billc
Youth Player
Posts: 489
|
Post by billc on Nov 17, 2015 21:38:07 GMT
I miss John McCready Councillor and resident of Fenton with whom I shared, along with my fellow Hartshill Councillor Cliff Wise, many a resigned 90 minutes in the “Holocaust” season of 1984/ 5.
John died in 1989 at the ludicrously early age of 41. He liked a pint and he liked a smoke and I guess the combination killed him.
He had a certain routine on the Saturday of a match that usually involved a betting match and then a few pints in the “Staff of Life” at the bottom of Hill Street. He was man for “skulduggery” and certainly witnessed quite a bit as a union official for the Ceramic Trade Union. Usually it involved carrying large amounts of pottery from the boot of General Secretary Les Sillitoe’s car to some senior member of the Labour Party or Trade Union Movement as an attempt to win favour.
John was a devoted Stokie and he carried his passion to some length such as burning his shoes when Stoke played Middlesbrough at the Vale Park after a stand had blown down at the Victoria Ground. For all that we took a world weary and slightly detached view as Stoke plummeted through the trap door to be relegated with the then lowest number of points ever accrued in a season. It prompted the Guardian to write an editorial “Going down famously” which detailed what a record breaking season it was for Stoke for all the wrong reasons. John was willing to try anything to avert the catastrophe. I had told him that a palmist had said I had “Celtic thumbs” which he suggested I hold reiki – like over Stoke’s beleaguered back four perhaps to fortify them. Needless to say it didn’t work.
I have always liked Boxing Day. It’s the time to get out get a breath of fresh air and if I am lucky take in a match. On the 26th December 1984 Stoke were entertaining Manchester United and I suppose I took up my position in the Boothen End with John and Cliff expecting the usual hapless performance from the Potters. We always began the proceedings with a pint in the “Staff of Life”. (On the first season back in the Premiership I made a point of going in the pub for the first game the rather drab 0-0 draw against Fulham and toasted John’s memory, he would have enjoyed being back in the big time)
The opening exchanges looked promising as United’s defence look troubled from O’Callaghan’s flick on and the running of Chamberlain who seemed to have the measure of Albiston.
Stoke’s habit of ball watching costs them yet again when Stapleton scored from a rebound after Moses shot was blocked.
It looked bleak and the frost bound pitch and gathering gloom added to funereal atmosphere as we sensed yet another defeat.
We were happily confounded as Stoke put a shift in during the second half Saunders shot was handled on the line by Albiston. Painter held his nerve and drove the ball hard into the net to level on 70 minutes.
The winner came five minutes later with an assist from O’Callaghan who nodded on for Saunders to volley home.
Corrigan in Stoke’s goal must have enjoyed the game and the result against his old Manchester rivals and he played his part by taking a ball off Robson’s head with a few minutes left. Sammy McIlroy played on and showed his commitment to the Potters even though he was carrying an ankle injury.
It was a hard fought performance that might have offered the more optimistic supporter a glimmer of hope. Sadly this sense did not last.
|
|
|
Post by rawli on Nov 17, 2015 21:49:25 GMT
Thanks for that. One of the very few bright spots in an utterly dreadful season. Must be tough typing with Celtic thumbs.
|
|
|
Post by JoeinOz on Nov 17, 2015 22:05:52 GMT
When Saundy scored the winner I got a massive thunderbolt strike headache and it stayed with me all night. My brother said it was the shock of Stoke winning that did it!
|
|
billc
Youth Player
Posts: 489
|
Post by billc on Nov 17, 2015 22:06:23 GMT
I have learned to cope rawli
|
|
|
Post by dutchpeter72 on Nov 17, 2015 22:07:27 GMT
I believe it was Joe Corrigans last ever appearance, after a fine career.
|
|
|
Post by Gods on Nov 17, 2015 22:11:15 GMT
We're gonna beat the shit We're gonna beat the shit And now you're gonna believe us And now you're gonna believe us And now you're gonna believe us We're gonna beat the shit
|
|
|
Post by matelot1996 on Nov 17, 2015 22:12:46 GMT
My first ever Stoke Game. Hooked for life. My old man who is a Vale Fan took me. Cheers Dad ????
|
|
|
Post by JoeinOz on Nov 17, 2015 22:15:45 GMT
The Shit had a good side at that point. Frank Stapleton.
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Nov 17, 2015 22:23:15 GMT
The ref wasn't going to give the penalty,however he realised he wasn't getting out of the ground alive if he didn't.
|
|
|
Post by davejohnno1 on Nov 17, 2015 22:27:20 GMT
I was sat on the front row of the seats in the Town End, amongst Manure fans, and cheered when we scored much to my biological fathers disgust.
Our relationship was never quite the same and deteriorated year by year from that point onwards.
|
|
|
Post by neilb987 on Nov 18, 2015 14:34:24 GMT
Wasn't that the game where Carl Saunders played at right-back and had a far better game there than he usually did in midfield, or am I thinking of another victory over ManUre in the later 80's?
|
|
|
Post by Northy on Nov 18, 2015 15:05:23 GMT
I missed it as I was sat on a beach in Sri Lanka
|
|
|
Post by deliasmith on Nov 18, 2015 17:10:19 GMT
I went with my brother - he's never been to a Stoke game since, and I suppose he never will go to another one now. I remember saying "We could do with John Riggins, number 44, here" as we took a free kick against a massed Manchester United defence at the Boothen End.
As far as I recall, we just walked down Hartshill Bank to the Vic and paid at the gate - proper football.
|
|
|
Post by deliasmith on Nov 18, 2015 17:16:53 GMT
The Staff of Life - my Dad always drank in there before a match. When the IRA were bombing England he used to say it was the safest pub in Stoke - a reflection of the prevailing views in the bar-room on partition, republicanism etc. Very handy for the Tote betting shop across the road.
|
|
|
Post by Mr_DaftBurger on Nov 18, 2015 17:42:13 GMT
I missed it as I was sat on a beach in Sri Lanka Slumming it? I was sat on the beach of San Pedro just off the the coast of Belize! I believe this is the San Pedro Madonna sang about, although I never saw her there.
|
|
|
Post by thepirehillpoet on Nov 18, 2015 17:59:13 GMT
Billc......The burning of the shoes after going to Vale Park has got to be one of the best things ever posted on here ever, thanks a lot, still sniggering now.
|
|
|
Post by liam007 on Nov 18, 2015 18:01:07 GMT
billc is now on Eggheads on BBC 2 now.Good luck.
|
|
|
Post by Northy on Nov 18, 2015 21:14:54 GMT
I missed it as I was sat on a beach in Sri Lanka Slumming it? I was sat on the beach of San Pedro just off the the coast of Belize! I believe this is the San Pedro Madonna sang about, although I never saw her there. I've been to Belize, the parts I went to weren't the most scenic, but lots of scenery, did you try the 'rose garden'
|
|
|
Post by Mr_DaftBurger on Nov 19, 2015 9:30:46 GMT
Slumming it? I was sat on the beach of San Pedro just off the the coast of Belize! I believe this is the San Pedro Madonna sang about, although I never saw her there. I've been to Belize, the parts I went to weren't the most scenic, but lots of scenery, did you try the 'rose garden' It was out of bounds on order of the 'dick doctor'. It came in bounds towards the end of the tour and of course we went in but what a shit hole*! *Even by Belizean standards.
|
|
|
Post by lastoftheldk on Nov 20, 2015 21:20:28 GMT
Cold day, can still see the goals going in
|
|
|
Post by outspaced on Nov 20, 2015 22:13:54 GMT
Remi Moses. My dear late old man and how funny he thought he was every time he called him Runny Noses.
Ian 'Panner' Painter was deadly from the penalty spot i remember, until the game at the end of the season against Coventry when he missed one and they stayed up for the millionth time. And Stuart Pearce scored from the spot that night to keep them up.
|
|
|
Post by JoeinOz on Nov 21, 2015 0:26:34 GMT
Remi Moses. My dear late old man and how funny he thought he was every time he called him Runny Noses. Ian 'Panner' Painter was deadly from the penalty spot i remember, until the game at the end of the season against Coventry when he missed one and they stayed up for the millionth time. And Stuart Pearce scored from the spot that night to keep them up. They signed Moses because they couldn't get across to Jordan!!
|
|
|
Post by mccready on Jun 7, 2017 8:15:29 GMT
I miss John McCready Councillor and resident of Fenton with whom I shared, along with my fellow Hartshill Councillor Cliff Wise, many a resigned 90 minutes in the “Holocaust” season of 1984/ 5. John died in 1989 at the ludicrously early age of 41. He liked a pint and he liked a smoke and I guess the combination killed him. He had a certain routine on the Saturday of a match that usually involved a betting match and then a few pints in the “Staff of Life” at the bottom of Hill Street. He was man for “skulduggery” and certainly witnessed quite a bit as a union official for the Ceramic Trade Union. Usually it involved carrying large amounts of pottery from the boot of General Secretary Les Sillitoe’s car to some senior member of the Labour Party or Trade Union Movement as an attempt to win favour. John was a devoted Stokie and he carried his passion to some length such as burning his shoes when Stoke played Middlesbrough at the Vale Park after a stand had blown down at the Victoria Ground. For all that we took a world weary and slightly detached view as Stoke plummeted through the trap door to be relegated with the then lowest number of points ever accrued in a season. It prompted the Guardian to write an editorial “Going down famously” which detailed what a record breaking season it was for Stoke for all the wrong reasons. John was willing to try anything to avert the catastrophe. I had told him that a palmist had said I had “Celtic thumbs” which he suggested I hold reiki – like over Stoke’s beleaguered back four perhaps to fortify them. Needless to say it didn’t work. I have always liked Boxing Day. It’s the time to get out get a breath of fresh air and if I am lucky take in a match. On the 26th December 1984 Stoke were entertaining Manchester United and I suppose I took up my position in the Boothen End with John and Cliff expecting the usual hapless performance from the Potters. We always began the proceedings with a pint in the “Staff of Life”. (On the first season back in the Premiership I made a point of going in the pub for the first game the rather drab 0-0 draw against Fulham and toasted John’s memory, he would have enjoyed being back in the big time) The opening exchanges looked promising as United’s defence look troubled from O’Callaghan’s flick on and the running of Chamberlain who seemed to have the measure of Albiston. Stoke’s habit of ball watching costs them yet again when Stapleton scored from a rebound after Moses shot was blocked. It looked bleak and the frost bound pitch and gathering gloom added to funereal atmosphere as we sensed yet another defeat. We were happily confounded as Stoke put a shift in during the second half Saunders shot was handled on the line by Albiston. Painter held his nerve and drove the ball hard into the net to level on 70 minutes. The winner came five minutes later with an assist from O’Callaghan who nodded on for Saunders to volley home. Corrigan in Stoke’s goal must have enjoyed the game and the result against his old Manchester rivals and he played his part by taking a ball off Robson’s head with a few minutes left. Sammy McIlroy played on and showed his commitment to the Potters even though he was carrying an ankle injury. It was a hard fought performance that might have offered the more optimistic supporter a glimmer of hope. Sadly this sense did not last.
|
|
|
Post by JoeinOz on Jun 7, 2017 10:50:54 GMT
Wasn't that the game where Carl Saunders played at right-back and had a far better game there than he usually did in midfield, or am I thinking of another victory over ManUre in the later 80's? Boxing day 89/90 he played right back and had a really good game. Newcastle and we won 2-1
|
|
|
Post by JoeinOz on Jun 7, 2017 10:52:03 GMT
Wasn't that the game where Carl Saunders played at right-back and had a far better game there than he usually did in midfield, or am I thinking of another victory over ManUre in the later 80's? Boxing day 89/90 he played right back and had a really good game. Newcastle and we won 2-1
|
|