GEOFF DENIAL

[The Bear]

Didn't realise the, (one group "Sheffield" other group "United") chant was chanted/sung as early as the 60's
Ted Hemsley was one of my favourite players, both in Football and Cricket. As a youngster I was amazed that a sportsman could be brilliant at 2 sports.
How fast was Woody?
My grandad took me to the Oxford game. A few months later he was dead. I always associate Oxford with my grandad, smell of tobacco and the taste of Bovril.
I remember him swearing, my parents never swore. I only found out he was a Wednesday fan recently, but his passion and choice language that day certainly hid that fact.

Not sure how old you are bud but my first live game was with my grandad too in Aug '70 v Swindon.

He would have been in his late 60's then, a gruff non nonsense Sheffielder who had risen through the ranks of the Prison Service. I think at that time or rather in his time there was a tendency for many fans to be fans of Sheffield and would watch both teams even if they had an affinity with one or t'other. My own late Grandfather supported Wednesday too which probably influenced me in my early days following both but with a support for the Blades as much influenced by my school house being red too.

The real rivalry being exposed when dragged the previous saturday by new to be uncle to see Wednesday play Charlton at Hillsborough. Afraid never liked him thereafter and hated Wednesday with a passion ever since!

 

[fuerstenberger]

Not sure how old you are bud but my first live game was with my grandad too in Aug '70 v Swindon.

He would have been in his late 60's then, a gruff non nonsense Sheffielder who had risen through the ranks of the Prison Service. I think at that time or rather in his time there was a tendency for many fans to be fans of Sheffield and would watch both teams even if they had an affinity with one or t'other. My own late Grandfather supported Wednesday too which probably influenced me in my early days following both but with a support for the Blades as much influenced by my school house being red too.

The real rivalry being exposed when dragged the previous saturday by new to be uncle to see Wednesday play Charlton at Hillsborough. Afraid never liked him thereafter and hated Wednesday with a passion ever since!

I'm 60 next year. My grandad was a proud Sheffielder, very proud. He moved to Manchester in the 50's; he worked on the railways. He was devastated when I was born in Manchester but made sure I supported one of Sheffield's teams. He was a devout Methodist and, outside of football, never swore, that's why his language that day shocked me. He was as hard as nails, had massive hands and was as strong as an ox. I still get emotional when I think of him, even now, after all this time. Loved him to bits. He was my hero.

 

[The Bear]

I'm 60 next year. My grandad was a proud Sheffielder, very proud. He moved to Manchester in the 50's; he worked on the railways. He was devastated when I was born in Manchester but made sure I supported one of Sheffield's teams. He was a devout Methodist and, outside of football, never swore, that's why his language that day shocked me. He was as hard as nails, had massive hands and was as strong as an ox. I still get emotional when I think of him, even now, after all this time. Loved him to bits. He was my hero.

Nice to see the similarities. I often think that generation handled things better than we do!

 

[Silent Blade]

Following my posting of yesterday I have ascertained that of the players who played in one or more matches of which there were 22 in total there are only 3 still living viz;-

FRED SMITH b. 7/05/1926 played 3 League games
DEREK HAWKSWOTH b 16/07/1927 played 42 League games
BILL WOOD b 28/12/1927 played 5 League games

Numerous supporters of my generation have contacted me to say that the team of 1952/53 was the best since the 2nd WW. All the 5 forwards each scored double figures!

"Big" Fred Smith passed away in 2017

Fred Smith (footballer, born May 1926) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Graham Bailey is now 101 and our oldest living player.

 

[Jon Bon II]

Thought that this was going to be a thread about people who refused to accept that Jeff could be spelled any other way than with a 'J'.

RIP Geoff and my condolences to your family.