ARTICLE: Beginnings

[ClaretTony]

This week's article from davet (rodleydave)

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/beginnings

[Silkyskills1]

The mention of Alf Ramsey just reminded me what a dour, soulless individual he was. His comments after playing Argentina in'66 were unacceptable. He should just have been relieved that we beat them after being outplayed for much of the game against 10 men.

[CleggHall]

A marvellous piece of writing Dave, the last 4 paragraphs are particularly poignant, nearly but not quite tearjerking. Your words are so true for a 75 year old supporter long time removed from his Todmorden roots.

[Mondsley]

Another lovely article Dave. Thank you. Methinks you do Tod down though. Famous sons should include Keith Emerson and the bloke from Supertramp. Plus, where else would there be a pub called The Polished Knob? Me and my Dad used to catch those football specials on the odd occasion Ellen Smiths didn't run a coach from Littleborough. Happy days!

[CleggHall]

Had my ears syringed out by Harold Shipman in 1976.......a lucky escape!?

[Rodleydave]

Lucky you Cleggy

[FCBurnley]

Before I was old enough to go ont Turf we used to go onto Fulledge rec to play on the 100’s of buses. I remember the green and gold Tod buses with the fancy crest on the side. For a very young boy at that time Todmorden was a whole world away. Good stuff Dave. Enjoyed the read and brought back good memories

[Mondsley]

Before I was old enough to go ont Turf we used to go onto Fulledge rec to play on the 100’s of buses. I remember the green and gold Tod buses with the fancy crest on the side. For a very young boy at that time Todmorden was a whole world away. Good stuff Dave. Enjoyed the read and brought back good memories

There are those who would say that Tod is still a whole world away!

[Gerry Hattrick]

Before I was old enough to go ont Turf we used to go onto Fulledge rec to play on the 100’s of buses. I remember the green and gold Tod buses with the fancy crest on the side. For a very young boy at that time Todmorden was a whole world away. Good stuff Dave. Enjoyed the read and brought back good memories

Yep, so did I.
Tod buses along Mitella St, BCN along Thursfield Rd. Dozens of 'em.
Good wernit?

[BurnleyBob]

This is an excellent article on the 'glory' years from the perspective of a young fan, an era which in my view went on until 1975. It's easy to forget the 1965/66 team and the outstanding football played by Jimmy Adamson's side in the early 1970s. Fortunately we are now in an era where the Clarets are punching way above their weight and getting decent crowds. How will the Sean Dyche era be judged against the achievements of the late 1950s and early 60s?

[Rodleydave]

Very favourably Bob. Owld Bob Lord would be gobsmacked following his prediction in the mid 70s that Burnley were finished a major club of any importance.

[Rodleydave]

Members of the 65/66 team were sure they would have won the title that year without Adamsons 'coaching' if they had been left to play the Potts way. Which was basically if they score 3 we'll score 4.

[Targetman]

The mention of Alf Ramsey just reminded me what a dour, soulless individual he was. His comments after playing Argentina in'66 were unacceptable. He should just have been relieved that we beat them after being outplayed for much of the game against 10 men.

I agree with you about Alf Ramsey, he was a very dour man.
However I do think that his comments after the Argentina game were somewhat justified.

[Silkyskills1]

I agree with you about Alf Ramsey, he was a very dour man.
However I do think that his comments after the Argentina game were somewhat justified.

Fair enough but I sat at home and watched that game on TV and I can't remember any actions/reactions from Argentina that necessitated Ramsey referring to them as 'animals'. The sending off of Rattin was a long, drawn out affair that always seems to be used to highlight their so-called 'animal' behaviour. There wasn't a tackle/foul in the game anywhere near as bad as the one commited by Nobby Stiles in the previous fixture vFrance on their midielder,Simon, but Ramsey didn't seem too bothered about that one.

[Sozturf7]

Great article Dave. As a kid of the time the football and local history is well written. Todmorden railway station was well used by our family linking Burnley with other family in the North East, I just loved all the steam trains as a kid, even the ones that you could run faster than to Burnley. Again great read just how I felt about our football club. UTC

[Rodleydave]

Our house up Longfield Road had clear views of the viaduct that crossed the road by the market. Steam trains left right and centre, left to Manchester, right to Leeds or up the valley to Burnley. Even in the fifties our attic still had the old blackout curtains rolled up. Never got tired of watching those steam engines. Found out a bit more about Billy Holt and his horse Trigger. The horse is buried up Kilnhurst with a marker to show the spot. I think Holt was cremated and his ashes scattered on one of the Tod hillsides. For a wonderful book about growing up try Bill Bryson's Thunderbolt Kid.

[summitclaret]

A wonderful read, again. It did feel a bit like you were getting something down from your head just in case, given where we all are. If so, very understandable. Keep safe and keep the articles coming for a long time.

[Suratclaret]

Great read!

[beddie]

Another excellent article Dave. If you've still got that Morris Ten can I buy it off you.

[ashtonlongsider]

As always Dave thanks for a wonderful article. It certainly evokes childhood memories. I can see Standerwick and Ribble buses ferrying a young lad from Morecambe to his grandparents. I'm lucky to be well travelled, but the journey from Bacup to Burnley over Weir, Deerplay and Crown Point will always be my favourite.

[Stan Tastic]

Our house up Longfield Road had clear views of the viaduct that crossed the road by the market. Steam trains left right and centre, left to Manchester, right to Leeds or up the valley to Burnley. Even in the fifties our attic still had the old blackout curtains rolled up. Never got tired of watching those steam engines. Found out a bit more about Billy Holt and his horse Trigger. The horse is buried up Kilnhurst with a marker to show the spot. I think Holt was cremated and his ashes scattered on one of the Tod hillsides. For a wonderful book about growing up try Bill Bryson's Thunderbolt Kid.

That Bill Bryson book, 'The Life And Times Of The Thunderbolt Kid' is indeed a classic, and probably the funniest book I've had the pleasure to read. It would make a great film.

[gsyclaret]

What a brilliant article. Took me back to my childhood living in Old Town, used to go to the craggs regularly. We had an old ford poplar at first and then a morris traveller which we used to go to the matches in. Over the top through blackshaw head, past the kettledrum and down brunshaw road.
I had an aunt and uncle lived in tod, they lived in a block of flats opposite the service station on the way into tod from hebden. Also played cricket at tod for a season late 60s I think. Thanks again for the memories Dave.