What was it like to be a footballer in the 70s?

Read and find out..................

You grew up in Birmingham, so how did become involved with Stoke City?

I was of interest to many clubs when I was younger and in fact used to go to Arsenal in the school holidays. Stoke were one of the clubs showing interest. I decided to go there for a week and loved the club and the atmosphere. I in fact signed apprentice forms with them but returned to Birmingham after one season homesick.

Did you move to the Stoke area, or stay in Birmingham?

I stayed in digs in Fenton for the first season. I then took a year out completed my studies and went back a year later a completely different person.

Did you play many games in the reserves and can you tell us about your debut in the first team?

I played regularly in the reserves and captained the youth team. My debut was against Blackburn Rovers away. I came on as sub for Alex Lindsay. Shortly after, there was a pitch invasion. I did not know what to do the rest of the team went off I sat on an advertising hoarding until the game resumed. Quite eventful.

You started to establish yourself in the first during the season 1977 –78; Stoke had just been regulated. George Eastham was in charge. How was he as a manager?

George was a great person and in fact signed me as an apprentice. He had a lot of time for me and always took time out to give me advice. He also said that I would be a natural to succeed Denis Smith as captain at some point. I am still in touch with him today. Lovely guy.

Were you and the team surprised when he got the sack?

I personally was but the team had lost its way a little and was an ageing squad the club needed a change of direction.

Soon after Eastham’s sacking, Blyth Spartans dumped Stoke out of the FA cup. Did you play in the game and how was the reaction of the players after?

I played in midfield for that game and hit the post. I personally felt that the whole tie was doomed from the start. The original date was called off which interrupted our preparation. On the night Blythe made us play in our away strip of yellow (always unlucky for Stoke) instead of our red and white stripes and we were the home side and senior to them.

Alan Durban came along, was he a popular choice with the players? Did he change a lot, if so, what?

He changed a lot at the club. We played less football but did not give much away. I would not say that he was popular and tended to bully younger players. Not my favourite.

As a young man of 21, playing first team football, were you very well paid? Did the manager decide wages or did somebody else at the club take care of these matters? Were there many bonus schemes?

My first professional contract was £45 per week with £100 appearance bonus and £100 per point so when we were winning it was quite lucrative. A few of the bigger teams began showing interest (Liverpool and Aston Villa being two) and the club increased my basic to £150 per week. It was a combination of the Manager and the Secretary.

Did players socialise much together in their spare time and who were your best friends in the squad?

We all mixed very well. My best friends were Jackie Marsh, Brendon O’Callaghan and Sammy Irvine.

Were players given advice of what to eat and drink?

No not at all. In fact what we ate and drank would be frowned upon today

Durban certainly turned things around quickly and Stoke finished the season strongly. Did you feel even then that promotion the following year was possible?

I went straight to an England under 23 tournament so did not have too much time to think about the following year other than my personal goal was to be ever present and be as fit as I possibly could so I had two weeks off and returned to train with the youth team who always started early.

Before we leave the 77-78 season, we must mention your amazing goal against Blackburn, can you tell us about it?

There is a lot of talk about this. Was it meant or was it a fluke. I hope I can dismiss any queries.

I received the ball in my own half and out on the left. I usually ran as far as I could then crossed the ball having turned the defence. However I looked up and saw that the keeper was trying to steal a few yards and had come off his line. I decided to smash the ball as hard as I could and take a chance. As you know the ball flew into the net from about 40 yards. So I meant it most definitely.

0 kommentarer

Nicholas Lloyd-Pugh2011-04-07 06:33:00