Nigel Johnson fao no1stokie

[richardparker]

...was my teacher at Seabridge Juniors.
Just thought I'd tell you.
This was brought to my attention by my old mucker, landofhopeandglory (aka claytonred), about 3 months ago. He wasn't so fussed on Nige then or now. Something about Nige influencing the selectors of Newcastle Schools to not play him in a friendly against Langdale.
It was weird listening to him for all these years and then realising he used to be my teacher. He came on a Field Trip to Swaledale with us (YHA Grinton Lodge - what a place!).
I emailed him at the BBC a couple of months back to say alright Nige, do you remember me, that field trip was ace, (any chance of a few freebies down Stoke), etc. He never replied. (though there's still time, Nige).
No1stokie, who would you like to replace him?

[StokieSC]

Don't know how old you are Richard, but do you remember a Tim Mitchell?

[Premiership Titanic Captain]

Nige' was my Head Master also back in Primary school (Grange Primary in Meir) back when I was there. I'm 21 now, so it was probably 13 years ago. He was also highly involved with the football team there (albeit at primary school level) but it was fun times.

[monkeycat]

I also went to Seabridge Juniors, how old are you mate?

[richardparker]

Monkey, 47 next month. Mr Bigford was the Head when I went.
Can't say I remember a Tim Mitchell.
Tim, were you in Mitchell?
I was in Walton. (there was also Bennett and Wedgewood!).
Seabridge Juniors ...we always beat Langdale, we always beat Langdale (not true really!), but Friarswood were always there for the taking.
On the subject of Langdale, does anyone remember Paul Fields, Chimpy, played for England Schoolboys, taken on by Man U, ... the next Gordon Banks. Was a nap to be a professional keeper, but then never went on to make it.

[n01stokie]

to be honest mate i think people seem to be blowing this out of all proportion, it was a joke (evidently not a very good one) I'm sure Nigel is a really nice guy, and he is a great commentator, its just when i listen to him he wrecks my nerves, i enjoy his commentary, its just not very good for my heart!! ;D

If i have offended Nigel himself (if he posts on here) or any friends or family then i do sincerely apologise

[Mr Jon]

richardparker - I was 47 last month and I was at Seabridge Juniors.

I met Sir Nigel at a sports do at the Moat House about 4 years ago and he remembered me!

As he hadn't seen me for more than 30 years, then I must have made some sort of impact on him. I just don't know whether it was for good or bad reasons!

[sparky32]

I was there till1981 Bob Fincham was headmaster then
Nigels son Roger was there also a sports reporter down south
other names from the past Lee Rose,Julian Wright,Mike Wilkes
Emma Kitchen!

[monkeycat]

RP - I'm only 35, think Nige had left when I was there.

I used to know Paul Fields really well. He used to play for Clayton Park when my Dad was the manager, they won the Sentinel Cup in 1978 with a very good side. If you remember, Paul should have played for Stoke, all in the press and on radio, then Foxy passed a late fitness test.

[richardparker]

mrjon, then we were in the same year and possibly the same class.
Did you go to Swaledale?
Nige (then known simply as Mr Johnson) stood in for Mr Fincham, who was Head in Mr Bigford (aka Mr Bigfoot)'s absence. (If I remember rightly he'd hurt his foot, or was that the rumour going round at the time?).
No1stokie - no offence taken really. Nige seems to make a few people a bit jumpy. Me mate dunner like him, as I mentioned before. Should we get a poll going on those for and against?
Just out of interest, who will replace him when he hangs up the mic?
monkey, thanks for the info on Paul (Chimpy). Are you 2 related, per chance?
I played in the same team as him at junior school level and he was awesome. Talk about commanding a defence. (And now that you mention it, I remember him being on the verge of the Stoke team at one point, but think he got disillusioned by how he was treated at professional level).
Sparky, I was away by '72. The time when Mr Johnson was there. Don't know any of the names you mention. Who are they? Emma Kitchen sounds interesting, mind.

[monkeycat]

RP. No im not related to him. Paul had trials at both Man Utd and Stoke after playing for England schoolboys, but his Dad seemed to think he should be playing in every game nd both clubs got fed up of it and got rid.
The Stoke match was against Swansea and there was lots in the press about "local postman playing for Stoke", Paul only found out an hour before the game that Fox was fit and he was not needed.
He inintially played as an outfield player for Clayton Park as they had a cracking keeper called Steve Woolridge, but as I recall he broke his leg and Paul played in goal from then.
Clayton had some really good players, Martin Hopper, Alan Jukes, Nicky Plant, Kevin Alcock the Harrison brothers Alan and Johnny, to name but a few

[Mr Jon]

richardparker - yes, I left Seabridge in '72 and I did that Swaledale trip. I remember the youth hostel and going to Redmire Quarry, Castle Bolton and doing some sort of experiment in the river (the mind boggles!). Had a great time though.

I heard some story about Paul Field being released by Stoke because he tried to tell Banksy how to catch the ball!

[richardparker]

mrjon, were you on the backseat going there when virtually half of the bus needed a pee, but the driver wouldn't (or couldn't stop)?
Did you/do you still live on Seabridge Lane and used to play Cup Final on Roe Lane playing fields. Do remember Johnny Viggars, that really annoying Man U scum glory-hunting loudmouth, who used to do a running commentry on all the games.
If so, you're me ol' mate Noggin. If not, I anner got a scooby, so will need more more clues!
PS Paul telling Banksy how to catch probably seems about right, ...that's how good he was.
Which just goes to show how good Woolly was, if he kept him out the Clayton Park side.

[monkeycat]

That Clayton side when they won the Sentinel cup, beat a Vale side 6 -1 in the Quater finals, then a Stoke side 4 - 1 in the Semis, then won the final at the Vic. 1978 it was.

[Mr Jon]

richard - No I'm not noggin, he was called Carl wasn't he? I lived off Paris Avenue on the other side of Whitmore Road but I commuted to Seabridge, so I wasn't a Clayton lad. Funnily enough I now live about 200 yards from where I lived then!

I was the Seabridge B Team goalie; Stewart Thomas was the A team goalie so I only got in the A team if he was injured or had flu etc.

Regarding Swaledale, I have a vague memory of us playing some form of hide'n'seek outside Grindon Youth Hostel one night, but I was always first to get caught cos I was wearing a white jumper. Common sense was never my strong point!

I'm racking my brains here trying to picture you mate!

[richardparker]

monkey, were Clayton Park previously known as Clayton St Lukes, and then went on to become Newcastle Town; or were they the Clayton team that played down Northwood Lane? Whatever, I saw some great matches on Roe Lane when I was a kid, and St Lukes alway had a couple of hundred or so watching their games.
mrjon, richard p's my borrowed name.
I am otherwise known as Mark Rowley.
Will be in the Welly (London Rd) before the Palace and Bristol games for a pint, if you fancy catching up on old times.
Still tryin to work out who you are! (B Team clue should have been helpful but wasn't).
Hold on a minute, ...while I blow my nose, ...you're not Jonathon Hankey are you by any chance?

[monkeycat]

RP. Yes Clayton Park were previously known as ST.Lukes, they played where Redgate play, nera Northwood Nurseries. They then became Parkway and ultimately Newcastle Town. A measure of what a good team they were, is that Paul was far from being their best player!!

I remembered last night, that in the early 1980's Seabridge Juniors had a summer fete and we asked Paul to do a penalty shootout which he did and he winner had a photo wearing one of Paul's England Schoolboy Caps. I have go photo's of same, but don't know how to put them on here

[Mr Jon]

rp - The light bulb's just come on in my head!

I know you, not only from Seabridge but also Sheffield Poly? I'm Jon Hewitt and we were in the same class at Seabridge.

Hope you're OK and enjoying the bumpy ride this season with the mighty Potters. I'm not sure where I'm drinking before the 2 games, but if I'm in the vicinity of the Welly then I'll pop in and say hello.

[richardparker]

Jon, just been on hols for a couple of weeks.
Had worked out who you were whilst I was there. (The name was a clue!)
Try and get down the Welly if you can before any of the remaining games, this season.
At the match, I sit with Paul Phillips (and Bunt, and sometimes Nick Sims) who you may or may not know/remember. Paul was in the year younger than us at Seabridge, and should have made the grade as a pro footballer, ...but alas did not. (If you read one of my earlier posts, it may well have been the fault of Nigel Johnson!).
Anyway, hope to catch up with you sometime soon.