As a lad I remember seeing Shack on a training run on the back of a milk float and his words were "don't tell Mr Brown you've seen me doing this or I'll be in big trouble;no one cared as we knew that he was going to do whatever was necessary come Saturday.Billy Bingham became president of our Boys Brigade at Herrington Street and when I asked for his autograph his reply was"give me your book for a season and I'll see what I can do-at the end of the season he came back with a complete set of autographs from every Division 1 team. The other thing that springs to mind was going to the Coop on Matchday to buy a pair of the soft leather Stanley Matthews boots;I couldn't believe my eyes when the great man was there signing autographs and at 3PM he ran out to play against the Lads. What a change from today but we are lucky in having our Community programme
I remember buying my first sunderland badge in Willie Watsons shop in the Dundas arcade. I was served by the football and cricket international himself. It must of been about 1961. Good god I've been a regular for 50 years. Now thats frightening. lol.
theyv'e all been ruined by the money, tv and agents, although they are a bunch off prima donnas, theyr'e not rock stars who can perform and then enjoy themselves, these lads are victims of succes, and before anyone jumps down my throat, imagine being 20 and not allowed out, hetting pissed and shaggin
Billy Bingham had one of the most beautiful accents I've ever heard. Shack on the back of a milk float? - how very typical !!!!! Ha, nothing was sacred to him, was it? Shortly after he left the Daily Express for the Sunday Express, he told Brian Clough "I'm working towards an annual."
I have a similar opinion and lay some of the blame at the clubs doors. I think that the clubs have a moral responsibility to do more to "educate" these spoilt brats and ensure they remain grounded. It’s nothing new but the problem becomes more and more apparent as the money involved grows
i worked in the Community programme a few years ago and some of the players were like what they are now, so it's nowt new. I was surprised that Mickey Grey turned up to one of our training weeks and was really good with the kids for the day. Others wouldnt even look your way in passing.
Thanks sussexmackem! I was there on that day at the Co-op and got Stanley Matthew's autograph on a page from a little notebook. It's stuck onto the first page in my old 1950's Autograph book opposite autographs by Ted Purdon, Ken Chisholm, Bill Holden and another that I can't read! On the next page is Len Duns, Billy Bingham and Len Shackleton. I think I should get this book back into use and try to add some of the remarkable players now wearing the sacred red & white stripes. Thanks for the memory jolt.
