Memory Lane Origin of the PAK

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Was that the Easter weekend when we played Southport on the Saturday? .

No Harry, it was a normal league weekend, and in those days like us Tranmere played most of their home games on friday nights to avoid clashing with either merseyside clubs.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Overnight stay in New Brighton as I recall. Mind you, couldn't remember much about it the following day, let alone 36 years later.

On this trip we were meant to stay in a B & B which got flooded out. We all ended up in a 4* hotel opposite Lime Street. I think it was called the Tower Hotel and it had a disco in the basement, which we all ended up in. On the saturday we all went to see Everton play Sheff Utd (another story for another time) before the coach headed back to Southend in the evening. The cost of the trip, which included the overnight stay and a ticket for the Everton game was £7!!!!!!!!.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Daphne Grist was in charge,my mum is Doreen Owen who was one of the Assistant Youth Leaders.Finished at Leigh Comm in October 1972 when my family moved to Ipswich where she still lives.

The mists of time (and alcohol) have taken their toll, and unfortunately i dont remember your mum. Hope she is keeping well, bet her time at the Comm gave her a few stories to tell!.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

There were a few that met the Benfleet mob on Bread and Cheese hill. Leigh Comm bashed and scattered them. One guy stood out for Benfleet tho, he had a big reputation. He was the only one that stood. He was swinging a small scaffolding pole at everyone.
.

I recall one big guy from the Benfleet firm Chris W, who wore a Homberg hat (Indiana Jones style). He ended up running his own driving school for learners.

 

[Rob Noxious]

On this trip we were meant to stay in a B & B which got flooded out. We all ended up in a 4* hotel opposite Lime Street. I think it was called the Tower Hotel and it had a disco in the basement, which we all ended up in. On the saturday we all went to see Everton play Sheff Utd (another story for another time) before the coach headed back to Southend in the evening. The cost of the trip, which included the overnight stay and a ticket for the Everton game was £7!!!!!!!!.

Try telling that to the kids of today - they won't believe you. :smiles:

 

[Rob Noxious]

wot

wot hill was that then?

That was the one that led down to the old wooden stand behind the goal, opposite the riverside (Co-op) stand.

 

[GrumpyBlue]

Rucks with Benfleet & also those of King John in Shipwrights were always a bit embarrassing for me as I knew a lot of them as I lived in Thundersley at the time as did a few others such as Jaffa, Tank his brother Mark, plus the Welham twins were from Hadleigh. We were all regulars at Leigh Commwhich to be fair attracted people from as far afield as Shoebury, Thundersley, Southend plus of course the locals. Looking back I guess they were a pretty formidable bunch and I know who I'd like to have on my side in a scrap, as in the main they really looked out for your back.

There were a few battles with the Benfleet boys but they didn't venture as far as Leigh, it was always an away fixture. :smile: I also remember a visit we made en bloc to the Catcracker at Corringham, there's had been rumours that they were looking for a tear up. and around 50 from Leigh Comm arrived and said tear up ensued. Unfortunately the local OB got wind of what was happening and arrived before it turned into a full scale riot, and on arrival they promptly nicked a few of our number. With the arrival of the OB and their utterly unnecessary :winking: policy of nicking our members we became somewhat scattered, and a few got picked off by locals and got a kicking for their pains. Luckily for a few of us a bus heading towards Stanford came along which we gratefully jumped on and we headed back to the safer pastures of Leigh.

Looking back I'm not overly proud of some of the antics we got up to, but in many ways it was a rite of passage which youth of all generations go through. I spoke about to my old man and he admitted he got involved in punch ups with his gang when he was a lad. I think the major difference between now and 40 years ago was that (probably) the worst you'd get was a good kicking, today people think nothing about using knives or guns.

Only just seen these latest postings - the mention of the Catcracker brings back memories - visits there dare I say with Barna back in the day - do not remember any punch-ups though

 

[canveyshrimper]

Try telling that to the kids of today - they won't believe you. :smiles:

Aye, you're right there Obadiah, and we got evicted from our hole in't ground....

 

[canveyshrimper]

Only just seen these latest postings - the mention of the Catcracker brings back memories - visits there dare I say with Barna back in the day - do not remember any punch-ups though

Barna not being involved in an argument ? :stunned:

 

[GrumpyBlue]

Barna not being involved in an argument ? :stunned:

Cannnot verify but could have happened :winking:

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Barna not being involved in an argument ? :stunned:

Can't remember any visits to the Catcracker Harry.Think RichieC's mixing me up with someone else.He's very old you know.:smiles:
What's a "half "btw?:winking:

 

[McNasty]

Can't remember any visits to the Catcracker Harry.Think RichieC's mixing me up with someone else.He's very old you know.:smiles:
What's a "half "btw?:winking:

Please don't refer to Harry and half pint in the same sentence , you will make him cry.

 

[Mick]

Stockport, my has told us about that weekend a few times I think he missed the first half of the Tranmere game.

It was actually in 1967; the Tranmere victory was 44 years ago today !

 

[Carlos]

I seem to recall a few of the trips from Leigh Comm..I am sure Steve Scarrot?..used to go then..anybody remember him?

Yep he is still with us, and just as good if not better

 

[Carlos]

Liquid and Podge turned up at my wedding in Devon in 1985, was a mad one and unforgetable,
marriage didnt last but my love for them 2 is forever

 

[Carlos]

In 1985 he wrote on the wall opposite O'Neills and the old Odeon 'Liquid Ray has gone away' he turned up with Podge at my wedding in Devon, marriage long gone but my love for them 2 will never fade XX

 

[Carlos]

Thats me, I remember Ollie very well, I now have a son called Oliver, but didnt connect the 2 till now.

 

[Carlos]

I was, and Olie gave us the name, bless him.

 

[Rob Noxious]

Fantastic to see Carlos on here! :thumbsup:

 

[E for B and Billy Best]

Liquid and Podge turned up at my wedding in Devon in 1985, was a mad one and unforgetable,
marriage didnt last but my love for them 2 is forever

Hello Carl Christopher, Liquid and Podge now your talking proper blokes