Ryhope YC - 1963/1964 Season

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This was the beginning of Ryhope YC football club. It's first ever season was played in the Seaham & District league. The Youth Clubs first ever game was against Seaham UDC at the Seaham CW ground, now home to Seaham Red Star, and it was 3-3 draw. I know I scored that day but I can't recall how many and whether or not I scored the clubs first ever goal. I'd like to think it was but I'm just not sure. All the games were played on opponents grounds that season. Other than the first game I don't recall much about the season. Some of the other players that I believe played that season were:-

Ray Swansbury Terry Barnes      Terry Brace       Malcolm Brown       Robert Sproats     Dave Mycock          Ralph Errington  Joe Maydew           David Dunn            Laurence Suckley   Jimmy Bracebridge Geordie Yarnell

Billy(Dicky) Bates Jimmy Ibinson          John Brickle   Colin Beston  Alfie Dobson   Tommy Wilson Alan Palin George Dixon George Turban   Trevor Turban  John Bannister

There were a few other players whose names I just can't recall just yet. All in all it was a difficult season as all the games were away from home and for some reason we couldn't get a settled side. Saturday working could have been one of the problems. There was a distinct possibility that the club could fold at the end of the season. The number of players that actually joined from the 'YC Juniors wasn't many. Although the Juniors had a good team the previous season most of them were still eligible to play this season. Terry Brace was one of the very few players that played in the first ever seasons of both the 'YC and 'YC Junior side in both their opening seasons. Although his playing career was short he then went on to give incredible service, to the club, until 1990. A member of the committee in all these years his roles have included Trainer/Physio, Secretary, Treasurer and finally Chairman. An astonishing service to give to one club. He should be very proud to have helped in setting up both these teams as well as playing a huge part in the clubs success and development to Northern League status. One of the very few players that did play in the first ever games of both the 'YC and 'YC Junior side is Ray Swansbury. Ray was a great goalkeeper but only played for the 'YC for 3 seasons because of Saturday working otherwise he would have probably had a longer career than mine. Even at 57 years old he played in a match and was given the 'man of match' award. Absolutely incredible. Ray, who I first played with in the Ryhope Junior School team, was in the Ryhope CW squad when they played Workington Town in the 1st round of the FA Cup. A great player and a great friend.