Bearwood Owl1

I have SB's address and have written to him. Into his 80s now, but I'd be very interested to hear what his views of his time at S6 are. Fingers crossed.

I love his description of 'abbreviated shorts' :)

Went on to play for and manage Stockport County.

Forgot I'd posted on here to be fair :) I've got the Complete Record, gives a good outline - I was after more detail - line ups, goal scorers for each game that sort of thing. I've got most of it now though.

I've got lots of stories of what it was like to stand during the mid 70s - on the Kop or the Lepp. Less so on what it was like in the stands. Did anyone sit in the North/South? If so, what was it like - facilities, view, row of seats all to yourself?

Great stuff! I did find one season ticket on the Internet- but can't find its owner. I'm coming up to writing about the stadium next - the stands and fans experience in them. No segregation, limited crowd control, Kop score board, trees on the Kop, North stand cushions all on my list :)

Haha - the problem with the internet! I didn't think you were having a go :) The book tries to 'reclaim' the period a little. Yes the team were poor, but still plenty to remember well. If nothing else, the 7000 or so who kept going through the darkest times should get a medal!

Here's something I like from the 80s.

Funny thing being, there's a degree of fondness for it all. Think Tommy Craig, Mick Prendergast, Willie Henderson. 4-4 vs Man United, last day escapes, proper away days, standing at both ends of the ground, the Ozzie Owl Club. .. I could go on :) So, not a natural happy read given the club's position - but deserves to be well remembered I think Buy the book next year and judget for yourself though :)

Hello all, does anyone know if there's somewhere I could find the Owls' youth and reserve team results and statistics for the early 70s? I know they are in the programmes, but hoped that someone might know if they are collated somewhere.

I'm in the middle of writing and researching a book about the Owls darkest times 73-76 (there's a thread about it in the history section). Published next year by the same people who did Carlton Palmer and Lee Bullen's books - Vertical Editions. Anyhow, one chapter will be on memorabilia - so if anyone has anything they've kept from those dark times that they'd like to see in print give me a shout. I'd love to see a season ticket from back then - not sure there are any left!

Writing up a section on the ground itself. Heard fans refer to the the "cheesecake" and "crow's nest" sections fo S6. Am I correct in assuming these were what we now call the NW Corner (Wycombe's home) and the uncovered Kop Corner (Tango's home)?

Yes I guess most weeks might be pushing it - but the fans weren't averse to having a go - a few cushion throwing incidents a nd previous chairman Sir Andrew Stephen going to game via taxi as fed up of having his car scratched just two examples. Agree on the wider points about SB. Two ex players I've interviewed really rated him. So he had something. I think I'll need to acknowledge the counter argument, but accept that he basically failed when I finish writing this bit up.

Hahaha - I'll let you know if I find it!

Which brings me back to where I started. It's 45 years ago now, so there can be a bit of objective distance. Maybe it's time to re-evaluate SB (even if only a little!)

Yes, Bert McGee and Matt Sheppard swapped roles, McGee became chairman, Sheppard as vice-chairman.

Only Middlesbrough, Hull, Luton and L***s I haven't been to. So will aim for a couple of them.

Writing up my memorabilia section as I type - well getting a little distracted :) Anyhow, I would love to see a season ticket or two from 73-74, 74-75 or 75-76. Would anyone have one that they could take a picture of?

Not necessarily disagreeing with the point, but I believe SB went before the 4-1 as that was one of Jim Macnearney's two games as caretaker manager I think.

Gerry Young. It was his birthday when they sacked him and SB.

Was told that there was 'sack the board' chants when he went. Though that happened most weeks I guess :) Good coach, good bloke, failed as manager I think will be the argument.

I love how Owlstalk just goes random sometimes :)

Bit small, but there's the eldest on the pitch. He scored as well :) Family Fun Day last year. He has a ST on the grandstand with me. Couldn't be prouder.

Not my picture, but I'm wondering if it's time to rethink Steve Burtenshaw? A couple of the ex players I've spoken to recently for my book on the period rated his coaching and enthusiasm. Set up Middlewood Rovers. And I'm told (some) fans protested about his sacking. Has anyone got any other arguments in favour? I know there are lots against :)

I organised the West Mids Owls one this year. I asked whether we'd get it back. The club said that I'd probably be better getting a small one as they can't guaran tee it's return. So perhaps learned the lesson!