Billy Garton

[Mookie_Blaylock]

Really good article on him here covering United, retirement, and what he did after: http://www.sabotagetimes.com/football-sport/billy-garton-man-us-saldford-lad/

Here’s the Witton bit if you’re not interested in the rest:

Mike McKenzie, a great local semi-pro manager, called me and asked me to play for Witton Albion, who were in the Unibond Premier division. I loved it there too and was earning really good money. I was at university doing a degree and getting £250 a week to play football. Being a mature student, a high percentage of my mortgage was being paid too. I was doing better financially than when I played for United.

[WHS]

My God!! I doubt we pay the whole squad that much now!!
WHS.

[Paul_S]

[quote=“Mookie Blaylock” post=44570]Really good article on him here covering United, retirement, and what he did after: http://www.sabotagetimes.com/football-sport/billy-garton-man-us-saldford-lad/

Here’s the Witton bit if you’re not interested in the rest:

Mike McKenzie, a great local semi-pro manager, called me and asked me to play for Witton Albion, who were in the Unibond Premier division. I loved it there too and was earning really good money. I was at university doing a degree and getting £250 a week to play football. Being a mature student, a high percentage of my mortgage was being paid too. I was doing better financially than when I played for United.[/quote]

Mike McKenzie - didn’t know him personally, heard he was a top bloke, but not the greatest manager in charge of the Albs success wise thats for sure!

[jonnyamery]

To be fair to Billy Garton he was one of the better players in that team, lacked pace but loved a tackle I used to stand in the Popular Stand with my grandad and his mates, ‘the older generation’ how can I put it Mike McKenzie was not a Popular choice with those lot (I will leave it at that)the Mike McKenzie era from what I can remember, lets just say it wasn’t the best of era’s :S

[vi8]

I agree J.Good man Mike, in person but manager? No he wasn’t.

[WHS]

In fairness he built a great young side at Winsford then came to Witton where he was no longer in charge of kids and it seems he just couldn’t handle older players.
WHS.

[Paul_S]

I remember a striker Mike brought in, Bevan Blackwood, apparently he was prolific before he came to the Albs but it just didn’t work out for him. Many if not all the players that were brought in from Winsford just couldn’t seem to make the step up. Shame, as it all seemed very promising at the time.