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Josephines Nightclub Sheffield


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I went to Josie's for quite a while between 84 and 87 and even worked therefor a few months to earn some extra cash. Robbie was a top bloke and all the staff were very friendly. I think Bomber Graham must have had the hots for one of the girls because he was always in the Kitchens chatting to them!

It was a good nightclub and whilst the 2 bob millionaires frequented the wine bar and restaurant, there were plenty of normal people in the rest of the club. Of course all the footballers (both Wednesday and United, but particularly Wednesday) frequented the place. Monday nights and Saturday nights were the ones for the footballers (Mick Lyons, Martin Hodge, Mel Sterland and various others were regulars), but Thursday nights were always good because of the Hen Nights. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

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I went to Josie's for quite a while between 84 and 87 and even worked therefor a few months to earn some extra cash. Robbie was a top bloke and all the staff were very friendly. I think Bomber Graham must have had the hots for one of the girls because he was always in the Kitchens chatting to them!

It was a good nightclub and whilst the 2 bob millionaires frequented the wine bar and restaurant, there were plenty of normal people in the rest of the club. Of course all the footballers (both Wednesday and United, but particularly Wednesday) frequented the place. Monday nights and Saturday nights were the ones for the footballers (Mick Lyons, Martin Hodge, Mel Sterland and various others were regulars), but Thursday nights were always good because of the Hen Nights. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Totally agree with all of the above, Leon. There were plenty of jerks there, but mostly good folks.

Bob Bacon (RIP) was a tad straight-faced as Manager, but approachable enough, as was club co-owner Rod Johnson (Light grey suit and stood rigidly in one spot all night) and biz partner Dave Allen, but Robbie was/is a great guy, friendly and always willing to muck in with even the glass collectors.

Big Jim the 90ft tall ex-boxing/wrestling doorman usually swept a huge crowd up in his MASSIVE hands and moved them further in/outside of the club- even if he'd scooped up staff by mistake he couldn't hear our protests!

Some of the barmaids- some very respectable there, btw- copped off with the same snooker players on an annual basis and there were some seedy, rum goings on at the back of the club by bar 1 at the other side of the dance floor and DJ stand (as there was in the wine bar with the ''rich'' set and gangsters).

Good memories in retrospect though.

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Totally agree with all of the above, Leon. There were plenty of jerks there, but mostly good folks.

Bob Bacon (RIP) was a tad straight-faced as Manager, but approachable enough, as was club co-owner Rod Johnson (Light grey suit and stood rigidly in one spot all night) and biz partner Dave Allen, but Robbie was/is a great guy, friendly and always willing to muck in with even the glass collectors.

Big Jim the 90ft tall ex-boxing/wrestling doorman usually swept a huge crowd up in his MASSIVE hands and moved them further in/outside of the club- even if he'd scooped up staff by mistake he couldn't hear our protests!

Some of the barmaids- some very respectable there, btw- copped off with the same snooker players on an annual basis and there were some seedy, rum goings on at the back of the club by bar 1 at the other side of the dance floor and DJ stand (as there was in the wine bar with the ''rich'' set and gangsters).

Good memories in retrospect though.

Yeah I remember Alex Higgins making a nuisance of himself in there one night, giving it the "Do you know who I am" treatment to a girl he was trying to chat up. He was absolutely plastered and could hardly stand. He was having a bad tournament and needless to say went out the very next morning (must have been 84 or 85).

Also forgot to mention the excellent Kebab wagon across the road by the Gaumont (at least they seemed excellent after a good night out!). lol

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Guest Jason H

I came across this forum completely by chance and had to sign up and give my 2 penneth, I was a DJ in Josies for about 18 months in the early 90's alongside Mitch (Sears) and have loads of great memories. I remember one particular Tuesday night, I was stood on the door with 'Big' Jim Moran (due to it being really quiet). Jim was the 7 feet tall giant of a man with the deepest voice I ever heard and hands the size of shovels. There was a guy walking towards the club who turned out to be Tony Barton from the stones bitter adverts (he'd been doing some promotion at a nearby bar) he came bounding up to Jim and shouted "ARE YOU OPEN YETI" just as he had in one of the adverts, Jim just picked him up, gave him a friendly bearhug and carried him into the club. Tony then walked up to the bar and ordered a lager saying he couldn't stomach any more of what he called 'that shyte' meaning the stones.

The next time I worked, i think it was the thursday, we were all informed that Jim had suffered a MASSIVE heart attack and died. I think the phrase they used was he was dead before he hit the ground, the company put a coach on for staff to attend his funeral which took place in Leeds where Jim lived. My only recollection of that day was the bright green suit that Mitch wore along with his red socks.

Josies was my first DJ gig and a great platform for me to be a DJ to this day, it was my only gig in Sheffield till 2005 (I went all over the world spinning those wheels of steel) and to this day I still work Nightclubs although they are a completely different animal these days.

I remember Bob Bacon, Maggie, Mick Mills on the door and loads of other faces which sadly have had their names removed from my head.

I set Bomber Graham's jacket on fire in a fire eating stunt that went wrong but that's a story for another time....

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Guest jonceebee

I recall Josephines from the early 70's and cannot recall ever being propositioned by prostitutes, even though I spent most of the night in the wine bar section. It was more selective than most Sheffield nightclubs and I feel some people felt out of place as the girls could be rather aloof if you did not meet their standards. In saying that I always enjoyed visits there, often mixing with footballers and pop stars around you, and Alan Kilby at the door a gentle giant, although I would not like to have crossed him.....Great memories...Jon

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Guest rachel.s1

Can anybody help me with italian teds surname and how I can contact him please?, I would appreciate any support with this.

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I recall Josephines from the early 70's and cannot recall ever being propositioned by prostitutes, even though I spent most of the night in the wine bar section. It was more selective than most Sheffield nightclubs and I feel some people felt out of place as the girls could be rather aloof if you did not meet their standards. In saying that I always enjoyed visits there, often mixing with footballers and pop stars around you, and Alan Kilby at the door a gentle giant, although I would not like to have crossed him.....Great memories...Jon

I didn't get 'propositioned', but they were there!!

Just because a girl (moreover 'mature' gold-digger - remember blonde barmaid Marilyn behind the bar?) in the wine bar turned her nose up at everyone who wasn't a gangster or a careless spender doesn't mean she had class or taste, much less morals? It usually means someone is ignorant, cheap and materialistic?

Josephines, which I 'knew well', and the staff, was selective, but in a manner of double-standards.

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Guest JANJAN

Can anybody help me with italian teds surname and how I can contact him please?, I would appreciate any support with this.

His surname is Giordano and I was told 5 or 6 years ago that he now works in America, but don't know if that is still accurate information. Hope this helps andsorry I don't have anything more current.

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Guest Chaplad

Yes i was a Josephines regular.Having read the comments about the pimps and prostitutes,ive come to the conclusion that i must have been absolutely blind drunk every time i went in or very naive.

I had some great nights in there.It was great to put a suit on after working in overalls and jeans all week and i can understand the guys comment about certain women who turned their noses up at the likes of someone who worked in engineering.I remember some years later bumping into two of these lasses,and i couldnt believe how much weight they'd put on and their looks had faded.They even had the cheek to start talking to me?I politely declined their offer of a date.I still walk past and look up to the old place and wish it was still open.I did go in when it became Banus,but it wasnt the same.I still go down town at the ripe old age of 49 and i think that Sheffield is missing a Josephines,but until then i think the only place that resembles Josies is the Crystal.

But its not a patch on Josephines.

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I was a regular at josephines in the late 70s met my husband there in 1979 and been married for 30 years this year.special times.

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Guest Tigeratplay

That's absolutely lovely! I never went to Jopehines - not my bag, but a good mate of mine did frequent the club in the eighties and bless her, still misses it to this day - even though she was there on the night of the shooting, hiding in nearby bushes!

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LeonR2Z post number 28.........I think I was that girl!!! I used to go to Josephines every Saturday night, sometimes Thursdays and Friday too. One night Alex Higgins and his entourage were in there and he walked past me and clicked his fingers at me and then gestured me to follow him, I just stood there and said no thank you, I knew who he was but thought he was an ugly little wimp! He did not take too kindly to my refusal and started the "do you know who I am " thing at me. I was really embarrassed and thought he was a complete jerk, could never see him on TV without shuddering and thinking Yuk what a creep he was! All the Sheffield Wednesday footballers used to go in there all the time, I went out with one of them and I remember what a nice guy Ozzie Ardiles was and what a total jerk Lee Chapman was!! Good times and a great club.

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Oh that is so funny Goldilocks! Yeah he was about 5'2" with a genuine "little man" syndrome. Think he got asked politely to leave that night he was making such a nuisance of himself (if I remember correctly he followed a girl into the ladies - not you by any chance?).

Occasionally I wish I could turn the clock back and relive some times from the past, in retrospect this is definitely one of those moments!

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Guest blondewytch

I loved Josephines . It was my favourite club back in the late 70s early 80s. I loved the big giant of a doorman & always had a chat before I went in. Yes , I was a bit of a poser back then but never really fancied many of the blokes apart from a few. Got so drunk in there so many times , I have lost count . :blink:

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Guest Jacquely Middleton

went to josies a few times not my cup of tea was into northern soul still am preferd the allniters at samanthas an kgb an veriouse other venues but not allnite now up till 2 am lol

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Guest Rachel Smith

Hi everyone, for anyone interested, Dave Allen is hosting a Josephines Reunion Party in January 2015 at Napoleons Casino on Ecclesall Road, all the event info can be found on the Napoleons facebook page.

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I only went to Josephines a couple of times, would have been early 90's and it was always hit or miss whether I would get in, not because of being too drunk or being a nuisance, just some days they didn't like the look of you.

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Worked at Josephine's during university vacations between 1992 and 1996.

Maggie and Mark were great managers and all the staff were so friendly. Mick (Broomhead)? the older glass collector had such a dry sense of humor. Very fond memories. Sue, Richard (Dicky), Pugsley, Nigel, Mitch, Martin, and many other names that will no doubt hit me soon.

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On 8/28/2017 at 20:57, neal m said:

Worked at Josephine's during university vacations between 1992 and 1996.

Maggie and Mark were great managers and all the staff were so friendly. Mick (Broomhead)? the older glass collector had such a dry sense of humor. Very fond memories. Sue, Richard (Dicky), Pugsley, Nigel, Mitch, Martin, and many other names that will no doubt hit me soon.

One of the glass collectors when I was there (84/85) was called wee pipe. He'd be about 20-22 at the time stocky short blonde hair, big Blades fan. Same guy?

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No. The Dicky that worked there in the early/mid 90's would have been at school in 84-85. 

Plus he was (still is) an Arsenal fan with dark hair.

PS - Neil's swear filter seems to be the same on here as it is on Owlstalk. "Wee pipe"!

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