Meet the man who has done something we all dream of................
If you are a Stokie of course...............part 2
Del 2
I, among many others, was really shocked in the summer of 77, when Stoke decided to sell you? What happened?
When I was in the 1st team what I did not know was that I was being watched by other clubs. I think some clubs thought that if Stoke went down some players could be available to buy. It was quite a shock when George told me that Brighton wanted to buy me for £30.000. I was also not sure why George wanted to sell me as I thought I was part of his team for next season. He explained that he needed to buy some more experienced players to get back in the 1st Division and he thought that I would do better at a more up and coming club which Brighton were at the time. George took me down to Brighton to meet Alan Mullery and Brian Horton the club captain and I soon signed.
Looking back, quite a few young players from your era played a few games in the first team but apart from Garth Crooks, few really made their mark, why was this do you think?
Garth was a very talented player and he went onto great things with Spurs. As I said Mr Waddington was reluctant to give youth a chance, he was always looking for another experienced player to sign. That player would come in a get a new lease of life under the management of Mr Waddington. One of his sayings was if you want to be a good manager buy good players and if you want to be a great manager then buy great players.
I always thought Brian Bithell was going to be a star, so what ever happened to him?
Brian was a very average player in my view but he was full of confidence and believed 100% in his ability. He made quite an impact when he got in the side and would try and be physical rather than skilful when he played. For a short time he was very popular with the fans but it never lasted. I think he went onto play for Wimbledon but as for now I’m not sure what he’s doing.
You find yourself on the south coast with Brighton. A club with a lot of potential and a young ambitious manager in Alan Mullery and you start well I think, even scoring a couple of goals. But somehow things do not work out. What went wrong?
I went to Brighton convinced that I would be successful. They were really well supported with home gates of 25.000 and there was a real buzz about the place. I made a great start to my Brighton career by scoring on my debut at Southampton we made a draw 1 – 1. I was an instant hero with the fans as Southampton were our deadly rivals. We made a great start to the season and we were unbeaten for about 10 – 12 games. I was playing in a winning side but suddenly found myself out of the team. One of Brightons star players was Peter O’Sullivan and he was out of favour with Mullery, however the fans loved him and I feel that there was pressure on Mullery to bring him back into the team. I was the player to give way and I then struggled to get back into the team. The team just missed out on promotion that year. I went on loan to Portsmouth for a short period and again I did really well and scored a couple of goals. Dave Kemp who is now Stokes assistant manager was in the team. Mullery would not let me sign for Portsmouth so I stayed at Brighton believing I would get another chance. I had to wait until the last 2 games of the season to get in the team and by then it was too late to have a run of games. I was very confident of making a go of it the following season but I soon realised that I was not required and I left that year to sign for Chester. I made some good friends at Brighton, Brian Horton and Mark Lawrenson and my best mate Eric Steele who is now the goalkeeper coach at Man Utd. I still keep in touch with Eric and have been to Old Trafford to see Stoke play as Eric’s guest.
What happened after Brighton?
I signed for Chester who had a manager called Alan Oakes who was a star player at Man City in his day. Again I made a great start scoring on my debut at Wimbledon and winning 3 – 1. Things were going ok and then during a game against Millwall I tore my hamstring muscle very badly. I did not get very good treatment and the injury took months to heal. I did recover but never got back into the team. I left Chester and tried to get a contract at Port vale but that did not work out so I was forced to play part time with Telford Utd in the non league. The manager who signed me was Gordan Banks !! My love of the game was not the same and I knew that it was time to get another career.
Suddenly at 26 years old, you are no longer a professional footballer. Was this a worrying time for you?
When I left Telford I was still living in Chester. My wife was expecting our first child so yes it was a bit worrying.
Had you made any money out of football?
I had a good standard of living so I was happy but I never had a pot of money that I could say look that’s what I got out of the game. I actually started a pension plan back in 1977 it was very basic but 35 years later I still get a cheque every month out of it.
When a player suddenly found himself no longer required, did they receive any support or guidance from the clubs they played for or from the players union, or was it good-bye and good luck?
As far as I can remember there was no help. I think my name went on a list of players looking for clubs but that’s about it.
So what have you done since then and what are you doing today?
To finish at 26 yrs sounds very early but it was a blessing as it gave me a chance to start another career. I found that in the Police Service with Cheshire Police. I joined in 1981 and I have nearly done my 30 years I will actually retire in August.
Any regrets?
I dreamed of being a footballer playing in the first division for Stoke City. So my dream came true as I did it. I know I should have been more successful and sometimes I think why not ? Perhaps I did not try hard enough or I was to laid back about things but that’s life and I have no regrets. If I think about my time at Stoke I will always go back to that game against Liverpool because on that day I was the best player on the pitch and when I think of the players playing that day it makes me feel proud and that on that day I was famous. !!
Do you have any contact with Stoke City nowadays and do you meet any old team mates?
About 2 years ago Stoke City Old Boys Association ( SCOBA ) was formed by an old boy Geoff Scott. Great names like Terry Conroy and Denis Smith got involved and we had our first meeting at the Britannia Stadium. Since then we have kept together and we have regular meetings and functions. I now go to all the home games and I am back in love with Stoke City. I am looking forward to the Wembley game I think we can make the final. I hope that we play Man Utd as it would be nice to see my old friend Eric Steele again.
Are you surprised at the progress of Stoke City during the past few years and what do you think is the reason behind it?
I will be honest I never thought that Stoke would return to the top flight of English Football. When they did it was a fantastic achievement and I wanted to be a part of it by supporting them again. Being part of SCOBA means I feel part of the club again. The Club is run by good people and the fans are the best. The manager has a style that works and he gets the right players to play his system. It may be frustrating at times but you have to say hes ( TP ) done a magnificent job.
Finally John, are you surprised that Stoke City have a following in Sweden and what do you know about Sweden?
It’s a surprise to know that Stoke are followed in Sweden. How big is the following ??? Ive never been to Sweden but its full of beautiful women I’m told !!!
Thank-you very much John, it was very interesting to hear your views. And remember, you have done something that all Stokies dream of; play in the first team in the highest league in England and score a goal. (and you did it more than once!)
