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Post by Somebody_Told_Me on Jun 16, 2015 12:44:52 GMT
My old dad isn't prone to throwing around compliments especially with regard footballers but he is steadfast in his belief that Franklin was the best defender there ever has or ever will be! My grandad said exactly the same about him. Yes my old man always says he was the best player he's ever seen. He loved Stan Matthews too, but he wasn't the star player, Franklin was. Should also say, my dad when saying how good he was, he always points out. "What a waste."
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Post by southcranford on Jun 16, 2015 13:18:01 GMT
There's a theme emerging from dads and their views on Billy Wright had Neil Franklin retained his England place...my dad said the exact same thing. I used to work with Franklins son at Bet365 (when they had the shops) and Corals..helluva nice guy
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Post by madasasnake on Jun 16, 2015 19:34:58 GMT
My Dad loved Stan, but his favourite Stoke player ever was Franklin.
The only Centre Half who he thought ever came close to him was Beckenbauer
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Post by alfieph on Jun 24, 2015 13:29:52 GMT
Sorry to bring this thread back up but I received an email from Stoke City FC saying that Peter Coates had read my article, enjoyed it, and wanted to know if the club could share it on the Stoke City website.
I have been considering writing a book about Neil as I think his story is a fascinating one and one that deserves to be told. I mentioned my intentions in my reply to the club and they said to keep in touch as they'd be happy to stock such a book in the club shop.
Essentially, I just wanted to congratulate you on the way in which your club operates. As a Hull City fan I know for a fact that our owner wouldn't give a monkey's about a player who played for the club over half a century ago. Everyone from your fans, to people working for the club and the man at the top himself, seem to have a genuine passion for the history of your club.
It may seem like something that should be second nature, but I think it's scarcely seen at most English football clubs today, particularly in the Premier League. I'm currently trying to get in touch with Gary Franklin, Neil's son, about such an possibility, I have PM'ed southcranford but if anyone else knows of any way in which I could contact him that would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by venomous on Jun 24, 2015 14:04:52 GMT
At the time of the ban on Neil Franklin and George Mountford . Neil was not permitted to train at the Victoria Grounds . I was ( along with fellow apprentices ) privileged to play short games and fitness regimes with him and a player named Tunnicliff . He was a great bloke and I distinctly remember he drilled fast , accurate passes along the ground We were so proud to know him . This took place at the Michelin sports ground . As a huge Stokie I can endorse earlier comments By some distance the best footballer I have ever seen and I have watched the lot since the late 40,s
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Post by 1975scfc on Jun 24, 2015 16:50:26 GMT
I know his brother Reg, I can ask him if he's willing to help you.
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Post by alfieph on Jun 24, 2015 17:21:22 GMT
I know his brother Reg, I can ask him if he's willing to help you. That would be superb, I cannot thank you enough.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Jun 24, 2015 23:12:19 GMT
My old dad isn't prone to throwing around compliments especially with regard footballers but he is steadfast in his belief that Franklin was the best defender there ever has or ever will be! Same with my Dad, he named my brother after him. Neil Baldwin is also named after him
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Post by robinplumpton on Jun 24, 2015 23:32:19 GMT
Same with my Dad, he named my brother after him. Neil Baldwin is also named after him Come on Malcolm, we all want a sequel, how about "Franktastic"
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ianbuckley
Academy Starlet
Neil, my Godfather
Posts: 190
Location: Cheshire
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Post by ianbuckley on Jun 25, 2015 9:25:07 GMT
I lived and grew up, as a child, in Shelton and my dad had close associations with many Stoke City players of that time. We lived in Clarke Street next door to Harry Oscroft for many years, a legendary winger for the football club. Neil Franklin was my dads bestman at his wedding in 1945 and Neil was married to my auntie - Vera Goodwin. When I was born in 1948 Neil became my godfather. My dad was a close friend of Arthur Mathews, Stans brother, who had a barbers shop in Snowhill, Shelton, next door but one to my uncle Albert Goodwin's betting shop. We used to see Stan most weeks. Stan gave my dad a ticket to the 1953 FA Cup Final, one of only two times he visited Wembley, the other being our League Cup triumph in 1972. When Stan came back to Stoke City, I would meet him outside the old Boothern Stand before every home match and he would give me a complimentary ticket to the Boothen End. Great memories.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Jun 25, 2015 18:57:59 GMT
Neil Baldwin is also named after him Come on Malcolm, we all want a sequel, how about "Franktastic" I have spent much of the last few months working on the book of Neil's life ( Neil Baldwin that is) which will be out in August.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Jun 25, 2015 19:00:52 GMT
I lived and grew up, as a child, in Shelton and my dad had close associations with many Stoke City players of that time. We lived in Clarke Street next door to Harry Oscroft for many years, a legendary winger for the football club. Neil Franklin was my dads bestman at his wedding in 1945 and Neil was married to my auntie - Vera Goodwin. When I was born in 1948 Neil became my godfather. My dad was a close friend of Arthur Mathews, Stans brother, who had a barbers shop in Snowhill, Shelton, next door but one to my uncle Albert Goodwin's betting shop. We used to see Stan most weeks. Stan gave my dad a ticket to the 1953 FA Cup Final, one of only two times he visited Wembley, the other being our League Cup triumph in 1972. When Stan came back to Stoke City, I would meet him outside the old Boothern Stand before every home match and he would give me a complimentary ticket to the Boothen End. Great memories. Great connections and memories, Ian. If you haven't already done so, these memories should be written down or recorded so that they never get lost.
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