We all love the game, but who has actually played it? What position? What level (league)? What club? What year? Best memories? Famous ground(s) played at?
Morning R&W You know my info from another thread other than I played midfield and later on defender. So many great memories and fantastic players, far better than me, that I played with and against. However one memory, and I've said this before, is Stan Harland telling me I was the worst player he'd ever played against.
What position? I played striker initially, but I dropped to (attacking) midfield. Although naturally right-footed, I used both feet and I preferred to play on the left in a wide role - like an old fashioned left-winger. What level (league)? Wiltshire League division 3 (not great!!) Plus a number of Wiltshire 5-a-side leagues What club? 11-a-side:AFC Southside, The Prince of Wales, The Merlin, plus various work sides 5-a-side: The Rolleston, plus various work sides Loads of friendlies in both 5 and 11-a-side, plus various cup competitions. What year? 11-a-side: 1997-2007 - I was a late starter!! 5-a-side: 1989-2019 - hopefully restarting this year. Best memories? Scoring with a 30 yard volley - the keeper got his hands to it but I hit it so hard that he couldn't hold it. Magic. Getting to the final of a national tournament with my works 'B' team, whilst the 'A' team got knocked out in the group stages and had to sit around and watch us from the touchline as we progressed - priceless!! (Sadly we lost in the final) Famous ground(s) played at? The Corinium Stadium (Cheltenham Town) The County Ground (Swindon) King Edwards Place (STFCs Training Ground)
A couple of Sunday games on the wing 5 A side at Whitchurch 1960's early 70's Rugby main sport! County standard under 18 and Keynsham RFC some first team and colts till to old!!! then mainly seconds! Also had invitation to go to USA on a 3 week course as a kicker for NFL team .. didnt go as was married ! and my XYL DIDNT WANT ME TO!
What position? Goalkeeper and forward What level (league)? Bristol Suburban What club? Westside Athletic (Whitchurch) and for Sun Life Assurance works team 2nd, 3rd, 4th and Sunday Teams What year? From 1977 - 1992 Best memories? An away FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round game at South Petherton (for Westside) who were several divisions higher. We were 1-0 at half time up but went on to lose 3-1. On the way back the Managers brand new 2 litre Vauxhall Cavalier overheated and left us stranded for a while. Scoring a hat-trick for Westside at home. Can't remember the opposition. Famous ground(s) played at? Memorial Stadium, Gloucester Cricket Ground in Bishopston when one of the other Insurance companies had a football pitch alongside the cricket pitch.
I played Western league football for Melksham Town as a right back. I was also at Trowbridge Town (rb/cb) but did not play in the conference team. Due to work, and being disillusioned with the fatigue of working and trying to play I dropped out to enjoy playing football for Weston Athletic in the Bath Sunday league with team mates playing in Western league/Southern league, with the view of myself going back to playing at a higher level when I could commit myself again to it .. That did not happen. Best memories. Being told I was half decent by Alan Birchenall (Player Manager) as a sixteen year old lacking confidence at Trowbridge, and him giving me real 1 - 2 - 1 coaching time as somebody who had played hundreds of games as a pro. Best ground I played at - County ground Swindon.
I played and managed at local league levels in Andover, Hampshire at several positions including goalkeeper. Later I turned to refereeing in Hampshire and ran the line in an F.A. Cup preliminary round after I went to watch the game and because one of the officiating crew failed to show up and the P.A. asked if there were any qualified referees in the crowd - and that was me. I was very fortunate to play at Villa Park back in the early sixties but that's a totally different story. The worst games I ever played in were the Hampshire Referees Society annual tournament when the blokes had a chance to play on the dark side, if you get my drift! NO prisoners taken in those games.
As a teenager I played for my local Methodists Church team in the 6th rung if the Barry and District League. My parents were Methodists but me, not so much. Anyway, I enjoyed a kick around now and again and it was thought that playing for then would in some way keep me in the straight and narrow. What a mistake to make! In our first game we were a goal up at half time and eventually lost 13-1. I could be wrong but my guess is that the cigarettes, naughty African woodbines, cider and wine at half time may have had something to do with it. Also the minister's (vicar's?) son was sent off ten minutes into the second half for p**sing on the opponents goal posts and swearing at the ref. On another occasion our goalkeeper broke his arm getting out of the dressing room before kickoff. Seems he couldn't wait til halftime and was completely sh*tfaced. Didn't get a point all season but won the accolade of most sporting club at the end of the season league awards! Loved it!
I’ve probably played against you mate. I worked for Phoenix Assurance; they moved their Head Office to Bristol in 1972. It’s now the Mercure Hotel on Redcliffe Hill. As they had moved a thousand staff from various parts of the UK to Bristol, and recruited a thousand locally (me being one), they needed a social centre. So they bought the County Ground! Played there numerous times as long as the groundsman was happy!! It was literally like playing on a table top and without doubt the best surface I ever played on. What insurance company did you work for? Ah, just re-read...
What position? Generally full back as I was pretty quick and happy to get stuck in. Although naturally right footed, usually played left back as I practiced using my left peg on a regular basis. Would sometimes move to centre back alongside a big/tall centre half, so assumed a Geoff Merrick type role (obviously a role model!!) What level (league)? Avon Prem, Bristol & District, Weston & District, Somerset Senior, Bristol Insurance League and Bristol Wednesday League. What club? Highridge United, occasionally Dundry Athletic, short spell with Clevedon Town, Phoenix Assurance/Nat West Ins Services What year? 1970-1986 Best memories? Scoring a 35 yard og in a Cup Final!! Really hard, bumpy pitch (Portishead Town) trying to play a firm back pass to keeper but unfortunately got underneath it!! Being hit in the back by a Jantzen Derrick screamer! If I remember correctly, he was guesting for Bristol Taxis in the Wednesday League. God knows how old he was, but bloody hell, that hurt!! I had the imprint (bruise!) of a football on my back for two weeks!! During my brief spell with Clevedon Town, did a couple of training sessions on the Downs. Ray Mabbutt was the first team manager at the time, and Gary, who was only about 14 at the time, joined in. It was pretty obvious that he was destined to go far as he often made some pretty decent Western League players look like mere novices. Being with Highridge United when they won the District League without losing a game. I think they only dropped 3 points all season! Famous ground(s) played at? Gloucester County Cricket Ground, Twerton Park (!)
Could well have done ! Phoenix - yes that was it at the cricket ground ! Also played at what was the old Bristol & West ground on the Portway Seem to remember other teams in that league in my Sun Life Days were the likes of Dolphin Showers I also played at Dundridge Farm which were the pitches at Crews Hole Road that were all on the slope ! Sun Life moved to Bristol in 1976, I joined from school in 1977
Ah yes - I remember discussing your playing for Dundry Athletic on another thread - possibly even another forum. I too played for them as a kid - a local milkman was the coach (Fergie) and he was a gas head so we had to wear blue and white quarters. Oh the shame…… I seem to remember they were called Dundry Pirates.
Old Fergie Dempsey!! His son, also called Fergie, was one hell of a player but with a temper that often got the better of him. Both played for Dundry and Highridge at various times. You’ll probably remember Gordie Blewitt from Dundry as well then!!
BCFC - I’ve just googled “Gordon Blewitt Dundry” and it’s come up with our original thread on this site dated 29th September 2014!!
He built the extension on my parents house back in the 1970s. I’m FB friends with his daughters. He was a regular when I worked in the Dundry Inn. I knew him well (although not seen him for years)
How/why players develop at different ages is a funny old question. Obviously it's different reasons for each individual but to reach pro level you have to have the lot. Ability obviously, good lungs, sometimes stature, to stay free from injury and a good attitude is a must. I remember a brilliant keeper who walked out on City because 'I'm f****d if I'm cleaning John Galley's boot's'. He never played Western League either, he wouldn’t train twice a week. I learned more in my last five years of playing than I did in the first 10 years. I was ordinary and a million miles off making it but I recognise experience as incredibly important. Probably why I like James in our present set up back to the brilliant Norman Hunter 40plus years ago.
I was never going to make pro - or even semi-pro, but I improved my game immensely by training myself to use both feet. I don’t understand why some professional players are still one-footed even today. At the ‘height’ of my playing ‘career’ I took a penalty (and scored) with my left foot. Even Thierry Henry couldn’t have done that I’ve always struggled with headers though - I could never quite crack that skill. One of the reasons i dropped to midfield - I was far better taking the free kicks and corner kicks than getting my head to them. My stature didn’t help (I’m 5’10”) but that didn’t seem to bother Paul Scholes. I’m basically crap at headers.
R&W I was 10 in 1950 and played in the school junior team. You mention heading, the ball was so heavy and I remember taking a penalty aged 9. The keeper had to wait for the ball as it took so long to reach him. Also made the mistake about that time heading the ball. The memory of that lace is still inbedded in my forehead. Ps - you must know 1For, sure I read on here he played/had something to do with Dundry.
