As it becomes harder to trace ex players, coaches and managers for my Northampton Town book and due to not being able to get hold of phone numbers the majority of knock-knocks I do are complete cold calls to the extent that I don't know 100% wether the occupant is the person I am trying to trace.As I don't start back at work till monday I had arranged an IP signing in Birmingham today and tagged on acouple of knock knocks in the area. After dropping the girls off at school I headed over to Rugeley for my first KK of the day before heading into Birmingham for a 12pm IP. I was hoping to be greeted by Charlie Dutton who was born in 1934 and played 10 times for us during the 56/57 season. As should be expected nobody was in so I went back to the van and wrote out a note.After posting it I went back to the van to make sure I had my route to Birmingham sorted. A minute or so later a car pulled up with a couple in but only the lady got out, she sensibly looked a little wary of me when I told her why I was there only for her to tell me her husband had passed away only a year ago. I felt absolutely awful and couldn't apologise enough, I can't tell you how bad I felt, it was the first time this had happened to me, but Mrs Dutton was an absolute treasure and told me not to worry as well as inviting me in. After getting over my initial embarrassment we spent a memorable 45 minutes of Mrs Dutton showing me her husbands own football memorabilia (not sure if that is the right word) and even persuaded me to take home two photos of his time at the club.The first one is of him (2nd left) on the pitch the day he signed along with Colin Gale (middle) and a player I don't recognise. The manager and former player Dave Smith on the left and trainer Jack jennings, right, have both signed the book.
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The second is a team photo with Charlie 5th from right front row.
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I honestly felt Mrs Dutton enjoyed going through the photos, cuttings and programmes as well as one lovely team photo from 1928 with her father in it displaying the local cup they had won, she certainly did a lot of smiling and gave out the odd giggle. I was sad to tell her I had to go but I had to make sure I got to my Brum appointment on time.
You'll never read this Mrs Dutton but thank you very much for being such a lovely lady.
Due to the evening befores map work I got to the address in Brum with ten minutes to spare. I was there to see Mike Deakin who played 48 times for us during two seasons 59 to 61. I had phoned him the day before and he seemed a little apprehensive so I phoned the front reception at the home where he lives to see if it was ok for me to bring him a half bottle of whisky as a sign of my gratitude. Mike was there waiting for me on my arrival and invited me up to his flat where it was somewhat quiter. Mike has not been well of late and had only recently been given the all clear for now on prostate cancer. We had to take the lift up to the flat as his right knee and ankle were completely shot from his time in the game. Mike was really interested in the book and went through it all page by page to see who he knew or should I say remembered. Unfortunately only one of the say ten players he remembered is still alive which while agreeing that was awful it brought him to the conclusion that he was a very lucky man. Mike had to go at 12.30 to meet his long term partner of 40 years ( they have never in all that time lived together. Probably why it lasted :-D) so we said our goodbyes and went our seperate ways.
By the way, with the size of the grin on his face I think the Whisky was a good idea. Also, take a look at Mikes goals to games ratio for us.
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Finally I drove to the outskits of Solihull and a lovely village to knock on the door of Bob Hatton who played for us during the 68/69 season. I was very lucky to find him in as he was just about to go out to play either squash or badmington. Even at the age of 63 he looked as fit as a fiddle with not a pick on him, he still had his trademark tash though his bushy long hair had long gone (#grashfen fashen Mutley stylee#He still had more hair than me:-D) We chatted for five minutes or so about the Cobblers and the Blues and I made my way back to Nottingham a very happy man.
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Sorry that took some reading, I had to tell you about it as it's just not the same as TTM.
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