Enfield vs Skelmersdale (1970) programme

[Southport - TOWNER]

yeah i no nuffin!

[coupwotcoup]

Sorry forgot..Northerner..case rested... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Southport - TOWNER]

I've not been arrested!

[Jim Cunneen]

Yes it was Birmingham who missed the pen - and no I didn't keep the attendence stats in those days. I was only a lad and not that bothered how many were there -

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" />

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Quote:

Jim Cunneen said:
For the record EFC played Skem:

1966-67 FAAC F Wembley 0-0
Replay at Maine Road won 3-0 John Connell, Ray Hill (2)

Well I didn't go to the replay but I was there at Wembley.

[coupwotcoup]

The rules of pedantry allow me to say it was actually Bermingham (con e, not i). Not overly worried, but it was my first visit to Southbury Road (wasn't allowed to go in 64 for the FA Cup replay) and it just seemed like a massive crowd.

Those days us Southern League types looked down on the amateur clubs and considered it a shock if we ever lost to one in the FA Cup (which we did on occasion).

There was probably more 'boot money' flying around the amateur game at that time than most of the semi-pro sides.

Mind you, you only have to look at what happened every time a manager moved to another club..all the players followed like lambs. Those brown paper envelopes must have been bulging!

Even in the early 70s, how much were the likes of Somers and Connell worth?

[Steph]

I was going to correct the spelling but thought let Jim get away with it. However I thought it was Laurie Churchill that got 2 and not Ray Hill but I wouldn't like to swear to it. Also Bermingham did not miss it was a fantastic save by Ian Wolstenholme. And the date was 1967 not 64. In 64 we lost to Crook Town when Malcom Mitchell broke his arm no subs allowed and came out as nuisance value with his arm in plaster in the second half. Roy Thomas went in goal and there was once a thread to who was the worse goalie that Enfield ever had. Tongue in Cheek I was going to suggest Royston but he had little to do that day.

 

Romford may have been in the Southern League but we played you at your ground in '64 (?. I think it is probable the programme is lying around at my mothers house somewhere. A black and white jobby. You were a grand side in those days and I do remember anticipating a stuffing however we beat you after a replay.

[coupwotcoup]

Miss/save...moot point. Came out for the second half with his arm in plaster? Bloody hell, the St John's Ambulance brigade must have been the paramedic advanced guard, if they could have adminstered such reparation, and in only ten minutes!!

Actually you beat us in a second replay at Highbury...stitched up when D'Arcy (one of them) punched the ball in the net and the goal was given..grrrrr..

First two games had finished goalless.

I was too young to be allowed to go to the replay, but I seem to remember stories about the gates being broken down, due to the size of the crowd.

[lovely stuff]

The attendence for the 1966-67 cup final was 75,000.

With over 55,000 for the replay at Maine Rd.

[Steph]

Malcom got done after about 20 minutes of the first half when he was crocked by a guy called "Roughly". As I wrote in an "attack" magazine some years ago he was aptly named.

 

So his repairs were carried out in around 35 mins (Not including strapping on the pitch) not ten as you suggest. I recall that we were given an essay at school on "my Hero" and I wrote about Malcom and the 1964 amateur cup final.

 

As for D'arcy's hand ball I recall the ref stating that he had seen the handball but he would have had to award a penalty for the pusihing if he hadn't given the goal. I was at the wrong end to say one way or the other however I do know what the record books say. BTW Alf was the only D'arcy that played for us and I saw him a couple of years ago at a "do" at Kingsmead. He is still a gentleman and smarly turned out. He actually looked younger than me and I swear he must dye his hair which was still black without a grey fleck in it.

 

A story I got from a friend of mine about Alf which I can believe. My friend was playing for St Albans and was told that Alf was a soft touch. Go in hard early and you'll not get a peep from him for the rest of the game. My friend, being somewhat naive and a "bit hard" himself, went in early and finished the game black and blue. As he was going in at the end of the game he recieved a sharp blow to the back of the head and turned round and there was Alf telling him politely to consider himself lucky to still have all his limbs

[coupwotcoup]

I may have misread that but 35 minutes to plaster an arm at Wembley during a cup final, seems rather hi tech for 1964.

Always thought there were two D'Arcys at Enfield? Oh well there goes another senior moment...

[coupwotcoup]

Quote:

Steph said:

Romford may have been in the Southern League but we played you at your ground in '64 (?. I think it is probable the programme is lying around at my mothers house somewhere. A black and white jobby.

You are correct there..a bit prophetic however, as the front page listed the game as Romford v Enfield Town.

[lovely stuff]

I remember going to Hendon in the 90's ,and there was an Hendon old-timer supporter standing next to us.He must have been 90 years old, if he was a day.And he spent the whole game moaning constantly to us about how dirty Alf D'arcy was for Enfield.Alf must have made some impact,to still be talked about after 30 years.

[coupwotcoup]

When I was old enough to understand such things, it made me wonder what ever happened to all the money that came into the amateur game from 47 to 74.

It is hardly a secret that players were paid 'under the table', but considering some of the crowds that rolled in between those years, there must have been some seriously rich directors of said clubs.

The serious fraud squad - if such a thing existed then - would have had a field day (allegedly).

[Steph]

The money drifted down from the senior clubs as the players were not so greedy in those days and there was a maximum wage. Crowds were much bigger in the professional game. (Though no television money)

 

You have stated how Liverpool used skelmersdale as a nursery club and Enfield had George Ludford (a former spurs player) as manager and later as groundsman) We played semi-finals at senior grounds and, as you state second replays. The London Senior Cup was played at senior grounds and Spurs, Arsenal etc played in the London Challenge Cup. These games would attract thousands rather than hundreds.

 

The council were more supportive with Alderman Alan Young on the board with such notable business people as Len Rust etc. Jules Thorn (Furguson Thorn) also lent a hand as he supplied the lights and was president in the 60's.

 

You should remember that in the 60's Enfield was a major industrial area with Ripaults, Belling, British Oxygen, Fergusons, Reeves, Crown Paints and Gor Ray all within 2 miles of each other in Cambridge Road/Southbury Road. Delta Cables, Rolling Mills, Money Patents etc in Brimsdown. These were run by local business people who had a stake in their community. Compare that to now with Sainsburys, B and Q, Morrisons, Tescos etc what interest do these shops have in their community?

 

Now those same business people who used to support the non-league/amateur game are busy on ego trips at the senior level.

[coupwotcoup]

I agree with what you say, but was referring to the fact that amateur players were never 'officially' paid.

Ergo when Romford had around 20,000 for an Amateur Cup replay in the 50s..where did all that money go?

[Steph]

Ah come on it was only 1/- to get in. Besides Romford had a large superior ground to maintain.

 

We know where the money went. Boots were very expensive in those days. Ask Wimbledon, their boot costs were far and away more than any other team in the Isthmian League :-)

[coupwotcoup]

Everything is relative, it may have been a one-off crowd, but regular attendances were averaging around 4,000..a lot of money to launder over the course of time..

[Tom S]

Quote:

coupwotcoup said:
I may have misread that but 35 minutes to plaster an arm at Wembley during a cup final, seems rather hi tech for 1964.
Always thought there were two D'Arcys at Enfield? Oh well there goes another senior moment...

Didn't the 'other' D'Arcy play for Barnet?

[Jim Cunneen]

Indeed Dennis D'Arcy played for Barnet.

 

Alf was a real hard man but a tremendously good ball player as well and had a wicked sense of humour. Remember ref giving E's free kick and running away to get into position. Alf just started dribbling with the ball, cross, goal. Oppo not amused....

 

For the record it Was Roger Day who punched the ball in at Highbury. other scorers in 4-2 win were Terry Howard and Roy Thomas (2).

 

Jim <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" />