ARTICLE: Angus granted a testimonial

[ClaretTony]

Some news on this day in 1972, BFC granting a testimonial to the great Cool John Angus.

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/angus-gran ... estimonial

[Petersa]

Bizarre England selections are nothing new....... "The finest England debut" but never played again!!!!!

[Vino blanco]

Walter Winterbottom praised Angus on his England debut but Winterbottom, even though he had the title of 'England Manager', did not pick the individual players. This was done by a selection committee of ageing FA officials who had a very strong Southern bias, insisting that players from London took preference.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

Well deserved for a smashing footballer and all round good bloke.

Interesting talking to John about his career because he did not like travelling and certainly found the European games a chore. Perhaps his lack of involvement with England did not bother him too much. Still libes just up the road in Warkworth and takes his dog out regularly for a good walk. Unfortunately, his wife is not in the best of health these days but they just get on with things.

[ClaretTony]

Well deserved for a smashing footballer and all round good bloke.

Interesting talking to John about his career because he did not like travelling and certainly found the European games a chore. Perhaps his lack of involvement with England did not bother him too much. Still libes just up the road in Warkworth and takes his dog out regularly for a good walk. Unfortunately, his wife is not in the best of health these days but they just get on with things.

Send our best wishes to him please Ashington. What a player he was and so difficult to take in that he'd gone for someone like me who had been watching for over a decade and had seen him virtually as a fixture. Hard as nails too, as some found out to their cost, but a wonderful footballer for us. Sorry to hear about his wife, Florence I think it is, but good to hear that Cool John Angus is in decent health at 82.

[Royboyclaret]

Well deserved for a smashing footballer and all round good bloke.

Interesting talking to John about his career because he did not like travelling and certainly found the European games a chore. Perhaps his lack of involvement with England did not bother him too much. Still libes just up the road in Warkworth and takes his dog out regularly for a good walk. Unfortunately, his wife is not in the best of health these days but they just get on with things.

Good to hear that John is still in good health.

We've had some outstanding full-backs at the Turf down the years, from Alex Elder to Keith Newton and latterly Keiran Trippier, but, unhesitatingly, I'd place cool, calm John Angus at the very top of that list.

[ClaretTony]

unhesitatingly, I'd place cool, calm John Angus at the very top of that list.

Me too - although I do wonder what he thinks of today's full backs bombing on. John defended and got a nose bleed if he went over the half way line.

[claretblue]

went to his Testimonial...and remember it well!

Veteran Burnley players v Burnley youth

Burnley Millionaire 11 v Burnley

also saw Jimmy Mac, Tom Finney and my Burnley hero Ray Pointer!

remember that he usually got the better of Best during his battles in the 60's

Great to hear that John is well!

UTC

[Royboyclaret]

Me too - although I do wonder what he thinks of today's full backs bombing on. John defended and got a nose bleed if he went over the half way line.

An out and out defender who knew his job and carried out Harry Potts' instructions to the letter.

Just 4 goals in some 520 appearances for us, I think, so all the more remarkable that two of those goals came in the same match, away at Arsenal, back in '64/'65.

[ClaretTony]

An out and out defender who knew his job and carried out Harry Potts' instructions to the letter.

Just 4 goals in some 520 appearances for us, I think, so all the more remarkable that two of those goals came in the same match, away at Arsenal, back in '64/'65.

Didn't all his goals come in games when he'd got injured and played up front as a passenger? The other two came in successive home league games in 1965/66 against Fulham and Chelsea.

[ClaretTony]

went to his Testimonial...and remember it well!

Veteran Burnley players v Burnley youth

Burnley Millionaire 11 v Burnley

also saw Jimmy Mac, Tom Finney and my Burnley hero Ray Pointer!

remember that he usually got the better of Best during his battles in the 60's

Great to hear that John is well!

UTC

It was the only time I saw Tom Finney play.

[Silkyskills1]

went to his Testimonial...and remember it well!

Veteran Burnley players v Burnley youth

Burnley Millionaire 11 v Burnley

also saw Jimmy Mac, Tom Finney and my Burnley hero Ray Pointer!

remember that he usually got the better of Best during his battles in the 60's

Great to hear that John is well!

UTC

What a great night that was. Just returned to the first division and there was a real 'feel good factor' around the club. Think the main game finished 4-4 but I do remember Jimmy Mc stroking home a penalty down at the Beehole End in the shortened game.
Noticed that neither Clive Clarke at WBA not Terry Paine at Southampton were invited which might have added to the entertainment.

[Stan Tastic]

It's the only time I saw Jimmy McIlroy play for Burnley at John Angus's testimonial.

[ClaretTony]

It's the only time I saw Jimmy McIlroy play for Burnley at John Angus's testimonial.

And I remember him doing his old trick of taking the ball to the corner flag towards the end of the game he played in. What a reaction from the crowd too.

[Royboyclaret]

Just remembered Dad's favourite John Angus story (which he told hundreds of times to anyone who would listen), of how John would love to trap the ball on his own goal line and dribble his way out of the area through several opposing players. Talk about cool, calm Angus, that summed him up perfectly.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

What a great night that was. Just returned to the first division and there was a real 'feel good factor' around the club. Think the main game finished 4-4 but I do remember Jimmy Mc stroking home a penalty down at the Beehole End in the shortened game.
Noticed that neither Clive Clarke at WBA not Terry Paine at Southampton were invited which might have added to the entertainment.

We still talk about Trevor Paine and that incident came about because John was protecting Dobbo ---or so he says!

[ClaretTony]

We still talk about Trevor Paine and that incident came about because John was protecting Dobbo ---or so he says!

And Dobbo's telling of it isn't quite like that. Dobbo said John was very quiet on the pitch and always kept to his position. In this particular game, for no apparent reason according to Dobbo, wandered over to the left hand side of the pitch. He took Paine out with a shocking challenge and then walked back to right back without saying a word. There had been previous according to Dobbo.

[claretblue]

It was the only time I saw Tom Finney play.

me too...and I’ve been bragging about seeing him play live for nearly 50years!

[Claret Till I Die]

Well deserved for a smashing footballer and all round good bloke.

Interesting talking to John about his career because he did not like travelling and certainly found the European games a chore. Perhaps his lack of involvement with England did not bother him too much. Still libes just up the road in Warkworth and takes his dog out regularly for a good walk. Unfortunately, his wife is not in the best of health these days but they just get on with things.

Please give John the best wishes from the Irvine family.
Glad to hear that he's ok

[ElectroClaret]

I went to the testimonial. Think Jack Butterfield was the ref. Was good night.

[ClaretTony]

I went to the testimonial. Think Jack Butterfield was the ref. Was good night.

I think he refereed the first game and I think George Bray was one of the linesmen.

[dougcollins]

Beast is still waiting..

[Cirrus_Minor]

One of the best fullbacks I have seen play for the club along with Keith Newton. I also remember the testimonial games, one of which included Tom Finney and a penalty taken by Jimmy Mac.

[Herts Clarets]

Was this the game that Willie Irvine was refused permission to play in by his club, Halifax possibly, so walked out and played anyway?

[The Enclosure]

John is one of lifes true gentlemen.A fantastic full back.hard as nails but very fair in the tackle ( usually lol )
Once spent half an hour chatting to him at Nelson Golf club over a coffee.He was waiting for John Connelly for a round of golf.
From memory John was down here for some sort of reunion dinner at the club.
Was a scandal that he only got the one cap.

[ClaretTony]

Was this the game that Willie Irvine was refused permission to play in by his club, Halifax possibly, so walked out and played anyway?

If that actually happened then this was the game and that was the end of Willie's career

[Herts Clarets]

If that actually happened then this was the game and that was the end of Willie's career

My ex father in law used to tell a tale about this and i am fairly sure it was the Angus testimonial.

[ClaretTony]

My ex father in law used to tell a tale about this and i am fairly sure it was the Angus testimonial.

It was definitely the Angus testimonial - just whether it actually happened although he did leave Halifax then.

[Oo_George]

It was definitely the Angus testimonial - just whether it actually happened although he did leave Halifax then.

That is what I was told actually happened.

[ClaretTony]

That is what I was told actually happened.

I’ll take it as read

[ElectroClaret]

Just remembered Dad's favourite John Angus story (which he told hundreds of times to anyone who would listen), of how John would love to trap the ball on his own goal line and dribble his way out of the area through several opposing players. Talk about cool, calm Angus, that summed him up perfectly.

Did John play in the two cup games against Chelsea in 1970? (Can't find the teams list)
Because Royboy's post reminds me of John dealing with such a situation when the ball broke free in our six yard box, McCreadie or Cooke rushed in for an easy tap in, and he rolled the ball backwards under his studs and cleared, but can't
recall if it was the cup game.

Superb professional, whatever.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

Just had a 40 minute conversation with John and read him quite a number of things posted on this thread, much to his embarrassment.
He did not know about the Willie Irvine saga. I mentioned that the Irvine family had sent best wishes and he asked to be remembered to them and he had not known about Willie's recent illness but was pleased that he had recovered.

He does not watch much football these days apart from the odd highlights. He was talking about the Lamela/Martial incident on Sunday and that he could not believe that Martial had been sent off --he said that he switched the TV off at that point.. He was also puzzled with the handball rulings and mentioned about players being cautioned for good tackles where they had been deemed to be a danger to their opponent! He thinks along the same lines that I do in that they are trying to minimise all physical contact ---amongst many other things.
He was also concerned about the friction that appears to be within the club and is of the mind that these things never end up well ---remember a few things that happened at the club when he was there!

Anyway, he sends his regards to all and says that it is lovely to be well though of after so many years. Just to add that Florence was also a lot better than she had been when I last saw her.

[ClaretTony]

Did John play in the two cup games against Chelsea in 1970? (Can't find the teams list)
Because Royboy's post reminds me of John dealing with such a situation when the ball broke free in our six yard box, McCreadie or Cooke rushed in for an easy tap in, and he rolled the ball backwards under his studs and cleared, but can't
recall if it was the cup game.

Superb professional, whatever.

He did, the team for both games was: Peter Mellor, John Angus, Jim Thomson, Brian O'Neil, Martin Dobson, Dave Merrington, Frank Casper, Ralph Coates, David Wilson, Arthur Bellamy, Steve Kindon.

No sub used at Stamford Bridge but Les Latcham came on for Wilson in the replay.

[Royboyclaret]

He did, the team for both games was: Peter Mellor, John Angus, Jim Thomson, Brian O'Neil, Martin Dobson, Dave Merrington, Frank Casper, Ralph Coates, David Wilson, Arthur Bellamy, Steve Kindon.

No sub used at Stamford Bridge but Les Latcham came on for Wilson in the replay.

Unfamiliar name of David Wilson there at centre-forward, only played a handful of games for us in a short career at the Turf.....One of five players to wear the No.9 shirt for us that season, Casper, Probert, Nulty, Bellamy & Wilson.

[ClaretTony]

Unfamiliar name of David Wilson there at centre-forward, only played a handful of games for us in a short career at the Turf.....One of five players to wear the No.9 shirt for us that season, Casper, Probert, Nulty, Bellamy & Wilson.

Not unfamiliar, and he'd had an outstanding game in the previous round against Wolves when we won 3-0. Never really did it at Burnley and, like Lukey Juke he left without scoring a goal.