P & P I-O

Joe Dixon’s

Football Memories

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1977

Just Some of the Many Players and Personalities I Admired

I-O

(Sorry about the quality of some of the photos)

For surname initials A-C click here.

For surname initials D-H click here.

For surname initials P-Z click here.

Harry, who was my 'Best Man', passed away a couple of years ago and it still saddens me a lot. If you knew him you liked him. The number of friends he had made over the years was shown when his funeral service was packed with, what seemed like, twice as many people outside. Although he knew his illness was terminal his attitude and humour always shone through as he didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable with him. Unbelievably brave. We played together for Ryhope CA and Ryhope 'Pops' and he was a powerfully built, strong tackling centre half/full back. In the 1969/1970 season he represented the Seaham & District League side. A lasting memory is of Harry, always being smartly dressed, walking into the dressing room looking like a film star. He was class on and off the field.

Ronnie
Jobson

Ronnie joined the great Silksworth 'Buffs' side midway through the 1975/1976 season and proved he still had class even though he was past his peak. He was one of the key players of the great Ryhope CW side that dominated local football, and beyond, in the mid 60's. Such was my admiration for this team and its players that to play along side Ronnie was an honour. He was two footed and could glide past players on either side with pace and control. Add the fact that he was also a good passer and could score goals it is easy to see why I admired him.

Steve
Johnson

I first came across Steve when I joined Tony Lynch, at Seaham Red Star, as coach. He was just a teenager and only about 5ft 7ins tall and yet when I saw him in action he had so much talent that he was more than a match for anyone. He had pace, great ball control and was taking on defenders and passing them, on either side, with ease. Even when defenders were trying to stop him physically he wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of thinking they could hurt him. He was tough and to him he was just having fun. Add to this that he could score goals, and was one of the few players who had so much talent you just want to say, before a game, ‘go out there and create havoc’. Could Steve have made it to the top? I think he could have but he was that laid back that football was for fun and not a career.

Norman
Kelly

Ivan
Arthur

Ralph
Pigg

I helped out as player/coach with Dawdon CW in the 1979/1980 season and then for 4 seasons starting 1984/1985. These were the gentlemen I had the pleasure of working with as a manager and coach. I was coach at Eppleton CW with Tony Lynch when Dawdon CW came in for me in the early part of the 1984/1985 season. As much as I enjoyed my time with Tony and Eppleton CW there was always a strong link with Dawdon and Seaham sides. In all the time I was there I got tremendous support and I honestly cannot recall any disagreements between us on any aspect related to the club. Ralph, Normans dad, was also a father figure to both Ivan and me. He was a lovely man and when he passed away several years ago it was fitting that there was a massive turn out for his funeral. I'd like to think they got some reward for there efforts when Dawdon CW won the League Cup in 1985 beating, of all teams, Eppleton CW in the Final and the mighty Blue Star in the Semi-Final. Thanks fellas.

George
Laverick

George was one of those players who wasn’t flashy in any way but was really good at everthing he did. A midfielder who was a good ball winner and who could also be creative. I don’t think he scored too many goals, although he would have been at the start of many. When I played against him I was always impressed with his reading of the game. He just seemed to always be able to anticipate where the ball was going. Although I don’t recall him having great pace it didn’t seem to matter because he always seemed one step ahead of everyone else.

Alan
Laws

Alan was another midfielder with enormous energy. Playing for the very successful sides like Seaham Red Star and Blue Star, where he was captain, speaks volumes. He was always comfortable on the ball and was great at going forward. He might not have been known for his goal scoring but would have certainly been involved in creating many. He was tigerish in the tackle and always seemed to be at the centre of the action. A manager would never have to gee Alan up for any game whether it was a friendly or a cup final. He is another of those players that I would have really enjoyed playing alongside.

John
Lowery

I first met John when I played for Ryhope CA. Not only was he the Seaham & District League Secretary, he was also a top notch referee and above all else a gentleman. Being a great orator, organiser and lover of sport he was always in demand to sit on various committees which still continues to this day. At the end of each Seaham & Dist. League season he would organise games against other leagues as well as a Champions v Rest of the League game. I was selected for the League sides in both 68/69 and 69/70 seasons and he made me captain. It was a great honour for me and even today I am still very proud of this. Thanks John.
Sadly John passed away on 08/06/13. Click here.

Tony
Lynch

Tony invited me to join him as coach under him during the 1982/1983 season when he was manager of Seaham Red Star. I was very impressed with his knowledge, enthusiasm and determination to do well and it was a great experience for me. In the 1983/1984 season he moved on to manage Eppleton CW in the Wearside League and I was very happy to move with him. During our second season at Eppleton I left to go to Dawdon CW but only because they offered me a lot more responsibility in running the team. I certainly enjoyed my time with Tony and I learned a lot from him. Under Tony Eppleton went on to win the Sunderland Shipowners Cup in the 1985/86 season.

Robbie
Malt

I first saw Robbie when, along with my brother David, Ritchie Pitt and Brian Smiles, playing for the very successful Ryhope Junior School under 11's. They all went on to play for Seaham Boys, Durham County and, on leaving school, professional clubs. Robbie went to Leeds United. He was a quality player who never needed to be motivated or in the mood to give a 100%. His work rate was second to none. I was privileged to play with Robbie for Silksworth CW and Ryhope CA. I remember a few days before one game he had a very serious personal family problem and when he came to the ground he looked dreadful. Robbie insisted on playing, although I had serious doubts about this, and I was amazed when he turned in a 'Man of the Match' performance. It made such an impression on me that I've often told this story whenever there's talk about professional footballers having to be motivated to get the best out of them. An incredible player.

Alan
Martin

Another player from Eppleton CW. I only ever played against him and after each one of those games I always wished he’d been on my side. He was a power house of a midfield player who just didn’t know the meaning of defeat. He seemed to relish a midfield battle. When he had the ball he was always comfortable and he could play. I don’t suppose he scored too many goals but he would have been instrumental in a lot of them. Giving 100% in every game is not the norm for most players but it was with Alan.

Damon
Martin

Signed from SC Vaux, Wearside League, he played for me at Dawdon CW in the 1986-87 Season. Played him in a sweeper role but was equally at home in any defensive position. A great reader of the game with plenty of pace and, although he wasn't the tallest of players, he made defending look easy. Add this to his ability to organise players around him and you can see why he was an easy choice to make him captain. He was one of the main reasons why we were joint top after 15 games. Unfortunately losing players to Northern League clubs ensured we didn't finish the season there.

Bryan
Mayhew

Our footballing days together started way back in the late 1950's at Ryhope Grammar School. However after leaving school I never came across Bryan until my time at Seaham Red Star over 35's when he was the team manager. For the 1985/1986 season he assembled a tremendous team which I was proud to be part of. They won a few cups that season as well as the league title. I don't think he planned to play any games that season but he was called on to play several times because of injuries/availability and he surprised me how well he slotted into different positions with ease. Having known him from school days I never doubted his talent but his fitness surprised me. Thanks Bryan for giving me some great memories.

Pat
McCabe

Pat was one of the most versatile players I'd ever seen in local football. He was a quality player and his clubs included Durham, Shildon, Seaham Red Star and Seaham UDC. My fond memory is playing with him in the very successful Seaham Red Star over 35’s team in the 1985/86 season. He played in more positions than anyone else and each time I used to think that was his best position. His versatility was a major factor in us winning several trophies that season.

Shaun
McKenna

Shaun helped me out at Dawdon CW in the 1984/85 season when our regular goalkeeper, Alan Thompson, was injured. He played that well I had no choice but to keep him in the side even though Alan was an excellent keeper. We went on to beat Eppleton CW in the League Cup Final, after beating Blue Star in the semis. However a particular memory was in the quarter final, against a very strong Easington CW side, when we were that short of players I had to play the full 90 mins. Every player seemed to raise their game, in order to carry me, and Shaun’s performance in keeping a clean sheet was absolutely top class.

Bob
McCloud

Bob played at a much higher level than I ever did but I did get the chance to play with him for Durham Fire Brigade Over 40’s in the 1988/89 season. I first met Bob some 8 years before this when I got involved with the Durham County Association of FA Coaches. It was obvious from the coaching sessions that he oozed quality. I knew he had played for Gateshead but what I didn’t appreciate, until just recently, he was Brian Cloughs first ever signing as Hartlepool Manager. Bob wasn’t the tallest of defenders but was exceptional in the air, very fast and was a tremendous reader of the game. He spent many years at Gateshead, playing in the heart of their defence, and was honoured with a testimonial game. Such was the respect and admiration that Brian Clough had for Bob he sent Nottingham Forests first XI to play in this game. Can there be a better compliment than that? I don’t think so.

Billy
Mitchell

Probably the best all round player I've ever played with. Incredible in the air and was often pulled up for fouls because referees couldn't believe he could jump that high without fouling. He had pace, could score goals, two footed and a good tackler. In the 3rd game of the 1972/1973 season, when I was delayed in getting to the game, he replaced me and scored 4 goals in 7-0 win. That certainly kept me on my toes as he went on to score 21 goals that season. His brother, Kenny who played for Newcastle United, told me that Billy was a better footballer than he was. I'm sure that if Billy had wanted to play at the top level he could have but he was such a nice and laid back type of fella that he seemed quite happy to enjoy his football with friends. In some ways I'm glad otherwise I wouldn't have had the pleasure and privilege of playing alongside him.

Ray
Moon

Ray was probably the bravest player I've ever known. He had several broken legs and according to Ray his legs are now straight having originally bow legs. That's Ray, a great defender and midfielder with a sense of humour that always brightened up the dressing room. His reading of the game meant he always seemed a step ahead of anyone else. I played with Ray for Silksworth CW and we met up again at Dawdon CW. He was a joy to have in your team. He was with Seaham Red Star when they won the Phillips Flood Lighting Competition in 1978/1979 season with the final played at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham. In the following season they won the Durham Challenge Cup at Roker Park. Ray sadly passed away on 13/10/2018 Click here.

Ernie
Muckles

I only played with Ernie for the one season and that was with Silksworth 'Buffs' in the 1975/1976 season and what fantastic memories it gave me. This was thanks to Ernie as it was his enthusiasm, committment and optimism for the coming season that pursuaded me to sign and not pack in Sunday football. He told me of the other players who he'd got to sign and was convinced we would win the Sunderland CIU League. The team actually went one better and won the League Cup as well. Our partnership up front worked really well, just as he said it would, and we scored plenty of goals between us. I think it was fitting that Ernie finished as the leading goal scorer and when you add his efforts pre-season he was my choice as Player of the Year.

Brian
O’Donnell

Brian was part of the very successful Ryhope CA team in the 1972/1973 season. He was one of the best attacking left backs I ever played with or against. He was a good defender but whenever he won or received the ball it wasn’t a case of just clearing it he wanted to start and be involved in any attack down the left flank. His link up with Harry Clark and Tony Cox caused all sorts of problems to the opposition. He was definitely a big part of RCA’s, what I consider, best ever season and also in helping me to have my best ever season

Stuart
Ogden

Our paths first met when we played at Ryhope CA for part of the 1978/1979 a season in the Northern Alliance League. Then, thankfully, I was able to play alongside him for a full and memorable season for Seaham Red Star over 35's. This was in the 1985/1986 season and we scored 77 goals between us in under 30 games. In a 10-1 victory over Boldon CA we each scored 5. It was a joy to play along side him and he was a true gentleman both on and off the field. His workrate, unselfish running and finishing was top class. Stuart was rightly voted 'Players Player of the Year'. You could see why most of his playing days were spent with clubs in the Northern League.

Colin
Orr

A man of many talents. Although he was mainly linked with cricket I first met Colin when he came to a Ryhope CA game to take photos of individual players which were to be shown in the ‘Football Echo’ as and when. Luckily, being a goal scorer, even if I've had a terrible game but managed to score my name would always be mentioned in the match reports and occasionally with my photo next to it. So I would get the glory even when it wasn't deserved. Mind you I never ever complained. Thanks Colin.

Harry
Orrell

Harry, who was my 'Best Man', passed away several years ago and it still saddens me a lot. If you knew him you liked him. The number of friends he had made over the years was shown when his funeral service was packed with, what seemed like, twice as many people outside. Although he knew his illness was terminal his attitude and humour always shone through as he didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable with him. Unbelievably brave. We played together for Ryhope CA and Ryhope 'Pops' and he was a powerfully built, strong tackling centre half/full back. In the 1969/1970 season he represented the Seaham & District League side. A lasting memory is of Harry, always being smartly dressed, walking into the dressing room looking like a film star. He was class on and off the field.

Players and Personalities