Gran Cooper

This team won Head Wrightson Inter Departmental 1958 on Thornaby Cricket Ground. Back Row L-R; John Keir, Bob Wright, Des Good, John Smith, Bob Thompson, Bob Wallace. Front Row; J. Lawson, M. Pratt, Colin Richards, Fred Seaman, Gran Cooper. Can't remember who we beat but their star player was Terry McCabe. 02/03/2010 12:34:43

Len Nicholson

Terry McCabe worked in the Works Engineering Department drawing office with Jimmy Dickenson & Doug Merryweather,so he could of been playing for the Maintenance Department or Teesdale Offices. 02/03/2010 16:54:56

KEN RHODES

LOOKS LIKE A GOOD TEAM GRAN, BOTH COLIN AND FRED WERE HANDY WITH THE BAT AND BOTH PLAYED FOR RICHY HIND IN THEIR YOUNGER DAYS.02/03/2010 19:52:12

Anon

Bob Wallace in the photo was a mate of Bobby Harburn & was a big pigeon man. He finished up working at Teasdale Works as assistant to Colin Banner the works manager when it became I.T.M.which was owned by Alf Duffield.23/03/2010 13:48:40

Granville Cooper

Anon is correct in saying that Bob Harburn was a big pal of Bob Wallace. Bob worked in the Bridge Yard at the Forge and it was a shock when he died when still a young man, many years ago. The pair of them were particularly good Darts players along with their other pal, Norman Toulson. I think Bob Wallace came from same area as Anon and wonder if he is still around. Surprised that there has been no comment on John Kiers football ability, who is also on this photo.24/03/2010 13:08:55

Anon

John Kiers played centre-half for Billingham Synthonia in the Northern League, he also played for the Forge when we beat them in the Head Wrightson's Inter-Departmental Semi-Final in 1969, we beat the Bridgeyard team 3-1 in the final which included Keith Moody & Reggie Morgan, that was the last time Harry Armstrong played for the Machine Shop.24/03/2010 16:05:26

Tom Thomas

Granville, I believe you will have known two of my cousins who worked at Stockton Forge during your time there. Ken Burton and Jim McClure, Ken lives in Western Australia and sadly jim passed away in 1991. 26/03/2010 11:17:18

Gran Cooper

I was a mate of Kenny in those days, and in fact gave him my treasured tool box when he came into the template shop as I was going into the D.O. It was a work of art which Harry Thompson had given to me when he was promoted. I did know the Mclures well and sad to hear your comments, Tom. There were many lads from Thornaby who I either played against or for in those days, and worked with, Tommy Peacock, Alan Pearson, Barry Preece to name a few and I think perhaps yourself. Maurice Pratt on the photo was also from Thornaby. Keith Moody and Lacker Day are also old mates who I know are still around in Thornaby. My brother-in-law, Brian Nicholls, frequents the indoor bowling club, so finish up most evenings in there whenever I visit. If Bob Irwin is reading this he may know Jimmy Sinclair from Norton, who worked in the Forge Pattern Shop and was also a very good footballer. Bob, I knew Chas very well when he lived in Windermere Rd but I was also an old pal of Roy, his brother, and we finished up in the Apprentice School together. Lost track of most of the aforementioned when I left the area in 1968.26/03/2010 17:36:29

Bob Irwin

When in the Apprentice School and in my visit to the Pattern Shop I worked with Roy Pickering for that week but can't remember Jimmy Sinclair. Dave Gould at that time was the Foreman. Chas and Roy lived in Ennerdale Road which joined onto Windermere Road. My cousin Ron Saunders worked in the Drawing Office and I also learned my drinking from a Arthur Phipps who was also in the Drawing Office. Did you ever know what happened to Arthur? Also Charlie Pickering was a very good footballer playing for Primrose Hill and Heads. He did have a trial for Darlington. Working away from home ended his footballing career. Did you play with him at Heads Gran?29/03/2010 11:58:14

Gran Cooper

You are right Bob, I had forgotten the little bend from Windermere into Ennerdale, and you probably know that David Birch,s family lived a few doors from that bend before their move to Grangefield Rd. I didn't play in any of the same teams as Chas but we all played together on the Rec.(Rudd, though nobody ever used that name) I lived in Grays Rd next door but one to the then Pollocks Shop. I knew Ron and Arthur well, he certainly liked his pint! As you are a bit of an expert on Norton, Bob, it may surprise you to know that I started life in Esk Road. Many years later, Harry Lane persuaded me to work for him in his Manchester Steel Works. I knew him through Dick Clarke, one of his son-in-laws, who Harry had set up in a shop in Norton High St. Those were the days when Harry bought Sedgefield racecourse and built those abortive flats near the Green. I used to go in the Top House and watch a pal of mine playing Dominoes penny a spot with Billy Blackwell and co. Sure there will be a bit there Bob to remind you of Albert, Nellie and folk. 29/03/2010 15:21:54

Tom Thomas

Granville, we crossed paths occasionally during our H.W. apprentice training. I commenced in Jan 1951 and enjoyed the whole experience. Knew Keith Moody and Lacka Day. Ron Craggs, ex Stockton Forge, was also a cousin of Ken, Jim and I. I keep in touch and catch up now and again with your old pal Benny, not always easy, he lives in Melbourne and I in Sydney. 30/03/2010 00:19:47

Anon

Billy Blackwell used to play dominoes in the back room in the top house (The Unicorn) with Johnnie Franklin, Alan Rigg & Arthur Jackson, all from Head Wrightsons Machine Shop in Thornaby.30/03/2010 16:54:41

Bob Irwin

Gran, living in Esk Road you would remember Eric Evans. He was a joiner with me at HW Thornaby. Another one from Esk Road, John Acornley who sat with me in the Malleable Club. Never used the Top House much. My local firstly was the Red Lion and later on George and Dragon and when I moved to the south end of Norton the Brown Jug. Funny story re. the Pickering brothers. A night match at the Asmores ground. Roy playing for Ashmores and Charlie for Primrose Hill in the Stockton and District league. Before the match started, the ref knowing they were brothers and on opposite teams brought them both together and warned them to behave themselves, especially against each other. I know Charlie was a 'hardman' at the game and fireworks were expected. I remember Dick Clark, he had his bungalow built near to the entrance to the flats on Darlington Lane and also had an Electrical Shop next door to the Mucky Duck (White Swan).30/03/2010 19:25:48

Anon

I also remember Norman Toulson who was a good cricketer for Thornaby as well as a darts player, he was also a keen photographer. Another good darts player was Lenny Sewell. I think Bob Wallace lived at Fairfield but I don't ever remember him living near me, Gran.31/03/2010 10:34:03