Last episode is really heartbreaking John. A tough watch. I wonder how many near misses a lot of us had when we were kids. Certainly Fred Ramsden was around and about city boys and Schultz youth club and school when I was a kid.
I went to Schutlz as a 15 year old. Had played at every level for Endike previously. Had one trial at Schutz and never got asked back. Someone said at the time that I had the wrong colour hair.
Yes, you were right, I watched the last episode today, really heartbreaking. It certainly makes you wonder, I was offered a trial at City, but I knew I wasn't good enough to make the professional ranks, so declined. You never know what might have happened otherwise.
That Bob Higgins bloke was seriously creepy. Sort of Saville meets Frankenstein 's monster. Another failure of the 'justice system' to deliver. As for Dario Gradi his reputation is seriously tainted. Not sure if he deserves it or not.
I’d not really heard of the Southampton one. But we’ve talked about Northwood having a connection with Southampton back in the 80’s. But I do remember some of my team getting tapped up to go down to Southampton for trials and I think Fred was involved in that. A few went I think and I always remember one lad who went. I won’t name him but he was supposed to have a good trial but when he came back he went off the rails really badly and set fire to the school!! Often a sign of abuse.
I played for Schultz school, Schultz YC, and City boys. So I obviously knew Fred but never heard of anything untoward back then. Do you know something for sure?
it was always don’t go in his office. Lots of rumours. Obviously he wasn’t down for anything but people said it was going to come out when he killed himself. Again I dunno.
I'll be honest but I cannot remember if it was just a rumour when I was at Schultz, or I heard the whispers some years later. I just got the impression that he didn't like lads from Endike, especially me, trying to get into the team he already had. And perhaps I wasn't good enough ? All sorts of rumours used to circulate about different teachers having affairs and such but I don't recall any actual incidents, complaints or actual facts, certainly none about Ramsden.. We had a young supply teacher once at Endike, late 60's who used to walk about the changing rooms after football training with his cock out. No-one knew what a pedophile was in those days and we just laughed at him and generally took this piss. He only did it the once.
Thankfully we've moved on from those prehistoric days... We've now got diversity and the chances are you could easily get a transgender supply teacher! Cock out one day,tits the next
Was watched by Ramsden while playing for HGS back in the 70's. I'd scored 21 in 7 games and he came for a look. Didn't know anything about him at the time except he was the person to impress. Fortunately I played ****e and was never looked at again but did see him regularly when we played Schultz or Cooper. Fat **** did us all a favour jumping in front of the train. Only feel sorry for the driver.
I just wonder how members of the Jury in Southampton feel now after finding Higgins not guilty in the first trial?