A warm but damp and misty evening at the Old Vicarage.
More photographs on the next page.
Eight year old Cecilia’s own Advent Calendar Window
For almost ten years from 1954, on alternate winter Saturdays the Vicarage had a grandstand view of the Sulgrave Football Team competing in various local leagues and even the preliminary rounds of the FA Cup. A notable victory in the latter was a 3 – 1 win over Brackley Town, now famous as cup “giant killers” themselves. The Vicarage can be seen in the background of this photograph:
See here for location of football pitch 1954 to 1963
This field was the only one in the Parish remotely suitable for football and it left a lot to be desired. It was primarily used for grazing and all equipment had to be removed at the end of each game. Goal posts, nets and corner flags were stored in the nearby barn which was later converted into a house. There was a considerable slope and crops of thistles needed regular clearance. All complaints from visiting teams were met with the traditional response “well, it’s just the same for both teams”! We were fortunate in having a fine goal keeper in the late John Young who had played in a much higher standard when in the army during the last years of the war. During the desperately hard winter of 1963 no football was possible between the first week in January and the middle of March. We were still trying to get through the backlog of fixtures at the end of May. We applied to the Football Assocation for permission to play on Sundays but it was refused. Due to these difficulties interest waned, the best players went elsewhere and no more football was played in the village after that.
Obviously it was impossible to play and do photography so photos from the time are rare. However, I did cover one game whilst injured, probably in about 1962. See pictures below. Sulgrave players in black and white stripes. Jokers would claim that the black and white Fresian cattle seen in some of the pictures were our only supporters! (Click on photos to see bigger versions).
Photo: Colin Wootton.
Home game, Dial House in the background with the long gone elm trees
Photo: Colin Wootton.
Home game, the pitch had some interesting features and the cowpats were cleared
away as far as possible before kick off.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
The overhead electricity cables formed an additional hazard
and were often hit by high balls.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
“Taffy” Jones, Sulgrave’s centre forward from Greatworth, with
the Vicarage in the background
Photo: Colin Wootton.
No 8 is Michael Oxley from Culworth, an inside forward with excellent ball control
Photo: Colin Wootton.
Nigel Locke of Thorpe Mandeville, centre half, takes a goal kick
Photo: Colin Wootton.
Geoff Reynolds takes a throw in. In background, the bungalow in Magpie
Road before the poplar trees matured
Photo: Colin Wootton (my favourite picture).
Skill and strength needed to deal with the ground conditions and heavier ball
Photo: Colin Wootton.
Goalmouth action against the backdrop of the magnificent elm trees in Magpie Road
Photo: Colin Wootton.
Geoff Reynolds passes to Sulgrave captain Tony Butcher.
Old Windmill in background
Photo: Colin Wootton.
A fierce shot by Bernard Heritage, No 10, a talented player from Thorpe Mandeville
Photo: Roy Branson.
An away game against Helmdon. Sulgrave players, No 4 Geoff Reynolds
and No 5 Nigel Locke
Photo: Roy Branson.
Away game against Helmdon. Sulgrave players, No 5 Nigel Locke, in front of the
goalpost left back Colin Wootton, No 4 Geoff Reynolds and far right a good jump
by Bernard Heritage
Photo: Unknown.
An away game in Banbury. Colin Wootton, left back, takes a throw in
(probably a foul throw – both feet must be on the ground!)
6th April 1963. Cheneys 3 Sulgrave 2.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
Team photo 1962. (Click on picture for a larger version with names)
Colin Wootton
From Advent windows to football; this website covers everything. Cecilia’s window takes some beating especially the Father Christmas with the wobbly legs (like mine! But they are both lovely.