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Club
news
The greatest player
you never saw!
When will we
see you again......
In next Saturday’s programme v Exmouth
Town Elmore programme editor, Colin
Gunney, will feature a six-page special
feature on the ‘Greatest Player You Never Saw.’
The postponement of our home games
against Camelford (Saturday, December 21)
and the Boxing Day local derby against
Witheridge has meant a long wait for Elmore
fans to see the Eagles play at home.
Pele, Eusebio (who passed away recently),
Bobby Charlton, Zidane, Cruyff, Maradona...?
No, none of the above. And you will
probably be amazed at the answer.
It is now six weeks since our last home match
back at the end of November in the local
derby against Cullompton Rangers (Saturday,
November 30).
The player became a living legend despite
playing league football for just four seasons.
He only represented two league clubs, made
142 appearances, and scored 52 goals. And
he never appeared in a higher division than
the old Football League Division 2.
In the last 13 weeks Horsdon Park has seen
only TWO home first team fixtures – against
Elburton Villa (Saturday, October 12) and
against Cullompton.
Hisantics both on and off the field led to him
gaining a reputation as a wild man. He had
skills in abundance. He was subjected to
some brutal tackles and often fought back,
but only because referees never afforded him
the protection he deserved. But underneath
it all he was a nice guy – a likeable rogue who
was easily led – who was loved by all the fans
of the two clubs he played for.
The postponements has also meant the club
has played just 17 games in the South West
Peninsula League Premier Division with only
six of them being at home. Even Plymouth
Parkway, who are the only side to have
played less league games than Elmore – 13 –
have played more home games (seven).
However, weather permitting, we are due to
be home again next Saturday with the visit of
Exmouth Town.
Many knowledgeable people in the game
said he had it all and could have played for
England had he got his head straight.
It was unfortunate that the Witheridge game
was called off as there was certain to be a
large attendance that day with Witheridge
coming to Horsdon Park as the league leaders.
The player walked away from the game at
the age of 25 and died aged 38 from a heart
attack, although some still suspect it was
from a drugs overdose.
The Witheridge game has now been
rearranged for Wednesday, March12
(7.30pm kick off ). And last week’s
Throgmorton Cup third round tie away
against today’s visitors in the league, Saltash,
has been re-arranged for Wednesday,
January 29 (7.30pm). The winners of that
replay will travel to play Mousehole or Stoke
Gabriel in the quarter-finals.
Stories of his excessive drinking, drug abuse
and womanising are legend. A book was
written about him and now Hollywood are
making a feature film based on his life. Who
is he?...get next Saturday’s programme and
find out (you’ll even see some old pictures of
Colin pictured with this player).
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