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Post by OldStokie on Jan 20, 2009 21:18:42 GMT
Well done, Ronnie, with the Wikipedia. I haven't got a clue how to do that so if you can add this info taken from Simon Lowe's book, it will help the page. I hope you don't mind me using this info, Simon. Your book, '101 Golden Greats' is a must for all serious collectors of Stoke City history.
Harry was born in Mansfield on 10th March 1926. He began his career with Mansfield Colliery before signing for Mansfield Town in February 1947 where he scored 39 goals in 112 league games. He made his debut for Stoke against West Brom on 14th January 1950 and ended his career with us against Bristol City on 7th March 1959. He then signed for Port Vale in August of 1959 where he scored 12 goals in 51 appearances which took his goals tally past 150. He retired to the Essex/Suffolk border where he became player/ manager for Brantham Athletic with whom he won the Suffolk Senior Cup. He then played a few games for Sutton United and finally retired from the game completely in 1988 and lived near Colchester.
The comments on this thread make me very proud to be amongst you. Well done guys. I know Harry would have been thrilled to know how you all felt about him and I'm sure his family, when they read it, will take great comfort from your words.
OS.
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Post by victoriaboothenboy on Jan 20, 2009 21:46:36 GMT
Old Stokie I'm sure with your family connection you will ensure that Harry's nearest and dearest are made aware of the thoughts on these pages. It is very important that they realise that 50 years on people still remember the old timers. I also applaud the younger guys (and gals) who without knowing Harry have shown some interest and respect. It is a very TRUE supporter who cares about the History of their club. Having just acquired a winger (at long last) memories come flooding back of the golden days when fleet footed wingmen tore defences to pieces. I'm not sure but I guess Harry would have played on the left wing the day Right-winger Tim Coleman scored 7 (seven) in a match against Swansea??. Ronaldo eat your heart out!!!!!
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Post by RonnieStokie on Jan 20, 2009 21:48:40 GMT
I'll add that to the article tomorrow OS, if no one does before hand. Also i'll try and add that photo of Harry, i've never added photos to Wikipedia before, but with a bit of research i should be able to.
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Post by Staying up for Grandadstokey on Jan 20, 2009 21:57:40 GMT
Old Stokie I'm sure with your family connection you will ensure that Harry's nearest and dearest are made aware of the thoughts on these pages. It is very important that they realise that 50 years on people still remember the old timers. I also applaud the younger guys (and gals) who without knowing Harry have shown some interest and respect. It is a very TRUE supporter who cares about the History of their club. Having just acquired a winger (at long last) memories come flooding back of the golden days when fleet footed wingmen tore defences to pieces. I'm not sure but I guess Harry would have played on the left wing the day Right-winger Tim Coleman scored 7 (seven) in a match against Swansea??. Ronaldo eat your heart out!!!!! I'll echo those thoughts VBB, I think you are right that Harry would have played on the left wing ,when Tim Coleman scored 7(But I think you will find it was against Lincoln City).
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Post by OldStokie on Jan 20, 2009 22:01:24 GMT
victoriaboothenboy, the seven Tim Coleman scored was against Lincoln City. I was there that day and he should have had ten! I'm not sure if Harry was playing that day but an oft asked question was, 'who scored the other goal in the 8-0 victory over Lincoln?' It was Johnny King. OS.
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Post by victoriaboothenboy on Jan 20, 2009 22:03:47 GMT
Cheers guys -you filled in the missing gaps. I was there but I was only a little kid
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Post by daverichards on Jan 20, 2009 22:11:02 GMT
RIP Harry. Condolences to friends and family. I can remember hearing his name being mentioned to me probably by my Step Dad, but i didn't really know much about him at all. So i went on to Wikipedia to try and find out more about him, but he didn't even have an article about him. Therefore i have just created one, it's quite brief and definately needs a bit of work on it, check it out in the link below: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_OscroftIt was created mainly by reading the information posted in this thread and using one other source. I've added a few bits n pieces, but can't get the photo up, seems you need to register and upload it, I've tried just linking it from its source, it doesn't work
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Post by TheWiseMaster on Jan 20, 2009 23:38:26 GMT
Only a'tot' at the time but I do remember Harry being very popular until he left fot the far reaches of Boslem
I can remember ginger Johnny King always seemed to be facing the wrong way - towards his own goal. Johnny would receive the ball - flick it out to Harry and make a beeline for the penalty area to get on the end of a cross
The players back then always seemed to be around forever
Harry was one of our stalwarts - a true Stokie
RIP
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Post by Northy on Jan 21, 2009 5:12:06 GMT
RIP Harry, A stoke legend in his days.
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Post by hamburgpotter on Jan 21, 2009 7:29:23 GMT
RIP Mr Oscroft , another legend goes to the Red and Whites in heaven . Condolences to all family and friends. You and Sir Stan on the wings and Leader in the middle I bet we are winning everything up there !!
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Post by luke2u on Jan 21, 2009 9:28:49 GMT
Doesn't the young fans read from our history? I would have been ashamed to say I hadn't heard of Harry Oscroft, even if he played before I was born as well.
Come on lads, go out and buy all the books you can find on Stoke City's history.
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Post by stokesaint1 on Jan 21, 2009 13:12:19 GMT
Harry was part of the team that I saw when I first started going to watch Stoke and one of the reasons I became a Stoke fanatic. I still remember the power of his shooting and being amazed that anyone could hit a ball so hard. That number of goals from a left winger was something special. He thoroughly deserves the mention amongst City greats. As with many City Legends, he will be sadly missed. RIP.
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Post by nott1 on Jan 21, 2009 15:43:12 GMT
R.I.P Harry Oscroft, the best leftwinger of his day and what a terrific left foot shot he had, almost bursting the net many times. If only we had him now!
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Post by stokiesinspain on Jan 21, 2009 15:50:57 GMT
RIP Harry x A question OS was there a player named Tony Allen in the 50,s ?
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Post by baystokie on Jan 21, 2009 18:02:54 GMT
If OS will pardon the intrusion - Tony Allen played for us from the late 50s (57?) for about 10-12 years. He was good enough to win an England cap before he was 20. Over 400 appearances. Class ideed.
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Post by Staying up for Grandadstokey on Jan 21, 2009 18:18:35 GMT
Am I right in thinking that Harry went to the Vale in exchange for Peter Ford and Dickie Cunliffe (another left winger but nowhere near as good).
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Post by baystokie on Jan 21, 2009 18:27:01 GMT
Grandad - Harry AND Peter Ford went to the Vale in p/ex for Cunliffe
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Post by Staying up for Grandadstokey on Jan 21, 2009 19:02:15 GMT
Grandad - Harry AND Peter Ford went to the Vale in p/ex for Cunliffe Cheers baystokie ,another "senior moment".
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Post by headsgoup on Jan 21, 2009 19:05:26 GMT
No, I did not know of his passing away.
My sincere condolences.
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Post by OldStokie on Jan 22, 2009 0:26:35 GMT
I've recieved another mail from Harry's daughter, Carol. I'm sure she won't mind me putting a few excepts from it on here and you will all appreciate her sentiments and some of the things she has said. Adds a little more info about the man who served us so well too. She and hubby also read The Oatcake as you will see.
"My dad broke his leg playing for Stoke and transfered to Port Vale. When he finished at Port Vale we moved to Brantham in Suffolk where my mum comes from. He was employed at the local company that made different types of film. This company was taken over by ICI where he worked until 1988 when he took early retirement after a fall at work. He played and Managed Brantham Athletic and Stutton United FC when he first came to Brantham and also managed the works team and played. He played his last game of football on the day I had my first child (a son) in 1977. He carried on playing tennis and golf for several more years. He used to take my sons over the playing field and with some clubs he cut down for them, he would show them how to play golf. He was the best grandad anyone could have. He was a very big part of my sons lives."
"It really has cheered us up to read all the marvelous condolences on the oatcake fanzine site. To the fan who said dad would have had a smoke and a whisky, yes he would have had a cigarette but never had a drink before the game. His red complexion was very misleading. The lady who said she met him at Ipswich Town, my husband, can remember that clearly. He was with him. Thanks again. We miss him already, you don't realise what a difference you have made. Thanks you have made us so proud. Carol and family. x x "
That's it folks. Well done and thanks for your contributions. If some of our younger supporters didn't know of Harry Oscroft before, if they've read this thread, they do now. I, and many of the older guys on here know that if he was in the team today, he would undoubtedly be a crowd favourite just as he was then.
OS.
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Post by Parksy on Jan 22, 2009 0:34:38 GMT
Now it's a real shame this never got into the national press, my father was always a fan of Harry and I was brought up with many stories of the fella. My best regards to the family and Here's to one of Stokes true gentlemen and greatest heroes.
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Post by stayingupforbigbazza on Jan 22, 2009 18:54:26 GMT
RIP Harry
My late father and uncle would talk about him alot in the old Stoke Supporters club by the Boothen End after home games!!!!
Along with Franklin Matthews Steele Soo Ormston Coleman etc etc
Thanks OS
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SA_78
Youth Player
Posts: 325
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Post by SA_78 on Jan 22, 2009 20:21:20 GMT
RIP Harry Oscroft.
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Post by PolPotter on Jan 22, 2009 20:27:32 GMT
He's wearing a diamond earing for Christ on a bike sake! RIP though!
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Post by ChrisEvans on Jan 22, 2009 20:31:50 GMT
Rest in Peace Stokie, thanks for helping make our club great.
Thoughts and strength to all family and friends.
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Post by harrysburrow on Jan 22, 2009 22:44:04 GMT
RIP Harry.
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