I was also a Keeper and in my late teens became a centre forward. I used to play for Westside Athletic in Whitchurch and the highlight (lol!) of my career was appearing in an FA Cup qualifier away at South Petherton which we lost 3-1
I played for them too - and I remember the toilets being a milk-churn in a shed!! I was only ever a sub as I could hardly ever make the game on a Saturday. When I played they were called Dundry Pirates and were run by a lifelong gashead called Fergie - a milkman. We even played in blue-and-white quarters (yuk) and yes, due to that I did once own a Rovers top. This must have been in about 1974/5. I went to Dundry Primary school and that used to be their playing field until about 1977 I think. Funnily enough I don't know what happened to my Rovers shirt - I can only assume that we ran out of toilet paper one day and my parents used it as a substitute... Sorry - I have to add that I was a small kid at the time - so drinking in the Dundry Inn - or anywhere to be honest - would only have interested me if it was a squash or lemonade (how times have changed...!)
Fergie Dempsey - I'm sure others on here of a certain age will know of him. In his day a quality midfielder but a fiery little ****er!! When I started I was 17 - in 1971 - and the team was run by a local builder called Gordie Blewitt. Lovely bloke, but he had no idea how to organise a football team!!
I know Gordon Blewitt VERY well - he lives just up from the Dundry Inn next to the public car park on Downs Road. He built my parent's extension. His kids went to my school (albeit a few years younger than me). He used to live in a private house on a corner at the bottom of Dundry Hill just down from the Mendip Gate pub on the opposite side of the road (just up from the University of Withywood). He's a City fan, but I never knew he tried getting involved in the game! Sounds like we probably didn't know each other though, as I was only 4 in 1971.
big ugly centre half, decidedly old school, bring the ball out b@@@@@ks,hoof it, had the dubious pleasure of playing on the legendary hackney marshes-lord that sorted the men from the boys.
I was mainly a full- back or sweeper, my forte was my pace, and a good reader of the game, but when i played, i had one philosophy, thou shall not pass, you could say i was a little dirty, and the worlds worst loser. After i finished playing i went into managing, managed my local team Southmead Ath, then into sunday football, with another local team Embletonians, who were very successful. I then managed and coached my son in local youth football, with St Vallier, from under 12s through to under 18s in the Gloucester youth league. I'm 70 now, did i enjoy my time in football, i certainly did, broken ankle, and broken leg aside, mind i think footballs a little easy these days, bring back tackling that's what i say, mind a dirty bugger like me would.
