Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Nelson and Crawford Unveil Tribute to Sir Alf
Sunday, 2nd Apr 2017 20:25

Town’s 1961/62 First Division championship winners Andy Nelson and Ray Crawford unveiled a plaque in honour of their legendary manager Sir Alf Ramsey prior to Saturday’s game against Birmingham, along with their boss’s former secretary Pat Godbold.

The plaque under the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand marks 1966 World Cup-winning manager Ramsey being added to the National Football Museum’s Walk of Fame, marking his contribution to the Blues and England.

Also joining Nelson, the only Town captain to hold the First Division championship trophy aloft, and all-time top scorer Crawford and Godbold, the secretary to all Blues managers from Ramsey to George Burley, was the plaque’s designer, the artist Paul Trevillion, famous for the You Are The Ref! cartoon strip, and club secretary Sally Webb.

Nelson, 81, who was making a rare return to Portman Road, said Sir Alf was not a typical player or boss.

“He was always a very, very quiet man, unusually quiet for a footballer or a football manager,” he told BBC Radio Suffolk’s Life’s a Pitch.

“He didn’t let a lot on, but all of us were really conscious of knowing that he knew exactly what he wanted, how to get it and, of course, he had the people who could supply it for him.”

Crawford, 80, added: “He laid down the rules and regulations and if you didn’t do what he wanted you to do you would not be in the side.

“He would wander around on the Thursday after you’d played the previous Saturday and he’d go around every player and he’d go through that game.

“‘You did this Ray, you did that, don’t you think you should have done that?’. Whether he said that to the other players I don’t know but I always took on board what he said.

“He made me. He used to tell me what to do and what not to do. He was the main man, he just laid the law down and if you didn’t adhere to it then you’d be out.”

Nelson believes too little is - and was - made of Ramsey’s achievements in the game: “Without doubt, he’s the most successful England manager.

“To take this club from the third division to the second, from the second to the first, then to win the first, then to win the World Cup [was remarkable] and then not to be able to get a job after that.”

You can hear Nelson and Crawford talking at length about their time at Town under Sir Alf on Life’s a Pitch here from 10mins 40secs.


Photos: ITFC/TWTD/Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



jas0999 added 20:34 - Apr 2
What a manager! A winner. Strikers who scored goals!
3

Superfrans added 20:52 - Apr 2
Great to see Andy Nelson back at the club - and Ray, of course. They both look as if they're keeping well.
6

muhrensleftfoot added 20:52 - Apr 2
Just amazing what Sir Alf achieved and in the end the tabloid press crucified him. Just proves that it's not just Mediocre Mick that suffered from abuse. Saw my first game in 1967 so never saw Andy Nelson but did see a veteran Ray Crawford score a magnificent headed goal v Leeds in 1968 after he had signed for us again. We are so lucky to support a club that has had the two most successful England managers in history who both became knights of the realm. No other club in the land can boast about that.
8

BillyBaxterwasbest added 20:56 - Apr 2
Great to see and hear two great players, keep well gents you deserve it for the pleasure you brought to the town fans.
4

surgery added 21:11 - Apr 2
Remember Ray and his wife sat at our dining room table for a week at a holiday camp in Hemsby, Norfolk in 1967. How times have changed eh.
3

Crock added 21:33 - Apr 2
I didn't know that Pat Godbold was in Lynyrd Skynyrd
-1

surgery added 22:02 - Apr 2
Now that's what you call Proper Blokes
3

itsonlyme added 13:50 - Apr 3
I had the pleasure of watching them live. Brings tears to my eyes when you consider our current squad.
2

Seasider added 17:48 - Apr 3
So did I itsonlyme,Ray was the goal poacher who picked up the loose balls after Ted had blasted goalwards (according to Ray).Whilst Andy was our centre back and captain,alongside John Elsworthy I recall,as it was 55 years ago.Happy days.

Now these were legends and twtd !!!
1

sir_george_burley added 20:48 - Apr 3
This strand of ITFC ‘news' is raising recollections from the long-in-the-tooth — and no mistake. Like you, muhrensleftfoot (great name), I started in 1967, all of 50 years this autumn (so we'd better not be in the Third Division by then!). Ray Crawford had a great season 67-68 and he was my hero although only briefly because he was soon to move on, already a good age for a forward. I got a chance to tell him how marvellous I thought his play in a few words with him when he sat in front of me in Churchmans about 10 year ago, after a match that featured at half-time one of those ‘best-ever player' ceremonies where, from memory he came 3rd. Kevin Beattie won, as usual but Ray had brought back to his seat a plaque of his own. Superfrans is right: they both look well and they both sounded right on the nail in the broadcast. Good extracts of their recollections in your piece, Phil.

What muhrensleftfoot says is exactly right. We are lucky — but the younger ones, the ones that didn't see any of the Sir Bob years, soon won't remember that history. For example, when Leicester did quite well last year, the press I saw didn't mention Sir Alf and his incredible journey. The older TWTD members on this forum who were there to see Nelson and his team are blessed indeed; no-one associated with Town will see their like again. Alf lived the rest of his days on the Valley Road just up from the Norwich Road roundabout. They should Blue-plaque his modest detached house there. He could be seen over the years walking his dog (short walks, and a short dog — a dachshund I think). Well liked locally though forever unassuming and reticent.

Leftfoot — did you get to Wembley or to Amsterdam?
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024