Welcome to the Lower Block Football Culture Fan Archive, a dedicated space where the spirit of proper football fans from the 1970s comes alive through personal photographs, memorabilia, anecdotes and treasured memories. This archive exists to preserve the moments, people, and stories that defined this decade of football, ensuring that they are not lost to time or simply scattered across social media without proper recognition.
By sharing their collections, fans contribute to a community that values authenticity, historical accuracy, and respect for the individuals who captured these moments. Whether it’s a snapshot from a legendary away day, a cherished matchday programme, or a candid photo from the terraces, each contribution helps to build a lasting legacy for future generations to experience. Our goal is to celebrate and safeguard these memories, while inspiring others to come forward and share their own.
The 1970s rocked football, ushering in an era of vibrant celebrity culture, as players, managers, and pundits became household names. Liverpool began their dominance under Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, securing multiple league titles and their first European Cup in 1977, a success they would build on for years to come. The game itself underwent a transformation, with the arrival of coluor TV making matches more accessible and electrifying for fans at home. Footballers like Kevin Keegan and George Best embodied the new football celebrity, their faces appearing on magazine covers and in advertisements, while managers like Brian Clough were as famous for their off-pitch charisma as for their achievements on it. Punditry grew as a staple of football culture, with iconic personalities offering their insights on TV, further commercialising the game. Football became a blend of sport and entertainment, with companies capitalising on the rising fame of players and the growing TV audience through adverts for everything from football boots to aftershave, defining the era’s growing consumerism.
Together, we can ensure that this unique era of football culture is properly documented, preserved and appreciated for years to come. Get involved and share your photographs and memories at hello@lowerblock.com
Photographs appear in the order they were submitted, with the latest photos at the top.
BELOW | Oh, you beautiful blues! London’s Evening Standard reports on Chelsea winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup in May 1971 beating the great Real Madrid 2-1 in a replay at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece. John Dempsey and the great Peter Osgood got the goals. Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris was captain! Submitted by Benjamin David.
BELOW | George Best on the ball, soccer secrets and action pictures by the Daily Express Newspaper, brilliant instructions on how to dribble, pass and shoot like the Manchester United star who was at that point, the considered to be one of the worlds best player. Submitted by Michael James.
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