Peel Park
 

Hi guys,

My name is Drew Heatley. I am writing a book titled ‘Lost League Football Grounds’, which will feature a double page spread on Peel Park. I am interested in gathering fan’s anecdotes about the old ground, including things like quirky features, big moments, and recollections of atmosphere etc. It’s an open invitation; feel free to post any memories and reminiscences in the reply. It’d be extremely helpful and would add to the book to have a fan’s perspective.

Cheers!

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Good luck with the book, sorry I can't help you, just before my time :D
There are a few on here though that will be along shortly I'm sure

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My most enduring memory of the old ground is of Paul Anka's big hit, "Diana" blaring out over the loudspeakers before every game in the fifties - wonderful! That and my first ever match (I think) when we drew with the Rovers under the floodlights in front of a full house. Oh, and George Stewart banging in his headed goals harder then most players of today can kick the ball.

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An ex-landlord of the Peel Park pub at the back of the ground was reputed to wash out his empty pale ale bottles and sraighten out the bottletops, these were saved for Stanley home games. The morning prior to a Stanley match the bottles were filled with draught bitter and the caps refitted. Thirsty spectators who fancied a cool refreshing pint of Thwaites were disappointed to be told "Sorry, bitter's off, we've got bottles though." Whether there's any truth in this I've no idea, but it was one of the legends surrounding a certain (now deceased) publican of this watering hole.

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I remember my Dad telling me about that when I was a kid - East Lancs Pale Ale

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I remember a few things from the Peel Park days. I can always visualise how many cars where parked on streets like Manor St, Lodge St when Stanley were at home. This was the 1950s, not many people had cars then.

I also remember the all Scottish Stanley team,George Stewart's goals in particular. Goalkeeper Tommy McQueen talking to crowd behind the coppice goal comes to mind.

One of the games I remember quite well was the cup match against Preston who were then I think I'm right in saying were in the the old first division. Stanley drew away at Preston which was a great result, but lost the replay at Peel Park. A big crowd on that night.

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I remember as a school boy going to the school next door, nicking over the walls to watch the club training during the day. Can't remember too much about the team pre '63 just a wee nipper then

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I, too, remember the game against Preston at Peel Park. It was an Fa cup replay. Preston were in the old Division 1 at the time and Stanley had played well to hold them to a draw at Deepdale. I was only a boy and on the night of the replay the ground was packed. I'd never seen it so full, we had to push to the front to get any sight of the pitch. The only player I can remember now from the Stanley team on the night was goalkeeper Alex Smith who made several fine saves but we still ended up losing 0-4 !!

PS records show the date of the game was 09/01/1961

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The Preston goalkeeper I seem to remember was Fred Else, who also played for Blackburn.

There was somethng special about the replay. Was it T.V highlights of the match where shown. Or was 1961 too early for that.

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Wasn't it our first home game under floodlights?

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That's right. I knew there was something different about the match. I just couldn't bring to mind what it was.

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Stanley's first match under floodlights was 1954/55 season against East Fife.

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I was at that game Bernard, it was a bloody awful night, it bucketed it down right through the match, I was right behind the goals at the Peel Park School end, Stanley might of got beaten but the atmosphere was great

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Thought Stanley had lights before 1961 JEFF, in fact they were one of the first clubs in the football league to get lights, before Rovers and Burnley, If I remember rightly they were on 8 telegraph poles 4 on each side of the ground

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I can remember some 5 or 6 years after Stanley folded I had the job of actually dismantling the old Wooden Stand at Peel Park, in fact its not that long ago that some pictures were published in the Observer of the stand being dismantled

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I don't go back that far Geoff. I just remember something special about the Preston replay. Maybe it was just the big crowd.

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Sorry about getting your name wrong Jeff. It's been a busy day.

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One of the first games I remember under lights was the 3rd Div North V 3rd Div South game. I also remember the wood hut that sold grand meat pies and cups of tea. Standing outside the ground after a game to get the players autographs, the team -McInnes,Ash,Lord,Hunter,Ryden,Bodle,Scott,Dick,Ste wart,Cocker,Anders and the best manager in the league Walter Galbraith. Happy days.

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Of the players I saw pre-1960, John Ryden, a young Scottish centre half, stands out. he was a class above the rest - not surprising that he was snapped up by Spurs. Les Cocker was past his best when playing for us, but his class was apparent.
It was possibsle to watch the game from outside the ground when standing on the slope of The Coppice a bit higher up than the Peel Park pub.

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What always sticks in my mind is that small directors' stand in the bottom corner. It had gas central heating, so the bigwigs could watch the game in comfort, while the rest of us froze!

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as well as the football, Peel Park was the home of the "Legendary Jazz Club":)

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Some great nights up there, Mr C! Don't know what it was like when Stanley were still playing there, though, as I was too young to go in. Suppose it was just the standard supporters' social club set-up.

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musta been 63 ish when i first ventured, seem to think ya are right about the social - pre - demise. sure if theres anyone living who's older n me they can tell us.:D

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I'm like you cashy I only went up the Stanley club after the club folded, but hey what a great place it was until it had to close when the ground was sold, that atmosphere could never be reprodced

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Anybody remember the pitch invasion? If I remember correctly it was a FA cup match we lost 3-1?? and it was the worst refereelng ever ever seen. Referee's name was Glendenning? (BBC's commentater's brother?). The fans wanted his blood and he had a police escort to the railway station. 1957ish.
Tetti

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Slightly before my time, but I remember my old fella telling me about it...a convoy of police cars tearing up Burnley Road etc. Apparently the FA made them put warning notices around the ground afterwards. Never a quiet life being a Stanley fan, then...or now. ;)

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My most enduring memory of the old ground is of Paul Anka's big hit, "Diana" blaring out over the loudspeakers before every game in the fifties - wonderful! That and my first ever match (I think) when we drew with the Rovers under the floodlights in front of a full house. Oh, and George Stewart banging in his headed goals harder then most players of today can kick the ball.[/QUOTE]

And he didn't always 'bang em in' Red....I'm certain that you,like me can remember the graceful and subtle glances from George's forehead which nearly always found the corner of the net and left some of the best Goalkeepers of the day totally bemused!.
My most enduring memory dates back to 1952, when a boyhood pal and myself went to Peel Park to watch 'The Reds' lay siege to 'The Latics' of the Oldham variety !....the reason being that we had two of the finest seats in the Stand,
and they cost us 1/6d each !!!....don't remember where the wherewithal to purchase these was purloined...but what a day out!...and as far as I can remember our lads won easily !! .
Now, I only usually recount this memory to my Psychiatrist...and to Alfred.E.
because it clearly reveals what an aged and decrepit Stanley Fan I've really become .....but here I am 'coming out of the ageism closet for all to see !!

Let's hope that the coming season will provide us all with memories to savour in our collective dotages ( If Dotages is the plural of Dotage!) and beyond !!
Do you know what all???....I think it just might!!.

'ON STANLEY....ON !!!'

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...talking of which, Yonmon, who could forget Alfred E. at Peel Park, standing in his accustomed spot right at the top of the Huncoat End, underneath the "Whitewell clock", his infectious grin radiating out over the old ground? Truly a sight never to be forgotten! ;)

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[QUOTE=Wynonie Harris;727653]...talking of which, Yonmon, who could forget Alfred E. at Peel Park, standing in his accustomed spot right at the top of the Huncoat End, underneath the "Whitewell clock", his infectious grin radiating out over the old ground? Truly a sight never to be forgotten! ;)

And WYN ( and not many people know this!!)...it was there that, during a somewhat 'Bob Lord stimulated' trying time at Peel Park, that he coined that phrase which has since graced the covers of millions...nay trillions of Magazines across this wide world of ours!!....and you know whay I'm going to say!!!....
'WHAT ME WORRY ?'
I heard his assertive exclamation ringing out over the cheers and admonitions rising from the Huncoat End....and in a moment which I can only liken to St.Paul's experience on the Damascus Road, I decided that from that moment on I too would adopt this as my watchword in all matters relating to 'The Reds' and their fortunes...and misfortunes !!.
So..in a quiet moment during the coming Walsall Match...listen closely and you'll hear two voices emanating from the Stand Seats...albeit mellowed by advancing years !...One will be mine shouting as loud as my failing Larynx will allow...'ON STANLEY...ON!'..
The other will be 'him' reiterating his now ancient battle cry...'WHAT ME WORRY ?'...

He even insisted that I add it to my Avatar !.... and now really I must go and take my medication !!!.

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Would it have been 1954 when t'Reds won 4-0 at home? the previous three years saw no game, 0-2 and 1-2.

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I like reading these reminiscences of Peel Park (- please keep them coming).

In its unique and haunting way every bit as much a mecca of football as Anfield or Old Trafford or the San Siro.

I like hearing them on the disc handed out at the ground to us recently.

I would love to see it rebuilt exactly as was somewhere in Accrington. You could not design anything quite like it. Has anyone built a model of it?

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Any model made would have to be slanted. According to Mike Ferguson on the dvd from the exhibition there was a "nine foot drop" from corner to corner. :D

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Clearing my age-befuddled mind...and comparing memories with my companion of that particular afternoon Macca...you're probably right....AS USUAL !!...

But like you...and TM..and so many others amongst our friends on our Forum, although details and statistics are fascinating elements within the history of 'the Reds'...it is the images and memories remaining from our personal encounters with these red-letter games..with all the Stanley Legends we have witnessed in action...and the times when we have felt that our presence and raised voices have in some way helped our team to achieve the impssible...that are all-important to we who just want to be trur supporters of 'the Club that wouldn't die'...

As I must have said elsewhere...I'm certain that 2009/10 will provide us all with another quota of precious memories to call to mind whenever a dark day comes along....I'm looking forward to it !!!

'ON STANLEY......ON !!!!'

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ah ... the joys of keeping a Breedons' Stanley book next to the computer :D

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And Alfred.E. and I were simply full of admiration from thinking that you just flipped these facts and figures off the top of your head!....Macca, this Forum shatters illusion upon illusion for us both...all beyond repair...!.

But sincere thanks for all the valuable information which you pass on..

'WHAT ME WORRY ??'

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ah but fergy was always ****ed shaker,:D have some great memories of fergie on the league-liner back from watford, also have him tattooed on me arm, loved him to bits.:D;) sorry meant pished lol