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Post by ukcstokie on Nov 26, 2014 1:25:57 GMT
Marvellous was bloody brilliant. It told Nello's story beautifully.
But who remembers Gus? The West Indian programme (and lottery) seller from the Vic?
Another great SCFC character.
There must be a story to be told.
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Post by CalgaryPotter on Nov 26, 2014 5:01:52 GMT
Or the bloke who sold the Sentinel in Stoke town centre? He was another who was lived with a smile on his face despite his obvious mental issues. Remember a trip to London with Tony Grey's crew & we picked him up and took him for the day out. He'd only gone out for bread & he ended up fed and watered in Leicester Square and provided some superb tunes on the harmonica in return. Happy days
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 5:56:41 GMT
Or the bloke who sold the Sentinel in Stoke town centre? He was another who was lived with a smile on his face despite his obvious mental issues. Remember a trip to London with Tony Grey's crew & we picked him up and took him for the day out. He'd only gone out for bread & he ended up fed and watered in Leicester Square and provided some superb tunes on the harmonica in return. Happy days I remember him. He used to stand outside the Sentinel Offices, anyone know if he is still around, I guess he'd be 55/60 now.
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Post by kevan45 on Nov 26, 2014 7:47:37 GMT
If it is the same Sentinel seller I am thinking of, he was mentioned in the dispatched pages of the Sentinel recently. RIP
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Post by newsteadst3 on Nov 26, 2014 9:10:08 GMT
Good thread, Gus used to do the lottery, did he ever make it to the Brit??
Don't not remeber the sentinel man, where did he used to frequent ??
Mel Abbott was another legend decked out in his Russian hat, also a bloke called Sid a sell was another legend, in fact wasn't there 2 sid who Where always about
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Post by OldStokie on Nov 26, 2014 10:11:17 GMT
Or the bloke who sold the Sentinel in Stoke town centre? He was another who was lived with a smile on his face despite his obvious mental issues. Remember a trip to London with Tony Grey's crew & we picked him up and took him for the day out. He'd only gone out for bread & he ended up fed and watered in Leicester Square and provided some superb tunes on the harmonica in return. Happy days PMSL. OS.
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Post by OldStokie on Nov 26, 2014 10:13:46 GMT
If it is the same Sentinel seller I am thinking of, he was mentioned in the dispatched pages of the Sentinel recently. RIP Mentioned in dispatches. I love black humour. RIP. OS.
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Post by ukcstokie on Nov 26, 2014 10:26:14 GMT
Or the bloke who sold the Sentinel in Stoke town centre? He was another who was lived with a smile on his face despite his obvious mental issues. Remember a trip to London with Tony Grey's crew & we picked him up and took him for the day out. He'd only gone out for bread & he ended up fed and watered in Leicester Square and provided some superb tunes on the harmonica in return. Happy days I remember him. I can remember going up to Hanley as a kid with my big sister, and going round shouting "Sentinel" at the top of my voice as a mimic - completely embarrassing my sister.
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Post by newsteadst3 on Nov 26, 2014 13:34:28 GMT
Marvellous was bloody brilliant. It told Nello's story beautifully. But who remembers Gus? The West Indian programme (and lottery) seller from the Vic? Another great SCFC character. There must be a story to be told. What ever happens to Gus
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Post by tpholloway1 on Nov 26, 2014 15:00:19 GMT
I remember Gus, a lovely fella. Cycled miles selling lottery tickets. He used to live in Fenton and would cycle to Meir Heath to sell lottery tickets at the Windmill, Swynerton Arms and George and Dragon. Quite a jaunt as he was no spring chicken. Met his daughter a few years back. He's probably still selling lottery tickets in heaven!!!
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Post by HarryTheHat on Nov 26, 2014 20:02:40 GMT
It took me years to work out what Gus used to shout as he patrolled the Butler Street Stand
I think I eventually got it sussed as "Big 25 coming around Gents.... Don't miss it" - I think this was because his lottery tickets were 25p or maybe the prize was £25
He was part of the fixtures at the Vic
Never saw him at the Brit though
HtH
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Post by sladealive on Nov 27, 2014 19:44:26 GMT
In the mid 60s Gus used to live in Peel Street, Dresden and often used to play cricket with the Dresden kids. He also spent many hours at Longton Cricket Club. During the 70s and 80 the big fella used to work in the clay making shop at Royal Doulton Regent Works in Longton. I think he was still there when the factory closed in 1980. The amount of clay he lifted was unbelievable ( and I don't mean he nicked it ). He was a great guy and I always remember his sales pitch " how many you want " rather than would you like a ticket. Noy many refused to buy.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 20:06:28 GMT
Was this Gus fella a huge West Indian guy?
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Post by wuzza on Nov 27, 2014 20:15:35 GMT
This thread has brought the memories flooding back to a Butler St veteran and thaks for the full script! I could only remember the 'coming around gents' bit. Great stuff.
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Post by nervousnorris on Nov 28, 2014 12:24:30 GMT
Gus was a legend. He spent his whole life raising money for local charities and clubs and cycled miles to do it. He was a fixture around the pubs in Meir Heath. I remember in Butler St Stand when he spent the whole game on the move selling tote tickets for various local clubs. He would just stand in front of you until you bought some. He caused havoc because no-one could see a bloody thing when he walked thru the stand, he was that big, but nothing fazed him....even though half the stand was telling him to shift. He was the most laid back man alive, with a proper Jamaican drawl, and I got to know him thru local cricket......but I could never understand a bloody word he said.
I was lucky enough to sit next to Mel Abbott and his mate Roy for years at the Vic in the Boothen Stand. He was nuts...but God he made me laugh. Great memories....
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Post by newsteadst3 on Nov 28, 2014 13:11:02 GMT
Mel Abbott was great, that hat said it all, Am sure he fancied himself as an actor , Well he tried tellin me he was when I was about 12
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Post by ukcstokie on Nov 28, 2014 13:12:40 GMT
Was this Gus fella a huge West Indian guy? Yep, that was him. Always wore a rain coat if I remember.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 13:41:13 GMT
I worked with a bloke who had played cricket against Gus. I remember saying to him "He has to be a batsman". He replied "No, he bowls slow left arm"
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Post by bagman on Nov 28, 2014 14:20:10 GMT
The sentinel seller was Norman Rhead lived on London rd in Stoke,died some years back,think the away when he was kidnapped was chelsea away on a wednesday nite,Mel Abbott also died few years ago was found not far from the brit on one of the footpaths,used to tell some great stories when he used to walk from stoke to leek and back midweek on market day to get hammered and once or twice ended up sleeping in hedgerows cuz he'd spent up, in latter years he signed up as an acting extra and played some part in one of those period dramas which was filmed up leek way,a bigger stoke fan you"ld struggle to find.
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fitz
Spectator
Posts: 4
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Post by fitz on Apr 23, 2015 11:59:18 GMT
Gus, my father arrived in England in 1962. One of the coldest winters on record. He lodged at a friends house in Peel Street, Dresden. He saved up enough to bring his wife and stepson around 1964. I was born actually in those lodgings in Peel St. in 1966. Shortly after we [Gus and family in tow] moved to Brocksford Street Fenton. Mum and Dad were both working at Ridgeways Pottery. 1971 Gus became the proud father of a daughter. I fell in love with football and SCFC just after 1972. In 1974 Gus and I attended our first football match at the Vic. We smashed Burnley 4-0 and Spurs 1-0 at another next fixture. Gerry Sergeant from SCFC Promotions got Gus his job selling lottery tickets at the club. He was already into fund raising Meir Heath Cricket Club and one of the local characters around Longton so those punters had to donate twice as much I guess. He did have a go at learning to drive but he hit a brick wall in our back alley. We never told the neighbours ! He then bought his infamous bike. When I was playing cricket with my mates on Foley Park my dad who was out for a stroll would join in. Pretty embarrassing. He raised a crazy amount of money for St. Peters Children in Need Appeal in the 1980's. Meanwhile mum had a severe mental breakdown the first of at least 4 or 5. Gus managed to keep it together though mum could not work again. Juggling working at Finneys Pottery and charity work for Stoke City and M.H.C.C. An incident on his bike left him very shook in the early 1990's. He did not cycle after and stopped attending matches around 1995. Gus passed away Xmas Eve 2002 aged 81, I really miss him.
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Post by thepirehillpoet on Apr 23, 2015 12:12:30 GMT
Gus, my father arrived in England in 1962. One of the coldest winters on record. He lodged at a friends house in Peel Street, Dresden. He saved up enough to bring his wife and stepson around 1964. I was born actually in those lodgings in Peel St. in 1966. Shortly after we Gus an family in tow moved to Brocksford Street Fenton. Mum and Dad were both working at Ridgeways Pottery. 1971 Gus became the proud father of a daughter. I fell in love with football and SCFC just after 1972. In 1974 Gus and I attended our first football match at the Vic. We smashed Burnley 4-0 and Spurs 1-0 the next fixture. Gerry Sergeant from SCFC Promotions got Gus his job selling lottery tickets at the club. He was already into fund raising Lere Heath Cricket Club and one of the local characters around Longton so those punters had to donate twice much I guess. He did have a go at learning to drive but he hit a brick wall in our back alley. We never told the neighbours ! He then bought his infamous bike. When I was playing cricket with my mates on Foley Park and my dad who was out for a stroll would join. Pretty embarrassing. He raised a crazy amount of money for my St. Peters Children in Need Appeal in the 1980's. Meanwhile mum had a severe mental breakdown the first of at least 4 or 5. Gus managed to keep it together though mum could not work again. Juggling working Finneys Pottery and charity work for Stoke City and M.H.C.C. An incident on his bike left him very shook in the early 1990's. He did not cycle after and stopped attending matches around 1995. Gus passed away Xmas Eve 2002 aged 81, I really miss him. It seems like a lot of people also miss him fitz.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2015 12:12:43 GMT
Gus, my father arrived in England in 1962. One of the coldest winters on record. He lodged at a friends house in Peel Street, Dresden. He saved up enough to bring his wife and stepson around 1964. I was born actually in those lodgings in Peel St. in 1966. Shortly after we Gus an family in tow moved to Brocksford Street Fenton. Mum and Dad were both working at Ridgeways Pottery. 1971 Gus became the proud father of a daughter. I fell in love with football and SCFC just after 1972. In 1974 Gus and I attended our first football match at the Vic. We smashed Burnley 4-0 and Spurs 1-0 the next fixture. Gerry Sergeant from SCFC Promotions got Gus his job selling lottery tickets at the club. He was already into fund raising Lere Heath Cricket Club and one of the local characters around Longton so those punters had to donate twice much I guess. He did have a go at learning to drive but he hit a brick wall in our back alley. We never told the neighbours ! He then bought his infamous bike. When I was playing cricket with my mates on Foley Park and my dad who was out for a stroll would join. Pretty embarrassing. He raised a crazy amount of money for my St. Peters Children in Need Appeal in the 1980's. Meanwhile mum had a severe mental breakdown the first of at least 4 or 5. Gus managed to keep it together though mum could not work again. Juggling working Finneys Pottery and charity work for Stoke City and M.H.C.C. An incident on his bike left him very shook in the early 1990's. He did not cycle after and stopped attending matches around 1995. Gus passed away Xmas Eve 2002 aged 81, I really miss him.Sounds like you're one of many mate, a special bloke R.I.P.
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Post by slicko on Apr 23, 2015 12:15:47 GMT
And the kind spirit of your father continues through his kids.
Keep us Stoke supporters updated with any other memorable stories.
Cheers Fitz.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2015 12:17:19 GMT
Gus, my father arrived in England in 1962. One of the coldest winters on record. He lodged at a friends house in Peel Street, Dresden. He saved up enough to bring his wife and stepson around 1964. I was born actually in those lodgings in Peel St. in 1966. Shortly after we Gus an family in tow moved to Brocksford Street Fenton. Mum and Dad were both working at Ridgeways Pottery. 1971 Gus became the proud father of a daughter. I fell in love with football and SCFC just after 1972. In 1974 Gus and I attended our first football match at the Vic. We smashed Burnley 4-0 and Spurs 1-0 the next fixture. Gerry Sergeant from SCFC Promotions got Gus his job selling lottery tickets at the club. He was already into fund raising Lere Heath Cricket Club and one of the local characters around Longton so those punters had to donate twice much I guess. He did have a go at learning to drive but he hit a brick wall in our back alley. We never told the neighbours ! He then bought his infamous bike. When I was playing cricket with my mates on Foley Park and my dad who was out for a stroll would join. Pretty embarrassing. He raised a crazy amount of money for my St. Peters Children in Need Appeal in the 1980's. Meanwhile mum had a severe mental breakdown the first of at least 4 or 5. Gus managed to keep it together though mum could not work again. Juggling working Finneys Pottery and charity work for Stoke City and M.H.C.C. An incident on his bike left him very shook in the early 1990's. He did not cycle after and stopped attending matches around 1995. Gus passed away Xmas Eve 2002 aged 81, I really miss him. Remember him well from my younger days and sounds like a real gentleman and a top fella according to everyone who knew him. No better epitaph as far as I'm concerned....
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Post by pretzel on Apr 23, 2015 20:22:08 GMT
Well how spooky! This evening I played tennis with some friends and stopped off at The Finney Gardens for a pint. As I left, I was just saying goodbye to one of my friends when a lass standing outside spotted my Stoke shirt and said "ahh you're a Stoke fan are you?". Bit of a daft question I thought but not wanting to be rude I said "yes are you?". She said not really but my Dad used to work at Stoke a long time ago". Yes, you've guessed it, this was Gus's daughter (Fitz's sister) /? She was amazed when I said I'd only been reading about her father this lunchtime, especially as she no longer lives local and was only up from Bristol for a funeral. I told her about the Oatcake and hopefully she will get to read this and Fitz's post. As I said goodbye to her, she told me her name and I had to smile.... it was Vicky. Nice touch Gus.... naming your daughter VICTORIA
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Post by theteacher on Apr 24, 2015 6:21:27 GMT
Gus, my father arrived in England in 1962. One of the coldest winters on record. He lodged at a friends house in Peel Street, Dresden. He saved up enough to bring his wife and stepson around 1964. I was born actually in those lodgings in Peel St. in 1966. Shortly after we Gus an family in tow moved to Brocksford Street Fenton. Mum and Dad were both working at Ridgeways Pottery. 1971 Gus became the proud father of a daughter. I fell in love with football and SCFC just after 1972. In 1974 Gus and I attended our first football match at the Vic. We smashed Burnley 4-0 and Spurs 1-0 the next fixture. Gerry Sergeant from SCFC Promotions got Gus his job selling lottery tickets at the club. He was already into fund raising Meir Heath Cricket Club and one of the local characters around Longton so those punters had to donate twice much I guess. He did have a go at learning to drive but he hit a brick wall in our back alley. We never told the neighbours ! He then bought his infamous bike. When I was playing cricket with my mates on Foley Park my dad who was out for a stroll would join in. Pretty embarrassing. He raised a crazy amount of money for St. Peters Children in Need Appeal in the 1980's. Meanwhile mum had a severe mental breakdown the first of at least 4 or 5. Gus managed to keep it together though mum could not work again. Juggling working at Finneys Pottery and charity work for Stoke City and M.H.C.C. An incident on his bike left him very shook in the early 1990's. He did not cycle after and stopped attending matches around 1995. Gus passed away Xmas Eve 2002 aged 81, I really miss him. I remember your dad well Firz, such a peaceful man and would always see him on his bike and at SCFC. I remember coming to your house once in Fenton and he was there - we did both go to St Peter's High School together. Missed by many.
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Post by stokiejoe on Apr 24, 2015 7:56:02 GMT
what a wonderful story and fantastic coincidence. Think I must have something in my eyes as they are watering.
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Post by Pretty Little Boother on Apr 24, 2015 8:27:05 GMT
Think I must have something in my eyes as they are watering. First time I've ever heard of Gus and I'm the same!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2015 8:27:59 GMT
One of the very first characters I came across on my first visit to The Vic was Gus, and he remains as much a part of my Stoke City experience as anything else. I think I probably did more impressions of Gus on the school playground than Peter Griffiths.
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Post by slicko on Apr 24, 2015 8:36:06 GMT
Was chatting with Nello last night at Keele Uni. He remembers Gus as the big gentleman.
He then tapped up a student for a lift down to the circus at Pool Dam so he could get in the ring for 7.30pm.
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