The sad death this week of Man City’s Durham born legend Colin Bell was something of a reminder of the extraordinary talent our region has exported to the football world.’
On that theme we have three players, all from South Tyneside who went onto achieve incredible feats with the clubs at which they became storied and celebrated. Unfortunately, there are no prizes and this is just for fun. The answers will be included within The Special – out for the Arsenal Cup game this weekend. You can subscribe FREE to The Special – see right hand corner of the TF site.’
— True Faith: Newcastle United Fanzine and Podcast (@tfNUFC) December 24, 2020
Born in 1921 in‘this striker joined Blackpool FC in 1941 and remained with The Tangerines until 1955.’ He made 317 appearances and scored 197 goals for his club. In 1953 in the Matthews Cup Final, he scored a hat-trick. He was the first England player to score in a World Cup qualifying round and in a World Cup. He would later manage Blackpool for a two year spell. He has a statue outside Bloomfield Road and was inducted into his former club’s Hall of Fame. When Blackpool were facing financial hardship he donated his medals and international caps to support his former club. In 25 England appearances he scored 23 goals. He also served in the RAF during the War. He died in 1991 aged 69. Who is he?
Born in 1914 in Jarrow, he moved to Charlton Athletic in 1934 where remained until 1956 making 576 appearances for The Addicks. He holds the record number of appearances for Charlton and has a statue in his honour outside The valley. A goalkeeper, his memory is kept alive in South Tyneside where local teams compete for a trophy named after him. He was Charlton’s goalkeeper when they faced Newcastle United in the FA Semi Final in 1947. Charlton went onto win the FA Cup that year. After his playing days he joined the club’s scouting staff. He died in 1981 aged 67. Who is he?’
Born in 1944 in Hebburn, he joined Arsenal as a winger in 1961 where he remained a player until 1977. He was part of the Double winning side of 1971 and played alongside club legends Frank McClintock, George Graham and Charlie George. Before being overtaken by David O’Leary and Tony Adams, he held the record for Arsenal club appearances with exactly 500. After his playing career he returned to Arsenal to become Reserve Team Coach, a post he remained in for a decade until his death aged 56 in 2000. A pitch at Arsenal’s London Colney’ is named in his memory. Who is he?’
Answers in The Special this coming Saturday.’
