Sheffield Wednesday FC in the 60s - Page 3

Billy Casper · 10-03-2008, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHAIRBOY

I am 60 and the only thing Wednesday has won was the Rumbelows Cup in 1991, under Atkinson. I wouldn't call that a great side.
I have voiced my view - shared by rogG - about Catterick before and he did an excellent job and produced a team that finished runner-up in the top flight which is a better yardstick than cup competitions. Given that as soon as he was supplied with more cash at Goodison, he took Everton to a Championship title.
Wednesday were very unfortunate to come up against Bill Nicholson's outstanding 'double' side and in any other year, might have won it. They did beat Spurs, that season at Hillsborough, reached the 6th Round of the FA Cup 60-61 and had reached the semi, under Catterick twelve months earlier.
I don't think we are "wrong" but it's obviously an opinion you don't share. Wednesday last won the Championship in 1930, they have not finished runners-up other than in 1961 so there's every reason to suggest that in our particular life-time, Catterick did the best job.

Can't work out what you mean by 'Best job?'. Not winning anything? And yes, i can call atkinsons side a great team, it got even better over the next 2 or 3 years! I have no doubt the runners-up of 60/61 was a great side but people don't remember runners-up! The day at wembley when Nigel Pearson lifted that cup will live with me (and you!) forever. It was a great day and it's something we WON!

CHAIRBOY · 10-03-2008, 16:34

I think we'll have to beg to differ because the team of '90-91 finished 3rd in Division 2 as opposed to the 60-61 team of Catterick's which finished 2nd in Division 1. I'm afraid I'm not being taken in by cup competitions because that very season in 1991, Wednesday went out of the FA Cup 4-0 at Cambridge United!
I've seen several underdogs win finals 1-0 on the day. I prefer the league standing. I agree it was a progressive side because I have argued hard and long against the merits of Francis because the team of 1993 was formed by Atkinson.
A reason I am dismissive of Cup competitions is that in 1993 FA Cup, the first Premiership opposition Wednesday faced came in the semi-final (Sheffield Utd - relegated the following season) so you can get some way without meeting quality sides.
Some may argue that the losing cup final team of 1966 was better than the team which won the Rumbelows?

rogG · 10-03-2008, 22:22

Billy Casper, when we say that a manager was the best Wednesday ever had, and I still maintain Catterick was the best, it's always been a hard grind for them at Hillsboro. Back then, the club was not as strapped as it is now, but Catterick still couldn't persuade the board to buy that player (Joe somebody or other?) who would have made them the best in the league. Even today, the manager is struggling, this time to keep players needed for the team to avoid relegation. Chairboy's made the case. Didn't Harry die while he was watching an Everton/ Wednesday game? Thought someone told me that.

CHAIRBOY · 11-03-2008, 06:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogG

Didn't Harry die while he was watching an Everton/ Wednesday game? Thought someone told me that.

Harry Catterick died after watching Everton beat Ipswich Town in an FA Cup Quarter Final at Goodison Park on 9 March 1985 of a heart attack. he was 65 years old, and his death came almost exactly five years after former Everon striker Dixie Dean had died while watching a game at the ground, also of a heart attack.

Billy Casper · 11-03-2008, 07:33

Ok chaps, let's put a lid on this one. We're obviously all passionate about our beloved Owls and you 2 (Chairboy & Rog) have the distinct advantage of seeing both the 60/61 side and the early 90's side, i am only 39 but have a dad like you two who says that the 60's side was a very special one indeed and i'm not disagreeing with anyone on that point but my dad is the same as you in being a blue all his life (he's 69) and has seen only one major cup being won in all that time (very sad, but it could be worse...we could have been born Blades!

). So we will have to agree to differ, and i totally agree with you chairboy about the 91-93 team being mainly Atkinsons and don't forget we finished 3rd in 92 with the chance of being top of the league if we'd beaten Palace on that last away match of the season! Anyway, here's to happier times! Cheers and up the Owls!

rogG · 11-03-2008, 10:30

Didn't see the early 90s team, Billy, except on TV now and again, as I've been over in Canada for so long. But I'm a life long Owls fan and have tried to keep in touch with them. I listen to the live radio broadcasts of all their games. Tonight's one is a biggy.

Anyone see the game at Hillsboro when the Owls beat Spurs (2-1, I think) in that amazing season when the Spurs took the double? We were the first team to beat them that yr. I was stood at the very back of the Kop and managed to get glimpses of the game. just enough to see Tony Kaye play what we used to call a "blinder." What happened to him after he served his jail time? He was an incredibly talented player. Did he return to the game like Peter Swan?

CHAIRBOY · 11-03-2008, 11:35

I saw the aforementioned Wednesday v Spurs game on Saturday Nov 12 1960, which as you say - Spurs came to Hillsborough unbeaten - after roughly 16 matches into the season - but went down 2-1 att.56,363. Griffin scored for the Owls, I think Maurice Norman, the centre-half equalised and Johnny Fantham got the winner.
My main memory was a fantastic save made by stand-in goalkeeper Roy McLaren who tipped a scorching shot over the bar at the Kop end. Ron Springett missed the game but Roy was on top form.
The 'double' was a rarity in those days - Spurs did it that season and then it was Arsenal ten years later. Nicholson's team was full of talent including the ill-fated late John White, Bobby Smith, Cliff Jones, Dave McKay and Blanchflower et al but the Owls won a thrilling game and then lost the following week at Leicester 2-1.

Clifflad · 11-03-2008, 15:28

Can anyone remember Tommy Craig. He only had a brief carrier at Hillsborough. Played a couple of outstanding games for Wednesday.

mikeG · 11-03-2008, 16:42

I remember him. I went to see the Owls play Carlisle about 1974 and I think he was in the team then. Have an idea that he went to a Scottish team after Hillsborough.

CHAIRBOY · 11-03-2008, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeG

I remember him. I went to see the Owls play Carlisle about 1974 and I think he was in the team then. Have an idea that he went to a Scottish team after Hillsborough.

Not before Newcastle and then Villa. I wasn't taken by him, considering his fee, had him down as a 'nesher'!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Craig

Janner · 11-03-2008, 18:19

It was sad to hear Derek Dooley has passed away. He scored a lot of goals for the Owls before the clash with a goalkeeper resulted in him having a leg amputated. When I saw him play he looked so clumsy , all elbows & legs , somehow he always managed to score, not always with feet or head, he used knees, chest , backside anything other than hands. Maybe he has now got his leg back, rest easy you old owl.

jeano · 06-04-2008, 10:25

in my loft, i have a copy of the programme for 1966 signed by both sides . my son and husband are unitedites. anyone interested?

mikeG · 06-04-2008, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeano

in my loft, i have a copy of the programme for 1966 signed by both sides . my son and husband are unitedites. anyone interested?

Think you could get a few bob for that on ebay. I'll give you a fiver for it.

billhaley · 15-04-2008, 15:50

have just come on this site (late as usual ) and saw your comments on another thread reference pond street nora and coming home from the wednesday's away games in London. Can you recall coming back from one, then walking to Hillsborough and kicking a ball about whilst queing up for tickets for a cup game?. I arrived at my girl friend's house about dinner time (just up on Parson Cross) having left at about dawn the day before! and then informed her I was skint and we couldn't go out that week. Great trips to london and a really good caff near the station which could fry anything. My education was assisted by getting a copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover off a stall and finding all the dirty bits with half a dozen blokes all laughing their socks off. Great days.

mikeG · 15-04-2008, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janner

It was sad to hear Derek Dooley has passed away. He scored a lot of goals for the Owls before the clash with a goalkeeper resulted in him having a leg amputated. When I saw him play he looked so clumsy , all elbows & legs , somehow he always managed to score, not always with feet or head, he used knees, chest , backside anything other than hands. Maybe he has now got his leg back, rest easy you old owl.

I saw Derek play and as you say, he did appear somewhat clumsy but he got the ball where he wanted it to be. I find his style similar to Crouch. I'm sure he gets most in with his knee or elbow.

broncolives · 16-04-2008, 07:00

I think the Craig being mentioned was the wrong one.
Bobby Craig played for Wednesday for a couple of years in the early 60s. A small inside forward (midfielder) with great ability spoiled it is said by his love of beer.
Played more than 2 blinders for the Owls one memory was his display against United at the Lane.
fa cup 6th round in 61 we won 2-0.

billhaley · 16-04-2008, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by broncolives

I think the Craig being mentioned was the wrong one.
Bobby Craig played for Wednesday for a couple of years in the early 60s. A small inside forward (midfielder) with great ability spoiled it is said by his love of beer.
Played more than 2 blinders for the Owls one memory was his display against United at the Lane.
fa cup 6th round in 61 we won 2-0.

Bobby was a little tank of a man Really fancied himself and was to be seen at the City Hall on a Saturday night telling all the girls how great he was that day. Had a terrific shot on him though, and was one of those colourful Scots as was Willie Henderson. Tommy was a good player more artistic than rugged and I assume it is the same guy as has been coonected to the Scotland team.

rogG · 16-04-2008, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by billhaley

Bobby was a little tank of a man Really fancied himself and was to be seen at the City Hall on a Saturday night telling all the girls how great he was that day. Had a terrific shot on him though, and was one of those colourful Scots as was Willie Henderson. Tommy was a good player more artistic than rugged and I assume it is the same guy as has been coonected to the Scotland team.

Bobby Craig was a pint sized little guy who could weave magic on the field. He was a great dribbler of the ball. I saw him play a simply outstanding game when the Owls thrashed Man U 7-2 at Old Trafford. Alas, I also used to see Bobby around town the worse for wear on the drink. i think this was his demise, but he had great talent.

broncolives · 17-04-2008, 15:48

I don't know wether he has been mentioned before but Billy Griffin is a name from the early 60's.
never got a regulare place because of the other great players in the squad but always seemed to score when called upon.

geoffusa · 04-07-2008, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifflad

Nice to see some replies to my question about SWFC.

Did anyone go the the mid week friendly at Hillsborough when they played Moscow Dynamo.

Also can anyone remember the crowd figure for the midweek match against Man Utd. Was it 55 000 or 65 000 ? Second part of the question , can anyone name them ? :-)

Yes, I saw the Moscow Dynamo friendly. If I am correct, they had a winger called Mettravelli Alex I think or is that the tennis player. Did Wednesday win 2-1?I can remember the player but maybe not the score