A photograph of the Portrack Shamrocks. In the season of 1955/56 they went on to win the Teesside League Championship, League Cup and the North Riding Amateur Cup.
Back row, left to right: Vin Oliver (manager), Peter Hanley, Dave Conner, Brian Cook, Eddie Fingleton, Fred King, Terry Boyle, Peter Goldsmith (trainer)
Front Row: Owen Wren (committee member) Mick Conwell, Dennis Callaghan, Henry Harris (captain), Leo Callaghan and Jackie Cutler. The mascot is Phil Dowd.
Photograph and details courtesy of Richard Scott.
Matt Busby of Man Utd played for Portrack Shamrocks in the Ellis Cup at South Bank, he was stationed at Cattrick Camp during W.W.2.
Does anyone remember my Uncle Henry Harris? He played for Portrack Shamrocks. Sandra Dover Rotherham.
I remember Henry Harris I played for Primrose Hill with him, we played in a final, first half he might as well stayed at home, as we were going off at half time he said I am busting, second half he scored three we won 5-2.
Hello Len. Thanks for that. Put a smile on my face. Regards Sandra Dover Rotherham
Does anyone know any more about Peter Hanley from the Portrack Shamrocks please ?
Hi David. Did you know Henry Harris? He was my uncle. Regards Sandra Dover Rotherham.
I knew Henry Harris he was a Plater (Boilermaker) at Stockton Forge Bridgeyard when I served my apprenticeship 1950 to 1956 as a Templatemaker.. Henry was great fellow, a good footballer also a nice cricketer and I played many interdepartmental Games with him.. He loved his sport and could always be relied to give a good account of himself in these games. A great personality and I liked him very much.
Hi i think he’s related to my Hanley’s, my Great Grandfather was John Hanley, aka, Jack or Chapsie.
In the 1960’s Fred King lived on Roseworth & was a great mentor to us young kids playing football on the school field opposite his house – he could not resist coming over & playing in our matches & although he dribbled rings around us he was always prepared to give encouragement & show us how it should be done.
Ken Furphy played for the Shamrocks about this time before turning pro and went on to manage Sheffield United when I took Kieth Edwards and Jez Forest for trials at Bramall Lane
Ken Furphy signed for Everton in 1950, he scored 10 goals in 532 games playing for Darlington, Workington & Watford. He must not of fancied Jez Forrest as a footballer shows how wrong they can be.
I think Ken Furphy also managed the New York Cosmos when Pele was in their team. I knew Ken as he married my next door Neighbours daughter. He also managed Watford I think when Elton John was involved with them.
Did Ken ever live on Hardwick?, I have vague memories of my dad mentioning that he lived next door to us in Whickham Road
Ken Furphy was at Watford as player & manager was from 1962 to 1971 when he left to manage Blackburn Rovers, Elton John was 1976 when he got Graham Taylor involved. Ken Furphy’s brother the late Reg Furphy used to be Stockton West End secretary,after that he done a lot of scouting for whatever club Ken was at, he also worked at Head Wrightsons, Thornaby.
My cousin, Ronnie Roberts, played in goal for the ‘Rocks for a few seasons and won many trophies with them. Also a good friend of mine Eddie Highfield another good player – sadly both passed away now.
Hello Keith. My name is Sandra Dover and I believe your cousin knew my dad Tommy Dover. Henry Harris was my Uncle. Regards Sandra Dover
Both worked at Head Wrightsons Bridgeyard, Thornaby, Ronnie a welder & Eddie a plater, both played football for Head Wrightsons.
My cousin Albert Harburn was captain of Portrack Shamrocks, Keith.
My dad, Jimmy Brennan played for the Shamrocks and held his doing so as an important aspect of his life. Dad sadly passed away 1st November this year. I would love to hear from anyone who has a tale to tell or knew him.
Peter Brennan
My maiden name was Margaret Brennan born 1956 my father John 1914, grandfather Michael late 1880s. He was born in Gateshead and travelled for work to Portrack in early 1900’s Steelworks. Lived in Portrack Street. Grand mother Bridget Burns. Do you think we have a connection? I live in Normanby, Teesside.
When were the Portrack Shamrocks formed, does anyone know?
Portrack Shamrocks won the Teesside League in seasons 1949/50 and 1955/56,they also won the Teesside League Cup(MacMillan Bowl) in seasons 1954/55,1955/56 and 1956/57.
Paul if you are Mary and Paddy’s son Portrack Shamrocks were not about when your dad was playing in the Northern and Teesside League. There was a Stockton Shamrocks team in the Stockton and District League in the sixties but there was no connection.
Brian (Mick) Cook followed two good goalkeepers into the Primrose Hill team in the sixties George Sudron and Rex Hazelton the former Stockton F.C. player who played in their F.A. Cup team in the fifties when they beat Mansfield Town.
My mother played for the Shamrock Ladies team whether it was just the once for charity I dont know but I have a photo of her and her team mates. I remember Jackie Cutler from Cambell Street, I was just a youngun then.
What connection has Richard Scott the old Norton and Stockton Ancients secretary got with this photo?. Nice to see big Brian Cook is still about, are you still at Grangefield?
The photograph of Portrack Shamrocks brought back a lot of happy memories, at the end of that season I went to do my national service in the D.L.I. and played in goal for Shildon in the Northern League. The season’s spent with the “Rocks” were my happiest, ufortunately by the time I had finished my National service they had been disbanded. In my opinion most of the players in that team were northern league standard, which was very high when you look at the records of Northern teams in the old amateur cup. “Happy days”.
Brian are you related to another Cook who I think played for Portrack Shamrocks. He married a girl who lived in Larkhall Square, Norton whose maiden name was Crawford?
Yes, I married June Crawford a year after the photo of the “Rocks” was taken, we will have been married Fifty Seven years this month and still no regrets.
That’s my dad in the middle on the back row (I’m assuming in the goalie’s top?). He’s still just as handsome now 🙂
How would I go about getting a better copy of this picture? My dad is Tommy Cutler, related to Jackie Cutler, and it would make a great gift for him.
Hello Richie.
We would be happy to provide you with a copy of any image you request (assuming there are no copyright issues). The prints themselves are produced on quality photographic paper and are as close to A4 size as we can make them depending on the quality of the original image.
We will contact you via your personal email address with more details.
Brian Cook, Freddie King, Henry Harris and Jackie Cutler all later played for Primrose Hill. Freddie King is the father of Peter and Graeme who were two well known footballers with Norton and Stockton Ancients. Henry Harris worked and played cricket for Head Wrightsons.
Brian, I worked with your father-in-law, Edgar at Head Wrightsons. Such a character. Could tell many a good story about him.