Do any of your readers remember this period, and especially this football team? I vividly remember the large crowds who came to watch the school teams in those days, very often up to three deep all round the `pitch`.
I also remember how good this team was! I wonder if anyone else remembers one particular match, against St. Margaret’s Central (a large high school). I think it was the 3rd round of the daily despatch shield; it was rare that an ordinary school got as far as the 3rd round of this competition, due in the main to the difference in school leaving age 15yrs as against 16 yrs for high schools.
The captain of the high school was none other then the late great Manchester United and England forward Dennis Violet who still holds the M/c United record for scoring most league goals in a season, (32).
Played on the `red rec` after school hours, watched by many spectators, the game went as was expected, at half time Dennis Violet had scored a ‘hat trick’ 3-0 to St Margaret’s.
A wonderful second half, “nowt to lose” performance by Corpus Christi resulted in a 4-3 victory for us.
Why do I recall this, well my big brother Alf was captain of Corpus Christi at that time, He’s the one in the centre of the front line with the cup and football.
Readers, who may recall those days at our school, will remember the head master Mr Gilligan, a fine well respected gentleman. Miss Grundy, no messing in her class, Mr Lazari, (Sid) a fine semi- professional footballer
Mr. Jackson, Mr. O’Brien (Pete), war wounds and all, and others. Looking back, although times were tough just after war, and being poor was the norm never the less, everyone was pulling together and enjoying what was to be had. It’s been nice to go down memory lane, and I hope it will also bring back pleasant recall to your readers.
It would be nice to hear any further comments about those times.
Danny Worthington.
