice to see the Darwen End roof before it's 'refurbishment' in 1982, courtesy of the six-fingered roofers.

The UEFA cup was often considered to be the toughest to win due to the fact it had more than one team from the stronger leagues and some of those teams were on the rise at the time. Of course those teams are now in the Champions League instead!

Was at a one day international at OT when Tavare was batting. He was so slow we were convinced the opposition were trying to make sure they didn't get him out Ended up with the crowd shouting at his partner (might have been Gooch) to run him out!

Good points. The toilets on the Riverside were delightful. A great view of the stars on a clear night but sploshing through the rain and whatever else (!) in the dark otherwise 😬 I was lucky (I think) to have a dad who took me to games despite the ever present threat of trouble but I can imagine a lot of people took the alternative view. Once or twice we had to make a hasty retreat!!

Football really was in terminal decline in the early /mid 80's. Also it was the Thatcher era with mass unemployment, the miners strike,etc. so money was tight for many people. Many of us who were around at the time have fond memories of the football back then and the feeling of connection with the club, owners and players. But without the kick up the arse the game received with the start of the Premier League - and I know there are lots of things wrong with it - who knows what would have happened.

Noticed how many names of the Div 3 goalscorers I can remember!

Totally agree flaky pastry on a pie is just plain wrong. Having lived in the midlands, south-west and Wales there is nowhere like the north for decent pies. Whenever I see a pie on a menu my first question is always to ask what pastry it is made with.

£4.85m? In view of the current contract situation I'd say even that was optimistic

The season after Italia 90 he was pretty well unplayable.Spurs played a cup tie - possibly against Blackpool - and he was so much above the level of everyone else it was ridiculous. My dad always reckoned Duncan Edwards was the best player he ever saw play and even he said Gazza came close. Then Gazza's recklessness did his knee and he was never the same again.

I remember a few years ago that Peter Reid (when he was a manager) was interviewed after a match his team had lost by 3 goals. He started having a go at the referee for a mistake that had lead to the 3rd goal. He then stopped, laughed, and said something along the lines of 'maybe I'm having a go at the wrong person here as he only made one mistake - my defenders made loads and that's why we lost!'

Personally think it's the wrong decision in terms of supporting the women's game. But even if you don't think the women's game is worth supporting surely most fans can (should?) see it generates more negative publicity about the club.