Albion Greats

First Team News and Views
1

I am reposting the news from the official website about the special guests we have coming to the game on Saturday. It would be fantastic if we could have a full house in the Club after the game for the unvailing, so please could I ask as many of you as possible to hang around a little and have a look at the refurbished ‘Cheshires’ Suite and make all our ‘Albion Greats’ very welcome.

[i]This may be one wall that can’t be seen from the moon, but it will be no less a significant feature for Witton Albion supporters when the first pictures to adorn the ‘Albion Greats’ Wall’ in the social club at Wincham Park, which will also be renamed the Cheshires’ Suite after the local regiment and which forms part of the Clubs sponsorship this season with Help for Heroes, is set to be unveiled this coming Saturday when the Evo-Stik Division One North club entertain Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Albion expect to be one shy of a full squad for the unveiling, as the first ten nominations, encompassed over the last 65 years, together with members of their immediate family, will join with others at the Club for a celebratory lunch before kick-off, with the formalities of the day taking place after the game.

Those who have confirmed their attendance so far are goalkeepers Mark Radcliffe (207 appearances) and Keith Mason (247 appearances), with Keith Higgins (429 appearances, 2 goals) and John Goryl (538 appearances) directly in front to make sure that anyone who gets past the midfield duo of Alan Haspell (195 appearances 32 goals) and Paul Lodge (180 appearances, 10 goals) will have their work cut-out to score. Meanwhile, Mark Edwards (182 appearances, 74 goals), who scored the last ever goal at the Albion’s Central Ground,and their first ever goal at Wincham Park, is expected to be partnered by a more recent striker

Alan Haspell is the nephew of George Haspell who wrote the book, Sons Of Albion, which traced the history of the Club from it’s beginnings in 1887 upto 1996.

Joining the former group of players will be Kane Gunter of The Royal Signals Association representing the Help for Heroes charity and will conduct the unveiling of the plaque which will formally rename the social club.

Further luncheons for ex-players will be held in the season, with the next scheduled for the Albion’s Bank Holiday fixture on 27 December.[/i]

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[quote=“Picko” post=36462]is expected to be partnered by a more recent striker
[/quote]

Dean Crowe?

:sick:

3

Will the local press be present or will they be at the “OTHER PLACE” just in case Mr. Rushe has another “Fairy Story” for them?
WHS.

4

Its great to see that our neighbours are doing their bit to help us advertise this.

http://www.nvfc.co.uk/board/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6994

5

The usual juvenile rubbish from their website.They are taking notice of us which means that we are getting under their skin.The gap is closing between the two clubs,will they hold their nerve in this promotion or bust season.

Said with tounge in cheek.

6

Quite impreesed with the effort put into the Greats Wall but what is the criteria required to be an Albion Great ? Some of the Albion Greats who have sadly passed on do not seem to have been considered !

7

Had this same conversation (well, without the cynicism…) with my Dad this evening. There are a few he thought would have been included, but he wondered if it was living greats only?

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Oxford Dictionary says “great” (of a person)remarkable in ability.character and achievement. No mention of being dead or alive !

9

You spin me right round Eli.

10

How fantastic to see some of our old players together again. Shook hands with Paul Lodge a player I greatly admired. Paul said we should have won 10 2 against Harrogate and I tend to agree with him. Also had a great conversation with Keith Mason. Keith the best goalkeeper I saw play for Witton and such a nice modest guy. Keith is still living near Carlilse but hopes to make some night matches during the season as he often goes past us on the motorway. Keith I’m sure loads of fans would join me in saying you are welcome anytime a true Albion legend!! Certainly one of my heroes as well is a gent I sit with every week a certain Mr Keith Higgins. Keith is an unsung legend again a modest man I value as a friend and not just a great ex player. Nice to see the other guys too Alan Haspell, Jonnie Goryl, Super Mike and left foot cannon shot ‘Eddie’ Edwards.Great guys lovely to see you all eased the pain of only drawing today.
Special mention for my great friend and mentor 'Sir’Phil Chadwick a legend in a legends world who pulled out the stops and is still doing so to make things happen. Well done to all this club of ours is just great!!

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Here’s a question…how many of Jim Vince’s team would you have as an ‘Albion Great’?

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Robbo asks

Here’s a question…how many of Jim Vince’s team would you have as an ‘Albion Great’?

Well they all had ability ( except Crowe & Rapley ) not much character and never achieved anything !

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Presumably loyalty is one of the admirable attributes which forms part of the definition of “great”.

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Personally thought it was a great start. How were the players selected and is there any intention to let supporters nominate players (and club servants?)

15

As I understand it the greats wall is a work in progress, building up to 2012 and our sort of 125th anniversary so the 10 names yesterday were in no priority the first instalment, to suggest people have been overlooked is ridiculous at this stage and maybe a little praise for peoples efforts at getting it up and running would be more fitting at this stage.

WELL DONE TO ALL THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS INNOVATIVE IDEA

16

There has been an idea floated in regards to getting some commemerative mugs made up as a companion piece. This is something we will look at progressing in the coming months, if people think there would be interst in such a series of collectable mugs etc?

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Spoke to Phil after the game on Saturday and he has a list of players who played more than 100 times for the club or scored a lot of goals, I think it was Mark Edwards who only played 80 odd games but hit 55 goals so obviously qualifies on that criteria. It is a great idea that deserves our full support and don’t worry, I’m sure Phil will make sure no one deserving of inclusion will be left out. Personally I think there should be another wall for people like Sam, Phil, Len,Neil, Queenie and Tracey, they are real “Greats” too.
WHS.

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Personally I think there should be another wall for people like Sam, Phil, Len,Neil, Queenie and Tracey, they are real “Greats” too.
WHS.

Could frighten all the kids away WHS !:wink:

If you going to include non-players in the Greats then in my time 2 who spring to mind are Sam Powell and Tom Stelfox. If it were not for these 2 gentlemen there would be no Witton Albion !

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agree with andy chads comments, an excellent idea and all praise to those involved in it’s inception. those across the the canal are green with envy. congrats to all concerned, it really does spur us fans on.

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Have looked at all the posts on this thread and I cannot find anything but praise for this project so don’t know where u are coming from Andy. Two posts have asked what the criteria is and nobody has posted an answer as yet. The first post reads that the period is the last 65 years and selected " Greats " will be coming to the club for a luncheon. Is that correct or not ?