The problem, Superman, was the way the game changed for the worse in the 80's although, fortunately, it has now changed for the better. The period I was referring to in this post was the 50's, 60's and 70's. Using your example , in those days we all stood together on the terraces - no violence or segregation - in the 80's it turned to violence, segregation and fencing leading to the need for all seater stadiums and the eradication of violence in the grounds. The same happened on the field. Playing the ball became deliberately fouling the man followed by changes in the rules to overcome that. What us oldies so lovingly refer to as ' the spirit of the game ' disappeared and will never return. In the era I am talking about the game was more physical but nobody ever went out to deliberately hurt or foul an opponent which is why, in my opinion, the same 11 players seemed to turn out week after week. It might be selective memory but I don't think that it is. I do have to conclude that the game today is better even if my admission price is a bit more than the 10p I used to pay as a kid to watch the game from the pit in front of the main stand!!
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Memories from my youth, open terracing and the first City team I saw play ...
I haven't seen this photo of me for a long while. I'm the physio at the back with the flat cap and the Towel. Dave and Redruth are at the front having just come out of the Blue Anchor.
Is that Neil O'Donnell at the back left? If so he was another Jimmy Blair - they couldn't get the ball off him in training but he seemed to freeze when they kicked off on a Saturday afternoon.
I think you're right 1950, I recognise most from the picture, starting from the back row L to R: Unknown, Stringer, Black, Vasper, Keelan, Silvester, Bennett, O'Donnell, Payne, Foggo, Anderson (RIP), Forbes, Howard, Paddon (RIP), Briggs Do you know who 'unknown' is ?
At this point, I would just like to say what a cracking thread you have created 1950. Possibly the best thread I have read <best calsberg ad voice>
I've just been discussing the Blue Anchor with a lad who lives in Helston. Its still churning out the local brews. I think the blokes who built the pub itself used to sample the stuff at smoko! Its alright going there, its downhill, but closing time and its like Everest. And you wouldn't want to fall in the gutters they have there, you'd drown.
