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Comment | Johnson, Venus, Naylor and Brogan Inducted Into Hall of Fame
at 09:27:12
I remember Frank Brogan as a rangy winger in the mould of Anthony Gordon. He was one of the Jackie Milburn NE/Scottish buys post Alf Ramsey's aging squad. I agree with Blue badge he worked well with Dany Hegan whose long cross field passes out to Brogan on the left wing were a delight and wouldn't be out of place in today's game. Brogan was quite a contrast with his predecessor Jimmy Leadbetter, one of my all time favourites. I'd also like to remember here one of Mark Venus's screamers at Southampton in the new St Mary's stadium back in the Burley era. It was a 3-3 draw if I remember correctly and Gordon Starchan was Saints recently appointed manager. Venus was, I believe, underrated and played a significant role in Burley's successful side not just for his defensive reliability but also the odd outstanding goal. Richard Naylor (one of our own) was outstanding in that play-off final and never let the side down whether playing up front or in defence while David Johnson's career was short but he was exciting to watch with great pace and skill and also very significant in the Burley era. All excellent choices for the Hall of Fame |
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Comment | Life's a Pitch TV - Episode 32 - Fabian Wilnis
at 12:03:33
The story of Frans Thijssen throwing a clod of mud at a ball placed for a penalty reminds me of an occasion that my Dad told me about. In 1939 Town (3rd DivS) were drawn against top flight Aston Villa in the FA Cup. Town drew the first game away at Villa Park with the replay a mid-week afternoon at Portman Road. Lots of sickies were pulled that day apparently. During the game Town were awarded a penalty but a Villa player threw a clod of earth at the ball, dislodged it and caused the penalty to be missed. Town subsequently lost 2-1 but the whole of Ipswich was convinced we was robbed. History repeats itself. Maybe it will do this season. Let's hope so. |
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Comment | Scott Duncan - Football's Forgotten Man
at 16:23:22
Scott Duncan was ITFC manager when I started to support the Town in !953. I would attend all the home games with my cousin, uncle, and my Dad. I remember Mr Duncan appearing occasionally at the players' entrance to the pitch on the corner of Churchmans (now Ramsey) Stand and the West Stand, where it is today. He was, as your article suggests, a dapper but slight and undemonstrative figure. Always seen with a pipe in his mouth. His 'trainer', as I remember, was Jimmy Forsyth, the man with the bucket of cold water and a magic sponge, and he was much more visible. He continued in this role under Sir Alf. I was unaware of Duncan's role in coaching Ramsey but as the latter was a novice and Duncan so experienced that makes a lot of sense. Town's promotion to Div 2 in 1954 was a highlight and unexpected but the following season we failed to consolidate and finished badly. That was the beginning of the end for Scott Duncan's reign but he had achieved what he was employed to do, establishing Town as a professional league club. It should also be remembered that Duncan began to assemble the team that Ramsey took over and led to championships in leagues 3,2 and 1. The core of that side was beginning to take shape under Duncan. Finally there is another dimension to Duncan's appointment which is the parallel with today's successful manager, the brilliant K McKenna, also appointed from Man U, by an ambitious set of owners. We can only hope our ultimate success also matches those based on Scott Duncan's legacy. |
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