Barking FC Down Memory Lane 3 Ron Debenham's Reminiscences over 74 years

[Press Off]

DOWN MEMORY LANE PART 3 RON’S REMINISCENCES

 

 

 

For this evening’s trip down memory lane ,although not many of our memories stretch that far, our guide is one of the club’s most loyal and hard working servants ever – Ron Debenham. Ron has been involved with the Blues since 1936 ,that is 74 of his 78 years, and is still busily involved at every home game ,together with his wife and everybody’s favourite boardroom hostess, Maureen and their son Stephen.They are also at almost every away game and usually giving a few people lifts to and from the venue.Several years ago Ron’s dedication as our longest serving supporter and voluntary club worker was recognised when he was made a Life Vice President.

 

 

 

Ron says “When I was 4 years old in 1936 my dad and uncle were gatemen at the Vicarage Field (so was mine and so was I- DP) and took me to games but I was really too young to watch . Two years later,after my father had died, I watched my first game ,which was versus Ilford, as part of a big crowd and have followed Barking ever since. ( This was either 23-4-1938 when we lost a friendly 4-0 or 2-5-1938 when we won 4-1 in the South Essex Charity Cup semi final-we went on to beat Romford 2-0 in the final –DP).

 

 

 

We were in the Athenian League then and Ilford were in the higher rated Isthmian League .My uncle took me to Redhill in 1939 (8-4-1939 lost 2-1). I continued to watch after the war and have been actively involved since 1956. I went to Middlesbrough for the F A Amateur Cup semi final versus Willington ( 18-3-1950 lost 2-1 Attendance 26,000 –it was felt that we were very unlucky to have goals disallowed) and we were made very welcome and treated very well ,including an official reception . We were the better team and deserved to win. We left the Barge Aground by coach on Friday night and returned on Sunday.

 

 

 

When we played Blyth Spartans away in the F A Trophy ( 2-2-1980 lost 3-0) there was snow everywhere . The pitch had been cleared but was slippery and Sunderland FC , whose game was off, lent us special boots to suit the conditions. I remember us arriving at Dulwich Hamlet once and finding that our kit basket contained track suits only. Dulwich lent us shirts and shorts and we had to rush out and buy socks.

 

 

 

I also remember that Bobby Moore played a game for our A team and the manager told him to concentrate on cricket as he would never be a successful footballer. “

 

 

 

I am hoping for some more reminiscences from Ted Sutton. If anybody else would like to send me their memories of the club I would be pleased to receive them for inclusion in a future programme. Please email to Derek@barking.eclipse.co.uk.