Calls for South Shields team reunion

As South Shields continues to celebrate the success of its football team, who have secured their place in the FA Vase finals, one former town team player has come up with a cracking idea to mark the occasion.
Southl Shields verses Bradford in a  cup-tie in 1959.Southl Shields verses Bradford in a  cup-tie in 1959.
Southl Shields verses Bradford in a cup-tie in 1959.

Sid Palmer used to play in goal for South Shields back in the 1950s.

He got in touch with the Gazette following last weekend’s football match at Mariners Park, when more than 3,000 supporters saw South Shields FC overcome Coleshill Town to book their dream trip to Wembley.

South Shields Football Club 1947-48, when the Probables played the Possibles.South Shields Football Club 1947-48, when the Probables played the Possibles.
South Shields Football Club 1947-48, when the Probables played the Possibles.
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Sid wrote: “Congratulations to South Shields FC for getting to the final of the FA Vase.

“I was lucky enough to be a member of the South Shields boys team which reached the quarter final of the English Schools Shield in 1957.

“We played against Manchester Boys (a team that included Nobby Stiles) at Simonside Hall, in front of a crowd of 15,000 people on Saturday, February 2.

“Your newspaper ran several articles before and after the game, which we unfortunately lost 2-1. I still have the programme and copies of the articles.

South Shields Football Club 1947-48, when the Probables played the Possibles.South Shields Football Club 1947-48, when the Probables played the Possibles.
South Shields Football Club 1947-48, when the Probables played the Possibles.
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“My reason for writing is to ask if it would be worthwhile trying to organise a reunion of that team for the Wembley final?

“It would be great to catch up with the lads again as I moved from the area shortly after this game.”

So if anyone would like to take Sid up on the offer then please get in touch and we will pass on the information and do what we can to help turn his dream into reality.

Meanwhile, you will remember that reader Leslie Crompton recently featured in Time Of Our Lives when he recalled the time when South Shields football team played at Horsley Hill Road, and the jobs he did working there as a youngster.

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Well, Leslie has been back in touch with a few more memories.

He wrote: “I thought your recent presentation of my experiences etc, with South Shields Football Club was excellent.

“You indicated in your column you would like any further names of players from those Horsley Hill Days.

“Here are some of those from the late 1940s.

“Flying wingers, George Harvey and Baden Powell. Three outside lefts, Matty Rutherford, Sammy Scorer and Jimmy Killgallon. Centre forwards Ron Metcalfe, Graham Duncan and wing half, George Duncan (who were brothers).

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“Other wing halves were Andy Pulman and Jackie Fleck. Three full backs, Sid Kirkpatrick, Arthur Stephenson and Leybourne McDougall.”

As part of Leslie’s recollections, we published a photo of South Shields Football Club 1947-48 Pre-season Trial Match, Possibles versus Probables.

This how they lined up: Left to right, back row: – Tom Gaffing, Morris ?, Dave Cummings, Matt Rutherford, Jim Donaldson, Basil Varty, Archie Wilson, Sam McClacklan, Joe Dixon, Ray Weedy, Steve Dann.

Left to right, middle row: – Alan Grenyer, Jim Maddison, Joe Brown, Hugh Watson (Captain), Willie Harkness, Ernie Brown.

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Left to right, front row: – Robson Pattison, Jackie Greenwell, John Gibbons, John Kimmett, John Ford.

The photo was taken on front of board room, behind the north stand.

Incidentally, the small boy in the background is Leslie Crompton.

Tomorrow, watch for some wonderful images of the club’s Simonside Hall stadium and the people who worked and socialised there .