Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: Stocksbridge Owl on November 04, 2024, 04:44:20 pm
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My old Grandad was a Rovers supporter right up until his dying day and though he couldn't get to as many games as he'd have liked in his last years he still classed himself as a loyal supporter. He'd have loved what your team and club are doing right now.
He would often talk about his favourite player of all time, Alick Jeffrey and regale us with stories of his career, often referring to him as 'the supreme King Alick'! He used to say that if it wasn't for injuries he'd have played in the England team in the 1966 World Cup, that's how good he was.
I'd be really interested to read everyone's memories of 'King Alick' to add to what my Grandad used to tell me.
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I only saw him in his second spell with us in the sixties in the lower tiers.
However he was incredibly good.
Genuinely two footed and could hit a shot as hard and as accurately with either.
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I too only saw Alick in his second spell but boy was he some player.The late Jackie Milburn said of Alick He is by far the best youngster I have ever seen, Stanley Mathews said I predict he can become one of the greatest inside forwards in the game,His play bears the stamp of genius
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My best best memory of Alick is when he gave me my runners up medal way back in 1968 after a defeat against Hatfield in the cup.
I too only saw Alick's second spell at Donny. I was so impressed with the best player I have ever seen at Donny my title on this forum shows that effect he had on me for over 50 years, memories.
The partnership he had with Laurie Sheffield was incredible.
ALICK IS MY HERO
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A few thoughts here...
https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=289477.msg1273573#msg1273573
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The best player I've ever seen in my lifetime.
He would have captained England had he not broke his leg.
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And one or two here as well:
https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=292601.0
BobG
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A bloke outside the Vetch that Friday night we drew 1-1 there in Dave Penny's Div 4 Championship season, accosted me to wax lyrical about Alick Jeffrey. The best player he'd ever seen he said. And he was from the land of John Charles!
BobG
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Only ever saw him in a charity/testimonial but I was brought up on tales of how good Alick was.
He was a damn good landlord too
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Stocksbridge - your old grandad was spot on.
I too only saw him in his second spell with Rovers but his name says it all - King Alick.
He was blessed with incredible skills. As a 16/17 year old in Rovers Division 2 (second tier) team he had scored something like 16 goals in 13 appearances when called up for the England under 23 team against France at Bristol City's ground (Ashton Gate) where he broke his leg. He was already lined up for a transfer to Man U but the injury stopped that - and probably saved his life by him avoiding the Munich disaster.
He didn't play again until the mid sixties but he was absolutely awesome in our Division 4 and 3 days scoring heaps of goals. He would have easily been the stand out player of his generation. He could dribble, score goals with head or both feet, and create goals.
He would have been the forerunner of the Ronaldo and Bests and Pele and Maradonna and Messi etc etc.
Not only was he and Rovers robbed (financially) of an outstanding career but England lost a player who would have won us more world cups than we could have ever imagined.
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I was lucky to see him play in his second spell, I was spellbound as a kid watching him, even though it was only a handful of times. Would have loved to have seen him in his pomp. What a player.
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I tell my sons of the night that The King hit the post against PNE in the league cup. The post were still shaking when we left Belle Vue.
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He was an impressive singer in the Sinatra style. I think I heard him more than once, but I seem to remember there was a Rovers Night at the Top Rank in the late 60s. So multi-talented.
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Didn't he sing as a duo with Charlie Williams for a while?
Arksey : he did play again after breaking his leg at Ashton Gate. The trouble was he broke his other leg 2 years later. As far as the1950's were concerned that was it.
BobG
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I saw him also when he was a sixteen year old making those around him blink in disbelief at his skill on the ball and his body strength Those who saw him in his second spell at the club will remember mainly the power of his shots You have to look at the admiration of the great names of his epoch all who sang his praises , Matt Busby , Stan Mathews and Jackie Milburn.
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Never saw him play but he served me a pint or two many years ago, black bull I think it was, not sure.
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Never saw him play but he served me a pint or two many years ago, black bull I think it was, not sure.
He came to The Fox in Stainforth, to tame the Indians, the Indians ran him out of Town, Anyone who knows The Fox in those days will know that it was a rough old place lol!
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When Rooney appeared on the scene as a wonderkid teenager, top pundit Jimmy Armfield was asked if he had ever seen any player so good while so young. The expected answer was of course 'no', but Jimmy immediately compared Rooney with Alick. I don't think it is an exaggeration that he could have been in that 1966 World Cup team.
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This tells you a bit about him.
Although it says by the newsroom it was written by Peter Catt who I believe got to know him well.
There was also a book about Alick written by somebody at the Free Press that Catt contributed to.
Not sure if it’s available or out of print now.
https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/the-catt-chronicles-part-one-king-alick-and-the-doncaster-rovers-cup-thrillers-475528 :bscarf:
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This tells you a bit about him.
Although it says by the newsroom it was written by Peter Catt who I believe got to know him well.
There was also a book about Alick written by somebody at the Free Press that Catt contributed to.
Not sure if it’s available or out of print now.
https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/the-catt-chronicles-part-one-king-alick-and-the-doncaster-rovers-cup-thrillers-475528 :bscarf:
It must be strange talking about yourself as the third person lol!
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I heard that in Bobby Charlton's book that bob said he wouldn't have been where he was if Alick hadn't broke his leg
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I remember that comment now you mention it Hickleton.
BobG
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Here's an interesting account of events....
https://staceywest.net/2018/06/17/looking-back-alick-jeffrey/
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Apologies, I have put this University experience up before, but I feel I can't let this thread go by with subjecting you all to it again :chair:
I went to study at Merton College, Oxford in 1969. One of my fellow students was called Alec Jeffreys. I clearly remember one evening in the college bar explaining to him how he so nearly had a famous name. I am not sure if Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, Fellow of the Royal Society and developer of DNA fingerprinting would actually still remember that particular conversation.
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I’ve posted this before too.
Liverpool v Rovers 1970.
Alick was way past his best with a fair beer belly.
Emlyn Hughes was England captain.
Hughes was marking Alick, who sat him on his backside several times, ran rings round him.
He did a bullet banana shot in that game that had to be seen to be believed, which just missed.
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And I think it was Hughes who drcided to clear an Alick netbuster with his head. Poleaxed him
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Never saw him play but he served me a pint or two many years ago, black bull I think it was, not sure.
He came to The Fox in Stainforth, to tame the Indians, the Indians ran him out of Town, Anyone who knows The Fox in those days will know that it was a rough old place lol!
Oh yes I remember it! Let's just say it wasn't the place for a quiet drink.
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I’ve posted this before too.
Liverpool v Rovers 1970.
Alick was way past his best with a fair beer belly.
Emlyn Hughes was England captain.
Hughes was marking Alick, who sat him on his backside several times, ran rings round him.
He did a bullet banana shot in that game that had to be seen to be believed, which just missed.
Sorry, Tommy, but it wouldn't be me without a bit of pedantry.
1969.
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I’ve posted this before too.
Liverpool v Rovers 1970.
Alick was way past his best with a fair beer belly.
Emlyn Hughes was England captain.
Hughes was marking Alick, who sat him on his backside several times, ran rings round him.
He did a bullet banana shot in that game that had to be seen to be believed, which just missed.
I remember showing him how to do that when he came to watch my school football team.
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I’ve posted this before too.
Liverpool v Rovers 1970.
Alick was way past his best with a fair beer belly.
Emlyn Hughes was England captain.
Hughes was marking Alick, who sat him on his backside several times, ran rings round him.
He did a bullet banana shot in that game that had to be seen to be believed, which just missed.
I remember showing him how to do that when he came to watch my school football team.
A similar thing happened with Wolfie when Tom Keetley came to watch his school football team.
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Yes it was 1969 Steve. I was sweet sixteen.
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Never saw him play but he served me a pint or two many years ago, black bull I think it was, not sure.
He came to The Fox in Stainforth, to tame the Indians, the Indians ran him out of Town, Anyone who knows The Fox in those days will know that it was a rough old place lol!
I can remember having a pint with my dad in the Fox when Alick was the Landlord and I found it so sad, here was my hero working in the roughest pub in Stainy with his two England Caps above the bar. I think JR had Alick's 3 cap
What might of been!!!!
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I went to Danum school, and a girl in my class (who I must say wasn’t to be messed with, with her pal Pauline) would join in the kick about in the playground area. I noticed she could absolutely thwack a football, using her toe end, it was unstoppable.
Her name was Tina Jeffrey.
I still wonder to this day if she was a relation (daughter perhaps?)
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Just found this.....
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/whirligigtv/alick-jeffrey-t2415.html
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We shouldn't forget that Matt Busby was on the point of signing Alick for Manchester United at the time he broke his leg at Ashton Gate. If the broken leg had never happened, Alick could well have been on that aircraft at Munich Airport in February 1958. Sliding doors etc.
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And Alick s Mum kept the signing on fridge
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My Grandad used to wax lyrical about Alick and whenever I'd go visit he'd be sat in his chair watching a game on tv saying none of this lot would be fit to lace his Boots
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My Dad was pretty similar.
BobG
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Describing his style I'd say he seemed to ping the ball effortlessly rather than kick it.
Probably the closest example of that technique from a Rovers player since was El Hadji Diouf.