Winkie Speirs (Aston Villa)

[Pedrocut]

I used to hear my mother and father talk about a Villa player, Cyril Speirs, whose nickname was “”Winkie Speirs”. He turned out to be a cousin of my father.

To my great surprise the other day I saw a link from one of the Villa Forums to the site of colorsport, a sports photo archive, and there was a shot of Villa players on his motorcycle in the grounds of Villa Park in 1923…(move along the pictures at the bottom)

https://www.colorsport.co.uk/galleries/football/golden-oldies-part-1

If you move along there is another of Billy Walker and others in the bath!

For a description of Winkies career see here…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_Spiers

All the best Peter

 

[Pongo]

Hi Peter. Not sure if this link will work (and I think you probably need to be signed-up to facebook) but have a look at:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...18017511.59803.186878374698152&type=1&theater

My grandfather was Joe Beresford who played for The Villa from 1927-1935. I have inherited Joe's photos and memorabilia and have recently created a facebook page in tribute to Joe.

I've used the photo galleries to tell a pictorial history of Joes career. I've done as much research as possible to caption each photo with the relevant info. I didn't know that Cyril's nickname was 'Winkie' so I shall add that to his photo caption... thanks!

If you're not already signed-up to facebook it's pretty straight forward to do so and it will then enable you to have a look around.

Please don't hesitate to contact me should you wish. Cheers, Dean.

 

[Pedrocut]

Hi Peter. Not sure if this link will work (and I think you probably need to be signed-up to facebook) but have a look at:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...18017511.59803.186878374698152&type=1&theater

My grandfather was Joe Beresford who played for The Villa from 1927-1935. I have inherited Joe's photos and memorabilia and have recently created a facebook page in tribute to Joe.

I've used the photo galleries to tell a pictorial history of Joes career. I've done as much research as possible to caption each photo with the relevant info. I didn't know that Cyril's nickname was 'Winkie' so I shall add that to his photo caption... thanks!

If you're not already signed-up to facebook it's pretty straight forward to do so and it will then enable you to have a look around.

Please don't hesitate to contact me should you wish. Cheers, Dean.

Hi Dean,

Had a quick look at your facebook, fantastic tribute!

Too much to take in and requires more time! I remember a very old friend of mine who was a cleaner at the company that I started work with. He was in the Great War and I loved to hear him talk about many of the names in your list.

Will check back later, all the best Peter

 

[Pedrocut]

Hi Dean,

My father was born in Cheshire Road around 1910, and he often used to talk about your grandfather Joe along with Billy Walker, Dick York, and the Tommies Smart, Mort and Tate. And of course Pongo Waring!

My mother was born in Holte Road in 1918, and moved to Manor Road, both just a spit away from Villa Park. Villa became a big part of her life, and she died a couple of years ago while suffering from dementia. But her long term memory was still excellent, and I remember, as as diversion getting her to talk about Pongo Waring. The name had stuck in her mind! She said you could always find and approach him in the cafes and pubs around Villa Park.

She used to watch some of the game from the slopes of Aston Park and go in at the finish to collect the cigarette cards ( I wish she had kept them!). Even in those days some used to arrive in cars and they would ask to look after them, especially those that came up from Arsenal.

The other name that stuck with her was "Winkie Spiers", and I would ask her who he was and she would say "your Dad's cousin".

I had an old mate who was the cleaner when I started work, and who had fought in the Great War. I can remember him speaking about Frank Barson, who must also have been a great character!

Do you know anything about Ronnie Starling, as there was a tale that he once took an umbrella from someone in the crowd and ran down the wing with it and the ball. I have never been able to verify this!

All the best Peter

 

[Alf]

Hi Dean,

My father was born in Cheshire Road around 1910, and he often used to talk about your grandfather Joe along with Billy Walker, Dick York, and the Tommies Smart, Mort and Tate. And of course Pongo Waring!

My mother was born in Holte Road in 1918, and moved to Manor Road, both just a spit away from Villa Park. Villa became a big part of her life, and she died a couple of years ago while suffering from dementia. But her long term memory was still excellent, and I remember, as as diversion getting her to talk about Pongo Waring. The name had stuck in her mind! She said you could always find and approach him in the cafes and pubs around Villa Park.

She used to watch some of the game from the slopes of Aston Park and go in at the finish to collect the cigarette cards ( I wish she had kept them!). Even in those days some used to arrive in cars and they would ask to look after them, especially those that came up from Arsenal.

The other name that stuck with her was "Winkie Spiers", and I would ask her who he was and she would say "your Dad's cousin".

I had an old mate who was the cleaner when I started work, and who had fought in the Great War. I can remember him speaking about Frank Barson, who must also have been a great character!

Do you know anything about Ronnie Starling, as there was a tale that he once took an umbrella from someone in the crowd and ran down the wing with it and the ball. I have never been able to verify this!

All the best Peter

Peter here you are,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Starling

 

[Pedrocut]

Hi Dean,

Had a quick look at your facebook, fantastic tribute!

Too much to take in and requires more time! I remember a very old friend of mine who was a cleaner at the company that I started work with. He was in the Great War and I loved to hear him talk about many of the names in your list.

Will check back later, all the best Peter

Recently attended a gathering of cousins, many that I have never met, but amazingly a good number had heard of the cousin **Winkie** who played for the Villa!

Regards Peter