....and way back when

[andy]

Richard Crisp unassumingly went about his business as one of the best right backs we've had. Played a lot of games as well.

[andy]

I don't think 47 games can justify legend status, even if he ran through brick walls for us. Quality. Jim Rodwell.

[Yeltzsam]

Eldon maquemba

[AwayDayYeltz]

A lot of these shouts played before I was born.

[andy]

Eldon maquemba

Good little player, but only 24 starts.

[Laurel Lane Lamper]

A couple of players from before my time but about whom I’ve read impressive reports are Harry Parr & Jimmy Meaney. Then Ronnie Dugmore played some of his Yeltz career before I started watching but I did see plenty and he finished one of our highest goalscorers . From the late 1950s & the 60s era that got me hooked there are numerous legends – goalie Albert Farrow, full back Gordon Field (later to become Manager), wing halves Stan Purvis & Mel Adams and centre half Dave Culwick. Mel & Dave would be in my all-time Yeltz XI. Wingers Sammy Roberts & Bobby Anderson – to see Sammy place a pinpoint corner, taken down the Stourbr*dge Rd end and on the James Grove side, was a delight. Utility man Alan Parsons, centre forwards Billy Hargreaves & David Eades (both excellent goals per game ratios). Striking duo Eddie Bell & Tony Cotterill. If I took more time to consider, I expect there’d be others. Our sides at this time were great entertainment.
There’s another player who I also never saw but who I would contend is the Yeltz legend of legends. Wilf Jones played in our first match of the 1946/47 season at centre-half. From then until 1957 Wilf must have missed less than 10% of the matches played. I expect away travel, without the modern road system, required some commitment. Some journeys were made by train from the Halesowen station. Our away trip in 1951 to Merthyr may have been an interesting one and the return none too happy after a 0-9 defeat.

[KenR]

all those that you mention LLL but I don't see Alec Wood there, or Tony Cotteril.

[Laurel Lane Lamper]

all those that you mention LLL but I don't see Alec Wood there, or Tony Cotteril.

Tony Cotterill's there with Eddie Bell but how could I miss Alec , 5 goals against Tamworth etc. I saw him in the town very recently. Great player! As was the case for many teams in those days, a skilful, Scottish inside forward.

[andy]

Ooh, many names there I've heard say of LLL, great to hear from someone who saw them in action. How comparable were the teams you saw then to teams others of us might recognise? Dugmore is the name that seems to come up more than most for his goal scoring exploits, was he top of the he list? Was he a real old fashioned 'put the keeper in the back of the net with the ball type'? And Alec Wood got FIVE against TAMWORTH! He's in.

[andy]

Noticeable also LLL that you name many players from the 50/60s and then there seem to be no more until we start mentioning our players from the 80s. Was the late 60s and 70s as barren as I have been led to believe?