P & P P-Z

Joe Dixon’s

Football Memories

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1977

Just Some of the Many Players and Personalities I Admired

P-Z

For surname initials A-C click here.

For surname initials D -H click here.

For surname initials I-O click here.

Brian
Page

We played together in every team throughout the late 1960's and the 1970's. Brian, who was a born leader and winner, captained every one of them. He could play anywhere in defence, midfield and probably upfront if he was given the chance. He was selected for The Seaham & District league side in both the 1968/1969 and 1969/1970 seasons. In the 1968/1969 season for Ryhope CA he scored 25 goals from midfield. He was always the penalty taker and from the 30+ he must have taken I can only ever recall him missing one and that was for Silksworth 'Buffs'in the 1975/1976 season. One of my all time favourite players.

Ged
Parkinson

When I joined Dawdon CW in the 1984/1985 season Ged was playing at right back and his consistantly good performances were a big factor in our success in winning the Wearside League Cup. Over the next couple of seasons he played sweeper and centre half. After each game I made a note about each players performance and after another great performance by Ged I wrote ’Very good but just a normal game for Ged'. In the 1985/1986 season he went on to score 5 goals. His goals were mainly penalties but one was a cracking shot from 20 yards and it was with his left foot. Not bad for a right footed defender.

Alan
Pattison

He came to Dawdon CW ifrom a lower league but slotted smoothly into our team and scored a cracking header on his debut in our opening game against South Shields in a 2-2 draw. He was an outstanding centre half with lots of pace and comfortable when on the ball. His surging runs from defence always caused big problems for the opposition. During the 1987/1988 season he signed for Ryhope CA after they gave him the impression that their approach was legal. When we told him otherwise he attended the hearing at the Durham FA, which was on a night the ’CA had a game and he was expected to play, to give evidence on Dawdon’s behalf. The ‘CA were found guilty. Thanks Alan, your honesty and integrity was a breath of fresh air.

Alan
Pearson

Alan and I played together for Ryhope CA in its early years. He was an outstanding left winger and midfielder with pace and talent, not only for creating chances, but for scoring goals. His best season was 1968/69 when we won 3 trophies and he averaged just over a goal in every other game. I enjoyed playing with Alan but after this season his work took him away from the area. Sad really because we were developing a great understanding, and especially being a local lad, we would have played together for years to come.

Larry
Phillips

Larry is probably the most competitive fella I've ever known. As manager of Seaham Red Star they won umpteen trophies. In my early years, as I played for Ryhope CA, our derby games against the Seaham teams were most competitive. I'm sure we were classed as the 'enemy' on the field but after these games there was a genuine respect built up over the years and Larry and I became good friends. The 1984/1985 season showed just how good. At Dawdon CW I was having team problems, because of injuries, and Larry suggested I sign Nigel Gleghorn and his younger brother Ian to help out when the 'Star didn't have a game. They played a couple of games over the Xmas period and again near the end of the season when we went on to win the Wearside League Cup. Would we have won without Larry's help? No. Would any other manager suggest I sign their best player? No. It still amazes me now. Thanks again Larry. (Click here for some of Larry's Memories)

Bobby
Pickering

Probably the most well known and liked player in local football. Bobby was a bubbly character on and off the field and he brought out the best in other players. Although not the tallest defender he was great in the air and so strong you couldn't knock him off the ball. He was cool and comfortable on the ball and a great tackler. But what made him extra special was how well he read the game and his interceptions prevented many a dangerous situation. One game that comes to mind was when I was out through injury and I was a spectator for a cup match through Washington. Bobby was having another outstanding game and an opposition supporter was convinced he was an ex-professional. I'm sure he thought I was winding him up when I said he wasn't. Bobby was that good.

Dave
Stoker

Dave played for Eppleton CW when they won the Sunderland Shipowners cup in the 1985/86 season. His earlier clubs were Thornley and his home team Shotton where he was 'Player of the Year'. He was a top class goal keeper and I was delighted when he joined me at Dawdon CW the following season. He was outstanding and considering how brave he was it was remarkable that he never missed a game that season. 45 out of 45. After 15 league games he had only conceded 14 goals and we were joint top. Unfortunately losing players to Northern League clubs ensured we didn't finish the season there. Dave played the following season, and such was my regard for him, whenever John Dow was missing I made him captain.

Ray
Swansbury

Ray and Terry Brace are the only players I can recall who actually played in the first ever games for both the Ryhope YC Junior side in 1962 and the Senior side in 1963. Ray was a tremendous goalkeeper but only played for the 'YC for a couple of seasons. If it wasn't for Saturday working he would have probably had a longer 'CA career than mine. He even managed to fit in a competitive game at 57 years of age and won the 'man of the match' award. Absolutely incredible. We go back a long way as we played our first games together for the Ryhope Junior School team back in early 1950's. Sadly Ray passed away on 14/10/2011. A great player and friend. (Click here )

Clive
Swindle

I first came across Clive when he played in the very successful Silksworth ’Buffs’ side in the 1975/1976 season. Although only 18 or 19 his performances from midfield were outstanding and so mature. There were some tremendously experienced midfielders, from the Wearside and Northern League sides, playing in the league (Sunderland CIU Sunday) at this time and to match them and get the better of most of them was incredible. The following season it was great to meet up with him again for Seaham Red Star. He was definitely a few years ahead of his time.

Norman
Taylor

I first saw Norman when he was about 19 when playing against Natcobos in the Houghton & District League. He was outstanding then and he simply got better. It was great playing alongside him for the 'CA in the latter part of the 1972/1973 and 1973/1974 seasons. He was tremendous in the air out jumping most centre halves with ease, had pace and could score goals. In the 1986/1987 season he helped me out at Dawdon CW when we were struggling with injuries. He was still class then and I would love to have had him there all season. One of his highlights was winning the Durham Challenge Cup with Seaham Red Star at Roker Park. You can see why I admired him.

Norman T
Taylor

Joined the Ryhope YC team in its second season (1964/1965) and was a regular in every season, except 1970/71 when work commitments limited his availability, until the 1974/75 season. As a player he was an aggressive defender and not many players got past him. His 100% effort each game was the normal. He was not as good going forward although he did score 5 goals in the 1968/1969 season. If necessary he was always willing to be an emergency goalkeeper. After this he became Jimmy Clark's assistant and then Chairman. I didn't always see eye to eye with some of the things that Norman did but I cannot fault his drive, enthusiasm and ambition for the 'CA that finally resulted in the club achieving Northern League status.

Ritchie
Taylor

A truly quality player, who had previously been on Sunderland AFC books. We played together in the great Silksworth ‘Buffs’ side of 1975/1976 season. He was the inspiration behind many of our wins that season. His ability, composure and organisational qualities got the best out of our defence and midfield. It certainly took a lot of pressure off Ernie Muckles and me knowing that just 1 or 2 goals would probably give us a win. When I look back it’s a bit disappointing that I only ever played with Ritchie for just the one season.

John
Teasdale

John joined the successful Ryhope YC side for the 1969/1970 season and immediately became a key member of the side. He was another of those players with a nice personality that you instantly like. A quality and stylish defender who was equally as good at going forward. As his distribution and awareness was spot on, his long balls from defence often created direct scoring chances for me. His outstanding performances in this, his first, season with us was rewarded when he was selected to represent the Seaham & District League side.

‘Pop’
Welch

I first met 'Pop' at Philadelphia Workshops when I spent part of my NCB training there. We got on really well and at every opportunity we used to love to talk about every aspect of football - teams, players, grounds etc. At the time he played for Murton CW in the Wearside League and so whenever I could I would go to see him play. He was a tremendous defender being powerful and commanding. He started as a right full back and then later moved to centre half. The fact that he went on to play around 500 games for Murton CW speaks volumes. He is Murton CW’s longest serving player having joined them in 1962 and playing his last game 16 years later in 1978. For most of this time he was club captain. Absolutely remarkable.

Ronnie
Wilkinson

I first came across Ronnie when I was playing for Ryhope CA in the Seaham & District League in the late 1960's. He played for the very strong Blackhall Athletic side, having previously been at Hartlepool United, and was not only a very hard tackler but also a very creative midfielder. It was a pleasure to play alongside him when we were both selected to represent the League in the 1969/1970 season. Our next get together was not until the second half of the 1985/1986 season when he joined Seaham Red Star Over 35's and surprised me with his ability to score goals with 8 in just 11 games.

Jackie
Wilkinson

A truly awesome midfielder, in every sense, with Ryhope CW when they dominated the Wearside League and won 8 trophies in 6 years from the 1961/1962 season. He was probably the best midfield player I have ever seen in local football. I was lucky enough to play with him on the odd occasion when Ryhope CW were short of players mainly in midweek games. However I did play in a pre season friendly against the professionals of Workington Town and Jack still managed to command the midfield. His outstanding play for Ryhope was rewarded when he was selected to play for a combined Northern League and Wearside League XI which, on the 4 April 1966 at Feethams Darlington, played against an England Amateur XI and beat them 3-2. Only 2 Wearside League players made that side.

Derek
Winlow

Known to his friends as ’The Fox’. We only played together for Silksworth CW in the 1975/1976 season and he was very impressive. Very agile and always made his presence in the penalty area known. It was easy to see why he had been a pro’ at Scunthorpe Utd in his earlier days. He started out, in Junior football, playing for the great Roker Boys side. Among the other sides he played for were Willington in the Northern League, Ryhope CW in the Wearside League and also the brilliant Plains Farm team in the Sunderland Sunday CIU League.

Ronnie
Young

Ronnie was probably the fastest player in local football that I've ever had the privilege to play with. We played together at Ryhope CA and he played on the right wing. With his pace, directness and coolness in front of goal he scored lots of goals in the 1969/1970 season. In this season he was selected for the Seaham & District League side. One game comes to mind against Hartlepool Boys Welfare in a cup final played at Seaham Red Stars ground. Hartlepool were a formidable side at the time but they could not handle Ronnie no matter what they did. We won 5-3 and he was without question the 'Man of the Match'.

Players and Personalities