Category: Cambridge United Former Players' Association - 100 YEARS OF COCONUTS

100 YEARS OF COCONUTS

The gang's all here - CUFPA 2018

9/26/2018

CUFPA members line up in the Abbey Stadium centre circle, 22 September 2018. From left: Omer Riza, Derrick Christie, Tom Youngs, Soner Zumrutel, Ray Freeman, Roly Horrey, Peter Phillips, Peter Bowstead, Graham Felton, Terry Eades, John Hiner, Brian Grant (with Roly Horrey's grandson, Louis Brown), Willy Watson, Derek Haylock, Steve Fallon, Wes Maughan, Gerry Baker, Rodney Slack, Brian Greenhalgh, Tony Willson, Tom Higgins, Paul Wanless, Sam Harris, Andy Duncan, Colin Bate. All photos: Ben Phillips & Principal Studios.

Old friendships were renewed and new ones forged when members of Cambridge United Former Players' Association gathered at the Abbey Stadium on Saturday, September 22 to watch the 1-1 draw with Mansfield.

It was the first large gathering of the association, which was launched in 2015 by 100 Years of Coconuts and now has nearly 170 members.

Representatives of teams from the 1950s to the 2000s accepted the invitation of CUFPA chairman Rodney Slack and Graham Daniels, United's director of football, to attend the match.

They came from as far afield as Lancashire (Brian Greenhalgh), Oxfordshire (Paul Wanless), Lincolnshire (Derrick Christie) and Buckinghamshire (Wes Maughan).

United laid on a pre-match buffet lunch in the Abbey Arms, where 25 ex-U's, named in the top picture caption, met to swap memories over a drink.

After watching visitors Mansfield take a first-half lead, they took to the pitch at half-time to a warm reception from an appreciative Abbey crowd.

Relieved by George Maris's deserved 88th minute equaliser, they gathered in the Dion Dublin Bar to continue their reminiscences.

It was the first such gathering, but CUFPA and Cambridge United are looking forward to welcoming more members to future ex-player days.

From left, Derek Haylock, Tom Higgins and Tony Willson enjoy a beer and a chat in the Abbey Arms.

Paul Wanless preferred cider.

Brian Grant (left), Derek Haylock and Rodney Slack lead the charge to the centre circle at half-time.

Brian Grant (left), Derek Haylock and Rodney Slack lead the charge to the centre circle at half-time.

John Hiner, Ray Freeman, Peter Bowstead and Roly Horrey head back to the main stand.

John Hiner, Ray Freeman, Peter Bowstead and Roly Horrey head back to the main stand.

Watson in Cambridge

8/12/2018

An edited version of this article appeared in the Cambridge United matchday programme for the game against Notts County on Saturday, 11 August 2018.

‘It’s the man who made me!’ yelped Alan Biley excitedly as Graham ‘Willie’ Watson joined the merry throng assembled in the Abbey Lounge for a Cambridge United Former Players’ Association gathering.

It was a big build-up but one that was wholly merited. There’s no counting the number of goals that Willie laid on a plate for United’s will-o’-the-wisp striker, who reaped further reward by going on to play at the top level of the English game.

But while Alan became a legend at the likes of Derby County, Portsmouth and Brighton, Willie’s only subsequent foray outside his adopted Cambridgeshire home came when he joined Lincoln City for a while. He ended up making 233 U’s appearances, contributing 28 goals for the cause.

And he’s still around. Gone are the days when he turned out for Soham Town Rangers and Histon and kept the Three Horseshoes in Comberton, but he’s never too far from the Abbey.

When Bill Leivers lured him south in 1972, he knew what he was laying out £5,000 for – the 15-year-old Willie had been his first signing at Doncaster.

The young apprentice-turned pro had already played 48 times for Rovers (and 13 for Rotherham) after being introduced to first-team football as a 17-year-old. He also knew what winning a league was all about: he had done that at Belle Vue in 1969.

Nicknamed after a fellow Yorkshire sportsman – the first Willie Watson was a post-war England international at both football and cricket – he made his United debut in a 2-0 Division Four win at Newport County on September 16. His first goal came a fortnight later at Northampton as he set about his business: pulling the midfield strings and occasionally getting on the scoresheet.

There was no more committed or more talented footballer around. Willie allied a solid work ethic to terrific ability with the ball, yet his contribution to the U’s has often been undervalued.

Even at the time, for inexplicable reasons, he was sometimes the target of ill-informed terrace criticism.

His teammates would have none of it, and quite rightly so. Striker Nigel Cassidy declared: ‘Willie’s vision is fantastic … the crowd gives him so much stick it is embarrassing, but he has got real talent …’

Ron Atkinson, who succeeded Leivers as manager at United, appreciated what he brought to the side. ‘It seems that when Willie is playing well, we always appear to be playing well,’ he said at one point in 1977/78. ‘I have a feeling all our best performances come when he is having a good time.’

That season was memorable for a brilliant Watson goal at Exeter: running on to a Tom Finney ball, he left his marker flailing with a delicious body swerve and slotted home from 15 yards.

Willie was in the form of his life as the U’s ended the season by winning promotion to the old Division Two. Sadly, new gaffer John Docherty sold him to Lincoln City for £15,000 before he could have much of a bash at the higher level.

But he was back in 1980, explaining to the Cambridge Evening News: ‘I feel more at home here than I do at Doncaster, so when the chance came to return to United I jumped at it.’ Cambridgeshire welcomed him back with open arms.

Cheerio
Harry

From top: Tony Willson and Derek Haylock listen as Willie Watson spins a yarn at a Cambridge United Former Players' Association gathering; Watson grounded (photo Cambridge Evening News); getting a perm at Reeds Hairdressers with Lindsay Smith (left) and Gordon Sweetzer (photo Cambridge Evening News); shooting for goal; with Chris Turner (centre) and Phil Chapple at a fans' forum; in familiar pose.

Remembering Billy

6/11/2018

It's always a pleasure to welcome members of the U's extended family to the Abbey, even if it's out of season and we can't show them The Story of the U's mini-museum because it's been blocked off by mountains of A-ha-related gear.

Sunday's visitors, all the way from Auchterarder in Perthshire, were Andrew Welsh – son of tough-tackling 1960s wing half Billy – and his partner Pauline Silverman. Their visit coincided with Andrew's 50th birthday and the Abbey concert featuring OMD, his favourite band.

Billy – who died in a hill-climbing accident 20 years ago – was never one to brag about his professional football career, and Andrew has long wanted to speak to people who saw his dad play, or played with him.

Coconuts was able to fix this by relaying memories and good wishes from supporters and members of Cambridge United Former Players' Association, and taking Andrew and Pauline to chat to CUFPA's chairman Rodney Slack, who played three seasons with Billy, and wife Josie.

As fans of 80s music gathered over the road, Rodney and Josie reminisced about Andrew's dad and mother Avril, a Cambridge girl who still lives in Scotland.

United manager Alan Moore signed Billy from Airdrieonians in the summer of 1960. Forming a famous half-back line with Fred Howell and Roy Kirk, he played in 262 games in all competitions, scoring 18 goals, in his five years at the Abbey.

He was 24 when he joined the U’s, arriving with the reputation of being tough but talented – and also noted for his sartorial elegance and his refusal to join in with the 'industrial' language of the dressing room. His first game for United came on 20 August 1960, a 2-2 home draw with Hinckley Athletic in the Southern League Premier Division.

The following season he played in an FA Cup match at Romford that was noted for the eccentric performance of referee W Johnston-Wilson. Romford had already levelled for 1-1 with an indirect free kick that went straight into the goal when a cross bounced awkwardly in the penalty area and hit Billy on the arm. The press reported that even Romford fans looked puzzled as the ref gave the winning penalty.

The following season, in which United finished second in the Southern League, another smartly dressed Scot arrived, on Billy’s recommendation. ‘Gentleman’ Jim Sharkey was a skilful 27-year-old inside forward who had played with Billy at Glencairn before joining Celtic.

Above, Rodney does the autograph honours. Below, 100 Years of Coconuts presentation to Andrew.

Above from left, Rodney Slack, Pauline Silverman and Andrew Welsh get together to talk about Andrew's father's time at the U's. Below, Billy Welsh: elegant.

Billy suffered his fair share of injuries but gave as good as he got. He was dismissed in a match at Gravesend in April 1963 and in February 1964, at home against Yeovil Town, he spent much of the match hobbling after a strong tackle. It emerged afterwards that he had cracked an ankle bone and his season was over.

He didn’t complete the 1964/65 season either. At the beginning of April he underwent a cartilage operation in the Evelyn Nursing Home and saw no more action in an amber shirt. That summer he asked for a transfer – he wanted to concentrate on his job as a draughtsman, and left United for part-time football at Bath.

But he was seen at the Abbey again in November 1966, when he played as part of a team of current and former United players in Rodney Slack’s benefit match.

Supporters and teammates alike are generous in their praise of Billy’s playing ability. Colleague Peter Hobbs named him at left half in his dream team of players he played with at the Abbey. Eddie Higgins says his strongest memory of his early days supporting the U’s is of that formidable half-back line. ‘They all looked like giants to me,’ he says.

‘I can see Billy with his short, reddish hair brushed back, wearing that wonderful kit with the black V on the amber shirt, amber piping on the black shorts and vertical stripes on the socks.

‘I recall Billy in that kit in an FA Cup game at Bury that I hitchhiked to in September 1962. Billy, straight-backed and barrel-chested, had the look of a military man or a prison officer, a man not to be messed with.’

Supporter Colin Proctor, later United fans' elected director, says Billy was a very attacking half back with whom strikers never tangled. ‘He was part of one of the best half-back lines we’ve ever had,’ he added.

A legend hangs up his gloves

5/13/2018

Coconuts and Cambridge United Former Players’ Association send their best wishes for a long and enjoyable retirement to Malcolm Webster, who ruled supreme between the Abbey goalposts for eight years between 1976 and 1984 and then served as manager Chris Turner’s assistant.

Malcolm, a highly respected goalkeeping coach who worked at Ipswich in two spells, retired from the game after a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough last week. He told the Tractor Boys’ website: ‘I have had a great time over the 50 years and I’m happy with what I have achieved.’

The latter part of his career may have been spent teaching keepers the tricks of the trade – at Norwich, Colchester, Hearts, Southampton and Crystal Palace among other clubs – but it’s as a player that Malcolm is remembered at the Abbey. Dependable, brave, athletic, efficient and occasionally awe-inspiring, he played in 286 games for the U’s as they rose from the Fourth Division to the Second and stayed there for six seasons.

He kept 90 clean sheets during that time, 22 of them coming in his debut season of 1976/77, when he was ever present as United won the Fourth Division title.

Malcolm is a native of Doncaster, where he was born on 12 November 1950, but it was in north London that he made his first impression on football. He was 18 when he made his League debut for Arsenal, being thrown in at the deep end against Tottenham at Highbury when Bob Wilson broke an arm. The Gunners lost 4-3 but Malcolm kept his place until he was floored for 12 weeks by glandular fever and the club signed a replacement in Geoff Barnett.

He played around 100 times for both Fulham and Southend but fell out of favour at Roots Hall and was released in 1976. Disillusioned with football, he was working in a friend’s furniture store when he was given a month’s trial by U’s boss Ron Atkinson. His first appearance came in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly against Mansfield at the Abbey, won 3-1 by the visitors.

Malcolm’s United career really kicked off in the first leg of the League Cup at Oxford on 14 August 1976, when he was outstanding in a 1-0 defeat. A string of impressive performances and a couple of penalty saves earned him a permanent contract, which he signed following a 4-0 September win over promotion favourites Watford.

Quickly establishing himself as a lively presence in the dressing room, a reliable shot-stopper and – despite a previous reputation as vulnerable to crosses – commanding in the air, Malcolm made the number one spot his own and was voted player of the year by Supporters’ Club members.

That season was the start of a happy and fruitful stay at Newmarket Road that saw the club establish itself in Division Two under John Docherty. Malcolm’s last game as a U came in a 0-0 draw at Oldham on 4 February 1984, but he was back in 1986 as Chris Turner began the process of turning United’s fortunes around.

After a break from football starting in 1988, he began a coaching career that was remarkable for its longevity and successes. Malcolm was in great demand as a coach, both at club and at the goalkeeping school he ran with Fred Barber.

Malcolm Webster, we salute you. Keep ’em out, Webby!

Clockwise, from top: Malcolm Webster in action for Cambridge United in a 2-1 Division Two defeat at Crystal Palace on 29 August 1981 (photograph: Cambridge Evening News); Webster in the late 1970s; saving the day in a 2-0 Division Four win at Scunthorpe on 26 March 1977; comparing hands with a youthful Keith Branagan (photo: Cambridge Evening News); with manager Chris Turner on 9 May 1986; as goalkeeping coach at Ipswich Town, 2017.

Our good deed for the day

3/26/2018

Most football supporters can recall who they looked on as their favourite players when they first started watching. Luke Chadwick is no exception.

As a young U's fan looking on from the terraces in the late 80s/early 90s, his favourite player was Gary Clayton. He even had a signed photo of the man.

Sad to say, Luke lost the picture, as told the 100 Years of Coconuts crew when he was being filmed for Coconuts TV (see the results at the bottom of the page here).

What could we do for our patron to fill the gap in his life created by the loss of such a precious memento? Get in touch with Gary and ask him to sign a replacement, of course.

Mr Clayton, now living back in his Sheffield birthplace, was only too happy to oblige, and a happy Luke is pictured with the evidence.

Happy to provide the link between two outstanding players, who are both members of the Coconuts-managed Cambridge United Former Players' Association.

The brickie and the philosopher

5/29/2017

An edited version of this article was originally published in the Cambridge United matchday programme on 18 April 2015.

On the right is the United Youth team of 1959/60. Click on the image to enlarge and you'll be able to pick out Peter Bowstead – he’s the one kneeling on the right. Peter is an old friend of Coconuts and a member of Cambridge United Former Players’ Association, and he can name every player in the photograph.

At the back, from the left, are Alan ‘Tosh’ Carter, Conrad Lodziak (also known as Conrad Houghton), Brian Page, Vic Phillips, Gerald Butler, Roger Smith, Tim Langran, Derek Potter, David Harrison and John Hiner. At the front are Charlie Irvine, Dave Wisbey, Brian Tailby, Tony Willson, youth team secretary John Munns, assistant secretary Gerry Farrington, Graham Ward, Richard Wilson and our friend Peter. We’re indebted to the Cambridge News for the photograph.

This was an amazingly successful team. They won 62 and drew four of the 70 games they played that season and won the Chiltern League, the Chiltern Challenge Cup and the Cambs & District League.

Some of them, like wing half Peter, became professionals. He made 11 U’s first team appearances before signing for Oxford United for a ‘substantial’ fee in 1962, at the age of 18. He played eight League games and scored twice for Oxford, but injuries blighted his career – he suffered no fewer than four leg breaks. Nevertheless, he played for the likes of King’s Lynn and Chelmsford City before retiring to work as a bricklayer. He still lives in the Cambridge area, like Tony Willson, Vic Phillips and maybe one or two others.

Inside forward Graham Ward played 35 times for United and nearly joined Watford. He moved instead to Wisbech Town and later played for Bury Town, Haverhill Rovers and Soham Town Rangers. Are you out there, Graham? We would love to hear from you.

One of the group was less successful at football (being, in his own judgment, ‘crap’) but followed a fascinating career path.

Inside forward Con Lodziak lied about his age and appeared for the U’s under his mother’s maiden name because he didn’t want his school to know he was playing football. At one time you could get detention at the County (more formally known as Cambridgeshire High School for Boys, which morphed into Hills Road Sixth Form College in the 1970s) if you were found meddling in the round-ball game. You should hear Con’s story of what he and his mate Silvio did to schoolmate Roger Waters. Whatever happened to him?

The son of a Polish soldier who married an Isleham woman, Con carried on playing football, for Purbeck Rovers among others, taught at St Bede’s and published the influential Understanding Soccer Tactics in 1966. He upped sticks for the United States to pursue an MA and PhD in social psychology, before being asked politely to leave by the FBI: the Bureau took a dim view of links Con had forged, while trying to help obtain grants for students, with the Black Panthers, the revolutionary African-American party that played an important part in the civil rights movement of the 60s.

Back in Blighty, Con taught at Trent Polytechnic while continuing to enjoy his football. He carried on publishing too, embracing such philosophical topics as The Myth of Consumerism and The Power of Television. Nowadays he lives in south-west France while family members like brother Mark (inexplicably a Spurs fan) and nephews Martin and Stephen (U’s men both) hold the Lodziak fort here.

There are eight million stories on the naked terrace. This has been one of them. Tell us your story – email 100yearsofcoconuts@gmail.com.

They did it for Dobbo

5/15/2017

Clockwise from above: Ely Cathedral presides over proceedings in the Simon Dobbin charity match at Ely City's Unwin Ground on Sunday, May 14; Tom Youngs, coach of the Boughtwood-Eason All Stars, checks out his squad at the pre-match photograph; Paul Wanless, one of Potter's Pros, discovers that something's been eating his antique boots; Danny Potter leaves the field after a fully committed performance – his daughter Sienna proved more of a threat up front, frankly; the teams and the Dobbin family smile for the cameras.

Coconuts has nothing but praise for the organisers of and participants in Sunday's event aimed at raising money for Simon Dobbin and his family. The sun (mostly) shone on a cracking day during which at least £3,000 was raised, with more to come, and a great time was had by all.

Watched by Simon, his amazing wife Nicole and their daughter Emily, teams assembled by organisers Dave Boughtwood-Eason and Danny Potter fought out a win for one of the sides, or perhaps the other, by a scoreline approximating 7-4, or something.

Simon was brutally attacked by a mob of thugs on his way home from United's game at Southend in March 2015. In that attack he suffered injuries that have changed his life and the lives of his family. He is unable to do anything for himself, can't walk or sit independently, is fed through a tube and is cared for every hour of every day by Nicole. She hopes to be able to make necessary changes to their Mildenhall home, and every penny raised can help them achieve that aim.

Ex-U's and many other players – and more than 400 spectators – turned out in force for the game played on Ely City's Unwin Ground. Ely secretary Paul Jeffrey, a United prospect himself at one time, manned the gates as a steady procession of former and current pros passed through. They included Mark Albrighton, Tes Bramble, David Bridges, Jon Challinor, Jody Craddock, Liam Hughes, Michael Kyd, Rogan McGeorge, Tony Scully, Michael Shinn, Steve Slade and Paul Wanless. Even ex-Arsenal full back Nigel Winterburn turned out, and the game was reffed by former Prem official Mark Halsey. Wayne Hatswell was understandably detained elsewhere after thoroughly enjoying Josh Coulson's testimonial dinner the night before, but a fresh-looking Josh made it to Ely, along with dad Dave.

And Coconuts was able to recruit five new members for Cambridge United Former Players' Association: Messrs Bramble, Challinor, Craddock, Kyd and Scully. Shame be upon the Coconuts committee member who was humiliated at dartboard football (provided by Dan Chillingworth's Xtreme Soccer) by a three-year-old.

More of this kind of thing, please. Meanwhile, if you would like to donate to the Dobbo cause, go to Dave's crowdfunding page here. And keep an eye out for details of another fundraising game: United are arranging a pre-season game with Southend.

Brian, we salute you

4/9/2017

More photographs, this time by Simon Lankester, from yesterday's visit by Brian and Maureen Whitmore with their friends Fred and Sandra Marshall, to the Cambs Glass Stadium. Above, Brian receives a photographic memento of his visit from 100 Years of Coconuts committee member Dave Matthew-Jones. Above right, Brian and Maureen help Lorraine Cullum with the 50-50 halftime draw. Right, Dave presents Brian with a number nine shirt, printed with his name, from Fred and Sandra. Oh, and Dave also presented Brian with this Cambridge United Former Players' Association membership badge.

Nice to see you - CUFPA Gathering

10/25/2016

Our photographer had his box Brownie handy when U's players of yesteryear gathered for a natter at the latest Cambridge United Former Players' Association get-together on Monday night.

Names familiar to fans from the 1950s onwards had a little drink and a chat, and renewed old friendships, at Cambridge United Supporters' Club, whose clubhouse has been rebranded as the Abbey Lounge. Check out some of the attendees in these pictures – and if you know of any ex-U who would like to become a member, drop us a line at 100yearsofcoconuts@gmail.com.

Order your copy of Newmarket Road Roughs today.

Graham 'Willie' Watson and Derrick Christie, teammates at the Abbey Stadium in the 1970s.

Graham 'Willie' Watson and Derrick Christie, teammates at the Abbey Stadium in the 1970s.

Graham Felton and Derrick Christie, both flying wingers in their day, renew a friendship forged at Northampton Town.

Graham Felton and Derrick Christie, both flying wingers in their day, renew a friendship forged at Northampton Town.

1950s star Len Saward and mid-1960s winger Graham Felton.

1950s star Len Saward and mid-1960s winger Graham Felton.

100 Years of Coconuts committee member Andrew Bennett chats with CUFPA chairman Rodney Slack. Andrew's book Newmarket Road Roughs is published this week.

Tony Willson, Vic Phillips and Derek Haylock talk about games and players of the 50s and 60s.

Tony Willson, Vic Phillips and Derek Haylock talk about games and players of the 50s and 60s.

All together, now

7/4/2016

Some of the inaugural members of the Cambridge United Former Players' Association at the launch event in the Supporters' Club on Monday, July 4. From left: Tom Finney, Graham Daniels, Vic Phillips, Rodney Slack, Peter Bowstead, Peter Hobbs, Tom Youngs, Dan Gleeson, Steve Fallon, Peter Phillips, Jim White.

The first three inductees of the newly inaugurated Cambridge United Hall of Fame were honoured tonight by 100 Years of Coconuts.

At an award ceremony in the Supporters’ Club, presided over by United chairman Dave Doggett and fans’ elected director Dave Matthew-Jones, Russell Crane, Lil Harrison and Rodney Slack were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The ceremony was watched by members of the Cambridge United Former Players’ Association, also launched tonight by Coconuts.

The Former Players’ Association has been set up with the aim of bringing the extended U’s family closer together, while the Hall of Fame recognises outstanding contributions to the development and history of the football club. Like Coconuts’ recently opened mini-museum, The Story of the U’s, the two initiatives have been made possible by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Hall of Fame inductees were chosen by Coconuts and CFU trust board members. In future, Coconuts will look to involve the entire U’s supporter base in the voting process.

At first the Hall of Fame will take the form of a website, but Coconuts and Cambridge United are looking at the possibility of a physical display within the Abbey Stadium.

‘We were very clear when we set out to launch the Hall of Fame that we didn’t just want to honour players,’ said Coconuts chair Pat Morgan.

‘Fans are just as important to any football club as players, directors, financial supporters and staff, and the first three inductees are a good indication of that.

‘Russell Crane was just as much a U’s supporter as he was a player. Lil Harrison was involved with the club before the first world war and was still going to games in the 1990s. Rodney Slack has the U’s in his blood despite being born near the other place [Peterborough].

‘As Russell told us, the club is a family affair, and you couldn’t find three more committed family members than these first inductees.’

Russell Crane (1926-2016) grew up in a U’s-mad household in Ditton Walk, opposite the United ground. He broke many club records during an 18-year career with Abbey and Cambridge United, and was still attending games as a guest of Coconuts as recently as last year.

Rodney Slack was born in 1940. Voted player of the year three times in his first five years as a U’s player, he was idolised by the fans and continues to live within a stone’s throw of the Abbey. He is a 100 Years of Coconuts committee member and chairman of the Former Players’ Association.

Lil Harrison (1904-1996) first saw Abbey United play at the age of ten. She went on to become a stalwart of the Supporters’ Club committee, raised countless thousands of pounds as the club rose through the leagues and came to exemplify the family spirit of the club.

The inaugural membership of the Cambridge United Former Players’ Association is around 100 – a number that is expected to grow fast in the coming months.

They range from ‘Tickle’ Sanderson, who first played for Abbey United in 1939, to more recent players like Liam Hughes and Coconuts patron Luke Chadwick.

CUFPA, chaired by Rodney Slack, is setting up a website and will keep members in touch with a quarterly newsletter. Occasional small-scale social events will be arranged and members are encouraged to contact each other via a password-protected members’ area on the website.