1950/51 Bailey Street junior football team. Photograph courtesy of John Robson 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
1950/51 Bailey Street junior football team. Photograph courtesy of John Robson
Wow!! What a young Mr Fitzgerald he came to Harrow Gate Juniors in the 60s what a brilliant teacher, he lived at Station Road, Norton.
Sorry to hear of the death of my old Bailey Street School friend and former team mate, Dennis (Matty) Garbutt. A smashing who will be sadly missed. RIP Dennis.
I worked for Head Wrightsons in maintenance as a Joiner and one of the places I worked was The Friarage at Yarm. Doug Ormston the Plasterer, who had his business in Mill Street, Norton had the contract of restoring the plaster work there. Not only cracks in the walls but renewing cornices and done by 2 young men who were brothers. I had occasion to talk to Doug Ormston and mentioned that I went to RH with a Doug Ormston in which he replied that it was his nephew.
Ormstons the Plasterers was probably my grandad, Victor Brand Ormston and his brother Douglas Vickerman Ormston.
I have to hold my hands up and admit my mistake in dating this Bailey Street Junior Team photograph in the wrong football season. As Peter Minns pointed out it should be dated for the season 1951/52. However, I must insist this was the team that went through the season winning every game with the exception of one, which was drawn. I think Mr West put together this championship winning side but at some stage Mr Fitzgerald took over the running of the team. Alan Fox, a member of the team, previously commented in this section about the shields we received on becoming champions.
John Robson, I was so pleased to hear from you again. Yes, agreed, it was 1952 when we left Bailey Street and ,yes, we were the only two to move on”, so to speak. With regard to my last contribution,I hope you do not think I was merely “scoring points” -I simply wanted to discover the true facts. You were at least as clever as me and you too,should have gone to Grammar but you had one of those days when you fluffed the 1st part of the exam. I remember the day after the exam when Mr.West came up to both of us in the school corridor, put a clenched fist under your chin and sighed expressively. He didn”t say anything (he probably wasn”t allowed to) but in retrospect it”s clear that some of the teachers at least had looked at our finished papers. Still, I suppose none of that matters after so many years -the big test now is survival. Signing off for good with my best wishes for the future, your old pal, Peter.
Peter Minns sorry for the confusion, the year I left Bailey Street for Richard Hind was 1952 the original ststed date of 1951 was wrong. I reached my 12th birthday on the 13th September “52, I think I was a few months older than some of the pupils who entered Richard Hind that year. Although I am not absolutely certain, I think we were the only two to leave Bailey Street for other schools that year.
I seem to be hogging this website but having clicked on photo number t9276 I believe a fundamental error of attribution has been made – t7980 (this site) is not the 1950-51 championship winning team, it displays the 1951-52 team. After the custom of all championship winning teams, t9276 displays our captain, Alan Dac, holding a ball inscribed “1950-51. That means this site, with its photo, can only relate to the team for 1951-52. No other possibility presents itself. There are far too many changes in the team (not to mention a change of managers)for it to relate to the same 1950-51 season. Further, it was Mr. West (1950-51) not Mr. Fitzgerald (1951-52) who led us to glory, so to speak. Notice also how Geoff Stoker and John Robson, clearly reserve players on t9276, have been “promoted” to the 1st team on photo t7980. If I am wrong I am ready to eat humble pie, but I don”t think I am. Regards to everyone and I only hope I haven”t started a controversy.
Dear John Robson, delighted to hear from you but your missive has left me confused. In your first and original contribution you state,in effect,that you were at Richard Hind School from 1951 to 1956. I entered the 11+ scholarship class in September, 1950,at the age of 9,stayed in the same class for two full years,and went to Stockton Grammar in September 1952. So how could we both have left Bailey Street together in 1951,you to Richard Hind,and me to Stockton Grammar at the tender age of just 10? Best Wishes.
I thought I would add a few details to my recent contribution. Incidentally,sorry about the confused opening. I remember the awards ceremony clearly. The guest speaker,who handed out the plaques,expressed his delight that this year they were going to Bailey Street School. I got the impression at the time he was genuinely sincere in saying that. Of course,he may have been an ex- pupil,but if that was so one would have thought he would have mentioned this in his speech,but he didn”t. I rather suspect that our school had never won anything since year minus 1 and he knew that. Now,my father used to come to some of our home games. He had a mischievous streak and would make a point of sidling up to other spectators, saying things like: “Minns,you say? But what a fantastic goalie. Not over-age? No? Still,it”s hardly fair on the other team to field a such a talented player -how on earth are they supposed to score?”
I was very pleased to read the comments from Peter Minns bringing back memories of the Bailey Street Junior Football Team I was part of. This particular photograph had to be cleaned up by Barbara Baker for publication on this site. I”m afraid the photograph and my winners plaque are also in sorry condition. For Peter”s information we both appear in another Bailey Street football photograph (ref:t9276). In that team Peter you were an outfield player, Arthur Robson being the goalkeeper. I well remember we left Bailey Street School at the same time, you went on to Stockton Grammar (a few strides from your home in Thorpe Street)I went on to Richard Hind. Best wishes to you Peter.
I”m a , ex Thorpe Street, and the Bailey Street 1950-51 Junior Football Team goalie. I remember the photo being taken in the playground of the school. No one had told me about it the day before, so I hadn”t brought my football boots along. Hence the reason I”m wearing shoes – notice that? I still have a copy of the photo but my plaque fell to pieces years ago. Yes, we were undefeated that season but there was the one drawn game – catholic school, St. Joseph”s, or some such name. The game ended 2-2. How do I remember that? Well, Mr Showel publicly criticised me at the following Monday”s school assembly for conceding two goals. I wouldn”t care but the two shots in question flew past me like bullets! I was one year ahead of everyone else, so I was still in the same class the following year. The 1951-52 team was not as good. I believe we finished halfway down the table. I remember Newtown School thrashed us 7-0, paying us back for our 6-1 win over them in our championship winning year. Our home ground was one of the pitches in the Tilery Recreation area. I”m afraid I have no memories of Richard Hind School. From 1952-57 I was at Stockton Grammar.
Hi Pat – remember it all very well, yes “happy days”. Nice to hear from you after ? years
I remember you Allan Fox, when myself, my sister Mary (nee Quinn) along with Olwen Franks, used to frequent Bath Lane,(I believe the shop was called “Mary”s”, sold Iced lollies etc. I just found this site and was reading some of the messages and I came accross the picture of Bailey St.school and there you were. I also remember your sisters, Doreen,Irene and Norma. At that that time. we lived in the Castle & Anchor at the top of Church road. Also at that time I believe My sister had a crush on you, Olwen had a crush on Colin Bell (Your cousin I believe) and my pash was Graham Hiscox.We were all so in lurve at the tender age of 9 or 10. Happy days.
Bob Irwin, I do not think I knew this Miss Laverock. But Billy Laverick (William) was in the wages department at ICI and lived nearly opposite us in Grantham Rd. Mrs Laverick was a retired school teacher. Regarding plays in Norton the Horton”s of Junction Rd were friends of our in particular Ronnie their only son killed on his bike. The family never really recovered from the loss. After the William Newton was built the school hall was used for local plays. Mrs Minnie Horton caused a big laugh taking a mans part but forgot to do up her flies! It was the taking point for weeks. Do you remember the childrens clothes shop in Leven road. W.W.Dixon bought the firm in Leven Rd and opened up the one near Salmon the chemist W.W.Dixon “Bairns Wear Shop” Keith their son was my pal until he died in 1993. I still miss him.
J Norman Kidd. I don”t think that the Barbers of yesteryear could manage with all the hairstyles of today. It was “short back and sides” in those days. If you had asked for one of todays versions they would have refused. Tom Smith,yes a little rosy cheeked guy. You could just imagine him jumping out of a Nursery Tale book. Almons Chemist. Was Mr Dodds the Manager there at your time and was he related to the Dodds Chain Library next door? When you think the Village was full of the old Masters. The Blacksmiths on the Green, Mr Harrison the Joiner and Undertaker, Lonsdales the Plumber. I remember Mr Towl doing the Glazing at our house. Billy Eagling who did the cycle repairs, not forgetting again Tom Smith the Jeweller. In the 50″s I can also remember Ormston the Plasterers who were behind the houses in Mill Street. Talking of Mill Street, can you remember a Miss Laverick(?) who supplied all the clothing for the Church plays? She was given a free seat at all plays and was also mentioned in the Thanks at the end. Maybe you could or someone else add to the list.
Bob Irwin. Yes I remember the bits of wood used to seat we little lads, I wonder what our old barber friends would think today if they new some people pay £40 for a hair cut. I pay £4 today. Miss Philips was a Belgium lady always covered in flour she liked her baking described as Patisserie”s (I may have spelt it wrong) she also sold twisted barley sugar sticks in a jar. Very nice they were too, but I did like a Garnett”s Toffee Bar! from Milner road shop. Mr Tom Smith was a proper working Jeweller and I can see his red face now and his glasses. Your six pence tip, would get you in the old Avenue Cinema 2p on Saturday morning,with Tom Mix or Buck Rogers as serials, 2p for a quarter for sweets, and two penny worth of chips from the chip shop. I think the Moderne was 10p stalls and 1/3 up stairs. Petrol was 1s 3d a Gallon. Today the difference in price can be 5p per ltr, some garages charging 99.8 per ltr. My pay in 1948 was 15/- less 2/6 stamp money so I took home 12/- for a full weeks work including Saturday mornings. I used to enjoy being sent to Salmons”s the Chemist for Alum and Water Glass which were used in Dentistry also Sulpher used to cement teeth onto metal posts and backings on metal Dentures. The water glass was used as a seperator to prevent plaster sticking to acrylic resin Dentures. Salmons had one or two nice looking girls in the shop but I was a shy little lad in those days. We cannot turn the clock back Bob but I get cross over the loss of so many good people who gave there lives for this country in wars.
J Norman Kidd. I can”t remember Miss Philips but I do know that Jack had the Haidressers and his Mother the Tobacconists next door. There was a doorway from the Hairdressers room into the Tobacconists. He often went through to get change from his Mother. When cutting your hair Jack had a twitch in which his eyes would close and as a small child I often thought my ear would be cut off. Can you remember the piece of wood he put over the arms of the chair if you were to small to sit in the chair? When Sid Jenkins moved into Leven Road I was glad to be one of his first customers. Jack carried on his trade after selling the property and went onto the premises that Mr Shaw had at the Red Lion R/B and was working until the 80″s. Next door to Jack Edwards shop in the High Street was Vanes Bakery and cake shop. After the Alms Houses was the Farm of the Lumleys. I can only remember Gerry who worked in the Co-op Butchers further down the High Street. Can you remember the Watch repairer and Jeweller Tom Smith. There was a small window at the side of his shop in the back street and I watched him for hours with his magnifying glass attached to his head. I used to deliver the meat to his shop and used the side door to his living premises at the back of the shop. His wife would always give me a tip. 6p in those days which in todays money would be 2.1/2p.
Bob Irwin. Bang on Bob, I could not rember Jack Edwards name but the Edwards family also had a good tobacconists shop next door so I suppose Jack must have bought Miss Phillips shop. They were all near the Almshouse”s. Next to that ajacent to Miss Browns lived the Lumley family Terry, Gerry and Tommy. There father farmed the farm which I believe Sir Frank Brown owned. Mrs Lumley was my mother”s friend from her nursing days at Dudley Road Military Hospital Birmingham, where Mrs Lumley (Rymer) had been a Nursing Sister in 1914-18. It was at Dudley Road Hospital that my Mum and Dad first met, when Joe my dad was sent there from Eygpt with Giardia. (water poisoning). Terry Lumley became an accountant for the Co-Op, Gerry became a butcher for the Co-Op and later opened his own shop in Billingham. Tommy started as a fireman on the LNER and probably later a driver from Stockton Shed. Drivers and Fireman put in long and dangerous hours during the war quite a number being killed by machine gun fire from the air or explosion due to bombing. It was a hard mucky job totally different from today.
The Hairdressers in Norton just after the war were, Jack Edwards in the High Street, Sid Jenkins in Leven Road. I beleve this was a Hairdressers before he took over. Further up the High Street and next to Bottomley”s was Edgar Parson and on the Red Lion Roundabout was a man called Shaw.
Anon. I used to go to Sid Jenkins for hair cuts in Leven Road at the time you mention. I was then in my teens and an apprentice Dental Mechanic working for C.V.Armitage of Norton Road. I remember sitting waiting for my turn in Sid”s high class emporium, (a little oil on Sir?) reading a Journal of the day. The article was about a new comedian called Ken Dodd and his antics. LAST SATURDAY I had the pleasure of seeing Ken perform his pretty well non stop hilarious act,at Derby Assembly Rooms from 7pm untill 12-45pm. The man is a genius at 80 years of age. I also remember seeing Max Bygraves on his demob at the old Theatre Royal M/Bro, also Franck Randell and Norman Evans also at M/bro, but not the Theatre Royal. The other barbers of Norton were Edgar —– who had two different shops one at Norton Green the other one next to Miss Philips the Confectioner or the tobacconist next door. Then there was Mr Weflford in a little shop by the Red Lion. I think there was another near Norton Billiard Hall. (Little off the top Sir) I was too young for anything for the Weekend. Edgar always gave me a clout with the hair brush when he had finished.
Used to go into Allom”s to pay the paper bill for my aunt. Nice bloke, well spoken,always seemed slightly out of place in the shop. I remember he often wore a fawn coloured duffel coat. Sid Jenkins has also cut my hair more than a few times, well over fifty years ago. Didn”t Sid die quite suddenly, as I remember then going over to Lennie Shaw”s for hair cuts, opposite the Red Lion. Wouldn”t be much work for those gentlemen on my head now! John and Linda Sell had a shop further up Leven Road towards Greta Road. I was sometimes sent there for a bottle of Parkinson”s pills, some kind of proprietary medicine, which my aunt swore by. There was also a shop at the top of Esk Road, run by two sisters called Dalkin. I used to go there with an empty sherry bottle and get it filled with vinegar made by Wren”s of Yarm from a wooden cask in the shop.
Alloms did have the Newspaper Shop in Leven Road. It was run by him and his wife and son Quentin. They lived in Bradbury Road. Mr Allom bought his son a Shop a couple of doors along from him. It was called Quentins. You are right about him once having a Cinema. In one of the Villages north of Sedgefield on the Road to Durham.
Yes, the paper shop in Leven Road was Alloms. I worked there as a teenager. I believe that Mr Allom once had a cinema somewhere before the paper shop. My Uncle, Sid Jenkins, had a barbers shop close to the paper shop. My regards to all those names I recognise from Bailey Street and Richard Hind mentioned on this great and nostalgic site.
I remember that paper shop on Leven Road it was definitely called Alloms, I used to go there for my nana circa mid to late 1950s when I visited her in Greta Road, I also used to run her errands to a shop in Stanley St at the top of Greta Rd, it was run by a Mrs Snell a small corner shop typical of those days
I remember the paper shop as Allom”s but I”ve already been wrong on a few things as age has withered the brain. I”m sure it was in Leven road though. It”s the freezing hands in winter that really stick in my mind. Cheers.
Hi John Smith No John our Norma did not emigrate to South Africa, she still lives in Stockton, but our Doreen and Irene did emigrate to S.A. Dot has been there about 35 years, Irene 30 years. I have retired, and have lived in Norton for the past 42years (where has the time gone). Mentioning the paper round John, it was for Mallons in Leven Road. Cycle from Stockton, deliver papers(Esk, Balder & Wrightson), cycle back, go to school,cycle to Norton,deliver papers,back to Stockton, All weathers. Who would do that sort of thing now.
Hello Len Nicholson, I am not sure that you got my last message re the pikelet man having a premises opposite the Wild Ox in Tilery, you said his premises joined that of your Auntie Jessie, well Jessie was the baby sister of my father Robert Goldsbrough – isn”t it strange that the side street you were talking about was called Crosby Street, and Crosby was Jessie”s mother”s maiden name. Do you think that we are cousins ? Best Wishes, Beryl Clare
Len, Yes the lad sat in the front is Freddie O”Neil. He lived in Inkerman Street. I lived as you know in Balaclava St. He now lives in Redcar.
Alan Fox & John Robson.The boy at the front of your photo is called Freddie O”Neil & he lived in the area you mentioned,he knocked about with us when we were lads.
Alan Fox. I was pleased to read your comments on the old Bailey Street football team. I think, as you stated, Freddie was the name of the unidentified boy on the front row, cannot bring to mind his surname. I think he lived in either Inkerman or Balaclava Street, I live in what is left of that area at this present time. This photograph was also in a sorry condition, it was made more presentable for viewing by the Picture-Stockton team. I do still have the 6″ shield minus the football figure, that departed some years ago. Not too sure how many of those on the photograph are still in the area, I did see Dennis(Matty)Garbutt in Stockton recently unfortunately needing the assistance of a walking stick to get around. Alan I hope you continue to enjoy this terrific website, my best wishes to you.
Hello, Alan Fox. Yes, I remember Kiora photo club. This site is excellent for bringing back those memories with help from old aquaintances. There was Jeff, me, Harry and Joan in those days. Nine years after Jeff and I, Mam (with Dad”s help) had a second set of twins – Colin and Lynda. Good to hear from you. Did another internet site show your sister Norma in South Africa? Cheers, John.
Alan Fox. Well hello there Alan! Yes I do remember the photo club – I still take the occasional photo and it”s much easier with digital than the old days. Yes there was me, Jeff, Barry and Joan in those days. Nine years after Jeff and I, Mam (with Dad”s help)had a second set of twins – Colin and Lynda. Nice to hear of you and the Kiora days. Cheers, John.
Hello John Robson Just for fun typed in “Bailey Street School” low and behold up popped my name and photograph of the football team of 50/51. The boy in the front row was called Freddie ? (was it Neil or O”neil)I have the same photograph, a bit battered and dog eared. Do you stiil have the trophy prize? (6″ shield) For the passed 20 odd years I have played golf with Mike Fitzgerald at Billingham Golf Club, have often reminisced about Bailey Street in the ninteenth hole. Hello to John Smith I do remember you and your brothers Jeff and Harry?, do you remember the photograph club at Kiora Hall Kind Regards to all you ex Bailey Street Boys. Alan
I was at Richard Hind from 1949-54 and George Kear replaced “Pansy” Butler as Geography Master in 1950. It didn`t take us long to work out that George Kear was somebody to be feared. He broke three canes on a boy in our class which resulted in a visit to the school from the lads parents. I know that they raised a stink with the Headmaster Johnny Rosser but nothing was done about George Kear and it appears that he continued to hand out indescriminate thrashings long after I left the school. I kept my head down in his class resulting in a GCE pass in Geography so some good came my way as a bi-product of his tyranny.
John Robson and John Smith. I think I must have attended Richard Hind after you, 57-62 but I agree with your comments about George Kear. He once caned the whole of the 1st year class 1b for some trivial mistake in the layout in a piece of Geography homework. I wonder if these teachers would have behaved diferently if they been forwarned that 40 -50 years on their antics could be discussed like this on the WWWeb. As well as the teachers you mention we also had Bird and Heslop teaching Science,Snudge Woodward Maths,Knocker Taylor RK and another Carling (as well as Pop) teaching PE. We also had a Mr Fenny teaching Metalwork in the Prefab across the road and Pa Dee was I think teaching Chemistry.
Hello,John I was thinking of the few anecdotes I heard from my father about WW1. On one occasion he took binoculars from a dead German officer”s body. On the way out of line a British officer confiscated them on the grounds of “looting” A few days later my father saw him with the selfsame pair of binoculars. On an other occasion they were on an engineering assignment in a pretty hot spot. Their officer collapsed in terror and had to be left behind. Their task completed they picked him up. A few days later the officer was awarded the Military Cross for the exploit. Bitter – sure. One episode he asked me about as a doctor. Moving up during the Battle of the Somme (the RE were support troops) there was a walking wounded man with an arm completely blown off. No dressing,no tournequet,scarcely any blood on his uniform. How could that be asked my father ? Well the brachial artey was probably in spasm – medically it is an artery notorious for spasm. I have approached it several times in trepidation. If they didn”t get a ligature on it in the advanced dressing station the soldier could have died from secondary haemorrhage. The advanced dressing stations saved many lives in WW!. The only double VC in WW1 went to an RAMC officer (Capt Chavasse)
Paul Dee. Hello, Paul. We owe more than we can know to people like your Dad. My fondest memories will be how he insisted on proper manners, especially towards women and the girls from the girls side of the school, the occasional one of which would join us in our maths class. Cheers, John.
John Robson. Hello, John. Good to get a blast from the past. Yes, it was George Kear who (or whom) I disliked intently. Memories of others are returning. I liked “Smiler”, didn”t he usually wear one of those hairy, rust-coloured suits? I sometimes delivered Jimmy Turnbull”s newspaper in Vine Street Norton – he”d retired through ill-health by then, I think. Jeff is retired in Lincoln and I retired to Western Australia after a long spell working in Saudi Arabia where I once bumped into Colin Bell, Alan Fox”s cousin. Best wishes, John.
John Smith Hi! “Pa”Dee was my father. He rarely talked to us about his experiences in WW1. He joined up in 1914 together with his friend from Stockton Secondary School,Tommy Weatherall. They served together in the Royal Engineers. Tommy was killed in 1917 at Ypres and my father was in the burial party. My father was on the Somme at Hill 60 and Ypres. I noticed on a studio portrait that he had 3 wound stripes on his sleeve. I am not sure if wound stipes were a universal practice in the army. In those days they patched them up and sent them back into action. Veterans of WW1 were often bitter, the books written after the war often show that.
John Smith. Hello John, yes I remember Jeff and yourself from the days you lived in Bowser street and when you moved to Redhill road at Roseworth. My comments obviously came across that I did not like any of the teaching staff at Richard Hind, not so. Perhaps because of their involvement with the PT and football part of school life, Mr Fenny but mainly Ken Sawyer were favourites of mine along also with history teacher “Smiler” Gibson. There were two teachers in particular that I disliked, english teacher Mr Thompson and geography teacher George Kear he was a nasty man. Not sure if he may be the teacher to which you refer. Regarding the lads in the photograph I only know the whereabouts of one or two. Dennis Garbutt lives in Thornaby, he retired from his council job within the last year or so. Ray Winn also retired lives in Oxbridge. Albert Tattersdall and family moved to Billingham when the old Garbutt street area was demolished. Sadly I heard some months ago that Derek McKie had died. My regards to you and Jeff hope you are both keeping well.
John Robson. Hi, John Smith here (half of the “Twinnie Smiths” – how I came to hate that expression!). We lived in Bowser street near Alan Fox and were at Bailey Street school along with yourself. I can recall most of the faces in the photo. Aren”t you being a bit hard on the Richard Hind teachers? I remember most of them as firm but fair – maybe age is mellowing me. Syd Buckle(art), Ken Sawyer (RK), “Pop” Carlin (English), “Eggy” Plummer (TD), “Coco” Rowntree (Physics), Mr Fenny (PT) just a few of the names that come to mind. “The Boss” Johnny Rosser”s bark was worse than his bite, although he could wield the cane quite well. “Pa” Dee I remember as being very embittered by his first world war experiences and worried how badly society would become “When your generation come to rule!”. I feel a bit like that myself now when I pause to take in modern society. The geography teacher (Ken ?) I recall was a beast of a man and that”s probably why I can”t remember his name. I hope the rest of your team are still fit and well.
This photograph features the 1950/51 Bailey Street junior football team who went through that football season undefeated. The team, back row: John Robson, Peter Minns, Reed Wilkes, Roy Hamilton, Keith Dickinson, Alan Fox and Derek McKie. Front row: Robert McGuiness, Ray Winn, Albert Tattersdall, Dennis Garbutt, Geoff Stoker. Seated: unfortunately unknown. Also on the photograph is headmaster Frank Showell and sports teacher Mr Fitzgerald. The sports teacher who originally put the team together was Phil West, he along with Frank Showell were the best masters I ever met. I cannot say the same about many of the Richard Hind school masters I encountered from 1951/56. Most of the lads on the photograph were from the Garbutt Street/ Bath Lane area of Stockton. In those days Geoff Stoker”s parents owned the fish and chip shop on the corner of Garbutt Street and Emmanuel Street. I myself lived in Buxton Street, I knew the Harburn brothers who also lived there and who have been mentioned previously on this website. Mrs Harburn always referred to them as “my boys”, a wonderful family.