Birmingham Schools Football History / & photos

[micky hockley]

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)

 

[Grimsby]

I am looking for a photo of Moor End Lane football team in 1949 Pr 1950. My late husband played on the team,his name was Donald Page. I would love to find a photo.

 

[Rodney Allen]

Hi All, this photo would have been 1962 I think. Birmingham Boys u/11 or u/13 cant remember. Three of us from Sheldon Heath comp.in the team.

Recognise team member,went to Tile cross then Sir Wilfred.....Brian Faulkner? Front 2nd left.

 

[FNQBRUMMIE]

Ok , I know most of back row- back left is Trevor Glynn, then Phil Mason, then dont know and dont now then Brian Harrison and Graham Butlin. Then front left dont know, then your guy, then dont know, dont know, then myself and because his name was so different Roger Couldjoe i think

 

[db84124]

On the first photo, I think that's Mr George Churchward who taught Technical Drawing at my old school, Bournville Boys' Technical School. I don't think he got on very well with the headmaster Mr 'Bill' Jennings - so he left. Did he teach the same subject at BGTS ?

Yes, Trevor, Mr "Jock" Churchward taught TD at Bordesley Green Tech too. He gave me a (very good) grounding in the subject between September 1959 and July 1963, when I gave it up to study Biology. I always got on very well with Jock although I had no contact with him through football.
Here he is on the 1964 official school panoramic photograph together with the school secretary and, on the right, Mr Goodfellow the headmaster. DB

 

[db84124]

Ok , I know most of back row- back left is Trevor Glynn, then Phil Mason, then dont know and dont now then Brian Harrison and Graham Butlin. Then front left dont know, then your guy, then dont know, dont know, then myself and because his name was so different Roger Couldjoe i think

Which photograph are you referring to, FNQ? Could you add the number of the posting please? (Top right-hand corner of posting, e.g., #334.)
Could you put a name to "your guy" please. Thank you, DB

 

[FNQBRUMMIE]

Which photograph are you referring to, FNQ? Could you add the number of the posting please? (Top right-hand corner of posting, e.g., #334.)
Could you put a name to "your guy" please. Thank you, DB

 

[FNQBRUMMIE]

Sorry maybe we are talking different photos-this is the one to which I was referring which was possibly 1962 but I think you were talking of Bordesley Green Tech- however the young Butlin back row last guy on right, went there along with his brother John. I played Sunday football for their team which was called BG Brazillia made up from many ex BG Tech players

 

[Stephen Denny]

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.

View attachment 151523
Just found this in my collection

I was in the Stags team. Shared the trophy after a 3-3 draw. I was injured weeks before the final but played as didn't want to miss final

 

[db84124]

Sorry maybe we are talking different photos-this is the one to which I was referring which was possibly 1962 but I think you were talking of Bordesley Green Tech ...

Yes, correct, we were referring to two different photos, hence my request to set things straight. Amazingly, in your photograph there are three lads who went on to play for various age-group teams at Bordesley Green Technical School. As you so rightly state, both Graham Butlin (and, of course, his elder brother, John) and Paul Coudjoe played there. In your photo, in the first row, kneeling in the centre is a lad who looks very much like Kevin Askey. Does this name ring a bell? He came to my former school too. Thanks for your rapid reply.
Best wishes, DB

PS If I remember correctly, the two Butlin brothers went to Harvey Road School. Is your football team photo of the Harvey Road team? Thanks, DB

PPS Here's a photograph showing Graham and Paul in the BGTS Under-15 team in 1965-66. David.

 

[trevor bow]

Yes, Trevor, Mr "Jock" Churchward taught TD at Bordesley Green Tech too. He gave me a (very good) grounding in the subject between September 1959 and July 1963, when I gave it up to study Biology. I always got on very well with Jock although I had no contact with him through football.
Here he is on the 1964 official school panoramic photograph together with the school secretary and, on the right, Mr Goodfellow the headmaster. DB

Hi db. Thanks for your reply and I think everyone got on with George Churchward mainly because he was such a nice bloke. Perhaps that's why our headmaster got him to move on because unlike George, he was the strictest disciplinarian you could meet. I would imagine that he thought George was too soft and let pupils get away with anything. But George didn't have to be strict because everyone liked and respected him. We just knew him as 'George' so where did his nickname of 'Jock' come from ? I can't remember him having a Scottish accent but then we only had him for 3 years and memory fails a bit after 63 years ! Trevor.

 

[db84124]

Hi db. Thanks for your reply and I think everyone got on with George Churchward mainly because he was such a nice bloke. Perhaps that's why our headmaster got him to move on because unlike George, he was the strictest disciplinarian you could meet. I would imagine that he thought George was too soft and let pupils get away with anything. But George didn't have to be strict because everyone liked and respected him. We just knew him as 'George' so where did his nickname of 'Jock' come from ? I can't remember him having a Scottish accent but then we only had him for 3 years and memory fails a bit after 63 years ! Trevor.

Hello there, Trevor,
While at Bordesley Green Tech., the likeable Mr G.W. Churchward had two nicknames. I seem to recall a slight Scottish lilt in his husky, growling voice; hence he was named "Jock".
His second but more common nickname was horrendously cruel, but we all know how schoolboys occasionally behave. Mr Churchward unfortunately, when he spoke, sometimes ejected a small amount of spittle from his mouth. This led to his being called "Splash". Awful, weren't we?
David

 

[FNQBRUMMIE]

Yes, correct, we were referring to two different photos, hence my request to set things straight. Amazingly, in your photograph there are three lads who went on to play for various age-group teams at Bordesley Green Technical School. As you so rightly state, both Graham Butlin (and, of course, his elder brother, John) and Paul Coudjoe played there. In your photo, in the first row, kneeling in the centre is a lad who looks very much like Kevin Askey. Does this name ring a bell? He came to my former school too. Thanks for your rapid reply.
Best wishes, DB

PS If I remember correctly, the two Butlin brothers went to Harvey Road School. Is your football team photo of the Harvey Road team? Thanks, DB

PPS Here's a photograph showing Graham and Paul in the BGTS Under-15 team in 1965-66. David.

Hi DB, yes we are now straight on the photos, my photo is of the Birmingham Boys team possibly u/11 or 13 cant remember. And yes that name Kevin Askey rings a bell. And I remember Roger Spry too from your photo, he was a pretty quick sprinter. Any recollections of BG Brazillia, I think most guys came from the tech except for me and my mate Alan Jones. We played in the Coronation league I think, u/18. We won a few trophies as I remember

 

[db84124]

Roger Spry has had a glorious career in professional soccer. After having begun in Wolverhampton Wanderers' youth squad in the 1960s, I'm told he suffered a broken leg on two occasions and decided to turn to coaching. The BBC considers Roger as "the most successful English football coach you've probably never heard of". He has worked as a fitness coach with Malcolm Allison, Sir Bobby Robson, Arsène Wenger, Mario Zagallo, and António Oliveira among others. He has been the fitness consultant for the Scottish and Austrian national football teams as well as advising fitness training in several other sports such as tennis, rugby and cricket. He is a karate black belt. DB

 

[VillaJ]

Hi i went to wheelers lane school we never lost a game from inter med team to senior. team we everything you could play for we won villa cup at villa park we should have played at st andrews in the final of the birmingham city cup they wanted a dfferent date so we won it i think on the cov road at some works ground we had about six lads playing for south birmingham myself and alan childs played for warwickshire alan going on to play pro for birmingham 1967 was villa cup win me scoring the only goal

 

[trevor bow]

Hello there, Trevor,
While at Bordesley Green Tech., the likeable Mr G.W. Churchward had two nicknames. I seem to recall a slight Scottish lilt in his husky, growling voice; hence he was named "Jock".
His second but more common nickname was horrendously cruel, but we all know how schoolboys occasionally behave. Mr Churchward unfortunately, when he spoke, sometimes ejected a small amount of spittle from his mouth. This led to his being called "Splash". Awful, weren't we?
David

Hi David,
Actually, I've got a confession to make about George Churchward in that we had a nickname for him as well. Being around my age, you will no doubt remember a radio comedy programme called 'Round The Horne' previously known as 'Beyond Our Ken'. It starred Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Bill Pertwee, Betty Marsden etc etc. One of the imaginary characters on the show was known as 'Dentures' whose imaginary name was Stanley Burkinshaw. It could easily be assumed that Stanley, when he spoke, showered everything and everyone with saliva e. g. "My Lordssss, ladiesssss, and gentlemen, it'ssss sssso nicesssssss to be.........."

So as you've by now guessed, our nickname for him was 'Stanley'. I think he might have guessed this actually because he came up behind one of the lads in our class just as he was doing a very good impersonation of 'Stanley Burkinshaw'. As he turned around to face George, his mouth was covered in saliva - just like George's was when he was in full flow ! Happy days.
Trevor.

 

[FNQBRUMMIE]

Roger Spry has had a glorious career in professional soccer. After having begun in Wolverhampton Wanderers' youth squad in the 1960s, I'm told he suffered a broken leg on two occasions and decided to turn to coaching. The BBC considers Roger as "the most successful English football coach you've probably never heard of". He has worked as a fitness coach with Malcolm Allison, Sir Bobby Robson, Arsène Wenger, Mario Zagallo, and António Oliveira among others. He has been the fitness consultant for the Scottish and Austrian national football teams as well as advising fitness training in several other sports such as tennis, rugby and cricket. He is a karate black belt. DB

Wow, DB, Roger was/is a big success in his chosen profession and funnily enough I too was at Wolves youth for a while around 67 but unlike Roger I was a poor trainer and lacked the dedication needed and girls seemed a more interesting proposition. I knew Roger from back in the day and am proud he has achieved what he has-thanks for the info.

 

[Nina2000]

Hello I am looking for photographs of Alan Baillie, born in 1945, always played football. He lived in Erdington Cottage homes in the 50''s. Thanks

 

[Nina2000]

Here is the Yardley wood Secondary modern Football team. I am second from the left front row. I can remember most of the players But I need help with a few.
Back row left to right.Goalkeeper?Michael Wood. Victor Brookes.Stephen Granfield.Lynton Webb.???Teacher Mr.Priest.
Front row??.Johnny Duff Tony Witherford.Michael Smith.Stephen Woodfield. Around 1962/63?
Can anyone help Name them?

Just found these Photos of the Yardley wood United football team.
Home games were played at the back of The Dog & Partridge Pub.
Bert Riando was the manager. Need help with all the player's names???
I am Backrow 4th from the left.

Thats my dad back left, Alan Baillie. great photo

 

[Alwin]

Warren Farm Secondary School. .. happy memories !

Is that David Casey in the middle at the front?

 

[Bobrob]

Hi i went to wheelers lane school we never lost a game from inter med team to senior. team we everything you could play for we won villa cup at villa park we should have played at st andrews in the final of the birmingham city cup they wanted a dfferent date so we won it i think on the cov road at some works ground we had about six lads playing for south birmingham myself and alan childs played for warwickshire alan going on to play pro for birmingham 1967 was villa cup win me scoring the only goal

" at some works ground ", could well have been BSA ground ' often used for bigger matches

 

[Tony B]

Is that David Casey in the middle at the front?

Sorry late getting back to you....
Yes... that's case...

 

[Neil guest]

Yarnfield road 1937 my dad Bernard guest second from left bottom row

 

[trevor bow]

Yarnfield road 1937 my dad Bernard guest second from left bottom row
View attachment 178212

I wonder what happened to some of these smashing shields and trophies, unless of course they are still played for.

 

[TeresaJayne]

hi my grandad played for the Henry Lucas secondary school team as a goalkeeper. He’s name was Tony Gardner, we are trying to find if there any photos of this. He believes that he left around 1967.

 

[db84124]

Bordesley Green Tech. Under-13 team during the 1963/'64 season ...
The photograph was sent to me by a former pupil who was at the school, Ron Hemming. Ron's on the photo standing alongside the sports master on the left, Mr E.C.E. Lunn. db84124

 

[FNQBRUMMIE]

I remember some of these guys who I played with for Birmingham Boys team that year, Graham Butlin centre front, Roger Coudjo ? far left and far right Askey ? Later I played with Graham and his brother John for a sunday youth team called BG Brazilia, we won a lot of stuff

 

[db84124]

I remember some of these guys who I played with for Birmingham Boys team that year, Graham Butlin centre front, Roger Coudjo ? far left and far right Askey ? Later I played with Graham and his brother John for a sunday youth team called BG Brazilia, we won a lot of stuff

Yes, FNQ, you're right ... but it's Paul Coudjoe and Kevin Askey. Best wishes, db84124

 

[Tonytmx]

l played for Ada rd juniors in 1962/63 we won the Mathew Boulton shield and came runners up in the league l would glad to furnish any info l can

 

[Tonytmx]

Does anyone have any ada road school football pics 1961-67 my grandad billy broome is keen to see if he can get hold of any? Thnx x

hope this helps Kevin Broome sits centre with the shield what a lad and brilliant footballer