APOLOGIES to my fellow “Courier” sports correspondent the Rugby Club’s Paul Harris but I am accusing him of reading my mind. Trying to think of my next article a week or so ago I thought I’d reminisce on Crediton Football Club Easter “Tours” over the years. Lo and behold he’s quicker off the mark and “trumps” me with a page full of tales from “oval ball shenanigans” in that week’s "Courier".
Luckily footballers are much better behaved so I don’t have to invoke the “What goes on tour stays on tour” rules. Well not much anyway.
United’s first of their weekend “tours” started in the late 1960’s, thanks to Club Chairman Bill Ash, whose position with Whitbread’s of Tiverton enabled him to organise trips to their headquarters at Woodford Green, North East of London and matches against their Club team.
I think we went there twice but the second was the one I can recall most. For the two-night stay in London’s Russell Square Hotel including travel and B and B cost players and officials £6 each with others paying £6 10s. We travelled by Bow-Belle with Jim Pugsley as the driver.
In those days it was common that someone chalked numbers on the front nearside coach wheel and every one paid a shilling for the chance to win the “roulette” with the winner being whoever’s number was nearest the chalk mark on the wheel arch when the coach stopped next. Then everyone paid another shilling until the driver stopped again and so on. Stops were fairly frequent in those days as no coaches had toilets so the game was expensive. Think that the game is illegal nowadays.
We stayed in London on the Friday then travelled out to Whitbread’s Woodford Green ground the following day and after a competitive game were very well entertained with a meal and a free pint of Trophy or two.
We stayed in the centre of London where young Reserves team goalie Richard Privett thought it clever to roll Dave Blanchford in the 30-yard carpet to block the bedroom’s corridor. The manager was not amused but Blanch lived to tell the tale. Dave recalls how as a farmer he was always up early in the morning but Harry Elston and Bill Ash who were rooming together didn’t appreciate Dave giving them an early morning call, waking them up and shouting “Alka Seltzer” through the door.
The Friday evening for me was spent taking youngsters Bill Hole and Richard Privett around the city centre showing them all the must-see attractions as neither had been to London before.
The third trip was to the Watney’s headquarters at Hendon Police Academy thanks to contacts made by the then Mitre landlord Gordon Foden.
Unfortunately the pitch wasn’t the best we’d ever played on and Melvyn Steer broke his leg during the match and spent the afternoon and night in hospital. With Melvyn still a youngster then he wasn’t insured but thanks to Dave Blanchford and Club members a sponsored walk was organised later in the year to raise money for Melv.
The walk was a true Marathon walking from Crediton to Tedburn St Mary and back via Cheriton Bishop and Yeoford. Sally Hands walked all the way barefoot.
On a subsequent trip we went to a First Division game – think it was an Arsenal and Wolves match. After the game we caught a taxi back to the hotel but there were five of us to get in the taxi. I spent the whole journey back to the hotel sat in Ian Grinney’s lap!
In the evening most of the party spent the evening touring the City centre and in the end wandered into the Soho area by mistake! With the offer of a special group discount most of the party finished up in one of the “Clubs”.
Unfortunately one of our group (our nippy right winger who repaired cars and plays golf a lot) was a bit too short and spent the whole time in the place on my shoulders so he could get a view of the artists. I didn’t see much and sadly they wouldn’t let me have my money back!
One year, with no football to go to, the party went to Kempton Park Race Course. Dave Blanchford had a successful afternoon and left the ground feeling pleased and about £25 or £30 in pocket - a lot of money in the early 70’s.
Outside the ground there was a “card sharp” entertaining punters with “Spot the Ace” type card tricks. Blanch could not resist the challenge and subsequently lost all his winnings as Cyril Leyman looked on in fits of laughter.
Another year the party caught a train to London. As the train got to Cowley Bridge Will Tucker got up and shouted “The train’s going the wrong way this isn’t the way to London – you have to go through Central Station”!
After several trips to London we decided we’d like a change and for several years decided on trips to sunny Bournemouth instead where it’s easier to get about and mingle together.
By this time we’d realised that having to play a football match was an inconvenience, so for several years we didn’t bother to arrange any but arranged a morning’s golf instead.
One year we discovered that the hotel we tried to book didn’t take rugby or football teams, so we booked in as Crediton Hockey Club and no-one knew at all.
On a later trip to Bournemouth Dave Leyman was out with friends in the evening but for some reason got separated.
By the time he got back to the hotel everyone else had gone to bed and his room mate had locked their door. Dave slept the night in a bath!
The popular diversion on Sunday mornings was a trip to Hengitsbury Head in Boscombe where there is a Par 3 18 hole Golf Course open to all.
A few of the lads were competent golfers but the rest were “Duffers”. The first tee had a long wooden “ledge” about 10 yards out which you have to negotiate first. On one occasion yours truly teed off first, hitting the ball about nine inches off the ground. It hit the board and the ball came flying back narrowly missing many of the lads awaiting their turn.
Roy “Budgie” Jarvis who’d never played before was in Blanchies “four” but continually moaned about his five iron. After several holes he took a wild swipe from the next tee and the head of the iron went flying off narrowly missing golfers on the adjoining fairway. We were in uncontrollable laughter for some time!
Happy Days! To be continued next week!
Chris Gillard