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https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/hoodlums-on-the-train-to-the-races-37hrh6mqg
From The Times: January 18, 1925
I did not arrive at Paddington on Saturday until just before the last special train to the Newbury Meeting was about to depart. Not wishing to miss the train, I had to jump into the first carriage I could find. I knew what would happen when I saw the ugly man at the door wave his hand to other men who were waiting, ostensibly for friends, on the platform. In a very few seconds the train started, but by that time the ugly man and four others had also come in, all uglier, if that were possible, than the man who had awaited them outside. The party of five were doubtless confederates, but did not, at first, take any notice of each other.
After a time they tried to enter into conversation with myself and the other two men in the carriage. They commented on the weather and on the country through which we were passing. One of them, the most villainous-looking man unhung, asked me if I had noticed how green the grass was. He was surely an unconscious humorist. We — my fellow-travellers and myself — were asked what we thought of such and such a horse, and when we all expressed — as politely as we could — our complete ignorance of racing the conversation stopped and out came three cards and a small green baize cloth.
The five rogues played at first among themselves, four of them appearing to win, without ever losing, from the manipulator of the cards. We were asked to join in, but when we stubbornly refused to take any part they stopped the game, and having made among themselves much abusive comment on our unsociable behaviour, fell to discussing their successes and failures during the past week.
I learnt from them how to travel on the railway line for nothing. One of them told how he had travelled all the way from London to Southampton and back first class, and had made £7 on the journey, all for the price of a first-class ticket from the terminus in London to a suburban station. And what amused them all was the fact that the railway authorities at Southampton apologised to him for the inconvenience he had been caused by the train not stopping at his own station. As he pointed out, it never does.
From The Times: January 18, 1925
I did not arrive at Paddington on Saturday until just before the last special train to the Newbury Meeting was about to depart. Not wishing to miss the train, I had to jump into the first carriage I could find. I knew what would happen when I saw the ugly man at the door wave his hand to other men who were waiting, ostensibly for friends, on the platform. In a very few seconds the train started, but by that time the ugly man and four others had also come in, all uglier, if that were possible, than the man who had awaited them outside. The party of five were doubtless confederates, but did not, at first, take any notice of each other.
After a time they tried to enter into conversation with myself and the other two men in the carriage. They commented on the weather and on the country through which we were passing. One of them, the most villainous-looking man unhung, asked me if I had noticed how green the grass was. He was surely an unconscious humorist. We — my fellow-travellers and myself — were asked what we thought of such and such a horse, and when we all expressed — as politely as we could — our complete ignorance of racing the conversation stopped and out came three cards and a small green baize cloth.
The five rogues played at first among themselves, four of them appearing to win, without ever losing, from the manipulator of the cards. We were asked to join in, but when we stubbornly refused to take any part they stopped the game, and having made among themselves much abusive comment on our unsociable behaviour, fell to discussing their successes and failures during the past week.
I learnt from them how to travel on the railway line for nothing. One of them told how he had travelled all the way from London to Southampton and back first class, and had made £7 on the journey, all for the price of a first-class ticket from the terminus in London to a suburban station. And what amused them all was the fact that the railway authorities at Southampton apologised to him for the inconvenience he had been caused by the train not stopping at his own station. As he pointed out, it never does.
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As I recall many racegoers failed to pay on the Race specials back in the 50s.
One expression that should be revived: the most villainous-looking man unhung
It used to be said at Cheltenham that some of the Irish racegoers would have been cleaned out at cards on the boat over. Whether that still happens, who knows? You'd like to think people are more sophisticated now but no doubt so are the sharks.
1970s - On train heading for the ferry to go and watch the ARC . Me and mate were white , other mate was from Windward Islands (Boris ) Other mate (Ronnie ) was from Asia somewhere . Four blokes in front started making a few racist asides . Boris got his steel comb out and sharpened it .....silence .
we were having a meal in chelts one night and 4 Irish lads with 2 girlfriends were playing poker one was the absolute spit of Micky Fitz, and they sort of goaded us in to joining in . I went for a wazz and my mate said forget about sitting down they,ll rip your eyes out, we had a drink instead and they told us they were over Ted veale at 20,s for next days country hurdle when in was the last race, I backed ew at 22,s, happy days
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