A South Shields man is trying to reunite with his old school football team after rediscovering old squad photos.

A South Shields man is trying to reunite with his old football team who went on a rare sporting trip to Belgium.

In 1974 John Ford and his teammates from Stanhope Road School in South Shields were able to travel to mainland Europe flanked by teachers to take part in football matches against international opposition.

The full squad and teachers at their school. | John Ford

placeholder image — The full squad and teachers at their school. | John Ford

He is now hoping to find the full team who made the trip and reunite with them.

“My main reason is to seewhat’s happened, where people are and maybe give someone a bit of nostalgia for years gone by” explained John, who left school at 16 and went to work in a shipyard on the River Tyne.

The trip saw the group of 14 and 15 year-olds go to the Belgian coastline town of Blankenberge and play two matches in addition to exploring the local area. The fixtures were against two local schools in the town, which sits a 20 minute drive away from Brugge.

“I was looking at my house documents the other day and these things dropped out” adds John.

“It made me wonder what happened to all those lads. They’ll be about 67 or 68 now.”

A second photo of some team members. | John Ford

John retired after working for a number of years working between the USA and South Tyneside, where he still lives.

He said the team was made of third and fourth year students while the travelling party was completed by three teachers, Mr Black, Mr Barras and Mr Brett.

John is hoping to give the families of the three teachers a chance to see the photos too.

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“I remember going round Blankenberge fish market in go carts and sitting in a cafe. The teachers didn’t know it but we were all drinking beer!” he continues.

“It was a bit of a novelty at the time because there weren’t many schools going abroad. It was quite a good trip apart from a few daft things which I’d better not mention!”

Photos were taken in the schoolyard and sports hall of Stanhope Road school as well as Belgium.

Anyone wanting to contact John can get in touch with the Gazette.

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