Too many fans

REDS INVASION: Liverpool fans arriving at Central Station - now the site of Matalan - for the FA Cup fourth-round clash against Athletic at Boundary Park in January, 1962. Around 10,000 Liverpool fans were part of a 42,000 crowd.

CRUSH barriers collapsing threatened danger last time Athletic met Liverpool in an FA Cup tie at Boundary Park - on January 27, 1962.

Keith Edgeley (65) from Chadderton, a long-standing Athletic season-ticket holder since four years prior to that tie, remembers the incident well.

Broken barriers were passed over the heads of fans in the Chaddy Road End in a packed-out ground, with policemen carrying the injured away on stretchers.

“There was a barrier crush and it was quite dangerous,” recalled Keith, who was present as Athletic made it to the fourth round of the 2012-13 competition with a 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest earlier this month.

“Liverpool’s 10,000 supporters all seemed to arrive at once by train. Everyone was mixed in together — but there were too many fans.”

The collapse occurred in the 67th minute of the tie, which Athletic lost 2-1.

Fifteen fans, including several youngsters, were treated for their injuries at the then Oldham Royal Infirmary - now the site of the sixth form college.




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