“

Those were the first words spoken to me by Evan Bryson.

I was brought up on Saltwell Road before moving around the corner to the bottom of Hyde Park Street where Evan lived, about 10 doors up on the other side. I used to see him leave his house after tea time in his blue van, a van I am sure many young players have been dropped off in, at their
homes after attending the club.

I eventually joined the club in 1975 and remember my first game was against Ouston in a friendly. I had always played in midfield but Evan said I was to play centre back which came as a shock but it was from that moment that I played all my career at centre back, thanks to Evan.

I have very fond memories of being at Redheugh boys club, I played so many games it’s difficult to remember them all but I do remember the characters there, fond memories of Evan, Tommy, Mr Mac, Seppy, and Terry Ritson to name but a few. I also remember Tommy’s three bar electric fire in his treatment room, he never put it on if we had been beat, ha!

I played three seasons at Redheugh, playing with some marvellous players and I can honestly say they were some of the happiest days of my life. I played in sides with such great players like Dave Hodgson, Leon Gill, Terry Proud, Jimmy Boyle, and many others, too many to name. We won cups, leagues, and County cups, beating most clubs in the region.

In 1978 I joined Gateshead F.C. along with a few other Redheugh players as there was a tie up between the two clubs. At Gateshead I enjoyed three great years and learned a lot from the senior players there, players like Jim Pearson, John Connelly, John Tudor, Terry Hibbitt, and Bob Mcleod and others. Gateshead played in the Northern Premier League which was a tough league and a great experience.

During my time at Gateshead FC a few professional clubs were watching me play and around the 1980 season I signed a short term professional contract with Nottingham Forest. Ray Wilkie drove me there and introduced me to Brian Clough, a legend of a man. I did not settle there and returned at the end of the season to Gateshead FC. At the start of the pre season training in 1982 I then had a trial game for Newcastle United against Hartlepool United which we won 7-1 (I think). I did well and there was going to be a follow up but in the meantime I had promised to go on a tour of Belgium a few days after the game.

A former player of Gateshead, Kenny Ellis, arranged a tour to Belgium to play a couple of friendly games as he had done the previous season. The team consisted of some Gateshead players and some out of contract professional players, a good mix and good players. We set off on the Saturday morning by bus via Dover and settled in Belgium late Saturday night. Kenny had arranged two games, Monday night against La Louviere and Thursday night against Royal Charleroi Sporting Club, both Division two clubs. If my memory serves me right, I think we drew both games. After the game in Charleroi I was called into the boardroom and offered a two year contract and agreed to sign for Sporting Charleroi. Also signing was a team mate of mine from Gateshead called John McGinley, a left winger.

We returned to Gateshead on Saturday night and John and I were back on a flight to Brussels on the Monday morning to start training Monday night, what a turnaround! Charleroi City is in the French speaking area of Belgium and is a bit like Newcastle, the stadium at the top of the City, bars and cafes in the middle, and bars and nightclubs at the bottom along the side of the river, and to top it off the team played in black and white stripes! Home from home.

I quickly established myself in the team and in the second season signed a new two year contract and I was made captain of the team which I took as a great compliment as there was some good Belgium players in the team and I felt honoured being a foreign player. At the third season we managed to get promotion to the Belgium Premier league via the play off system, we needed to win the last game at home to win promotion which we did 1-0 and I remember the stadium erupting in noise at the final whistle, some beers were drunk that night I can tell you.

I will never forget playing my first game in the Belgium Premier league as it was on my birthday, the 14th August, and was away at Club Brugge on a hot summer Wednesday night. The front three players for Brugge were Jan Ceulemans, Mark Degryse, and a French player called Jean Pierre Papin. We drew 0-0 and I got man of the match, a super birthday present.

Charleroi played their home games on a Saturday night and there was always a big crowd. One game I was getting my kit on ready for the match when someone put their head around the dressing room door and said to me there was some English guys at the front gate asking me to come out so out I went in my tracksuit and flip flops. There was Evan and Alan Blackburn with a grin on their faces, “Dear me” Evan said, “I thought we would never find you”. It was great to see them and they watched the game, we had a couple of beers, then they went back to Blankenburge where they were staying.

On the 6th August 1984 Sporting Charleroi played Liverpool FC in an 80th anniversary game since the club was formed. Liverpool arrived a few days before the game and we were there to meet their bus when it arrived at the hotel. Who got off the bus first? Only David Hodgson my old team mate.

It was the first time I had seen him in years and we had a good catch up about our times at Redheugh. Needless to say, Liverpool were a top team and they beat us 6-0!!

A youth player who got promoted to the first team squad at 17 years of age was called Phillipe Albert, a powerful young centre half who went on to bigger and better things and eventually signed for Newcastle.

I stayed 5 years in Charleroi then returned to England for family reasons. I still had 1 year left on my contract and this was before the Bosman rule came in so Charleroi would not let me sign for a club unless they got a sizable transfer fee which no one would give. I could not play for a year until the FA and FIFA got an agreement that I could play non league but if a professional club wanted me then a transfer fee had to be paid. I signed for Barrow FC as Ray Wilkie was the manager there and I liked Ray very much. I was at Barrow for around 18 months and we won promotion to the Conference
League but as I now had business interests back in Gateshead I signed again for Gateshead FC where my old team mates were managing the club, David Parnaby and Jim Pearson. Gateshead were in theNorthern Premiere League at the time and we managed to win the league (1989-90) and get promoted to the Conference League.

After playing at Gateshead my career was winding down and I went on to play locally at Whitley Bay, Hebburn FC, and Eppleton.

After I finished playing I managed Hebburn FC and then had a spell as manager at Blyth Spartans FC.

I spent 25 years as a Football agent and now I am a football Consultant working worldwide in the Football Industry, often in China before the Pandemic shut the borders.

“

Redheugh would like to thank Peter Harrison for his words and fond memories of Redheugh. We wish you all the best.

“

They say a journey must have a starting point, well my journey started at Redheugh Boys Club one Friday night in 1974.  Never did I know I would play in 4 countries, represent England, play at Wembley on 4 occasions and even return as a football manager!  ALL THANKS TO SEPPY THIRLAWAY!

I believe fate has a huge part to play in our lives and me turning up at Redheugh was just that.  A close friend from my childhood, Ted Cummings, had an Aunty who was going out with Seppy.  On the occasions when I was with Ted at the house, Seppy was there and every time he asked the same question, “when are you going to come and train with us Hodgie?!“.  Well his perseverance paid off and my first visit was on a Friday night and as everyone knows it was in a school yard with flood lights, it was incredible.  I was introduced to Evan, Alex and Tommy.  This was like a professional setup, each had a specific role and all of them set fantastic standards.  I obviously did well in my first training session and was asked to come with the team on the Saturday just to watch the A team play. It seems like yesterday.  There were some good players in the team, Peter Harrison, Jeff Woof, Leon Gill.  I couldn’t wait to get started and I was back on Tuesday night signed up and ready!  The club had a great relationship with Middlesbrough so it wasn’t long before I was joining Jeff Woof, who was on schoolboy forms, on trips down to the Boro.  Unlike Jeff, my father wasn’t allowing me to sign any school boy forms.  I genuinely believe had it been Sunderland then that may have been different!

I must have been playing well, especially in a age group 2-3 years older, because Ipswich, Bolton, Boro and Derby all showed interest.  Ipswich even offering me the chance to leave home and attend school down there!  That was a no go…I found attending school very difficult in my home town (BeaconHill school)!  At the time Bolton also offered 2 years apprentice 2 years Pro which was unheard of in those days, but I never had a good feeling for Bolton so I turned it down as well.  At this time Redheugh were flying.  We were without doubt the best boys club team in the North of England, even though we never came face to face with Wallsend Boys Club, but the end result would prove we would have beating them.  I was then in my second season at Redheugh and all the talk was would we win the treble, and by winning that would mean winning the County Cup.  Decision time was looming, I had to make a decision and Evan Bryson was trying to make it for me.  He tried to convince me not to accept any of the offers and stay with Redheugh for another year.  Being August born mean’t I was still only 15 on leaving school and he was convinced another season with Redheugh would do me more good than harm, and I would be able to play in the County Cup final.  I didn’t take Evans advise and signed for the Boro big gamble, on apprenticeship terms, and turning down possible pro contracts…but I have always followed my heart.  I missed out on the County Cup final, which the lads won, and when I looked at the team photo hanging up on the wall at the new training centre it was spooky because I knew I should have been in that line up.

Well my football Journey was about to commence.  I joined Boro on the 6th of August, ironically it was my birthday, but I had to be 16 to sign apprentice forms.  The sad thing was that Jeff Woof, who had been with the Boro since he was 8 years old, wasn’t signing with me.

I had 2 years to prove myself and to be honest at times it was tough on many occasions.  I would have gladly walked away go back to Redheugh and enjoy myself!  I was on the verge of being kicked out, and when I say on the verge it was probably a understatement!  I’m certain Boro coach Harold Shepherdson (ex England World Cup coach) had made his mind up enough was enough and wanted me out.  My discipline off the field was shocking, same stupid behaviour which caused me issues at Ipswich surfaced again.  I simply didn’t know the meaning of enough is enough.  Having trashed the rooms of my hostel team mates once too often my time was up.  A meeting was called in the away changing room with all apprentices to attend.  Not sure why they were all there but they were.  In the middle of the room was a table with a pair of Adidas boots, number covered up on the back, so it could have been anyone of 15 players.  Mr Shepherdson began with a long speech about discipline and how England won the World Cup, etc.  His voice was getting louder and anger was becoming the tone.  Within a flash, both boots had hit me full on in the face and chest and within seconds there was only me, him and Bobby Murdoch in the room.  Jesus, my days were over, “Redheugh here I come” was in my mind!

That night we were travelling to Everton to play in the FA youth Cup.  Had it been everyone was fit I wouldn’t have travelled and I’d be gone, but Bobby Murdoch, my coach, made a incredible appeal to keep me until after the game.  Well I will cut this story short, we lost but I covered every single blade of grass at Goodison Park…they had no choice but to go back on there words and keep me!

Well, technically from then on it could only be upwards! I went on to sign pro forms, play over 100+ games for the Boro, win a few individual honours along the way and play for England U21s.

I then left for Liverpool in 1982.  It was the highest transfer that year, £475,000…the other £25,000, which would have taken it to £500k, was mine!

Leaving Boro matched the heartache I suffered when I had to leave Redheugh.  When you’re happy, what else is more important? Even joining Liverpool.  That was my downfall through my career…I always followed my heart and never my head.

So it was going to be the pattern of my career.  Who would demand to leave Liverpool, the best team in Europe by a country mile?  Well, yours truly!!  Knowing I could sign for Sunderland was pulling on my heart strings and 27 transfer requests sealed my deal back home to the club my father and I supported.  Unfortunately this move proved my old boss, Joe Fagan, right.  His last words to me after trying to convince me to stay at Liverpool when I told him I had signed, were “you have just made the biggest mistake of your life”.  Somehow he may have been right, but only on the football aspect.

Well from Sunderland came Norwich, Xerez, Sheffield Wednesday, Sanfrece Hiroshima (Japan), FC Metz (Swansea on loan), then at 31 I retired.  Enough was enough!!

Well, I can look back on 2 league titles, 3 Milk Cup wins, 3 Charity Shield medals, 1 European Cup winners medal, 1 England U21s winners medal and 1 runner up Milk Cup medal with Sunderland.  Add to that 450 games in management (with Darlington FC), several manager’s awards and reaching Wembley as a manager…and still involved within football having travelled the world…worked in South America and lived in Argentina, having inbetween wrote a best selling book about my life in Football…and all this is thanks to Seppy Ted Cummings and Redheugh boys club!

1984 u14s Cup Presentation to Redheugh by David Hodgson at Gateshead Stadium

Thank you Redheugh Boys Club for sending me on an amazing journey!
David Hodgson

“

On behalf of everhone at Redheugh we would like to thank David for his time and kind words.  We wish him all the best for the future.  THANK YOU.

DAVID HODGSON – STATISTICS:

Playing Career:

• Redheugh Boys Club:  1974
• Middlesbough:  1978-1982, Games 125, Goals 16
• England U21s:  1980-1982, Games 7, Goals 3
• Liverpool:  1982-1984, Games 28, Goals 4
• Sunderland:  1984-1986, Games 40, Goals 5
• Norwich City:  1986-1987, Games 6, Goals 1
• Xerez:  1987-1988, Games 14, Goals 0
• Sheffield Wednesday:  1988-1989, Games 11, Goals 1
• Metz:  1989-1992, Games 38, Goals 0
• Swansea City:  1992, Games 3, Goals 0

Management Career:

• Darlington:  1995
• Darlington:  1996-2000
• Darlington:  2003-2006

Honours:

• Liverpool:
  • FA Charity Shield Winner:  1982
  • First Division Winners:  1982-1983, 1983-1984
  • European Cup Winners:  1983-1984
• Sunderland:
  • Milk Cup Runners-up:  1984-1985
• England u21s:
  • UEFA U21s Football Championship Title winners:  1982

We are delighted to introduce you to Paul Bryson.  Paul started at Redheugh and went on to have a fantastic 38 years in the game.

Below is his great track record:

• Redheugh Boys Club:  1977-1981
• Tow Law FC:  1982-1985
• Gateshead FC:  1986
• Spennymoor FC:  1986-1988
• Eppleton FC:  1989-1994
• Dunston UTS:  1995-1996
• Chester-Le-Street:  1997-2001 (UEFA B Coach badge earned in 2000)
• Birtley FC:  2002-2003
• Consett FC:  2004-2005
• Birtley FC:  2005-2007
• Head of Football for Gateshead College:  2002-2014 (UEFA A Coach badge earned in 2006)
• Sunderland FC u18s Coaching:  2015

We asked Paul to write some words about his time in the game:

“

I joined Redheugh Boys Club in 1977 when I was 13 years of age. I was representing Gateshead boys and some of the players asked me to join the club and said you will really enjoy it.  They were not wrong I had 5 years of my best footballing days at the club.  I loved every minute of it as it provided me with great memories, opportunities, meeting fantastic people and making lifelong friends.

I met Evan Bryson, Alan Blackburn, Alec McPherson, Tommy Leonard, George Alberts, Terry Ritson, Micky Hughes and Dennis Washbourne.  They collectively showed excellent values of Respect, Humility, Discipline and Hard Work.  All traits that I have took with me since leaving the club whether it be in playing, managing or coaching.  I will be forever grateful to all of them.
We trained Tuesday and Friday nights at Rose Street School before playing our games on a Sunday for the u14s.  I loved the training and comradery that much I used to train other nights with the older age groups too.  We used to train with Zeppy first (im sure all players will never forget your backs to wall and legs at 90 degrees) Zeppy was great disciplinarian.  After our fitness work we would play game on outside tarmac or if weather was poor we would play 1v1, 2v2 with soft ball indoor.  It was struggle to get us out of the building as we loved being there.

My first game for the u14s was against Grainger Park.  I was playing centre forward and was fortunate enough to score 6 in a 10-3 victory.  Dennis Washbourne was our manager.  He always encouraged myself and the team and wanted us to express ourselves.

That season we won every game which was a great achievement.  We had some outstanding players in the team of which 5 went on to be apprentice footballers at professional clubs.  Early in my Redheugh days I was asked to sign schoolboy forms for Middlesborough FC when I turned 14.

I was very excited with the opportunity and would go to Middlesborough during school holidays while still training and playing for Redheugh.  Whilst I enjoyed Middlesborough I did not fulfil my potential while I was there and got released at 16.  The Middlesborough youth team consisted of Tony Mowbray, Darren Wood, Steve Tupling and Michael Harrison who was a good friend and also from the boys club.

U16 National Champions:

In my second year at Redheugh I was an U15 and I represented the U18 B team.

We played in the Jarrow and District League.  This was excellent for my development and very challenging playing 3 year up.  The team was ran by Alec McPherson who was a great guy and character.  Mr Mac as we called him was great to play for and his enthusiasm rubbed off on the team.  Again we were very successful winning the league and cup double.

My granddad played a big part in my development.  He worked with Alec at Redheugh Iron and Steel works, a place where I worked later mainly thanks to Alec for recommending me. My granddad would love watching myself and Redheugh play.  Wherever we played he would be there in rain, hail or snow watching quietly in the background.

From the age of U16 (1979-1982) I played for the U18 A team which played in the North Durham Junior League.

Evan Bryson was our manager.  Evan was a great guy.  He had a good eye for a player.  He was very protective of his own players.  He wanted us to enjoy, work hard and express ourselves when playing which was a theme throughout the club.  We had 3 very successful season winning lots of silverware.  We had the great experience of the Ayr International Tournament in 1980.  It was a great experience getting to the semi final only to lose to a controversial goal against Hearts u18.  In 1981 I represented to the Durham County Boys team.  This again gave me a fantastic experience.  The team was managed by Alan Watson who I have kept in touch with from all those years ago.  We reached the semi final of the National Gillette Cup.  We played Merseyside County at Sunderland’s Roker Park.  We drew 2-2 AET then travelled to Tranmere’s Prenton Park for the replay.  We drew this game 3-3 AET and won in penalty shootout 5-4.  I was fortunate to score in shootout.  We then played Suffolk in the Final at Ipswich’s Portman Road.  This was a fantastic occasion and game.  We won the game 4-3 in a thrilling encounter.  The occasion was made even better by Sir Bobby Robson presenting us with the trophy!

My playing footballing career after leaving Redheugh was in the non league.  I played for 25 years and loved every minute of it.  My clubs included Tow Law, Spennymoor, Gateshead (only for short period due to work commitments), Eppleton, Dunston, Chester-le Street (player manager) Birtley (player coach) and Consett (player coach).

Birtley:

Over my time of playing I was very fortunate to be involved with good successful clubs.  A few highlights were playing for Tow Law against Bradford City at Valley Parade in the first round of the FA Cup.  Also at Spennymoor we played Tranmere at the Brewery Field in the first round of FA Cup.  Tranmere were managed by the legend Frank Worthington.  We gave a good account of ourselves only to lose 3-2.

My spell at Eppleton where I played for 5 year were really enjoyable.

We were very successful and I enjoyed playing for the manager, Stu Sherwood.

In 1997 I took the player manager role at Chester–le-Street.  This is when I first started to think about coaching.  I took my Preliminary badge and really enjoyed it.  I then looked to complete my level 2 before completing my UEFA B Licence in 2000.  I started to work part time for Sunderland in 2001.  The coaching commitment still allowed me to play part time for Birtley and Consett before retiring in 2007.

I was offered the full time role of Head of Football at Gateshead College in 2002.  This was the best decision I have ever made.  I had 13 great at Gateshead working for Alan Snowdon who was the Head of Sport.  Alan was very influential in my coaching career and I will be forever grateful to him.  We took the academy from 20 students in my first year to 160 when i left in 2015.  We grew the department so we could cater for Elite, Development and Participation players.  The Elite team was really successful winning National Leagues and Cups.  We also helped players get back into full time football namely Chris Basham of Sheffield United and Adam Reach of Sheffield Wednesday.  During my time at Gateshead we had 40 students that signed for professional clubs and a further 60 went onto American Scholarships.  The link with Gateshead College and Gateshead FC became stronger.  It was excellent for the students as they had a realistic opportunity to sign professional as Gateshead were full time playing in the National League.

As well as coaching the U18 I also coached Gateshead Reserves.  We had excellent FA Youth Cup runs in 2011 and 2013 beating Preston, Wrexham, Doncaster and Tranmere on the way.  Gateshead Reserves won the Durham Challenge Cup in 2011 beating Dunston in the final, and the Central League Cup in 2013 beating Mansfield 2-1 at Field Mill.

I was fortunate to coach The England College National team from 2005-2013.  This was a great experience. I also became a FA coach educator and coach mentor.  This gave me opportunity to go back into clubs like Redheugh and Cleveland which I really enjoyed.

I had been working with Sunderland part time and the opportunity to go full time came along in 2015.

The opportunities are more now with the Elite Player Performance Plan in place at professional clubs.  I started in the youth phase but now have progressed to the profession phase coaching the u18s.  Over the years it has been excellent having a little part to play in Jordan Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Martyn Waghorn’s and many other players’ development.

It has been a long but very enjoyable journey.  It has filled me with great memories, met great people and i have made lifelong long friends.  Many Thanks again to Redheugh.

Regards and forever grateful,
Paul Bryson

“

We would like to thank Paul for his brilliant words and allowing us to publish his personal photos.  We wish him all the best for the future, all the best Paul!!

Below is Colin’s story in his own words along with some of his personal photos:

“

Redheugh Boys Club,

When I was in the fifth form at school my mum and dad were looking for a football club for me to play for. My mums cousin (Uncle Joe), who was a Barber on Tyne Rd.  Uncle Joe was also the father of Tommy Robson (that would make Tommy my half cousin), who had just signed for Northampton Town from Redheugh Boys Club.  Uncle Joe took me to the boys club where I met Evan Bryson, Tommy Leonard and Alec McPherson.

At the time that the boys club was sited within the Teams, before moving to Rose Street school.  I was completely hooked by the place and attended the club at least four times a week.  The club at that time had A, B and C teams all under 18.  I started in the C team, then graduated to the B team.  The B team played in the Jarrow and District League.  Tommy Leonard was the leader of the boys club at that time and he had watched my progress with great interest.  Around this time we were to play a West German side (Westfalia juniors) at Redheugh Park – Gateshead FC’s ground.  Tommy insisted that I play against the German side and I never looked back after that, I was a regular in the a team, and was even selected to play for the Durham County Boys Club under Duncan Gibson for two years.  I look back at that time and the all encompassing memory that the greatest influence on me was Mr. Evan Bryson, who taught me how to conduct myself both on and off the field.

It was at Redheugh that I met my best friend Ian Branfoot (Branny).  We played in the A team at Redheugh together (in a very successful side) as well as in the County side, even winning the Gillette Cup where we beat Hampshire in the final 6 – 1 at The Crystal Palace.

Ian and I even went on to play for England boys clubs together against Wales and Scotland and soon after ended up at Sheffield Wednesday.

It seemed we were inexplicably linked until I went to Sunderland and Ian went to Doncaster Rovers, before once again reuniting again at Lincoln City.

When I was just 17 I was sent for trial at Northampton Town, with Rob Fuller from Wrekenton Juniors.  They wanted me to sign but my mum and dad didn’t want me to go because they thought I was too young.

It was at this time that Redheugh became the junior side of Gateshead FC, the Player Manager of the first team being Bobby Mitchell (the ex Newcastle left winger) who played in the successful Newcastle Cup winning team of 1955.  Branny and I progressed to the reserve side until Bobby Mitchell played me in a first team game against the Newcastle United side which was to include a guest appearance by Jackie Milburn.  The match had been arranged to help raise money for Gateshead FC.  I was then included in the first team and played in the North Regional League which included the reserve sides of Middlesbrough and Sunderland.  It was also at this time that Ian Branfoot and I had a trial for Newcastle.  We played for the Newcastle Juniors team against Doncaster Rovers and both scored in a 2-1 win.  Word came back after the game however that Gateshead wanted too much money for us and believed they had better players in the squad at the time.  My ambition was always to be a professional footballer, but to be turned down by your hometown club was a kick in the teeth.

Soon after however, it was when Ian and I played for England boys club that a scout recommended us to Sheffield Wednesday.  Our trial was a reserve game against Bolton Wanderers.  We must have played well because we were both asked to sign for Wednesday after the game.

As part of the deal in signing for Wednesday we played a game against Gateshead.  The reserve team that day had an average age of 18.  We drew 4-4 and once again Jackie Milburn guest appeared for Gateshead.

When you join a professional club you think you know how to play football but Ian and I had to learn our trade and there was no better teacher than Alan Brown, the Manager at Sheffield Wednesday.  He was one of the first to play 4/3/3 and indeed Wednesday became known as the wingless wonders.  In our first season in 1965/66  Wednesday played in the cup final against Everton.  The same year England won the world cup of course and while they were achieving that we were on tour in Bulgaria.  My first team debut was also against Everton at Goodison Park in the following year.  Alan Brown believed in youth and his coaching was at least 10 years ahead of everyone else.  His handling of young players was exceptional.  Also at this time, Lawrie Mcmenemy who was our coach at Gateshead, had joined the staff at Sheffield Wednesday.  I played several times for the first team over the next two years, playing against great players, but even when you weren’t playing the boss would take you as a substitute or as first reserve to keep you involved in the squad.  In 1968 we went on tour to Mexico and played at the Azteca stadium in Mexico city, we were the Guinea pigs for the England team who were to play in at the 1970 World Cup.  The England doctors monitored us in training because Mexico City was at altitude.  When we came back from that trip we would learn that Alan Brown had taken the job at Sunderland and in turn I was placed on the transfer list.  Jack Marshall took over from the boss and I didn’t get along with him at all.

I followed “the Boss” soon after to Sunderland.

I was still a First Division player and I was coming home to the North East.  Unfortunately, Sunderland was not a happy time for me as we were relegated in the first year I was there.  Sunderland however were great to me, most of the time I languished in the reserve side because the squad were very talented, with youngsters that would go on to play in the 1973 Cup final.  I can remember we once went to play at St. James’s park and turned over the Newcastle Utd first reserve team who were playing regularly in the central League.  While I was there we also played and beat Darlington’s first team in the Durham Senior Cup.  At this time I was even fortunate go on tour and played in the Anglo Italian Cup against Lazio in Rome and Fiorentina in Florence.

I was released by Sunderland and signed for Lincoln City in 1972.

David Hird, the ex Arsenal and Man United player, was the manager.  Graham Taylor was a player at Lincoln City and he was my roommate on away trips.  David Hird was soon however sacked and Graham became the manager.  The club became more professional in its outlook under Graham.  Several new players were signed including Sam Ellis who I had played with at Sheffield Wednesday and Ian signed from Doncaster Rovers.  I enjoyed my time Lincoln until the final season, when early on in the campaign I was badly injured which required an operation.  It was a frustrating time because I only played the last two games of the season and for that reason Graham had to release me.  I was 28.

Graham was friendly with Howard Wilkinson who was the manager of Boston United.  Howard was someone who I played with at Sheffield Wednesday.  Howard was also the FA North regional coach and he said I had to think about my future carefully.  The chairman at Boston was great to me so I signed for them and it turned out to be the best three years of my career.  I moved into Sports Centre Management, as well as playing in a very successful side, and enjoyed my time there before moving back to the North East.

I attribute much of my time in football to my roots.  In my opinion, there is no better club than Redheugh.  Under the guidance of a great man such as Evan Bryson and the Management Team I was provided with the ideal beginning to my career.

Long may such a worthwhile community club last.

Colin Symm

“

All at Redheugh congratulate Colin on his successful career, thank him for his words and wish him All the Best!!!

Colin’s Playing Career

• 1964-1966:  Redheugh BC and Gateshead FC
• 1966-1968:  Sheffield Wednesday – App 19 – Goals 1
• 1969-1972:  Sunderland – App 14 – Goals  0
• 1972-1975:  Lincoln City – App 69 – Goals 7
• 1975-1978:  Boston United – App 92 – Goals 9

Over the years we are really proud of our achievements in terms of youth development and our input to both people and communities.  From time to time there are those that grow their grassroots start at Redheugh into a long, distinguished career within the game.  There are none more so than former professional player and manager, Ian Branfoot.  A summary of Ian’s career is below, in his own words:

“It started off at the boys club!!

I was spotted by the Sunderland Manager, Alan Brown and offered a contract. I was due to do my A levels at school so my dad told Mr. Brown to come back when I had done the exams.  By that time Alan Brown was manager at Sheffield Wednesday, he knocked on the door in Lobley Hill and offered me a contract with my mate Colin Symm.

I was there for about 4 years and played in the first team a few times (even at Old Trafford against Charlton, Law, etc.) then the manager left and I did not get on with the new manager.

Laurie McMenemy took me to Doncaster Rovers on an exchange deal and I had 4 years there.

Then Laurie got the sack.

Graham Taylor rang me up and offered me a contract at Lincoln City.  I had met Graham on the FA coaching courses.  Alan brown had sent me on the FA coaching courses when I was about 19 and I was fully qualified at 21!!!!!!!

I had 5 great years at Lincoln with Graham and then he offered me a job as the Youth/ Reserve coach. Unfortunately soon after, Graham left to go to Watford with Elton John.  I was offered the managers job by the Chairman but told him I was not ready and did not want the job yet.

I was then offered a job by Laurie Mcmenemy as Youth team coach at Southampton where I had 5 great years.

Then I wanted to move on as I thought I was now ready for 1st team coaching.  After a lot of searching I eventually got a call from Morris Evans who was manager at Reading.  I took the job as first team coach and after a short time Maurice was sacked and I was given the job.  I had 5 years there as Manager, won 2 promotions and the Simod Cup at Wembley.

Then as usual for some reason (probably because the money grabbing board sold off the best players) I was sacked.

After a couple of days out of work, Steve Coppell (Crystal Palace) rang me.  It was a huge surprise because I hardly new Steve.  He offered me the First team Coach job.  I waited until I was paid up, rang Steve and he said “I`ll see you in the morning” I had over 2 years with Steve at the Palace and it was the most enjoyable time in my coaching career.

I was then offered a managers job at Wimbledon and at Southampton.  I took the Saints job but it was two and a half difficult years, despite getting to another cup final at Wembley.

The board of Directors, as usual, decided to sell our best players, Shearer and Flowers and Neal Ruddick were allowed to leave at the end of their contracts!!

After being sacked there I applied for the Managers job at Fulham and got it.  Two and a half years running the whole of the club with a great Owner, then Al Fayed came in and sacked us all.

I then started scouting and travelling around Europe!!  Great job!!  I was then offered the Academy Directors job at Sunderland.  I was there for 5 years and produced some very good players.  For some unknown reason I was then payed up and sacked.

I continued to do some scouting which is definitely the easiest and best job in football!!  That is a brief history!!”

All at Redheugh congratulate Ian on all his many achievements and thank him for providing us with his words and photos for this post.  We wish him all the best for the future.  Thank you and All the Best Ian!!

Details:

• Full name:  Ian Grant Branfoot
• Date of birth:  26 January 1947
• Place of birth:  Gateshead

Playing Career:

Managerial/Coaching Career: