Lads from Billingham Synthonia Juniors c1960.
Photograph and details courtesy of Len Nicholson.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Lads from Billingham Synthonia Juniors c1960.
Photograph and details courtesy of Len Nicholson.
That season Billingham Synthonia Juniors went across to Cumbria in the F.A. Youth Cup, they beat Neitherhall & got beat at Roker Park by Sunderland Youths who had Jim Montgomery & Dominic Sharkey in their side.
Synners Juniors won a Durham Junior Cup in 1960 beating Darlington Juniors 2-1 at Central Avenue, also played a German side Westphalia & drew 2-2..
One lad missing Len – My cousin Phil Thomas, he was only 15yrs old at the time, centre forward, prolific goal scorer went for trial at Chelsea with Paddy Basnett. Eddy Donnelly missing also, a great team.
Yes Keith, Phil Thomas was there at that time and as you say he was a prolific goal scorer, but there are quite a few of the lads missing. Paddy Basnett also played for the Durham Youth Team with Bill Gates who was still at Spennymoor Grammar School before joining Middlesbrough. Eddie Donnelly was older than this group he was already playing for I.C.I. Cassel Works in the Teesside League.
Back row L to R: Tom Haig, Paddy Basnett, George Hurst, Tommy Hooker, front row L to R: Len Nicholson, Geoff Hanson, Brian (Bunny) Shaw, Tommy Young, Ray Halliday, Pat Hogg.