Country Images Magazine North Edition September 2017 | Page 39

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unfortunately I was never in a position to buy really brilliant ball players . I had to get by with players of more or less moderate ability . It wasn ’ t any free choice . Just circumstances . It was essential my players compensated with gameness and fighting spirit .”
Joe Mercer recalled a phone call he made to Storer after the Rams had played Sheffield United , managed by the former England wing-half . He complained about the clogging that had gone on at the Baseball Ground . “ I don ’ t know why you bothered to bring a ball . Two of your players didn ’ t need one . They kicked us instead .”
Storer demanded their names . Mercer , anxious not to get the players into trouble , identified them but asked Storer not to discipline them . “ I ’ m not ,” said Storer . “ But I ’ m going to give the other nine a rollicking .”
Brian Clough wrote warmly of Storer in his autobiography Cloughie : Walking on Water . Storer was close to signing Clough before he became a regular with Middlesbrough and the link was maintained during the latter ’ s early steps into management , first with Hartlepools and then , just before Storer ’ s death , with Derby :
“ The first lessons ( in management ) I absorbed came from Harry Storer . Anybody who knows me or has read about my career must realise how much I valued the words I heard from him . Pete Taylor , who ’ d had him as his manager at Coventry , introduced us when we were at Middlesbrough . I was a wee bit apprehensive about Storer , realising that with him it was better to be seen and rarely heard . I was awestruck but fascinated as old Harry reeled off home truths about football : ‘ Once you ’ re a manager , if it ever happens , do a quick check before away games . Look at your players prior to the coach leaving and count the hearts . If there are less than five , don ’ t bother setting off . A team ’ s no good without courage .’ Every word Storer said to me was eventually borne out in reality . He might have been of the old school but former players going into management would do well to bear in mind the philosophies of Harry Storer , even today because they still apply .”
Peter Taylor agreed : “ Brian and I are indebted for our creed as managers to Harry Storer . He was blunt but also something of an orator and able to destroy almost anyone verbally . He was ruthless and often frightening , yet always fair .”
Derby County ’ s Second Division squad in 1961 when Harry Storer was manager . Back row ( left to right ): Geoff Barrowcliffe , Albert Mays , Ray Young , Ken Oxford , Mike Smith , Tony Conwell , Frank Upton . Middle : Harry Storer , Ray Swallow , Jack Parry , Johnny Hannigan , George Darwin , Peter Thompson , Ralph Hann . Front : Tommy Powell , Glyn Davies , Dave Cargill , Gordon Brown .

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