50th Anniversary-Torquay v Spurs-FA Cup Third Round.

BayGull · Post by **BayGull** » 10 Oct 2014, 15:46

... and he was married to leggy blonde Anthea Redfern in the early days - before she went on the marry the bloke with the chin

'All right my love?"

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 10 Oct 2014, 16:03

I wuz there !! Some fans had climbed up the floodlight pylons to get a better view of the match and no one bothered to get them down. The ground was packed - don't know what the official attendance was. It was a great game with a fantastic atmosphere. There's no exaggeration - Stubbsy is arguably the best player to ever play for United. No doubt he could have played at a higher level but rumour had it that he was too fond of the night life to knuckle down to the demands of Div 1 (as it was then) football. Players tended not to move so frequently between clubs back in the 60's. There was no Bosman Rule or Agents ......

stefano · Post by **stefano** » 10 Oct 2014, 16:27

tomogull wrote:I wuz there !! Some fans had climbed up the floodlight pylons to get a better view of the match and no one bothered to get them down. The ground was packed - don't know what the official attendance was. It was a great game with a fantastic atmosphere. There's no exaggeration - Stubbsy is arguably the best player to ever play for United. No doubt he could have played at a higher level but rumour had it that he was too fond of the night life to knuckle down to the demands of Div 1 (as it was then) football. Players tended not to move so frequently between clubs back in the 60's. There was no Bosman Rule or Agents ......

Do you remember Tomo several fans being injured? They were standing on the roof of the toilets at the Marnham Lane side of the Babbacombe End when the roof collapsed. No Elf 'N Safety in those days .... and not a single compensation claim!

chunkygull · Post by **chunkygull** » 10 Oct 2014, 17:44

Broadley gull wrote:I was there crushed on the railings by the corner flag on the old popular side, just under 21,000 inside plainmoor!!!, I will never forget that day & that late fight back . Robin Stubbs was & still is the greatest striker ever to play for us (IMO), anyway you can still see a clip of his equalising goal at white hart lane on youtube today, some goal that was in front of 55,000 + fans .
Still enough of back to the future ... COYG, lets get 3 points on Saturday ..

Do you mean this?

[youtube]5Ig9zeRGQec[/youtube]

I just love those old Pathe news reels, the music, the echo of the sound, the polite speaking narration, I know we lose but I love this clip.

Dutchgull · Post by **Dutchgull** » 10 Oct 2014, 18:11

Love the 3G pitch !!

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 10 Oct 2014, 19:09

That clip gives a fairly good example of the quality of Stubbsy. But we've all seen more spectacular goals from him, haven't we?

IlshamSchmilsham · Post by **IlshamSchmilsham** » 10 Oct 2014, 20:19

stefano wrote: Do you remember Tomo several fans being injured? They were standing on the roof of the toilets at the Marnham Lane side of the Babbacombe End when the roof collapsed. No Elf 'N Safety in those days .... and not a single compensation claim!

I was on that toilet roof, oblivious to the associated risks, just like any 10 year old fan would have been! The attached article from Michael Williams offers a far better perspective on that very special day than my own failing recollections could provide, but at least I can say I was there!

http://www.theprsd.co.uk/tag/torquay-un ... m-hotspur/

As for the relative merits of Northcott and Stubbs, Robin was undoubtedly the star, but we shouldn't underestimate the importance of Tommy's role in providing his co-striker with the space and time to score so many wonderful goals - shades of Mick Jones and Alan Clarke in later years (apologies to our younger readers)!

UTG

Dave B

stefano · Post by **stefano** » 10 Oct 2014, 21:39

Thanks Ilsham. That's brilliant. The only thing for me was the writer turned up at 1pm. I was there at 1030am! It just about sums up the whole day mind. Brilliant! ... and Tommy Northcott? What a foil for Robin. I played loads of games with Tommy with Newton Abbot Spurs when he retired from pro football. A real lovely guy and an incredible footballer given his shape. His brother George as well was described by no less than Don Mills as a player who should have played for England. Tomorrow is the 45th anniversary of my debut for Torquay United reserves at a time when our first team were one of the best teams in what is now League 1. I will therefore mark the anniversary at the pub as we take on the might of Alfreton Town!

What I like though is how many old buggers are still about and care. Tomo, Trogan, SG, Wivel, Brucie, GS, Hector and many many more including of course yourself Ilsham.

I have printed off your excellent attachment and will be waving it in the faces of the Argyle supporters in the pub tomorrow. They of course lost 5-1 at home to the same Tottenham team only 2 years before, although I would have to confess that the average knuckle brained Argyle supporter would not know that!

Gullscorer · Post by **Gullscorer** » 11 Oct 2014, 01:05

stefano wrote:What I like though is how many old buggers are still about and care. Tomo, Trogan, SG, Wivel, Brucie, GS, Hector and many many more including of course yourself Ilsham.

I'm NOT an old bugger..

I'm not old at all..

Though I do have a bus pass now..

Dutchgull · Post by **Dutchgull** » 11 Oct 2014, 01:11

My first game at the age of 10 was against Bristol Rovers at the start of the 71-72 season. Have hardly missed a home game since but I wish I was there to witness Robin Stubbs after all that I have heard about him . I missed the glory years of the late sixties and have only known the following years of 4th division mediocrity and all the happenings since. Was Stubbsy that good to have overshadowed everybody since ?? Rioch Southall Sharpe O'Kane etc ?? He may have been great but I hope that in my time I have also seen a few great players as well ??

nickbrod · Post by **nickbrod** » 11 Oct 2014, 05:16

Greetings from warm,sunny Australia. Sorry not to be with you back home!
The Spurs cup match was my very first Torquay game after my parents moved to Devon. My dad was manager at then Martins Bank in Fleet Street.
Fantastic match, went to White Hart Lane on supporters' coach for replay and been hooked ever since. As my dad knew Tony Boyce we had seats in the directors' box which in those days was where The Bench now stands. For the Spurs home game stood in the crowd now the Family Stand. Can't believe the attendance that day when now it's 6000 capacity!
Memories,memories!
Oh yes whose my favourite player? Robin Stubbs of course!

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 11 Oct 2014, 09:03

Mr IlshamSchmilsam. I am that writer!!

stefano · Post by **stefano** » 11 Oct 2014, 09:09

wivelgull wrote:Mr IlshamSchmilsam. I am that writer!!

Well done wivel excellent piece!

But what the hell were you doing turning up at 1pm, especially as it was a 2.45pm kick off so that the Spurs could catch the train back to London?

You almost missed 'Abide with Me'!

IlshamSchmilsham · Post by **IlshamSchmilsham** » 11 Oct 2014, 09:18

stefano wrote:Thanks Ilsham. That's brilliant. The only thing for me was the writer turned up at 1pm. I was there at 1030am! It just about sums up the whole day mind. Brilliant! ... and Tommy Northcott? What a foil for Robin. I played loads of games with Tommy with Newton Abbot Spurs when he retired from pro football. A real lovely guy and an incredible footballer given his shape. His brother George as well was described by no less than Don Mills as a player who should have played for England. Tomorrow is the 45th anniversary of my debut for Torquay United reserves at a time when our first team were one of the best teams in what is now League 1. I will therefore mark the anniversary at the pub as we take on the might of Alfreton Town!

What I like though is how many old buggers are still about and care. Tomo, Trogan, SG, Wivel, Brucie, GS, Hector and many many more including of course yourself Ilsham.

I have printed off your excellent attachment and will be waving it in the faces of the Argyle supporters in the pub tomorrow. They of course lost 5-1 at home to the same Tottenham team only 2 years before, although I would have to confess that the average knuckle brained Argyle supporter would not know that!

My pleasure Stefano! They say that nostalgia isn't what it used to be, but I defy any United fan who was there to read that article without a tear or two forming! I didn't know Tommy personally, but my dad did, and I can certainly testify to your assessment that he was a great guy. I still see the Northcott vans plying their building and decorating trade around the Bay, and the name invariably stirs fond (if increasingly distant) memories! As others have said, players tended to stay longer with their "home" clubs in those days, and it is by no means fanciful to suggest that a number of those who plied their trade at clubs such as Torquay could have been successful at a higher level, Stubbs and the Northcott brothers amongst them.

Dave B

IlshamSchmilsham · Post by **IlshamSchmilsham** » 11 Oct 2014, 09:20

Have only just seen your post Wivel - apologies for any breach of copyright, sir, but hats off to you for capturing the moment so vividly!

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