Your Grandad's Football
Including Fletton and Woodston history and memories
FOOTBALL PERSONALITIES
ADAMS Arthur
Chatteris Town - played against him for Hunts County v Cambs and for Warboys when he played for Chatteris (Hinchingbroke Cup). Arthur was still playing at a ripe old age.
ANTHONY Tony
Club linesman - Phorpres Sports. An enthusiastic flag waver, totally biased and their most ardent supporter.
ASHMAN Ron
Norwich City - played against Ron at school, Whittlesey v Old Fletton, and with him for Posh Reserves. We were both left out of the team for a particular match and memorably Posh Reserves lost 15 something to Northampton ‘A’. Ron was a ‘Bevin Boy’ during the war, being conscripted to work in the mines, he made a record number of appearances for Norwich, many as captain and later managed Scunthorpe United.
BRADFORD Bev
Ramsey Town - Had a few sporting encounters with Bev, a fair and stylish wing half. Notable Hunts County cricketer.
BROWN Ben
Cambridge City, Pegasus and England Amateur international goalkeeper. I played against him twice in the Southern Counties Amateur Championship. Hunts County v Cambs County.
COPE Joseph
Referee. Local plain speaking referee. I recall one particular instance during a match. I complained that a minor foul committed by an opposing defender was inside the penalty area whereas Joe had awarded a free-kick just outside the area. His response to my question was ‘Well mate, it wasn’t worth a penalty, was it?’ They don’t make ‘em like that any more!
DUCKHOUSE Ted
Birmingham, Northampton & Rushden. Warboys v Rushden Reserves, United Counties League. Ted, then manager of Rushden, thrust his face to within a fraction of an inch from mine. He was no oil painting at his best, but when he grimaced it was gruesome. A few nightmares followed.
EMERY Denis
Posh.
Hunts County played Eynesbury Rovers as a trial match for County selection and a young Denis was in the Eynesbury team. The potential was obvious and I was privileged to watch him play for Posh until a road accident ended his career. .
LAXTON Ken
Peterborough United, Rushden Town, Oundle Town. At centre-forward, Ken holds the goalscoring record for Posh, netting 6 times against Rushden Town in the F.A.Cup in 1948. I played with him for Posh Reserves and against him for Holbeach United after he had signed for Rushden. Also confronted him Warmington v Oundle Town.
PARROTT Cyril
Peterborough United, Spalding United. Played with Cyril in Old Fletton School team, he soon became a fixture in Posh’s team at left back and played in some memorable Cup games soon after the war. Moved on to Spalding with the same enthusiasm and dedication and later managed Phorpres Sports.
POOLE G.E. (Ted)
Nassington, Peterborough League, Association and Northants F.A. Ted spent many years serving football in the area. Seniors and Juniors all benefited from his fairness and understanding.
RAMSCAR Fred
Wolves, Northampton. I played against him for Warboys when he was coaching Northampton ‘A’. He was at the end of his playing career but with his slight frame he must have been a great player when in his prime.
SENIOR Colin
Huddersfield, Corby, Peterborough United, Cambridge United. Remembered for his heroic performance for Corby in the F.A. Cup against Posh when his white shirt was red with blood. Later joined Posh where he played for some time before joining Cambridge United. He was in Cambridge United Reserve team, which defeated Warmington Wasps in the Peterborough Senior Cup, after a replay.
TOOTILL Ron
Accrington, Holbeach United. For a part of two seasons I played at inside-right for Holbeach United, with Ron close by at right-half. He was always available to receive the ball and would only give it when it was favourable. A great passer who made my game easier and better.
WOODS Cliff (Nobby)
Peterborough United, Spalding United. Team-mate and close friend of Cyril Parrott and served Posh and Spalding with him. He played school football for Stanground and I was in opposition for Fletton, and in the Spalding v Holbeach local derbies we also met.
WELLS Peter
BTH Sports. Peter was playing left wing for BTH (later Hotpoint) away to Long Sutton. The pitch was an absolute quagmire and our opponents a team of giants so little fellows like me found it difficult to move the ball any distance. However, I did manage a lucky scoop towards the left touchline - but Peter wasn’t there. He was sitting in the front row of the small grandstand! Strangely I did not see Peter again for 40 years when his explanation was “I’d had a rough night before the match”.
HADEN Sam
Arsenal, Notts Co, Posh. A real gentleman, joined Posh in 1938 as player-manager. Gave me much support and encouragement when playing for Posh Reserves in the United Counties League. During the war he operated a drilling machine at J.P.Hall & Sons where I also worked. Sam eventually became groundsman at Perkins Sports.
HOGG Jack
Oundle Tn. A much respected and liked gentleman, I experienced Jack’s friendly approach to football when first playing against him, then joining him at Oundle School Gym and later when he was an administrator in Peterborough and Northants football.
JOHNSTON Tom
Posh. Signed for Posh in 1938 from Scottish Club, St Bernards and it was obvious that his talent would take him into higher football. I played with Tom for Bourne Town in 1941 whilst League football was suspended. He guested for Northampton during the war and then signed for Notts Forest, the Posh receiving a nominal fee. Moved from his inside-left position to left wing and was later transferred to Notts County where he joined English internationals Tommy Lawton and Jackie Sewell. Went into management with Grimsby, Rotherham and Huddersfield.
JONES Leslie
Arsenal, Wales, British Timken. Welsh international wing-half ended his career at British Timken, Northampton. Whilst playing for Warboys (United Counties Div2) against him, on an extremely cold day with snow on the ground, I left him in my wake! (well he was nearly 40 then) but he caught the last part of me that he could see. The ground was treacherous, so as I fell I grabbed at anything I could - it happened to be his face - he looked a very sorry sight for the rest of the game, my scratches like tribal marks, weeping in the freezing air.
KING John (05/11/1926 - 11/01/2010)
Leicester City, Kettering Town. John at Fletton Secondary School was outstanding in local football. A centre forward, his shooting and athletic endurance I experienced first hand. He was signed by Leicester and converted to a quick and hard-tackling wing-half. Played in the 1949 Cup-Final against Wolves. Eventually joined Tommy Lawton at Kettering where a knee injury forced his retirement.
I attended the Thanksgiving Service for Johnny King which was ably conducted by the Rev Richard Longfoot at Stilton Church on Friday 22nd January 2010. Johnny was a student at Fletton Secondary School, excelled at all sports and athletics. He played football for Peterborough Boys and Leicester City for whom he played in the 1949 Cup Final against Wolves at Wembley. He ended his career with Kettering Town. He died following a few months illness and his popularity and esteem was registered by a packed church.
There must have been quite a few ex-school friends but I only recognised Alec Worracker. Leicester City were represented.
FARROW Des (pictured)
Leicester, QPR, Stoke, Posh. Des was a schoolboy pal, residing a hundred yards from me. Ended his career with Posh and hosted the Black Horse at Farcet before moving to Norfolk.
FINCHAM Gordon
Leicester, Plymouth and Luton. As a teenager at Phorpres was a strong and formidable opponent. Represented Hunts County and was signed by Leicester City, moved to Plymouth and Luton, then emigrated to South Africa, played for Port Elizabeth City but returned to Peterborough in the 1990’s.