n the afternoon we are performing the second batch of initiations into the “Albion Greats” collection. With Albion entertaining Trafford then it seemed appropriate, with both Brian Griffin and Alan Heathcote committee members there, to contact most of the regular and fellow team-mates plus of course the man himself from the Brian Booth era.
This period encompassed almost seven seasons spanning from November 1974 until February 1981. During that time Brian’s teams’ achievements included capturing:
Cheshire League Cup + Runners-Up, Northwich Senior Cup, North West Floodlight League Twice, Cheshire Senior Cup + Runners-Up, Cheshire County League Runners-Up and at the first time of competing the Northern Premier League Runners-Up.
An amazing total of fourteen players from this era have been chosen to be placed on the “Greats” wall. Expected therefore to be with us along with Brian Booth are:
Mark Fielding (25/10/75-19/3/83) 272 appearances 5 goals.
Brian Griffin (26/3/77-2/5/81) 233 appearances 77 goals.
Dave Griffiths (25/8/73-29/5/79) 310 appearances 35 goals.
Alan Heathcote (16/8/75-11/12/78) 151 appearances 50 goals.
Peter Henderson (2/3/77-3/3/84) 92 appearances 70 goals.
Bob Johnston (25/1/78-30/10/82) 246 appearances 20 goals.
Tony Keyes (19/8/78-1/10/83) 275 appearances 17 goals.
Alan McNeill (24/8/77-28/3/81) 163 appearances 12 goals
John White (17/8/74-21/9/82) 452 appearances 155 goals.
John Yates (16/8/75-27/3/82) 316 appearances 18 goals.
Otherwise engaged, with a good enough reason I suppose, are:
John Goryl (25/11/67-26/12/79) 538 appearances – Actually celebrates his 60th Birthday on the 27th. He of course has already been initiated but would have liked to have been re-united with his team-mates.
John Walker (31/3/79-23/2/85) 119 appearances 85 goals - With family in Benidorm over the festive period. Deeply upset he misses out but intends to be present for next batch of entrants.
The two remaining players that we would like to be here are:
Bob Fletcher (19/8/78-2/5/81) 167 appearances 62 clean sheets – No contact details for him but hoping we may get to him via the RAF
Alex Gibson (27/12/76-6/4/82) 210 appearances 23 goals – Message left on his mobile phone but unlikely to attend as he is now coaching in Dubai for David O’Leary’s Al Ahli club.
If you digest the respective figures then these players have a combined appearance record of 3,544 matches and have accounted for 606 goals for what they all consider to be their favourite club.
We naturally hope that the weather is kind for us as an alternative date could prove very tricky. If the event goes as well as the initial one back in October then the invitees, their close families and friends together with all associated with Witton Albion, officials and supporters alike, should we hope be in for a very pleasant afternoon.
