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MONTY & MALONE VISIT TO THE HOE
After struggling for some time to persuade an
ex-player to pay us a visit, Jeanette’s hard work finally paid
off. For the first time in the short history of the HOE we had the
pleasure of not one, but two ex-players paying us a visit on the eve of
the Villa game. The legendary Jimmy Montgomery was joined by
his Cup Winning team mate Dick Malone, and what a pair they
were. From the moment they arrived the banter
between them was incessant. One would start telling a story
only for the other one to interrupt with a different version or just a
bit of micky taking. We heard stories from the cup run and the final.
Stories about some of the players they had played with and stories
about their careers. All told with humour and a fair bit of humility.
All questions thrown at them from the floor received quality answers. The highlight of the evening though had to be
the raffle. One of Steve Mac’s entourage managed to spirit away Steve’s copy of the Cup
Final programme and convinced Jimmy that when all of the other prizes had been
given out that one of Steve’s tickets should be ‘drawn out of the hat’ as the last one.
Jimmy of course was well up for a bit more micky taking and agreed. Steve of course,
totally oblivious to what was going on, was over the moon when his number was drawn. Up he
went to collect his prize and was half way back to his seat when he realised
that the ‘prize’ was in fact his own programme. Cue Steve chasing Jimmy halfway
round the club much to everyone’s >delight. All in all a brilliant night in the company of
two very humble and enchanting men. They signed countless autographs and posed for no
end of photos. They certainly weren’t in any hurry to finish, I’m sure they would of
gone on into the early hours if we hadn’t called proceedings to a halt at 11.30. They
both told me that they had enjoyed the evening immensely and would come again any
time. Jimmy also added that he would help Jeanette in the future to obtain
appearances form other ex-players.
Chris Herriott
Micky Horswill/Ritchie Pitt
visit to HOESAFCSA – 20/09/13
Although events on
Saturday/Sunday somewhat put Friday in the shade, I found the
evening fascinating, better even than the Monty/Malone one,
perhaps they were more open with us being a smaller group(?)
Of course it helped to have Micky’s spicy tales of living
with George Best to colour the occasion!
The (delayed by
M1 madness) evening began with succinct resumes by both players
of their careers. How nice it was to hear Ritchie acknowledge
that his Dad was right to get him to complete his education in
light of his sadly short playing career. In Micky’s case it was
touching to hear him speak so fondly of Alan Brown. How many of
us could feel so warmly towards our bosses, particularly if they
were strict disciplinarians?
They then moved onto the
build-up to “THE” final with the extraordinary situation of
Ritchie returning from a sort of loan to Arsenal to form that
crucial partnership with Watson. Micky spoke fondly of the Leeds
players attitude immediately after the end of the final. It was
good to discover that the “GOD” that is Stokoe was in fact loved
and hated in equal measure by his players. Their simple analysis
of Stokoe’s success being the unloosening of Alan Browns rigid
style of play, their insight into training and playing
conditions “way back”(?) then, the revelation of their pay,
especially the dreadful FA cup remuneration. Above all, their
humility, as local lads, doing what they always dreamt of AND
being paid for it. I loved Micky’s tale of asking for a rise
from £17 per week and “settling” for a reduction to £16!! Most
telling by way of contrast to today’s player power was the story
of Micky’s transfer, with Dennis Tueart, to Man City. I know
there has been much talk of the break-up of the cup winning
side, and what might have been achieved if they had stayed
together, but to hear the minute detail of the scandalous way in
which players were sold, like slaves, – as recently as 1974 –
was quite shocking.
They then shared with us their views
on the present team etc. Notwithstanding what was to happen at
The Hawthorns the next day – PDC’s post match antics surely
sealing his fate – they made a scary review of “the spine” of
the current team compared to last seasons and could not see a
single improvement!!
Anyway, for me, a super evening in
the company of two genuine Sunderland fans who just happened to
be players too.
Thank you Jeanette and Sue.
Pete
Lynn
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