FOOTBALL fans climbing into the rafters of the stand, and staying there to watch the full game.

It’s enough to send a modern day stadium manager into shock, but back in the day such images were commonplace – certainly on the Longside.

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From there supporters witnessed the season in which Burnley were crowned champions of England, and in 1987 they saw a great escape.

The Longside even had it’s own chant.

“Bertie Mee said to Bill Shankley ‘Have you heard of the Northbank, Highbury?’ Shanks said ‘No, I don’t think so.

‘But I’ve heard of the Longside, Burnley!’”

It was 20 years ago on Wednesday the last game was played in front of the famous terrace – a 2-1 win for Burnley, when a Neil Allison own goal proved decisive, after Kurt Nogan became the last Claret to score before the bulldozers got to work.

A decade later the club commissioned a book and invited fans to write in with memories of the their time in that particular part of the ground through stories and poems.

The Longside is where football fever took hold for many, and for the 20th anniversary of its closure we asked fans to take to social media to share their treasured moments standing there.

Lancashire Telegraph:

On Facebook, Neil Welsh said: “I first went on in the 80/81 season, age 9/10 with my dad. He took me in the away end as it would be less crowded.

“It’s fair to say he hadn’t thought through the hooliganism of that period – I got to see more battling than I’d ever encountered.”

Gareth Beck (@BeckGareth) tweeted: “Being a ball boy stood in front of the Longside in the early 80s having to dodge the coins thrown at opposition players.

“Chris Pearce climbing onto the dugout in front of the Longside and doing ‘his’ dance.”

Clarets fan and Lancashire Telegraph columnist Andrew Greaves (@AndrewGreaves84) tweeted: “Watched pretty much all of 1991/92 4th Division championship season from there. Missed trophy presentation v Wrexham #gutted.”

Mark Whittaker (@MarkWhittaker70) also shared his first Longside memory on twitter: “Versus Fulham 1979, 1-1 I think. First time my Dad took us onto the Turf #longside.”

James Brown ‏(@Brownie1882BFC) wrote: “My best memory was longside in full voice singing @UB40OFFICIAL fallen in love with you #twitterclarets.”

Mathew Maine (‏@Matt_Maine9) added: I was only a kid from my experiences in the old Longside, but always remember climbing up the fence so I could see the game! And my dad having to keep dragging me off it!!”

There was an alternative view for rival fan @ctwilky, who tweeted: “I was in that end as a teenager with a Blackburn Rovers chain on, Burnley fans ripping up a rovers top chanting no nay never.”

The players have their memories of the Longside too.

Former striker Willie Irvine said: “I was having a little bit of a bad time and hadn’t scored for three of four games. We were playing Manchester City and I remember one particular fan – a lady – giving me some real pain.

“I went up for an Alex Elder free kick and scored, and I ran from the Beehole End to the Longside near the Cricket Field, took my shirt off and said to her ‘Can you do any better?’

“Other than that there were tremendous fans in the Longside. The men around her said ‘Well done Willie!’”

John Deary said: "The Longside was so unique that I never experienced anything like it at any other ground. The fans in it were also unique with their chanting and the noise that came out of it was inspiring.

"I would always look towards the Longside when we came running out before a game and when it was on full boil you could sense the enthusiasm flooding onto the pitch. Anyone who had the pleasure of witnessing the Longside on or off the pitch was blessed and will cherish a memory that will never leave them.

Roger Eli said: "The noise that was generated from that big old stand was amazing.

“The supporters in that end would certainly let you know if they appreciated you.

“I loved the Longside and feel privileged to have played in front of it.”

But not all recollections are romanticised.

Ben Lee, a 17-year-old apprentice, fell to his death when the roof caved in as he tried to retrieve a ball.

“My memories are sad ones,” said former midfielder Paul Weller, who had to sweep the terraces after home games as part of his scholarship duties.

There were happier times for him personally after the stand had closed.

“I scored my first goal and there was no-one there because it was being knocked down. I celebrated with a JCB!”