02-02-2011 6:47 PM
Yesterday evening on my way down to Northampton #cough#6-2#splutter# I called in at the house of Jeff Whitefoot who was and may still be the youngest player to play for Manchester United (16 years and 105 days) going on to appear 93 times for them between 1950 and 57. He then had a short time at Grimsby before signing for Nottingham Forest appearing on 255 occasions between 1958 and 1967 and playing in the FA Cup winning side of 1959.
I arrived about 15 minutes early and Jeff was out so I presented Mrs Whitefoot with a bunch of tulips and sat down to wait. Once Mrs Whitefoot had sorted the flowers out she came and sat down with me and said "So, what do you think about the 35 and 50 million pound transfers then" In my head I was saying "WHOOOAH!" to myself thinking I don't think I have ever talked football with a lady in her 70's. What a woman, we spent the next 25 minutes till Jeff arrived home disgussing all aspects of the game.
Jeff very kindly signed my book for me and we chatted about his time in the game. He even found time to take the mick out of Northampton :_| 😄
I was there for about 45 minutes and they couldn't have been more welcoming and hospitable. Thank you very much Mr and Mrs Whitefoot.
I was under pressure for time now what with the 7.45 kick off but I was determined to call on Mr A Dawson hoping that it was indeed Alex Dawson that played for Man Utd as a good old fashioned centre forward scoring 45 goals in 80 appearances, three of which were in the 1958 FA cup semi-final with Fulham. He went on to make 197 appearances for PNE scoring 114 times. He later played for Bury, Brighton and Brentford eventually scoring 212 goals in 394 career appearances. You have to admit, that is a very tidy record.
As I have given you all those stats I am sure you have now realised I was infact at the house of THE Alex Dawson and he very kindly signed my book. It was short but sweet, Alex was a nice man of few words who I think just wanted to get back to his comfy chair and the telly, and who could blame him? Thank you Alex Dawson.
I nade the game at Sixfields just in time for kick off, did I tell you we won 6-2...
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/Ralap/009-2.jpg
02-02-2011 7:03 PM
Well done Ralph and thanks for sharing a wonderfull story .My wife will sit and talk football for hours 🙂
02-02-2011 7:04 PM
well done
02-02-2011 7:05 PM
Well done KnockKnock.
02-02-2011 7:07 PM
Great story and reall ynice replies. Well done.
02-02-2011 7:11 PM
Cheers Ralph Enjoyed that....
I spoke to the wife of an Ex Stanley player that I needed to sign a cigarette card to complete a signed set, Gordon Stones wife ...tracked him down via a local newspaper, got a phone number and rang him, He was out at the golf course but spoke to his wife for 15 minutes on the phone..She knows more about Accy Stanley than I do...
02-02-2011 7:11 PM
Well done mate some good work there, well done with the result last night and its also good to see Leon McKenzie doing well for you guys being an ex Canary! 🙂
02-02-2011 7:26 PM
Two great successes, and a great account of your evening.
02-02-2011 7:30 PM
2 great results Ralph and great stories, well done
02-02-2011 7:32 PM
#2 Sy, I'm jealous mate, my missus hates football but luckily for me is very understanding.
#6 I find that hard to believe but what a woman if she does.
#7 Thanks Jamie. Leon has played just about every second game for us which is dissapointing but his scoring record for us is great, seven in twelve with five sub appearances. I guess if he wasn't a crock he wouldn't be playing for little old us.
02-02-2011 8:37 PM
Two great result well done.
02-02-2011 8:48 PM
This is her Hubby.......
02-02-2011 8:50 PM
Les Cocker, Tommy McQueen, That's when we had a great team....
02-02-2011 8:58 PM
VERY NICE STORY ITS A PITY THE YOUNGER PLAYERS DONT TAKE NOTICE
02-02-2011 9:23 PM
A great story Ralph thank you for sharing it with us and a great result for Northampton . 😉
02-02-2011 9:58 PM
I really like that adventure, thanks for letting us in on it. Great result all round.
02-02-2011 10:02 PM
What a great evening for you, nice one mate
02-02-2011 10:05 PM
Sorry Alex thanks for your story and for showing us your results .
02-02-2011 10:33 PM
Alex, I love those cards mate.
03-02-2011 5:54 AM
THANK YOU RALPH, I JUST LOVE THESE STORY'S AND ITS GREAT TO HEAR THE WAY THE OLDER FOOTBALLER HAS SO MUCH MORE TIME FOR HIS/HER FANS, BRILLIANT MATE.