Went to see at his care home in Manchester yesterday an ex-Gull legend of the famous team of the 1950s who were pipped by Alf Ramsey’s Ipswich on the last day of the season for promotion to the Second Division.Some of you might remember Tony Collins still going strong at 93 (photo attached) He recalled all those great players of that era Don Mills Sammy Collins Ron Shaw and their wonderful manager Eric Webber and admitted that as Chief Scout to Don Revie Ron Atkinson and later Alex Ferguson he was the person who took a teen age Lee Sharpe from Torquay to Man U. A book has been written about Tony’s incredible life from a challenging childhood to a super scout “Tony Collins Football Master Spy” by Quentin Cope Read on. Paul
Southampton Gull wrote: ↑13 Aug 2019, 15:37
Keeping a low profile after 'Teagate'
Surely that should be Teavesham-gate ...... ?
In answer to Bloggy, I had forgotten George Essuman. In the few games I saw him play, I thought he looked a useful acquisition by Gary Owers. He last played for Dulwich Hamlet but he is now shown as an 'unregistered player'. Obviously something not right with him. GJ knows what he's doing!
banktech thank you so much for posting the photo of Tony Collins.
Iwatched him play for United many times when I was a young man and he was a delight to watch.
I saw the players you mentioned in those far off days Great days when we had big crowds and football was 2 3 5 not 4 4 2!!!
I also fondly remember Tony Collins from the mid fifties when I was just a lad ..... and football was 2 3 5! He was a very good player and played on the left wing with no. 11 on his shirt as all left wingers did then. He had a lot to live up to as he replaced the popular Ernie Edds who moved to Plymouth, but he soon became a fans favourite, providing crosses for Sam Collins head and weighing in with a few goals himself. Happy memories!
Andre Wright bagged himself 4 goals tonight for Bohemians v College Dublin in the Irish top flight! A clumsy and absolute lumbering wreck he was when he was with us for the start of last season. A shadow of his former self when we had him first time around. Was immensely unfit and carrying way too many extra pounds to pass as a pro footballer.
I noticed a certain Dan Sparkes scoring for Barnet yesterday against Wrexham where Luke Young and Jazzi Barnum-Bobb seem to have their places tied down now. At Newport, Labadie and Leadbitter benched.
For the South West Clubs a great start to the season with Bristol City, Plymouth, Exeter, Swindon, Newport and TORQUAY all doing well atm. Good to see
Griff1n wrote: ↑28 Aug 2019, 15:51
George Dowling is no longer with Bristol City and is involved in trials both on and unfortunately off of the football pitch.