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Birmingham Schools Football History / & photos

I was in the Washwood Heath Comprehensive school team that won the Villa cup against Whitesmore school at Villa park in the1975/76 season.
We also won the league and League cup in same season. We had a cracking team run by a Mr Mortiboys.
I was also chosen to play for the Erdington & Saltely district team, and even Captained them on a few occassions.
I played a few games for Moor Green at semi pro level after leaving school but, then started work & gave up playing for a few years as work, mates & beer got in the way.
I started playing again when some mates at Cannings started up our own sunday league team, then went on to Play for Wake Green on a saturday. I continue playing for different teams until I had a bad injury (potts Fracture) when I was early 30's.
 
Kevin Smith said:
I was in the Washwood Heath Comprehensive school team that won the Villa cup against Whitesmore school at Villa park in the1975/76 season.
We also won the league and League cup in same season. We had a cracking team run by a Mr Mortiboys.
I was also chosen to play for the Erdington & Saltely district team, and even Captained them on a few occassions.
I played a few games for Moor Green at semi pro level after leaving school but, then started work & gave up playing for a few years as work, mates & beer got in the way.
I started playing again when some mates at Cannings started up our own sunday league team, then went on to Play for Wake Green on a saturday. I continue playing for different teams until I had a bad injury (potts Fracture) when I was early 30's.
Click to expand...
Hi Kevin..
I knew Mr Mortiboys.. loved his football. I refereed many times for his school team/s and indeed a Villa cup final at Villa Park. He always sent out strong teams from Washwood Heath school , maybe because they had 3 football pitches back of the school to train on...
Happy days and fine memories....
 
Tony B said:
Hi Kevin..
I knew Mr Mortiboys.. loved his football. I refereed many times for his school team/s and indeed a Villa cup final at Villa Park. He always sent out strong teams from Washwood Heath school , maybe because they had 3 football pitches back of the school to train on...
Happy days and fine memories....
Click to expand...
Yes we did have 3 football pitches, we also had a rugby pitch, 2 hockey pitches and a hard standing playground, It was great until we had to do our cross country runs where we had to go around the outer perimeter fence line, out onto Burney Lane, down the hill, across the river & round the park, then back across the river up towards the fox & goose into the rear gate of the school & round the outer perimeter of the fence again.
 
This is a picture of the Yardley wood School football team. I am hoping that the missing names may be filled in.
From top left Goalie? Michael Hood.Victor Brookes.Steven Granfield Lynton Webb. ?. Teacher Mr. Priest
Bottom Row from the left .?.. Johnny Duff.Tony Witherford. Michael Smith. Stephen Woodfield.
Would be good to hear from any one who remembers the team. around 1963 i think...
 

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Kevin Smith said:
I was in the Washwood Heath Comprehensive school team that won the Villa cup against Whitesmore school at Villa park in the1975/76 season.
We also won the league and League cup in same season. We had a cracking team run by a Mr Mortiboys.
I was also chosen to play for the Erdington & Saltely district team, and even Captained them on a few occassions.
I played a few games for Moor Green at semi pro level after leaving school but, then started work & gave up playing for a few years as work, mates & beer got in the way.
I started playing again when some mates at Cannings started up our own sunday league team, then went on to Play for Wake Green on a saturday. I continue playing for different teams until I had a bad injury (potts Fracture) when I was early 30's.
Click to expand...


I've seen quite a few cups and shields on the site as well as seeing others in various trophy cabinets at sports grounds/clubhouses when I played rugby, cricket, and soccer in my younger days. I recall a massive shield at Rowheath Pavilion, Bournville (Cadburys) which went back to about 1890, but I don't know which sport it represented. I wonder if all these trophies are still around somewhere, or if some are no longer played for. I remember my school (Bournville Boys' Technical School) losing in the final of the Docker Shield (cricket) at Warwick County ground, Edgbaston. This was around 1961, and I'd like to know if the Docker Shield competition still exists ?
 
Thats interesting to see the list of previous winners and my old school Sheldon Heath Comp winners in 1965 and 1966. I played in both finals and was the captain in 1966 when we played at Edgbaston. The 65 final was played at the Nursery Ground next to the Main ground and I remember our captain John Chambers hitting a massive 6 out of the ground, over the high fence and the adjoining road and ending up in Cannon Hill Park.
 
RobT said:
Looks like it still does, winners here from 1886 to 2016
Click to expand...

Hi Rob,
Thanks for that info and looking at the list, I think my old school lost in the 1962 final against Holte Grammar and not in 1961 as I thought. It's quite incredible that it's been going since 1886 because the oldest cup competition in the world i.e The FA Cup, has been going since the 1871/72 season which is only 14 years older !
 
Just clearing out a few things and came across some of my old sporting medals from my school days at Sheldon Heath comp and also a few from my Sunday football team. Some might have won similar ones back in the day
 

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bobsummers said:
View attachment 75311I have started this thread, as there is no notable history on this subject.Who was in your school team. Whom won the Villa Cup and in what year? Who played in the districted school Representative sides such as B'ham Boys, Erdington Boys, South B'ham Boys, Aston and District Boys. Whom went on to become a pro footballer?

If we don't post this knowledge it will be lost forever, as there is very little or no history on line, there is some detail from the old Mail, Dispatch and Argus kept in the central library but it takes hours to research and find.

I will kick off with my mates school Queensbridge Road who had a great team in 1962 and 1963 when they won the Victoria Shield & South B'ham league 1 in 1962.
Click to expand...
Just as a contribution.

I went to Pheasey County Secondary Modern which , in fact, iis n Staffordshire. Back in the day as we were (and still is) border landers - we never knew whether to speak Black Country or Brummie - we played in the Aston Schools League. This made complete sense as we were 2 miles or so from the many North Bham schools in (now) Kinsgstanding Birchfield, Beeches etc, while an away fixture in Staffs would have taken us to Aldridge, Walsall, Pelsall etc, a day trip in those days. I cannot recall any honours for the team or individual players, 1959-64.

I was a left half (No 6 for the unknowing) with a Dick Neal (BCFC) attitude to defence and attack. I am sure I still carry life time injuries from those times! I went on to play for some Sunday Festival League youth teams but was never a regular selection despite my exquisite skills as a 'caggy' footer!

So, I took up refereeing and have the honour of sending off a player on 30 seconds of a game for foul and abusive language. Birmingham parks - Aldridge Road, Perry Hall, Perry Barr, Kingstanding etc and no doubt all Birmingham Parks recs., had a strict ruling about bad language in public parks that may influence children to swear and adults to be upset. I officiated in BHam Works (Sat) and Festival League (a.m. and p.m.). Crickey! I must have been fit. Occasionally refereed Wednesday afternoons - markets and showmen teams league. I reached Level 2 but in moving away was unable to tread the path to Wembley or the World Cup and retired gracefully at 24. I did once line at Villa Park back in the day when Villa took on Blues in a City Cup friendly pre-season. No, not lining in this match but a short game of 15 yr olds before the big match. as we finished our game there was 30,000 in the ground. Great experience!

My cousin, however John Ostins - Cardinal Wiseman, the kind of dominating centre half that was around in those days, played for Aston Schools and later played for Aston Villa Amateurs but declined and offer to join Walsall as a pro as he and family felt that the security of a 9-5 job was paramount. John went on to play for clubs in the Festival Sunday
League.

Now, wheres my Thunderer whistle!! (made in Birmingham)
 
I have just found this interesting thread My brother Brian Brittle played football and cricket for St. Chad's Boys school in the early 50's. He was chosen to play with Aston Boys. There were two large photographs of him in football and cricket kit on display in the school hall. He also stayed on at school for 6 months extra so that he could play in cup matches. The one I remember him going to play against Blythe Boys in Northumberland. He was also offered a trial with Aston Villa, unfortunately he got injured whilst playing football and suffered a dislocated patella. In those days not much could be done for him so that was the end of his football career.( I was pleased, and too young to understand) It meant that I no longer had to be his goal keeper, being a girl and 6.12 years younger I could now play my own games. I will admit that I became a great goal keeper as I got shouted at if I let the ball past me. He was sports mad, he then had to go into the R.A.F for his National Service. When he was discharged he started playing football and cricket again for pleasure with local parks teams. I was older I used to go with his girl friend to watch him play cricket. Much quieter in those days.
I remember seeing photographs of him in the sporting pink , when he was a boy. We never had any photographs of him at home. Couldn't afford such things as a camera.
 
I went to Worlds End Lane junior school. Our team of 1962/3 won the league and beat Blakesley Hall (I think) in the Birmingham final at Henry Road. We had an outstanding team. Others in our league were Welsh House Farm, Woodgate, Woodhouse, Quinton, Station Road, St Barnabas. My name is Steve Gregory.
 
I forgot to mention that Brian Brittle also played against Duncan Edwards he used to say that this was his claim to fame.
 
bobsummers said:
View attachment 75311I have started this thread, as there is no notable history on this subject.Who was in your school team. Whom won the Villa Cup and in what year? Who played in the districted school Representative sides such as B'ham Boys, Erdington Boys, South B'ham Boys, Aston and District Boys. Whom went on to become a pro footballer?

If we don't post this knowledge it will be lost forever, as there is very little or no history on line, there is some detail from the old Mail, Dispatch and Argus kept in the central library but it takes hours to research and find.

I will kick off with my mates school Queensbridge Road who had a great team in 1962 and 1963 when they won the Victoria Shield & South B'ham league 1 in 1962.
Click to expand...
Try Dave Dugdale (centre half went to Wolves
 
Marsh Hill Tech School 1961 Champions, unbeaten for 2 years I think
 

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Can I post my school bit of fame, the clip comes from the Tiger comic and my school was Marsh Hill Tech, Erdington, and dated 1961. We won everything that we entered including the Federation Cup Final played at the Villa training ground, prior to Bodymoor heath I am having trouble attaching the clip so any help would be appreciatedMarsh Hill Footy Scan-1.pdf.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
bobsummers said:
View attachment 75311I have started this thread, as there is no notable history on this subject.Who was in your school team. Whom won the Villa Cup and in what year? Who played in the districted school Representative sides such as B'ham Boys, Erdington Boys, South B'ham Boys, Aston and District Boys. Whom went on to become a pro footballer?

If we don't post this knowledge it will be lost forever, as there is very little or no history on line, there is some detail from the old Mail, Dispatch and Argus kept in the central library but it takes hours to research and find.

I will kick off with my mates school Queensbridge Road who had a great team in 1962 and 1963 when they won the Victoria Shield & South B'ham league 1 in 1962.
Click to expand...
i played for the aston boys in the early 1960s my name was mick minnis from icknield street school and played for the county
 
Bill Groove said:
Just as a contribution.

I went to Pheasey County Secondary Modern which , in fact, iis n Staffordshire. Back in the day as we were (and still is) border landers - we never knew whether to speak Black Country or Brummie - we played in the Aston Schools League. This made complete sense as we were 2 miles or so from the many North Bham schools in (now) Kinsgstanding Birchfield, Beeches etc, while an away fixture in Staffs would have taken us to Aldridge, Walsall, Pelsall etc, a day trip in those days. I cannot recall any honours for the team or individual players, 1959-64.

I was a left half (No 6 for the unknowing) with a Dick Neal (BCFC) attitude to defence and attack. I am sure I still carry life time injuries from those times! I went on to play for some Sunday Festival League youth teams but was never a regular selection despite my exquisite skills as a 'caggy' footer!

So, I took up refereeing and have the honour of sending off a player on 30 seconds of a game for foul and abusive language. Birmingham parks - Aldridge Road, Perry Hall, Perry Barr, Kingstanding etc and no doubt all Birmingham Parks recs., had a strict ruling about bad language in public parks that may influence children to swear and adults to be upset. I officiated in BHam Works (Sat) and Festival League (a.m. and p.m.). Crickey! I must have been fit. Occasionally refereed Wednesday afternoons - markets and showmen teams league. I reached Level 2 but in moving away was unable to tread the path to Wembley or the World Cup and retired gracefully at 24. I did once line at Villa Park back in the day when Villa took on Blues in a City Cup friendly pre-season. No, not lining in this match but a short game of 15 yr olds before the big match. as we finished our game there was 30,000 in the ground. Great experience!

My cousin, however John Ostins - Cardinal Wiseman, the kind of dominating centre half that was around in those days, played for Aston Schools and later played for Aston Villa Amateurs but declined and offer to join Walsall as a pro as he and family felt that the security of a 9-5 job was paramount. John went on to play for clubs in the Festival Sunday
League.

Now, wheres my Thunderer whistle!! (made in Birmingham)
Click to expand...
i played with john for the aston boys team with stan bennet and micky minnis
 
Bill Groove said:
Just as a contribution.

I went to Pheasey County Secondary Modern which , in fact, iis n Staffordshire. Back in the day as we were (and still is) border landers - we never knew whether to speak Black Country or Brummie - we played in the Aston Schools League. This made complete sense as we were 2 miles or so from the many North Bham schools in (now) Kinsgstanding Birchfield, Beeches etc, while an away fixture in Staffs would have taken us to Aldridge, Walsall, Pelsall etc, a day trip in those days. I cannot recall any honours for the team or individual players, 1959-64.

I was a left half (No 6 for the unknowing) with a Dick Neal (BCFC) attitude to defence and attack. I am sure I still carry life time injuries from those times! I went on to play for some Sunday Festival League youth teams but was never a regular selection despite my exquisite skills as a 'caggy' footer!

So, I took up refereeing and have the honour of sending off a player on 30 seconds of a game for foul and abusive language. Birmingham parks - Aldridge Road, Perry Hall, Perry Barr, Kingstanding etc and no doubt all Birmingham Parks recs., had a strict ruling about bad language in public parks that may influence children to swear and adults to be upset. I officiated in BHam Works (Sat) and Festival League (a.m. and p.m.). Crickey! I must have been fit. Occasionally refereed Wednesday afternoons - markets and showmen teams league. I reached Level 2 but in moving away was unable to tread the path to Wembley or the World Cup and retired gracefully at 24. I did once line at Villa Park back in the day when Villa took on Blues in a City Cup friendly pre-season. No, not lining in this match but a short game of 15 yr olds before the big match. as we finished our game there was 30,000 in the ground. Great experience!

My cousin, however John Ostins - Cardinal Wiseman, the kind of dominating centre half that was around in those days, played for Aston Schools and later played for Aston Villa Amateurs but declined and offer to join Walsall as a pro as he and family felt that the security of a 9-5 job was paramount. John went on to play for clubs in the Festival Sunday
League.

Now, wheres my Thunderer whistle!! (made in Birmingham)
Click to expand...
i played with john my name is mick minnis in the same team with us was stan bennett
 
Excellent to read, bringing back memories. Attended and played for Marsh Hill Tech inaugural teams between ages12 to 15, we won all the cups and league entered into during that period. I was the left back/half, something in the style of Terry Henessesy or Trevor Hockey of that great Blues era. Played for Hillcrest Colts / Stafford Rangers between school and proper work age 19. Hillcrest playing at Doe Bank Lane Rec for home games, remember being beaten 13-1 in the Arden cup final one year. Names from Hillcrest - Broadfield(?) and Les Dandy and the goalie that broke his leg once.
 
My younger brother Gordon was an ardent footballer and I'm sure he played for many a team in his young days, he went to school at Dulwich Road but I don't know if they had a team.
He had time at Aston Villa and Walsall in their junior teams and played for works local club teams.
 
db84124 said:
Hello there, bob,
I go along with all you've said ...... and I'll give the ball another shove. Here's my contribution. It's the Bordesley Green Tech. team of 1960/61 and it shows eleven of my contemporaries plus the master who trained the team. I could send in a photograph which shows all their names ...... I remember them all. David

Picture1.jpg
Click to expand...
hi db841 didn,t go to b. tech. but rember kenneth honour, sitting second left front row. lived in temlefield
 
Hi I went to Great Barr Comprehensive school 1955/1958 played in first team football 1956/1957 Aston Schools we won league title and were Aston Villa Cup finalists. Remember Brian ‘Nipper’ Naylor, Peter Aldritt and a lot of goals!
 
db84124 said:
Hello there, bob,
I go along with all you've said ...... and I'll give the ball another shove. Here's my contribution. It's the Bordesley Green Tech. team of 1960/61 and it shows eleven of my contemporaries plus the master who trained the team. I could send in a photograph which shows all their names ...... I remember them all. David

Picture1.jpg
Click to expand...
front row second left, my old schoolmate from tilton rd. juniors kenny honour. great photo ,bob allcock.
 
Attached is me, Keith Thomas (the one wearing glasses in the back row) in the 1953-1954 Redhill Road Junior School, Hay Mills team photo. Unfortunately Tony Alden (back row third from left) was killed by a lightening strike whilst playing football. I was born and lived at 19 George Road, Hay Mills, as was Kenny Mole (back row extreme right) who lived at number 15. Kenny went on to have a trial for Coventry City Football Club.
 

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  • KEITH Redhill school football team 1954.jpg
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Hi my dad played for Pheasey estate juniors who were runners up in the Aston Villa Cup 1951-52 the final taking place at Villa Park, I have his truly lovely medal but no info other than they lost to Warley fc.
Any information or pointers about this team or club would be much appreciated.
 
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