A question for older Blades

[SLB]

Difficult question to answer. Think the decision to build the South Stand was made at the wrong time. It was thought in 1972 that the South Stand would cost £650,000 and it would take a year to build and that itr would be ready for the 1974-75 season.
View attachment 107421
Then there were problems in getting the stand built within the timescale and the costs had risen to a lot more than £650,000. The board wasnt expecting the average crowds to drop by 10,000 (33,000 in 1971-72 and 23,000 in 1972-73). In summer 1973 the board offered a contract to TC with the promise to sign players to build a team round him and TC was happy to sign the contract despite that Man U were trying to sign him. I would say that the Blades fans were still happy with John Harris being our manager and it was a surprise that the board decided to move him "upstairs" in December and appoint a "track suit" manager in Ken Furphy. I was only 11 at the time and wanted to know my dad's thoughts on this rather than forming my own opinion. He seemed ok with the decision as we moved into a new era but I noticed throughout the 1973-74 season that the builders were very slow in getting the South Stand ready. I think in the last home game of the 1973-74 season (v QPR- same day as Wendy lost 8-0 at Boro) I was still expecting the stand to be ready for August 1974. I think most fans were ok about Furphy (apart from some booing Keith Eddy who took the penalty in the 2-2 home draw against Spurs because Woodward was expected to take it).

It was a shock when we sold Geoff Salmons to Stoke for £180,000 in summer 1974 (TC was angry with the sale because of the board's promise to him in the previous summer). The board told the media that we had to accept Stoke's offer because of the rising debts in building the South Stand. Not Furphy's fault but the fans werent really happy with Furphy's signings (apart from Jim Brown who was decent). It was a surprise that the team finished as high as 6th for the 1974-75 season so we all were looking forward to the 1975-76 season. Furphy wanted to sign Francis Lee from Derby but the board said "No". Furphy then made an offer to Southend for Chris Guthrie but it was rejected by the board. Our chairman, John Hassall, then agreed to pay Southend the asking price despite that Furphy thought it was above valuation.

Results didnt come to our way in the first 11 games of the 1975-76 season and Furphy was sacked. I was in my 3rd year at my boarding school and didnt really know what I really thought of the sacking when I found out in the papers in the next morning. By coincidence that morning my dad had driven down a pupil from Chesterfield (think she had been attending her grandmother's or grandfather's funeral in the previous day and her parents paid the travel costs to my dad) to my school and I had bumped to him near the school entrance with him holding a newspaper wanting to see if I knew about the sacking. I told him that I did but wondered what he thought of it. He said that it was a good decision and he was now more confident of us beating the drop!

Now to answer your question "was it the right decision?". I thought Furphy was unlucky in some ways but at the same time we needed someone to stop the rot but Jimmy Sirrel wasnt the ideal replacement despite that my dad thought at the time that he was a good appointment!

Good informative post SB. I was 18 at the time and that is how I remember it in the main but you've filled in some blanks for my unreliable memory.

 

[Benitachel]

I don’t think Ken Furphy actually spoke English did he? I remember hearing him speak in some foreign language with a few swear words thrown in for good measure.

 

[Paisley Blade]

Still got most of my Silk scarves ,never had them round by neck though

Remember having one around my 11 year old neck for an end of season game, and the dye running down my T Shirt !

 

[The Bear]

Difficult question to answer. Think the decision to build the South Stand was made at the wrong time. It was thought in 1972 that the South Stand would cost £650,000 and it would take a year to build and that itr would be ready for the 1974-75 season.
View attachment 107421
Then there were problems in getting the stand built within the timescale and the costs had risen to a lot more than £650,000. The board wasnt expecting the average crowds to drop by 10,000 (33,000 in 1971-72 and 23,000 in 1972-73). In summer 1973 the board offered a contract to TC with the promise to sign players to build a team round him and TC was happy to sign the contract despite that Man U were trying to sign him. I would say that the Blades fans were still happy with John Harris being our manager and it was a surprise that the board decided to move him "upstairs" in December and appoint a "track suit" manager in Ken Furphy. I was only 11 at the time and wanted to know my dad's thoughts on this rather than forming my own opinion. He seemed ok with the decision as we moved into a new era but I noticed throughout the 1973-74 season that the builders were very slow in getting the South Stand ready. I think in the last home game of the 1973-74 season (v QPR- same day as Wendy lost 8-0 at Boro) I was still expecting the stand to be ready for August 1974. I think most fans were ok about Furphy (apart from some booing Keith Eddy who took the penalty in the 2-2 home draw against Spurs because Woodward was expected to take it).

It was a shock when we sold Geoff Salmons to Stoke for £180,000 in summer 1974 (TC was angry with the sale because of the board's promise to him in the previous summer). The board told the media that we had to accept Stoke's offer because of the rising debts in building the South Stand. Not Furphy's fault but the fans werent really happy with Furphy's signings (apart from Jim Brown who was decent). It was a surprise that the team finished as high as 6th for the 1974-75 season so we all were looking forward to the 1975-76 season. Furphy wanted to sign Francis Lee from Derby but the board said "No". Furphy then made an offer to Southend for Chris Guthrie but it was rejected by the board. Our chairman, John Hassall, then agreed to pay Southend the asking price despite that Furphy thought it was above valuation.

Results didnt come to our way in the first 11 games of the 1975-76 season and Furphy was sacked. I was in my 3rd year at my boarding school and didnt really know what I really thought of the sacking when I found out in the papers in the next morning. By coincidence that morning my dad had driven down a pupil from Chesterfield (think she had been attending her grandmother's or grandfather's funeral in the previous day and her parents paid the travel costs to my dad) to my school and I had bumped to him near the school entrance with him holding a newspaper wanting to see if I knew about the sacking. I told him that I did but wondered what he thought of it. He said that it was a good decision and he was now more confident of us beating the drop!

Now to answer your question "was it the right decision?". I thought Furphy was unlucky in some ways but at the same time we needed someone to stop the rot but Jimmy Sirrel wasnt the ideal replacement despite that my dad thought at the time that he was a good appointment!

Yeah but old toothless had done a good job at Notts County.....

 

[Blade1959]

Yeah but old toothless had done a good job at Notts County.....

And did better when he went back...

 

[Silent Blade]

Yeah but old toothless had done a good job at Notts County.....

Yes, that is why my dad thought he was a good appointment for us. On 17th October it was announced in the papers that Sirrel was to leave Notts County to to manage us but he insisted on serving his month's notice at County first which was odd. In the next day we lost 2-0 at home to Stoke (see video below) and Sirrel was managing County at Bolton on that day. Highlights of our match was shown on MOTD that evening and after our match was shown, Sirrel was interviewed at a tv studio somewhere by the MOTD presenters. He was asked for his thoughts of the match, Sirrel replied "how can I comment on the match that I hadnt been watching?". In the next few days County told him that it was best for him to start at SUFC before we played at QPR in the following Saturday instead of serving his months notice.

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

I believe Jimmy Sirrel was having problems at home during his time with us, his wife being very ill .

John Harris took over from Joe Mercer in March 1959, promoted to the then 1st div in 1961.
After relegation in the 67-68. season Arthur Rowley became manager 68- 69.. then Harris was back in charge again 69 - 70 season. promoted 1970-71 season and stepped down in Dec. 73/74 to make way because the board wanted a track suit manager Ken Furphy. who was replaced by jimmy Sirrel in Oct 75/76 season and relegation .

 

[metalblade]

I did think this time it might be different, silly me. In all the time I have followed United it has always been the same we get a good team together but can never make that final push or investment to establish us as a top club.
Late 60's Jones & Birchenhall sold relegated.
70's the great Harris team Currie sold relegated.
90's Basset made a good team Deane sold relegated.
Kendall made a good team left and Charles Green sells Deane and Fjortoft on the same day throwing away almost certain promotion.
Warnock makes a good side lack of investment again sees us relegated.
Wilder builds a good team well we know how it goes by now.
Same owd same owd

 

[ZLB]

Yes, that is why my dad thought he was a good appointment for us. On 17th October it was announced in the papers that Sirrel was to leave Notts County to to manage us but he insisted on serving his month's notice at County first which was odd. In the next day we lost 2-0 at home to Stoke (see video below) and Sirrel was managing County at Bolton on that day. Highlights of our match was shown on MOTD that evening and after our match was shown, Sirrel was interviewed at a tv studio somewhere by the MOTD presenters. He was asked for his thoughts of the match, Sirrel replied "how can I comment on the match that I hadnt been watching?". In the next few days County told him that it was best for him to start at SUFC before we played at QPR in the following Saturday instead of serving his months notice.

Yes, that is why my dad thought he was a good appointment for us. On 17th October it was announced in the papers that Sirrel was to leave Notts County to to manage us but he insisted on serving his month's notice at County first which was odd. In the next day we lost 2-0 at home to Stoke (see video below) and Sirrel was managing County at Bolton on that day. Highlights of our match was shown on MOTD that evening and after our match was shown, Sirrel was interviewed at a tv studio somewhere by the MOTD presenters. He was asked for his thoughts of the match, Sirrel replied "how can I comment on the match that I hadnt been watching?". In the next few days County told him that it was best for him to start at SUFC before we played at QPR in the following Saturday instead of serving his months notice.

Yes, that is why my dad thought he was a good appointment for us. On 17th October it was announced in the papers that Sirrel was to leave Notts County to to manage us but he insisted on serving his month's notice at County first which was odd. In the next day we lost 2-0 at home to Stoke (see video below) and Sirrel was managing County at Bolton on that day. Highlights of our match was shown on MOTD that evening and after our match was shown, Sirrel was interviewed at a tv studio somewhere by the MOTD presenters. He was asked for his thoughts of the match, Sirrel replied "how can I comment on the match that I hadnt been watching?". In the next few days County told him that it was best for him to start at SUFC before we played at QPR in the following Saturday instead of serving his months notice.

Currie 0/10. Gives the ball away and just jogs back.
Guthrie. Poor kid.

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

I used to think that selling our best players was the boards way of avoiding promotion and keeping the wage bill down.......

 

[Sean Thornton]

View attachment 107419View attachment 107419

The Old Bill had seriously toughened up by then. Gone were the days when it was a heavy clip round the ear hole with leather gloves and an “ wait till l tell your Dad” to serious sexual assault whilst being arrested.

 

[The Bear]

Yes, that is why my dad thought he was a good appointment for us. On 17th October it was announced in the papers that Sirrel was to leave Notts County to to manage us but he insisted on serving his month's notice at County first which was odd. In the next day we lost 2-0 at home to Stoke (see video below) and Sirrel was managing County at Bolton on that day. Highlights of our match was shown on MOTD that evening and after our match was shown, Sirrel was interviewed at a tv studio somewhere by the MOTD presenters. He was asked for his thoughts of the match, Sirrel replied "how can I comment on the match that I hadnt been watching?". In the next few days County told him that it was best for him to start at SUFC before we played at QPR in the following Saturday instead of serving his months notice.

Bit like watching our recent games except playing in a better strip.

 

[Aston max]

The Old Bill had seriously toughened up by then. Gone were the days when it was a heavy clip round the ear hole with leather gloves and an “ wait till l tell your Dad” to serious sexual assault whilst being arrested.

TBH back when I was a "bad boy " we had more serious rucks with sheffield old bill than we did with most opposition fans
I remember the city centre at one time got to be pretty much a no go area for some of our friends across the city

 

[Sean Thornton]

TBH back when I was a "bad boy " we had more serious rucks with sheffield old bill than we did with most opposition fans
I remember the city centre at one time got to be pretty much a no go area for some of our friends across the city

Hiding up at the Nursery Tavern didn’t work out that well either....

 

[haich1889]

During this period it isn't an under statement to say our first 11 were excellent & able to beat any team on it's day.
once injuries started occurring the reserves were a good 2 levels below first team standard. Not one of our very average reserve players ever had a good career. Players like David Bradford, David Ford etc were poor poor replacements. Also Guthrie became the rather slow & ponderous elephant in the building. a wopping £100 00 for a Donkey & i cannot think of a reserve striker. Later in the season when relegation was a certainty Keith \Edwards was given a chance at 17 & broke a record when he scored in 7 consecutive games. Typically we sold him soon after to the 1st offer.

 

[Silent Blade]

During this period it isn't an under statement to say our first 11 were excellent & able to beat any team on it's day.
once injuries started occurring the reserves were a good 2 levels below first team standard. Not one of our very average reserve players ever had a good career. Players like David Bradford, David Ford etc were poor poor replacements. Also Guthrie became the rather slow & ponderous elephant in the building. a wopping £100 00 for a Donkey & i cannot think of a reserve striker. Later in the season when relegation was a certainty Keith \Edwards was given a chance at 17 & broke a record when he scored in 7 consecutive games. Typically we sold him soon after to the 1st offer.

David Ford left us in 1973

 

[Blade1959]

During this period it isn't an under statement to say our first 11 were excellent & able to beat any team on it's day.
once injuries started occurring the reserves were a good 2 levels below first team standard. Not one of our very average reserve players ever had a good career. Players like David Bradford, David Ford etc were poor poor replacements. Also Guthrie became the rather slow & ponderous elephant in the building. a wopping £100 00 for a Donkey & i cannot think of a reserve striker. Later in the season when relegation was a certainty Keith \Edwards was given a chance at 17 & broke a record when he scored in 7 consecutive games. Typically we sold him soon after to the 1st offer.

Not true about Edwards, he didn’t score in the relegation season & played for the next two seasons in division 2 before Haslam sold him in 1978

 

[Greenwich Blade]

What an excellent thread. Plenty to add, but not until I've had a decent night's kip.

Except to say, my mum was the harbinger of all Blades news to me in those days, having spent all afternoon doing housework whilst listening to Radio Sheffield. One day I came home from school and mum said, "Bad news." There's me thinking the budgie had died, but no: "United have sacked their manager." That was how Furphy's sacking was announced, and the nine year old me was not happy.

His replacement was announced in a similar way. I get home from school, mum announces, "United have got a new manager."

"Who?" I ask, not unreasonably.

Mum: "Oh, I can't remember - Cyril somebody-or-other."

So that was how I came to think that perhaps Cyril Knowles had become our new manager, meaning a drastic rewrite of Cockerel Chorus' only hit single, "Nice One, Cyril".

Once my dad got home from work with The Star tucked under his arm, that was when all was usually straightened out. Much like Silent Blade 's dad, mine was also pleased with Jimmy Sirrell's appointment. He described him as "a cute cookie". Possibly the first and last time Jimmy Sirrell was described as "cute" in any context whatsoever.

 

[pommpey]

Once my dad got home from work with The Star tucked under his arm, that was when all was usually straightened out. Much like Silent Blade 's dad, mine was also pleased with Jimmy Sirrell's appointment. He described him as "a cute cookie". Possibly the first and last time Jimmy Sirrell was described as "cute" in any context whatsoever.

Jimmy Sirrell, you say?



Sorry Greenwich mate. But Sirrell's giant tooth was possibly the fucking funniest part of that mad, bad time.

pommpey

 

[Cyprus Blade]

We stuck with John Harris for yonks, a promtion, a relegation (though one might argue Rowley was in charge) and a promotion. Great manager for his flair of the the teams he managed. Oh for guys like that now. Sob, sob.

John Harris was a great manager who excelled in bringing players through the ranks and who got a lot of transfers right. Didn't suffer fools or backchat hence Kettleborough was sold to Newcastle even though he was on the fringes of the England squad and was an important provider for Doc Pace, our best post war finisher in my opinion. He was a tough act to follow for Furphy. Its often the case that those who follow a good manager tend to struggle. Whoever is manager next season has a big job on their hands (including Wilder) as this squad needs surgery close season and they need to get out of the loser mentality before we go down to the championship or we will struggle.

 

[Greenwich Blade]

Jimmy Sirrell, you say?

View attachment 107451

Sorry Greenwich mate. But Sirrell's giant tooth was possibly the fucking funniest part of that mad, bad time.

pommpey

I've tried and tried, but I can't think of anything funny at that time at all, except for us doing impressions of Jimmy Sirrell in the playground, and we all exaggerated the tooth with anything to hand, such as chewing gum, Bazooka Joes, fangs... So you're right!

 

[blade too long]

You can't compare football now .awash with cash to football in 1975
Teams had 1 sub . Not benches with 8 superstars . On any given day you could match any other team. Most footballèrs were paid roughly the same. To lure players it was brown envelopes back then .There were no image rights or agents. Top clubs all had a few good players. We changed mid seventies as we lost our good players and didnt replace them. Our board were stuck in the early sixties . Our director s of football having got Currie for 27 k thought that was all they needed to spend 8 years later. Big mistake

 

[benn5712]

In particular the ones who say Wilder is God and Sir Chris etc.

Was it right at the time to sack Ken Furphy?

Not getting a yes, no or maybe to answer.
We've had some amazing boardrooms/ directors/chairmen though. Metalblade sums it up. See below.

I did think this time it might be different, silly me. In all the time I have followed United it has always been the same we get a good team together but can never make that final push or investment to establish us as a top club.
Late 60's Jones & Birchenhall sold relegated.
70's the great Harris team Currie sold relegated.
90's Basset made a good team Deane sold relegated.
Kendall made a good team left and Charles Green sells Deane and Fjortoft on the same day throwing away almost certain promotion.
Warnock makes a good side lack of investment again sees us relegated.
Wilder builds a good team well we know how it goes by now.
Same owd same owd

Beattie flu. Don't forget Beattie flu.
Was so flabbergasted I put the Blades on the first strike.

 

[haich1889]

That’s absolutely spot on; TC and Woody, players who are rightly legends at BDTBL, were dreadful that season. They let themselves and the club down. We finished with a flourish once the pressure was off and I was quite optimistic about the future with two young forwards, Keith Edwards and Simon Stainrod, coming through. They were soon shipped out and the rest is history...

Think we were all excited about Edwards + Stainrod partnership to take us forward. I think I'm really Varadi emerged around that time.

Selling Stainrod & Edwards was similar to Jones & Birchenall & a precursor to Deane & Fjortoft.

What club does that?? Not once, twice but 3 times. The ridiculousness that is the SUFC board us probably the most cobsistent element.

 

[Maidenhead]

Yes both but this is about football.

And how's your prostate?

(Hardly a night goes by without me having to get up for at least one pee now)

 

[Maidenhead]

75/76 was worse than this season and the club was in an infinitely worse place.

Those of us that were there and can remember it know this.

Those of us that weren't there just don't believe us.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Think we were all excited about Edwards + Stainrod partnership to take us forward. I think I'm really Varadi emerged around that time.

Selling Stainrod & Edwards was similar to Jones & Birchenall & a precursor to Deane & Fjortoft.

What club does that?? Not once, twice but 3 times. The ridiculousness that is the SUFC board us probably the most cobsistent element.

Wheeler dealer Harry Haslam was at the helm selling Stainrod&Edward's cheaply he also sold Veradi to Everton .Veradi had hardly kicked a ball for us when he was gone for I think 70 k Haslam saying it was a good deal for the club.
We were playing bottom tier foot 3 years after! Ye! It was a good deal for the club !what joke!.
It was a terrible time for the club crisis after crisis on the back of dept for South Stand.
It's all from a long time ago ,hopefully never to be in that position again.

 

[Eyeball]

And how's your prostate?

(Hardly a night goes by without me having to get up for at least one pee now)

Just one??
Lucky bastard

 

[Maidenhead]

Just one??
Lucky bastard

I did say At least

 

[Sandygate Blade]

We shouldn't have sacked Ken Furphy. As one other post says in last half of 74/75 season we hardly lost. The team was getting older and just needed one or two signings to kick on. If Furphy did make a mistake it was in sidelining john Harris too quickly.

As a result of the sacking we didn't get the managerial appointment right until Reg Brearley became Chairman and appointed Ian Porterfield - problem was by then we were in Division 4.

On a similar point we shouldn't have got rid of Colin so quickly - he would have done a better job than Robson who frittered the parachute payments (Beattie excepted)

Hopefully, we've learnt out lesson and will give CW time to rebuild.