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Gil Merrick

Dwilly there are plenty of greens Kings Noton green,Nechells green Marston green Pears green to name just a few of them

Mossy
 
i know, it a bit like us saying we're going up town! reading some other threads seems gil had some other links with Acocks Green with him having played for St Mary's church team,
 
Hi

Just to correct an errror on my part Gil Merrick never played
for St Mary's Acocks Green I spoke to Dad (92)yesterday it seems
they played together for Fenton Rovers.
Gilbert Merrick. Caps: 23, Picture not available. Date of Birth: ... Birmingham Schools, Fenton Rovers, Shirley Juniors, Olton Sports, Solihull Town, ...
Dad played for St Mary's for years during the 30's.
see photo
Dad front row 3rd from right and his brother Bill Front Row far right

Mike Jenks
 
Mossy said:
Ladywood i think you are right about the yellow one when he played for England

Off topic which part of Ladwood are you from i am fom Shakespeare Rd 1947 -1963

Mossy
Click to expand...

Hi Mossy, I lived in Alexandra Street from 1943 until about 1957.
I had an Uncle and Aunt who lived in Shakespeare Road.
One of my most wonderful memories was the first copy of the 'Eagle' comic in, 1951 from Cutlers, in Shakespeare Road.
I shared a large black women's bicycle, a sort of midwives bike, with my sister.
One of the most exciting thing you might do at that time was, to turn into Shakespeare Road from Monument Road and free wheel on a bike that was much to large for you, to fly past St Marks and Anderton Streets, picking up speed all the way and being just about in control. White knuckled and smoldering brake blocks, to turn into Alexandra Street and home.

ladywood
 
Mossy said:
Ladywood i think you are right about the yellow one when he played for England

Off topic which part of Ladwood are you from i am fom Shakespeare Rd 1947 -1963

Mossy
Click to expand...

Hi Mossy, I lived in Alexandra Street from 1943 until about 1957.
I had an Uncle and Aunt who lived in Shakespeare Road.
One of my most wonderful memories was the first copy of the 'Eagle' comic in 1951 from Cutlers, in Shakespeare Road.
I shared a large black women's bicycle, a sort of midwives bike, with my sister.
One of the most exciting thing you might do at that time was, to turn into Shakespeare Road from Monument Road and free wheel on a bike that was much to large for you, to fly past St Marks and Anderton Streets, picking up speed all the way and being just about in control. White knuckled and smoldering brake blocks, to turn into Alexandra Street and home.


ladywood
 
dwilly said:
https://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1639014,00.html

Blues will rename the Railway Stand the Gil Merrick Stand for the start of the 2009/10 season. Any memories from any members for those of us too young to remember when he played/managed down the Blues.
Click to expand...
i remember gil coming down our local park to watch the football on a sunday afternoon, the works sides at that time were very good and the standard of play very good, he would talk to anyone and no "side"on him at all.this was fox hollies park in acocks green.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This thread has captured my interest, my late Father used to claim that he new Gil Merrick, but i never took it too seriously.

Until that is i found out, only last week, that my Dad used to run a shop on Fox Hollies Road, so maybe there was some truth in it after all.
 
I know the thread's "Gil Merrick" but I did post telling Rupert I'd put on some pics I've got. Unfortunately Gil's not on any of them, sorry.
The first's a team photo from the 1955-56 season.
The second's taken inside the dressing room in 1957 with, from left to right, Gordon Astall, Arthur Turner (Manager), Eddie Brown and Alex Govan.
The third's taken at St Andrews again versus Blackburn Rovers in 1953. Alex is throwing his arms up as Stewart misses a shot with only the goalkeeper to beat.
 
Hi Mossy, how are you? Here's another on I've dug out from 1990 when I helped organise a Blues Reunion Dinner at the Grand on Colmore Row. I'm the wassock on the right with a big grin, a tash and a "tasteful" shiny grey jacket.
I could tell you a few stories about Frank Worthington......but I won't! It was great to meet so many of my boyhood heroes like TF, Bob Hatton, Bob Latchford as well as some of the "oldies" like Alex and Eddie.
 
Great photo Dave i met Frank a few times so you don't need to tell me anything about him lol,have you read Franks book its called surprising enough''One Hump Or Two

Mossy
 
Dave i got it at the library they ordered it for me and then my son got me a copy for my 60th he got it of ebay lf you cant get it i wil send it to you,just pm me your address

Mossy
 
Thanks so much for the pictures. Gosh they bring back some memories. Eddy Brown had tremendous speed and could leave behind many defenders whilst running with the ball. One goal I saw against Newcastle must rank with the fastest end to end going. Gil caught the ball at the railway end I think and threw it down-field centre to about the halfway line where Eddy took it on the run. Two nudges and a swerve around the goal keeper and it was in the net. The Newcastle skipper Stokoe I think, was so stunned by the speed of it all that he clapped his hands in applause. We won that day I seem to remember.
 
Rupert said:
Gil was a great goalkeeper and at his best would even shine today. I think that by the time he was chosen for England he may have been past his best playing days but maybe I am wrong. The team that I remember best was Gil, Len Boyd, Smith/Newman, Warhurst, Astall, Murphy, Eddy Brown, Noel Kinsey, Govan/Jackie Stewart. The full backs slip my memory at the moment...one was also capped and sadly died of cancer at a very young age. I can't remember the left back in that team but Jack Badham was in from time to time. Gosh it all seems like yesterday. Johny Schofield was back/up to Gil in goal and was also very good but I think he was injured badly one time which may have affected his performance. I used to prefer the stand...about half way up at about midfield. Yeah of course Geof. Hall. Now who played left back on that team...hmmm. Was it Ken...Got it Green.
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Johny Schofield fractured his skull against Man.united Nov. 1960 diving
at the feet of Alex Dawson.he was taken to hospital,sent home and
quickly recalled when the full extent of his injury was realised.I believe
he had to have a steel plate installed.He returned to the first team in
Sept. 1961.He played in the 2-leg cup final beating of Aston Villa
Cheers
John Hughes
 
Johny Schofield was an idol of mine when i was a young aspiring goalkeeper, i remember being told about his infamous dive at the
feet of a Man Utd player.

That would explain why he used to go down feet first at any onrushing
forward in his later years. He was a very good keeper and very much
in the club tradition of producing good goalkeepers, Tremellin, Hibs and
Merrick before him.
 
i was there when johnny schofield fractured his skull right behind the goal, i thnk
brian orritt went in goal
 
My dad was an avid fan of the blues .. wouldn't even let a villa supporter in the house . In 1966 mum was carrying me and she was at a derby I think .. not too sure .. when some opposing supporter said something detrimental about the bluesw .. she whacked then one with her stomach with me inside .. do you think I was the youngest ever football hooligan :)
I wonder what match it was ?
Jean
 
hi david..just caught up with this thread...dont you look the business then....did you see this pic i posted...its got gil merrick on it...

lyn
 
What year would that have been. I did not see Len Boyd on that photo. Was he not with Brum then and was he not the captain around then.
 
Hi

It was 1957 the year Villa won the Cup. Blues lost
2-0 to Man Utd and Villa beat the Albion.
Len Boyd retired the year earlier.
Possibly the end of an era the Mighty West Midlands
teams at their highest.
Blues qucihley lost their way Albion and Villa survived
possibly Villa with the Saunders Team in the late 70's early 80's
gave the best performance. League 1 and Euro Cup.
Albion one Cup Final win that Jeff Astle goal will live with
us for ever. Blues well and Im a Blues Fan up and down
the Yo team of Football.

Mike Jenks
 
sent this picture to my brother who has been an avid villa supporter rain or shine for 60 odd years and is still a season ticket holder.what memories and what names
 
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