Granville Cooper

Back row L-R: Tony Lock, Ernie Lynn, Gran Cooper, P Wilson, D Garthwaite, Billy Rowbotham. Front row: J Birch, Terry Oates, P Dinsdale, Alan Leeming, P Beecroft. I'm not sure who the lad in the overcoat is. We didn't win any honours but invariably beat top teams. We played at Grosvenor Road. Ernie Lynn, who is still around in Ingleby Barwick, represented Durham County. Anon, there is Alan Leeming for you and I know he lived in Norton.03/03/2010 13:41:51

Anon

Yes Gran, Alan is one of the Norton Leeming brothers. Jackie Birch also worked in the Head Wrightsons Teesdale Works Machine Shop.03/03/2010 13:54:35

Bob Irwin

Alan Leeming also had two brothers who were also good footballers. Ronnie and Raymond. Another brother Charlie was killed in active service in Korea. They lived at the top end of Norton Avenue. All went to the Frederick Nattrass School. Alan when leaving school was a Butcher working for my uncle at Curry's Norton High Street. He later worked for the Water Board. Before his death he lived in Leven Road.03/03/2010 14:47:39

JOHN CALLENDER

As far as I know Terry Oates is still living in the Stockton area.03/03/2010 20:39:36

Anon

Alan Leeming also had another brother, the late Albert who was a well known character & committee man in the Stockton Buffs Club.07/03/2010 12:04:38

Granville Cooper

Pleased to hear John Callenders comment that Terry Oates is still around, I think John that your family lived in Light Pipe Hall St. somewhere near Eddie Dunn, though memory may be playing tricks. Terry and I made our debuts for Billingham Synthonia in 1953 away at Penrith where we managed to win. Lol Cattermole was secretary and we had heard that they paid 10 shillings in match expenses, albeit the lowest in the league. On the way back in the coach we watched expectantly from the back seat as Lol made his way down the coach paying the other players and then came to us and gave us Half a Crown each. When we questioned this Lol, who was a great character, said "Come on lads you've had a nice trip out, had your lunch and tea in a nice hotel in Penrith, what more do you want?" I'm going back a lot of years but Terry, who lived in Wren Street and was in my class at Oxbridge, also played the drums in the Moor.08/03/2010 13:38:04

Gran Cooper

Forgot to mention that Anons comments are right as Jackie Birch's Dad ran Oxbridge minors and juniors in the Stockton and District league. He lived in Eton Rd,Oxbridge. Charlie Thompson, who also worked in the Machine Shop, played for the Juniors and Dennis Johnson also may have played in same team. Quite a few years later Denis and I were members of a not bad Heads team.08/03/2010 15:39:36

Anon

Regarding money, it was the same at Stockton Gran, the new boys got ten bob, others £2.50 & the stars a fiver in the early sixties. Jackie Birch & Charlie Thompson both worked in the Light Machine Shop, Charlie later played outside left for Sparkes, his son-in-law the late Ian Gorman played for Billingham Town in the Northern League & the Stockton Sunday League Cup is named in his memory. Denis Johnson gave Head Wrightsons football team sterling service.09/03/2010 09:38:20

John Callender

I havent seen Terry Oates for a few months but he must still be fit as I have heard he is still growing his own veg etc. Yes Granville, we used to live in number 3 Light Pipe Hall Road, two doors from the 'oxie'pub.09/03/2010 19:43:24

Ken Rhodes

Is that Blackie Wilson in the back row of the team? Derek Garthwaite lived across the road from me in Camden Street and I thought I knew him but I didn't know he played football.11/03/2010 19:01:52

Gran Cooper

No Ken, Blackie is not on this photo, the goalkeeper is Pussy Wilson who lived in Eton Rd. Blackie, who lived in Elsdon St was a much bigger lad and was also in the next age group above this team. Derek is the same one you refer to, a decent full back and no doubt a little disappointed that you were unaware of that Ken! Your comment on the Richard Hind golkeeper is correct, it is Harry Cartwright. I had remembered myself but was anticipating that someone from that school would remember.12/03/2010 11:53:46

Bob Irwin

The goalkeeper as you name him Pussy Wilson. Did he attend Richard Hind and did he have really bad acne Gran?23/05/2010 18:52:22

Granville Cooper

With ref to Pussy Wilson; I have remembered his first name which was David and I do believe he went to Richard Hind along with Tony Lock. Myself, Ernie Lynn and Derek Garthwaite went to the Sec in Nelson Terrace, same class as Tony Carrigan and Alan Hislop, who were both from Norton. Old school pals of mine who you may have known, Bob Billy Rowbottom was from Mill Lane, Jackie Birch and Terry Oates from Oxbridge, Alan Leeming Frederick Nattras, his pal Dinsdale maybe same and Beeston unknown but not Oxbridge area and a particularly good winger.24/05/2010 11:37:24

Bob Irwin

Tony Locke and David Wilson were in the last year at RH when I started in 1949 so you must have been there as well. Jackie Birch I remember from my days at Head Wrightsons. Tony Carrigan was the brother of Geoff Carrigan who played for RH and the Town team when they were defeated by Leicester in the final of the all England Schoolboys football competition. Alan Leeming, I've mentioned before from Norton worked for my Uncle at his butchers shop in Norton High Street.24/05/2010 12:04:40