THE GOLDONIAN

DO YOU REMEMBER . . .
The First Goldings Football Team?

I do not suppose many of our readers will, but who knows some one may recognize himself from the picture reproduced opposite. This team, which was formed when the School moved from Stepney in 1922 contains two players who are still associated with Goldings, viz. Mr. de'Boeck and Mr. Maslin. It was comprised of staff and boys and played in Division 1 (now the Premier Division of the Hertford and District Football League. At this time there was only one pitch on top field, and when the team played at home on a Saturday afternoon it was an extra afternoon's pleasure for most of the boys as well as the players, as only one house had leave each Saturday afternoon. There was always a crowd of 200 home supporters! Mr. W. J. Garnett was the first Governor of the School and this was then an honorary appointment, since then of course we have all become 'players'. The second player standing carried the rank of 'Sergeant Major' which was the equivalent to our present day 'School Captain'. It will be noticed that several of the players are wearing caps, these were presented when a player received his colours, and as will be noticed the year of the award was embroidered on the peak. In case you are wondering who's who, here are all the names, kindly supplied by Mr. de'Boeck, as indeed was all the above information.

The Goldonian Summer 1963
N. T. P.

And the last-ish staff team?

This photo was taken about 1961/2 on top field can you add a name to the faces? do you have the photo of the boys team and who won? This may be a forgone conclusion with Mr. sixty goals scored in one season Pop Steel. Its the oranges.

David Fall far left wrote "the staff football team v boys game played during the 1964 season. surprisingly - 1-1. Although the master's were talented — the boys were more so! Pop Steele was an excellent soccer player - but if memory serves me correct Mr. Rowlands was perhaps the fittest that day!"

The official view from the 1964 Summer Goldonian:

Staff v Boys Football Match

'We could always play the School team at football.' What ridiculous idea; tiddley winks perhaps, but football, really! Yet there we were, eleven men and true, preparing in the wings of the amphitheater (the sports store) to do battle with the enemy The air was heavy with ,the aroma of linament and moth balls, with the creaking of joints long out of practice at squeezing tight shorts, and with comments designed to bolster confidence ascertain the rules.

'The staff lost 10-1 last time!' 'Well, if we do as well tonight goalkeeper will have played a "blinder" The pitch was in excellent condition, the crowd was giving early vent to its opinions, the photographers were demanding pictures of the teams, the trainer was at the ready, keen to daub anyone so much as winced, with his whitewash brush. The whistle and we were off, some of us perhaps wishing we were right off.

As Goldings is an educational institution, it was to be expected that the staff would remember their duty and pass on to the benefit of their vast experience ( ? ) . The lesson this evening on the application of the off-side rule. We hope that the School now appreciate the use of this law.

Judging by the noise from the touch lines (where was every body?) the crowd enjoyed the exhibition. We thank the boys sporting evening and thank them for not making our weary limbs run about too much.

The score? Oh we managed a draw — one goal each !

JRB

Left to Right: D. Fall, M. Gay, J. Allen, T. Davidson, R. Smith,
N. Brown, B. Davidson, K. McSweeney, R. Hillier,
A. Wright, D. Blower.
 

 

Mr. Broster, Mr. Nutter and Mr. Steel using a months supply of oranges