North Regional League

[Paul Eke]

I’ve been doing some research recently into the North Regional League which contained Doncaster Reserves in the late 50’s / early 60’s but have hit a few stumbling blocks which I was hoping someone might be able to help me overcome. I’m looking for the dates & results of a few games, so was wondering if there was an amateur statistician out there who might be able to assist. Alternatively, a keen programme collector might be able to find some info in their collection or a collector of memorabilia might have some of the club’s handbooks which were issued around that time. These contain full results for first team and reserves for the previous season, I picked one up on Ebay for a couple of quid and there are other seasons on there – but at much higher prices! Any help appreciated

[Dutch Uncle]

Hi Paul

I have a collection of Rovers handbooks from 1951 onwards and may be able to help look up some results for you.

Do you have any specific years and matches?

[graingrover]

I have the handbook from 1954-55 season and lots of 50's programmes so if you want to PM me your questions I shall be pleased to help .
    In the 50's we ran 4 teams . The reserves played in the Midland Counties League , the so called 'A' team in the Yorkshire League , and the Juniors ( under 18) played in the Northern Intermediate league .
   Club programmes and yearly handbooks only recorded tables , results and scorers for First and Reserve team games .
     I have personal records of some Northern Intermediate games through three seasons . It was a good league including teams from Sunderland , Newcastle , Middlesborough as well as all the Yorkshire clubs and also Wolves who had several under 18 teams in various leagues .
     I was at Thorne Grammar school which was rugby only but together with Dave Plaice got school permission to play for the Rovers Intermediates whilst two other Thorne pupils played for the Blades ( Hirst) and Wolves ( Renton).
     Our coaches were Wally Arden and Ernie Swallow ex Notts Forest and Rovers respectively . The manager was Jack Crayston ex Arsenal and England Centre half . That was a trip down memory lane ! Amen!       

[Paul Eke]

Hi guys, thanks to both of you for your replies. I haven't figured out if I can reply to you individually, so I'll just list what I need here and hopefully one or both of you can help!
58/59 Barrow home, Halifax home
62/63 Crewe home
63/64 Darlington home, York away
64/65 York home, 2 aways - not sure which
65/66 Bradford City home, Bradford Park Avenue away, Gateshead away
Any help appreciated!
Cheers,
Paul.

[Dutch Uncle]

Hi Paul - taken from club Handbooks:

1958-59
Barrow Home 1-1 B.Swallow, April 30
Halifax Home 2-2 E.Jones 2, March 17

1962-63
Crewe Home 3-0 G.Mansell 2, F.Taylor, April 23

1963-64
Darlington Home 2-4 P.Robinson, ?.Downing, April 18
York Away 4-1 D.Sterling, D.Windross, J.Billings, Downing, April 16

1964-65
York Away 0-3 15 March
York Away 1-0 J.Henderson 17 April

1965-66
Bradford City Home 1-1 F.Potter May 16 (Yes goalkeeper Fred Potter who played centre-forward)
Bradford PA Away 1-1 J.Fairhurst Sep 4
Gateshead Away 1-0 K.Bullars May 7

All the best

Brian

[idler]

Some blasts from the past with those names that's for sure.

[ballysbackin]

Yes, there are many names there to have good memories of especially Fred Potter who I think was initially signed from Villa as a Centre Forward - might be wrong here

[idler]

No we signed him as a keeper but he had played as a forward when younger.

[Highland Rover]

 While we are on the subject of the NRL , does anyone have the records for the seasons from 1946 to 1950 ?

 would like appearance and scorers records if possible of reserves / youths / 3rd team

[selby]

Derek Downing was from Scawthorpe I think, and went to Percy Jackson Grammer at Woodlands.
     He played as a left sided midfielder or a winger as a non contract player and was scouted by Middlesborough while playing in the Rovers reserves.
  He went on to have a good career both there and at Leyton I think gaining promotion with both teams.
  As far as I know he now lives in Arksey one I have regretted we  let go so easy at the time.
  I have not seen him since school over 50yrs ago but followed his career, a good player we missed out on.

[idler]

His younger brother Stuart, also played for the intermediates a few years later.
He was a full back, a great lad and played with Warboys,Leigh,Watson, and a mate called Malcolm Redfern. He drafted out and played for Mickey Walker at Bradford Park Avenue in the early 70s.
Sadly he died about 2004 I think.

[Dabby]

No we signed him as a keeper but he had played as a forward when younger.

Fred Potter Profile
http://www.doncasterrovers.co.uk/players/NtoR/Potter,Fred.htm

Also put his 1965-66 Football league Division 4 Championship Medal up for Auction .
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/mullocks-specialist-auctioneers-and-valuers/catalogue-id-srmu10030/lot-70dfa9d4-ff98-405b-bb1d-a451014615a0

But was one of my Favourite Keepers , oh those were the days.

[ballysbackin]

Interesting reading on Fred's career I did not know he was in goal when Hereford beat Newcastle in the FA Cup, only name ever repeated was Ronnie Radford for obvious reasons. well at least I hope I got name right

[graingrover]

Barry Swallow was centre half and captain late 50's ( scored in the first game on your list °. His dad Ernie was Centre half of our celebrated 1946 Champions who with 72 pts from 42 games set a record that was not bettered until they introduced three points for a win .
   John Fairhurst a scorer in the 1965 game listed was one of only two players  who made the grade into pro football  from the Doncaster Boys English schools champions in 1958 .The other was Johnny Billings who played inside left for Rovers early sixties.Barry Swallow their contemporary never played for the Donny boys team . More IMPORTANTLY PERHAPS the Swallow family ran a great Ridgewood pub in Edenthorpe !

[drfchound]

His younger brother Stuart, also played for the intermediates a few years later.
He was a full back, a great lad and played with Warboys,Leigh,Watson, and a mate called Malcolm Redfern. He drafted out and played for Mickey Walker at Bradford Park Avenue in the early 70s.
Sadly he died about 2004 I think.

I knew and played with Stuart way back when.
I seem to remember that he died of a heart attack after a gym session.
There was another brother, Mickey who was a striker who i also shared pitch time with.

Looking on the list of results above also reminded me of former team mates, Kev Bullars and Johnny Billings.

[The Red Baron]

While we are on the subject of the NRL , does anyone have the records for the seasons from 1946 to 1950 ?

 would like appearance and scorers records if possible of reserves / youths / 3rd team

Our reserves played in the Midland League at that time.

I will have the results from 46-47 for definite.

[Dutch Uncle]

While we are on the subject of the NRL , does anyone have the records for the seasons from 1946 to 1950 ?

 would like appearance and scorers records if possible of reserves / youths / 3rd team

I have the 1946-47 season handbook Highland - and the Midland league results, appearance totals etc are in there. Would you like me to scan them for you. I have also have 1950-51, but no other seasons prior to 1950-51.

[Dutch Uncle]

Your timing is astounding TRB!

[idler]

His younger brother Stuart, also played for the intermediates a few years later.
He was a full back, a great lad and played with Warboys,Leigh,Watson, and a mate called Malcolm Redfern. He drafted out and played for Mickey Walker at Bradford Park Avenue in the early 70s.
Sadly he died about 2004 I think.

I played against Kev Bullars a few times.
A decent player but seemed a bit big headed in the Sunday League.
I remember seeing him and Belfitt scoring loads for Donny United and their names always appearing in the Green Un reports mid 60s.


I knew and played with Stuart way back when.
I seem to remember that he died of a heart attack after a gym session.
There was another brother, Mickey who was a striker who i also shared pitch time with.

Looking on the list of results above also reminded me of former team mates, Kev Bullars and Johnny Billings.

[drfchound]

The green un eh, do they still print that.

If you scored in the first half you could guarantee your name being in the match report.

[idler]

It's online only now if I remember right.
There were always men hanging about outside paper shops about 6 o'clock on a Saturday night. Queues always seemed longer if we'd won.🙂

[graingrover]

At Christ Church bus terminal ( Thorne , Armthorpe and Dunscroft buses Blue Line , Felix and Cressy) the Green un would be on sale already at 5.30 match days with all the results and tables and Rovers match report up to half time . The news vendor was a cheerful blind man ,LES. 

[arkseyrover]

Selby - Derek Downing does indeed still live at Arksey. If I remember rightly he was the wing partner for King Alick when he returned from exile and began playing for the reserves - in front of about a 4000ish crowd in the early sixties. Also notice that this topic has thrown up the names of some local Bentley/Arksey Rovers lads who played - George Mansell; Fred Taylor; John Fairhurst. I also remember going to an FA Cup replay with Scarborough after drawing at BV in the sixties when Fred Potter the regular goalie played centre forward. He didn't score but Rovers won 1v0.

[Albert Trousers]

George Mansell is a great bloke, ran the top club in Bentley a while back & also drank in the Londesbrough. Sadly suffered with Alzheimer's a few years ago. Went on one of his bus trips to Walsall about 20 years ago, what a day out that was!!

[Highland Rover]

 Dutch Uncle ,
 Have sent PM but would appreciate the 1946-47 records , if anyone else is looking I have the 1947-48 records in that year's handbook .

[Dutch Uncle]

Reply sent Highland Rover