WEALDSTONE v EAST THE BIG, BIG INTERVIEW BY TIM PARKS THURROCK UTD 06.04.19 George Duck is undeni- ably the greatest-ever goalscorer in Wealdstone history - and arguably the club’s greatest-ever player. He was certainly the idol of fans in the 1970s when he netted an unparalleled 251 goals in seven seasons, including 64 in the 73-74 Southern ‘Lower Mead was League Division One South-winning campaign. He has won league titles George Duck www.wfcmegastore.co.uk my Theatre of and the FA Trophy, but now declares that his Wealdstone FC Life Dreams and the Membership is his greatest honour. This is the story of his remarkable career... Stones fans were N the midst of George Duck’s greatest mo- simply the best ment in football came a Ireminder about the player he might have become. supporters I’ve It was the evening of May 17, 1980, and George’s then-club ever played for’ Dagenham had just won the FA Trophy Final at enough - I just walked away from my came home, but it was never a happy one week Spurs’ manager Billy Nicholson Wembley - George had headed the dream at the age of 15 and had beaten household and I spent most of my time turned up to watch! Could you imagine that opening goal on a glorious spring after- myself up about it ever since. out on the streets kicking my plastic ball happening now, just hours before a big noon to vindicate his decision to leave the “And then, walking into the Chanticleer, around. That ball was my best friend. I home Division One game? Stones the previous summer. who should I bump into but Dickie Walker, loved that ball”. ‘What was even more exciting is that a “I was a real mixture of emotions” the Spurs chief scout who had brought Home was Tebworth Road in Totten- few of our lads, me included, were invited he admitted when I spoke to the now me to the club a dozen years earlier. He ham, just around the corner from White to train at . That was quite 67-year-old George (at length!) a couple just said: ‘Georgie Duck! Where have you Hart Lane. something in itself... but then one evening, of weeks ago. “I only left Wealdstone be- been?!” Maybe the lack of stability at home while we were training on one of the ball cause it was my lifetime ambition to play Where indeed. contributed to his early lack of confidence, courts at the Lane, Billy Nick himself came and score at Wembley, and after seven eorge’s story is in some ways but outwardly you wouldn’t have known over to me and said ‘how would you like to years at the club I couldn’t see that ever typical of the lack of care and it as he quickly became a star player for sign schoolboy forms for Tottenham?’ happening. nurture that young footballers his Lancasterian Junior school team, and “Well I was gobsmacked. Here was I, a “So I left for Dagenham, rejoining the Greceived in the 1960s and 70s. It was sink then Rowland Hill Boys secondary - both lad who idolised the players and who had ex-Stones manager Eddie Presland, and or swim and survivors of that tough school schools within a goalkick of Spurs’ White seen them win the title a few years earlier, by the end of the season the incredible needed the unwavering support and guid- Hart Lane ground. handed the chance to actually play and had happened - I’d achieved my dearest ance of loving parents - but George, the “We grew up with the idea that Totten- train with them. wish. victim of a broken home, had neither. ham were the bees knees and would be “But the lack of confidence kicked in “That evening we went to celebrate “My mother had tuberculosis and my a dominant force forever” says George. again. Although I loved the coaching ses- winning the Trophy at Chanticleer, the dad just couldn’t cope with me - my three “ This was in 1961 when I was nine, and sions, I didn’t think I was good enough for nightclub/restaurant next to the Spurs older brothers were living with other Spurs had just won the League and FA Spurs.. and I just stopped going. I’ve got ground in White Hart Lane. That was family members - and I was put into care Cup double. a letter at home from Eddie Heath, one of a coincidence in itself as I’d been on from a very young age. I also spent time ‘I was playing for the Tottenham & the coaches, asking where I’d been hiding FIND A WHOLE OF THE WORLD WEALDSTONE MEMORABILIA MEGASTORE: AT the books of Tottenham as a schoolboy in hospital until they were sure I’d not District team on Saturday mornings and before convincing myself I wasn’t good contracted TB. My mother recovered and CONTINUED OVERPAGE WEALDSTONE v EAST GEORGE DUCK CONTINUED THURROCK UTD 06.04.19

Amazing pictures! Left: in 1967, Spurs were parading the FA Cup around the local schools and they knew Rowland Hill had won the District Schools Cup - so Spurs stars (far left) and Jimmy Robertson decided to pose with the schools’ cup while Rowland Hill’s 15 year www.wfcmegastore.co.uk old skipper George (centre) held the FA Cup! Far right is Spurs scout Dickie Walker who brought George George (left) trains to White Hart with Millwall legend Lane the Harry Cripps as a following 17-year-old year

I’d been hiding because they wanted me without breaking stride, crashed it across ened me up and I had some great players what would have happened if I had scored to come back and train. the keeper and into the corner. Charlie to watch and learn from. on my League debut? “But I wouldn’t be budged and it was a just shouted ‘Class!’ and basically told “Keith Weller and Derek Possee - both e put me in for the first game couple of years before I was enticed back Benny Fenton (the Millwall manager) to from Spurs - were the best but you had of the season, at Peterborough playing again... this time it was a couple sign me. some good pros like Harry Cripps and and although it was a lovely of my old school mates Ronnie Howell ‘Now, I had just left school at 15 and Barry Kitchener (who nearly got a move “Hsunny day there had been a downpour just and Dickie Plume - who were at Millwall got my first job working as a dogsbody for to Liverpool, who went for before kick off and the pitch was full of pud- in their youth set-up - who gave my de- Ruberoid, the rubber roofing firm, in the instead) while Eamonn Dunphy was a dles. In the first half our winger banged this tails to the Millwall Charlie Hume. City but within three months I had signed ball-playing midfielder, a good passer but great low cross into the six yard box and I Next thing, there we all were, 35 kids on apprentice forms for the Lions. he couldn’t tackle and was outspoken thought ‘brilliant, I’m going to score here’ as a coach over to Wormwood Scrubs for a layers today don’t know they’re - not the most popular in the changing I shaped to sidefoot home... but the ball hit trial match. Very glamorous! born! Apprentices back then room. He wasn’t in the Millwall mould. He a patch of standing water and shot straight “But I must have been okay because had to clean the senior players’ would brag about playing for the Republic through my legs! Amazing! That was my big I was selected for Millwall’s South East “Pboots, clean the dressing rooms and of Ireland but the other players reckoned chance, right there and I was just robbed! Counties League side against West Ham showers, and pick all the kit up before we you only needed to keep the ball up half ‘Rowley left me out for the next game, at their Chadwell Heath training ground trained ourselves. But I loved it! a dozen times to be good enough for an and the next, and I sort of fell in with the one Saturday morning. I think we lost 3-1 “I was still growing and not physically Eire cap!’ wrong crowd, the disaffected pros who or 4-1 but there was this moment when I very strong, but the training tough- “I was playing for Millwall’s reserves would rather play golf and go down the pub took the ball on my chest in the box and, in the London Midweek League, but the than concentrate on playing football. I was closest I got to the first team was a pre young and naive. season game against Motherwell at the “I think about it a lot; how I lost my way Den and then being 13th man for a couple at that time but there was no-one to look of league games at Watford and Ports- out for you and look after you... I’m sure it mouth. wouldn’t happen these days as footballers “Then came the bad news - I was are assets and recognised as such by the handed a free transfer. It was crushing. I clubs. We were pretty much ignored most had a couple of offers from York City and of the time. Southend and chose the wrong club... Ar- So I went back to just playing locally with thur Rowley, the Southend manager was

FIND A WHOLE OF THE WORLD WEALDSTONE MEMORABILIA MEGASTORE: AT my mates at Bruce Castle Park - not proper just a shouter and a ranter but who knows It’s official: George is a Spurs player at the age of 13 CONTINUED OVERPAGE WEALDSTONE v EAST GEORGE DUCK CONTINUED THURROCK UTD 06.04.19

games but a lot of good young play- ers - and the Barnet George’s introduction to manager at the time, Tommy Coleman Wealdstone.. with no kit! tried to get me “I remember that first training ses- over to Underhill. I sion so clearly – I didn’t have any kit, so told him where to turned up in a Fred Perry tee shirt and go. I was just so M & S jumper because I couldn’t afford disenchanted with ab tracksuit… I felt a real ragamuffin but football. straight away I felt like I fitted in at that “Not that my club”. working life was any Bizarrely, trialling for the club that www.wfcmegastore.co.uk good- I’d taken on same evening was 16-year goalkeeper a window cleaning Alan Hill who remembered the tall round in Edmonton new striker with the green jumper all with a mate but he these years later… but then he would, soon dropped out... because that teenage keeper is the it was bloody hard same dyed-in-the-wool Stones fan Alan work!’ Hill who travels up from West Super- hat was Mare even now for every home game. when Sid “I wasn’t good enough but I’ll always Prosser remember that training session, rubbing “Tgot in touch. shoulders with some proper footballers ‘Wealdstone? Who – and I still remember trying and failing are they they?’ I to save a Bill Byrne thunderbolt!’ thought, although in the back of my mind I knew they nucleus of terrific people at Wealdstone- were a big, recog- players, fans, and officials- and that made it nised ex-amateur George (far right) at that a special place to be. club. I was going first session at the Ham- “I also got re-aquainted with Willie to tell Sid to sling ilton’s ground opposite Watson, who I’d known from youth football his hook too but Lower Mead. Manager Sid – me at Millwall, Willie at West Ham – and he managed to Prosser is far left, with Phil we’ve been close friends ever since. It persuade me that Woods and Les Boughey wasn’t long before we got another ex-West he was build- (neither of whom signed) Ham lad (Ray) Ginger Fulton to sign too. ing a good team also in shot The fact that the club was attracting quality and had signed players made it a great environment, right some very decent about the wide, flat pitch, the quirky fat football chat all the way there and all the from the start. players. And to be honest I was planning goalposts and the close proximity of the way back. ut remember the lunch at Gros- to get engaged and wanted to be able to fans, especially behind the goals, that “Training or a game; into the bar after- venor Vale a few years ago, when afford a ring! got into my head and soon I was looking wards for shandy and crisps; sometimes you illustrated how long it took “Well, I went over to the first training forward to every match and every training we’d stay until 10 or 11 on Saturdays ‘Bto score my first Wealdstone goal? It was session at the Hamilton’s training ground session. when the wives and families came to no joke at the time... I went right through over the road from Lower Mead in my “Eddie Presland (Stones right back at watch” he said. “My missus Sue (we mar- August without scoring, half a dozen games M&S jumper (I couldn’t afford a tracksuit) the time) lived in Essex and he would pick ried in 1973), her mum Doll and my dad until finally I scored in a home win over and things just fell into place. I liked Sid me up in Tottenham along with Terry Dy- (also called George, who had also been Bideford. What a relief! ‘ - he was the first coach or manager who son who lived just round the corner. Now, a good youth player in his day) would be I told George that there was no concern had taken a real interest in me and that Terry was a Spurs legend, a left winger there and they were the best times of my from the fans at the time. Mickey Brown changed my whole mindset. who had been in the double winning team life. There were people at that club who and Bill Byrne were scoring, George was “Then I played my first game at the of 60-61 and he had some great stories really cared. At most clubs you get a few looking sharp and dangerous and we knew ground and I just fell in love with the - while Eddie had been a first teamer at mercenaries, those who just took the Sid Prosser had signed a quality player... FIND A WHOLE OF THE WORLD WEALDSTONE MEMORABILIA MEGASTORE: AT place. I really did. There was something West Ham and Crystal Palace so it was money and disappeared but there was a CONTINUED OVERPAGE WEALDSTONE v EAST GEORGE DUCK CONTINUED THURROCK UTD 06.04.19 The goal machine: George nets flying headers; goes around the keeper; and lashes them in on the volley. All part of scoring 251 www.wfcmegastore.co.uk goals for George (left) dives full length to head the the Mighty opening goal against Maidstone in the FA Stones! Cup 4th Qual Rd tie in November 1977 Luther Blissett, the Watford and England to be constantly on the move and defenders who had turned down the chance of a full- taking you on. And anyway, joining Weald- legend, in the year above Beasant and the hate that. And you need confidence! time career. stone set me up for life (not financially, of kids used to come down to Lower Mead ‘You know, you don’t have to hit the ball ‘I didn’t know that!’ he said. ‘I could just course - although I never wanted to be a to watch ‘Sir’ play for the Stones. Said hard. Andy Nelson, a big old centre back at imagine the fans getting frustrated, and the millionaire, just live like one!). It was my George: ‘I’ll always remember going into Millwall (who had won the league while at club thinking they’d signed a dud. most important decision ever, throwing in school the Monday after our controver- Ipswich) taught me about volleying the ball; ‘But tell you what, just after that Bideford my lot with Sid. sial win over Hastings in the Fa Trophy you can use the pace on the ball and just game that broke my duck – pardon the ot just the football, but he and they were all saying: ‘We saw you transfer the energy. I was happy with either pun - we had a Trophy match at Andover put me in touch with Charlie mentioned on Grandstand Sir! A hat trick foot too and that was the result of hours of that could have been a disaster. Our goalie Cook (not the ex-Chelsea of penalties and the other team walking off practise as a kid with my little white ball’. John Barr was going to meet us at the “Nstar!) a friend of Sid’s who got me a job in protest!’ They were great days’” And what about one on ones with the ground but he didn’t turn up... Full back as a Games Instructor at Willesden High I asked George if he found it quite keeper? “Ah, I loved going round the keep- John Beyer went in goal and we quickly school. I took my preliminary coaching easy scoring goals against Southern er! That was the ultimate as a striker, taking went 2-0 down. Calamity! But then Johnny badge with Tommy Lawrence, the former League semi-pros after his time at the ball round him and sticking it away. I Barr turned up, we reorganised and I went Enfield striker and went on to work there Spurs and Millwall. “No, it is tough scor- always made a beeline for the keeper, which on to score maybe my best hat trick ever... for seven years. And that was a great job ing goals at any level and they weren’t meant he had decide what HE was going the first a bullet header from a Mickey to fit in with the football... we had midweek easy sides we were playing... a lot of old to do... So I would dummy to shoot, commit Brown cross, then a volley from outside trips to Weymouth, Yeovil, Bridgend even hard pros in most teams and it was a relief him to a dive and just walk it into the net”. and scoring at Wembley; Trophy Why I left the Stones; winning FA the box and finally a chip over the keeper and I never missed a game. when the goals started flying in”. And what about penalties? I remem- from an angle. I always remember the “And I loved working with the kids - one What did you consider to be your ber you scoring 20 one season... “I used good goals! of them in the under-15 team was a centre main assets as a goal scorer? “Remain- to give them the eyes... a quick glance at ‘That got my confidence going, and soon forward called . We soon put ing calm and cool in the box is the main one corner of the net when I knew he was after we had a London Senior Cup game him in goal and of course he had a great watching me, then I stuck the ball away with thing. What I lacked in pace I made up for TWO PART at Lower Mead against a terrific Enfield career, winning the FA Cup for Wimbledon with my awareness of what was happen- pace in the other corner, so it was likely to side who had won everything in the ama- and earning a move to Newcastle. ing inside the penalty area. But I think I beat the keeper even if he guessed right. teur game. I scored again from outside the :He never forgot me though.. Dave sent had a good touch, and I had a sort of radar “That was always my penalty routine. The box and although we lost 3-2 I thought we me tickets for their semi final against Luton when crosses were coming into the box... only time I remember just smashing it up the had the makings of a great side.’ at White Hart Lane and then came round you had to anticipate where the ball was middle was my third attempt in the FA Cup You must have had some regrets to my house with tickets for the Final at going to go and having an understanding second round match at Lower Mead against about staying in non League though, I Wembley! with your team mate, knowing where he Reading in 1977. I angled my shot too far asked him. I know a few league clubs “I told him ‘David, you’re going to win the was likely to deliver the ball. I always had away from Steve Death’s left hand and it hit were circling - they were bound to, after Cup’ and of course the twist to the story a picture in my mind of where the keeper the post, but fortunately he had moved too you got over 100 goals in your first two was that he became the first keeper to and the goal was and getting the right soon and I got a second go - which I stuck seasons! save a penalty in the Cup Final, keeping touch was paramount. Being able to lose away, the same side. But this time the ref ‘That honestly never really happened- I out that spot kick from John Aldridge as defenders in a crowded penalty area and was not ready and I hadn’t heard the whistle think that if you’ve had a chance at League they won 1-0. Absolutely amazing!’ finding a pocket of space was the key. You because of the noise! So I just closed my FIND A WHOLE OF THE WORLD WEALDSTONE MEMORABILIA MEGASTORE: AT football and dropped out, clubs are wary of Also playing for Willesden High was can’t score goals standing still; you have eyes the third time and happily it screamed IN THE NEXT PROGRAMME: my controversial move to Harrow Borough; and why 1984 saw biggest regret in football...... into the roof of the net and we won, 2-1”. FIND A WHOLE WORLD OF MEMORABILIA AT THE WEALDSTONE MEGASTORE:www.wfcmegastore.co.uk

The George Duck THE BIG, INTERVIEW BIG something. Butthentheyscored alucky it at 0-0 intothelasttenminuteswasquite had otherplayersmissingtoo,sotokeep to sitthegameoutinstand,andwe and BillByrnewerebothinjuredhad strong BathsideinOctober1974-me Wealdstone Memories... sional game.I’dliketosharesomeGreat ent frommyexperiencesintheprofes “O Wealdstone... for SidProsserat of mylife”andsigning ing “Thebestdecision Southend beforemak career atMillwalland his short-livedpro Spurs schoolboy, and youthful careerasa Part Onecoveredhis and 1979. seasons, between1972 times injustseven Duck, whonetted251 goalscorer: George Stones’ greatest-ever off thetaleof programme wekicked In thelasthome to goup intotheseatsand fightevery last to thecrowd’s merriment andhewanted ager thatday, Bert Head-tookexception for CrystalPalace undertheBathman tre back-who’dplayedinDivision One McCormick, ourbig,craggyScottish cen ments ofthegame. an undeservedpenaltyinthelast mo goal andthebigcrowderupted. And then tr: at Two Part Story: “Our ladscameoff thepitchandJohn “I’ll neverforgeta0-2defeatatthevery and camaraderie-sodiffer Wealdstone wasthebanter ne ofthegreatthingsabout

- other Stonesinshot won 1-0.BillByrneandJohnMcCormickarethe 51 secondsagainstGranthamatLowerMead.We celebrate agoalby Adriaan Eglite(centre)afterjust It’s February1975andGeorge(farright)leapsto - - - - - one ofthem.Hewasgoingmad,nostrils ornamental clockhighon thewallabove - itwasn’tabig place andithadabig rial armydrillhall justoppositetheground training onawet, filthynightattheterrito Rest inpeacebigJohn. his ankletothigh..he’dbroken hisleg! with hislegwasinplasterofParis from day.” Butcometheweekendheturnedup “Don’t worrylads,I’llbeokayfor Satur the coachforreturnjourney saying the carpark,justasweweregettingon remember himstampinghisfootdownin Dover whenhecameoff injuredand I player... therewasoneawaygameat of character. Butboy, washeevera hard stopped laughingbecauseitwassoout him andheneverliveditdown-we dangerous! he’d hadaclaymoreitcouldhavebeen flaring, screaming:‘Attacktheterraces!’ -if “Then therewasthetimewhen wewere “We managedtofinallygrab holdof

- - BY TIMPARKS Eric’s sister inlawwas Anthea Redfearn, nial againstthe Wolves firstteamin1975. ries wasplaying inEricBurgess’ testimo original. sauce” theysang–foraDuck, that’s quite up. ‘Orangesauce,orange orange and theywerethreateningthey’d cutme laugh oneBoxingDay, though.I’dscored always gavemestick..theydid makeme terrible pitchatUnderhillandfans who Nice oneCyril. balls away, you’reoutrunninginstead.” ous. Sidblastedatus:“That’s it,put the and wefellaboutlaughing,itwashilari that ‘Cyril”was‘allc***kandnobrains” (the manager)wasfuriousandshouted leaving glasseverywhere!SidProsser that itsmashedtheclock.Obliteratedit, showing off abitandhitthisshotso hard clough, whowasonefortheladies, the fiveasidegoals. Well, PaulFair “Football wise,one ofmybestmemo “Barnet wasahorribleplacetogo, go ayearearlier having beenlet replay in1972.. Challenge Cup 3-1 inaLondon Millwall side beat astrong goal asStones by headinga makes hispoint Above: George - - - - played, butthe manager (AlanFogarty) breathe properly andreallyIshouldn’thave couple ofdaysbefore thegame-Icouldn’t tainted byillness.“Ihadachest infectiona famous gameatQPRinthe Third Roundis Round Two, buthismainmemoryofthe penalty overthewinReading in the spaceforthatpairtoscore -Ed). heavily-marked dangerman,whocreated that game.(AlthoughitwasGeorge,asthe and BobbyMosswhostuckthemawayin among thegoalsanditwasPatFerry(2) because asastrikeryouwanttobegetting was agreatnight...Ihavemixedfeelings Hereford UnitedintheFirstRoundreplay Round before(orsince)andthe3-2winat “T my grave.” praises. That’s oneaccoladeIwilltaketo told afterwardsthatGreavesiehadsungmy goals (oneheader, onepenalty)andIwas beat us5-2-butImanagedtogetbothour all theirDivOnestarsonshowandthey Mike Bailey, KennyHibbitt,PhilParkesand played forkeeps,andhadJohnRichards, was myall-timeheroatSpurs.Wolves playing upfrontwithJimmyGreaves,who it gotseriousandIhadthepleasureof was! Bruciekickedoff thegame,butthen Bruce Forsyth’s wifeandwhatanightthat We’ve mentionedGeorge’s thrice-taken HAMLET 20.04.19 HAMLET WEALDSTONE had neverreachedthe Third fantastic tobeapartof. The club he FA Cuprunof1977-78was CONTINUED OVERPAGE v DULWICH DULWICH FIND A WHOLE WORLD OF MEMORABILIA AT THE WEALDSTONE MEGASTORE:www.wfcmegastore.co.uk of meplayinginthatone-wecould only 1974 whenIhadbronchitis.Nochance 16 Trophy gamewithSouthShieldsin one atQPR,andthenforthehomelast- games inmytimeatWealdstone -that put usbehind. better. Although itwasasoftheaderthat - maybeifI’dbeenfitImighthavedone Givens asheheadedtheballgoalwards and mighthaveputinachallengeonDon goal theotherdayandIwasonspot was insistent.Isawthevideooftheirfirst in 1977 Reading win over famous on our reports Mirror Sunday in theIsthmian League but wewerein Dagenham side wereoneofthebest Aldershot away intheFirstRound. That Qual in1975,on thewaytoplaying against DagenhamintheFA Cup3rd unbidden... Irememberthehome game Wembley thatseason. we hadareallygoodchanceof gettingto draw andthenlostthereplay- and Ifelt “Other memoriespopintomyhead “In factIwasillfortwoofthebiggest a goodchance...wepummelledthemin such greatformathomeIknewwehad was thereforthe rebound?Me!Ibanged Derek Bellottionly half-saved. And who and hittingafierce shotthattheirkeeper player hewas,getting awayfromtackles ball inmidfieldandshowedwhat aterrific stone untilWillie(Watson) gotholdofthe head anequalizerattheCinema End. us, gavethemtheleadbutImanaged to ites. JimmyMcVeigh, wholaterplayed for “A absolutely mental! the nearpastIanHuttley. The crowdwent hit itright-footedoff mylacesjustinside of thepenaltyarcatCinemaEndand ten minutesleftIgottheballonedge goals) gotthecrucialfirstgoalandwith player withaknackforscoringimportant Bobby Moss(atruthathlete,acommitted the secondhalfbutitstayedat0-0,then “Then thesecondhalfwasallMaid GEORGE DUCK CONTINUED stone Unitedwhowerefavour ing RoundwetookonMaid year later, intheFourthQualify - - - - liant moment!” the crowdcelebrated...whatabril with myarmsoutstretchedwhile Elmslie End,upagainsttherailings and stoodonthatstonewallatthe the ballintonetandthenwent was entirelydown tomyambitionand, summer -thatwas justacoincidence-it ing intothe Alliance PremierLeague that with travelling,asWealdstone weremov Stones Iwantedtoleave.Nothing todo so whenEddieputanoffer in,Itoldthe faith inWealdstone evergettingthereand pretty muchmademymindup. Ihadlost kids tomatchesandtraining, that the twintowersonwaytotaking the High Schoolandeverydaywe drove past I’m convincedofit”. team wecangettoWembley nextyear- are ourmissinglink.Ifwehadyouinthe Wembley. Kellock goal-theyhadcomethatcloseto tering. They hadbeenbeatenbya Billy beaten intheFA Trophy semi-finalbyKet again ashisNo.2,justafterhehadbeen over asmanageratDagenhamwith Terry from EddiePresland,whohadtaken leaving Wealdstone -itwasaphone call to playatWembley. And winatrophy. desperately, desperatelywanted years wereslippingawayandI this naggingfeelingthatmybest a fewgoodseasonsbutIhad straightened thingsout.We had Geoff Colemanand Alan Fogarty then thenewmanagerialteamof Hillingdon Borough. a 4-1defeatatfellowstrugglers the table-andweresackedafter autumn hadtakenusuptothirdin just afewmonthsafterglorious Southern Premrelegationzone season -theteamslippinginto terrible secondhalfofthe1975-76 Terry Dysonpaidthepricefora row. EddiePreslandandhisNo.2 ing moreandofalonefur A ‘Well, Iwasstillworkingat Willesden “Eddie calledmeandsaid‘George,you “Tell youwhatprobablytippedmeinto “I feltbadforEddie& Terry but s the1970sworeonGeorge a seasonbutitwasbecom was stillscoring25-30goals - - - - - transferred toDagenham andthemoney on thesamepitchasgreat George! and hadthethrillofplayingfor 20 minutes member wellasIwastriallingfor theRubs Reserves atLowerMead-agame thatIre morning pre-seasonfriendlywith Hendon of turningoutforthereservesin aSaturday genham wereongoing.Hehad theindignity the firstteamwhilenegotationswithDa ever. Georgewastoldhecouldn’ttrainwith Neil Cordicetoshine. nity foryoungsterslikeNigelJohnsonand and thatitmightactuallygivetheopportu too reliantononemantoscorethegoals personally, Ithoughttheteam had become begrudged himthechanceofafreshstart- ant oftheclubforsevenyearsandnobody T greatest momentinfootball.” as itturnedout,thatdecisiongavememy Within thenext couple ofdayshewas The managementweren’thappy, how been suchabrilliant,selflessserv was oneofresignation.Georgehad he reactionamongtheStonesfaithful HAMLET 20.04.19 HAMLET WEALDSTONE to celebrate George (right)isready to dropintotheReadingnetand right-wing cornerisjustabout Stones pictures:KeithFurphy’s One ofmyfavouriteall-time CONTINUED OVERPAGE v DULWICH DULWICH

- - - - - FIND A WHOLE WORLD OF MEMORABILIA AT THE WEALDSTONE MEGASTORE:www.wfcmegastore.co.uk first couple I hadtoliveupto,andthose goals -Ihadareputationthat supposed toguaranteethem had boughtaplayerwhowas he confessed.“Dagenham non-League attheageof27”, a recognisedgoalscorerin 20, itwasactuallyharderas for Wealdstone whenIwas getting off ontherightfoot fans. “IfIwasnervousabout B against himalotoftimes” Luton intheLeague.Iplayed have hadalongercareerat clever playerandheshould passer, greattackler, avery every timeweplayed-great always impressedbyhim time” saidGeorge.“Iwas transferred Robinatthesame as GeorgehadatDagenham. in thenexthalf-dozenyears impact ontheStonesfortunes turned outtohaveasmuch Borough ...asigningthat Wainwright fromHillingdon influential midfielderRobin immediately usedtosign “I hadn’trealisedtheclub a wholenewsetof to provehimself ut nowGeorgehad Daggers support runs totaketheacclaimofhuge at Wembley andthen(mainpicture) leaps toheadDagenhamintothelead Fantastic picturesasGeorge(No.9) GEORGE DUCK CONTINUED smash Stalybridge Celtic5-0ontheirnext 70 goalswithstrike partnerRickyKidd. Hamlet andSutton) andhesharedalmost (behind Enfield, Walthamstow, Dulwich gers tofifthplaceintheIsthmian League okay. George’s goalshelpedliftthe Dag range, andfromthatmomentI was okay”. We won1-0andIgotthegoalfromclose ous headson. They’ll befocused’. today -theplayerswillallhavetheirseri to me”‘You’ll seeadifferent Dagenham have beenabananaskinbutEddiesaid phy matchawayatDorchesterthatcould at Wealdstone, wehadan earlyFA Tro really gellingandIwasn’tscoring. of monthsweretrickyastheteamwasn’t Dagenham travelled toCheshire He was,ofcourse,ratherbetter than “And thatisexactlywhathappened. “But, abitliketheturningpointforme - - - afternoon that glorious programme Wembley Right: The again? Didhefear notplayinghispartin his lackofconfidence raisingitsuglyhead second legwin-7-2onaggregate! stamped theWembley placeina4-1 and Kidd(2),MaycockRoche rubber- and JimmyHoldersetupa3-1 away win, ing weresimplyblownawayas Kidd(2) eight.... andsemi-finalopponents Wok Nuneaton sidewereremoved3-2 inthelast Maycock thescorers. Ground withDuck,JoeDunwellandChris before winningthereplay3-1atVictoria they forceda1-1drawatBurton Albion step toWembley, And inthethirdround Now, knowingGeorgeaswe do, was George scoredtwiceasthepowerful HAMLET 20.04.19 HAMLET WEALDSTONE George afterscoring Moment ofglory: CONTINUED OVERPAGE v DULWICH DULWICH - FIND A WHOLE WORLD OF MEMORABILIA AT THE WEALDSTONE MEGASTORE:www.wfcmegastore.co.uk time togetbetweenthecentre-halves his leftfoot. That gavemejustenough would checkinsidebeforecrossingwith run intheinsiderightpositionIknewhe standing, sowhenhemadethatearly knees likepistonsandwehadanunder was quick,left-sided(exWest Ham) with to comeintothesideinmidfield.Joey who hurthiskneeinthesemi-final. out, togetherwithmidfielderJimmyHolder two weeksbeforethegameandmissed had bangedhisheadinacaraccident ther ofthe TOWIE starofthesamename) “W us... andwedidn’tmindthat. final. Sotheoddswereweightedagainst year whentwoSouthernclubswereinthe seasons ithadbeengoingexcepttheone the Trophy everysingleoneoftheten Northern PremierLeagueclubshadwon tough opposition-andweknewthat and finallywinthe Trophy. fans inthecrowdwillingmetodowell, there weredozensandofStones (Ray Corner)andI’vesincefoundoutthat one fromWealdstone via‘GuinnessRay’ telegrams inthechangingroom,including We hadastackofgoodluck were buzzingwithconfidence. I justlovedthewholeday. We semi-final. for theothers.Samestoryin I wasjusthappytosetgoalsup my best-everperformancesand at Stalybridge,thatwasoneof spite notscoringinthe5-0win were behindmebythen.De in thewhitewashofWoking? the Trophy finalafternotscoring GEORGE DUCK CONTINUED where thegoal was, wherethekeeper scored. Myinner ‘geography’ toldme postage stamp(toprighthandcorner). and redirectapowerfulheader into the expected it,itwassecondnature toleap and whenJoe’s crossarrivedwhereI In the nextprogramme the In “As soonasIheadedit,knew I’d “That leftanopeningforJoeyDurrell “We knewMossleyweregoingtobe “But asfortheWembley final… “No, Ithinkthosedemons midfielder Mark Wright from ournormalline-up- e hadacoupleofchanges - Final Part 3: Why 3: Part Final H Ijoined (fa - - “Duck Walks OnWater” writtenonit! on RickyKidd’s head,isthehatwith the Daggers...whatyoucan’tsee,ringed George (farleft,frontrow)celebrateswith couldn’t getbetter thanthat!” won atWembley. And scoredagoal.Life could hardlystandup.ButI’dplayed and in thelasttenminutesandwe’d doneit. Chrissy Maycock popped upwithawinner Mossley justafterthebreak.But happily sion becauseIanSmithequalized for illegally. but therefKenBakersaidI’dwonball saw itstoppedbyanarmonthegoalline, on halftimeIgotuptowinaheaderand line –IthoughtI’dscoredandthenjust let meknowit! gutted atnotscoringintheFinalandhe he knewwherethegoalwas.Butwas was afeisty, stocky, tenaciousplayerand owed hisstrikepartnerRickyKidd.“Ricky the firsthalfat Wembley as heovershad come true”. always wantedtodoanditwasadream winning the Trophy wassomethingI’d my bestdayswereatWealdstone, but career, undoubtedly. Myformativedays, scribe it,Ireallycan’tdescribethefeeling. that bigarcofterracing,andIcan’tde to wherealltheDagenhamfanswere,in goal inaWembley Final. world toknowI’dheadedtheopening was anditthebestfeelingin “I wastotallydrainedafterthegame. I “That mighthavebeenacrucial deci “I hadanearlyshotblockedonthe George mighthavehadahat-trickin “It wasthegreatestmomentinmy “I justtookoff onarunbehindthegoal **** w B ***** - h - - HAMLET 20.04.19 HAMLET WEALDSTONE v DULWICH DULWICH FIND A WHOLE WORLD OF MEMORABILIA AT THE WEALDSTONE MEGASTORE:www.wfcmegastore.co.uk THE BIG, INTERVIEW BIG The George Duck for SidProsserat life” andsigning decision ofmy making “thebest Southend before Spurs, Millwalland youthful careerat Two coveredhis Parts Oneand 1979. between 1972and seven seasons, 251 timesinjust Duck, whonetted scorer: George greatest-ever goal story ofStones’ continued the programme we In thelasthome H****w B*****h.... to localrivals controversial move - andfinally, the which heachieved of Wembley glory- genham insearch decision to join Da came thedifficult Wealdstone. Then Story: Part Three

- - day whowillnever forgivemefor porters atWealdstone tothis me geographically” saidGeorge. Weald atthetime,soitsuited Leighton BuzzardtoHarrow more intermsofusmovingfrom the intenserivalry. Iwasthinking a bitnaiivebutIdidn’trealise Wealdstone... maybeitseems sign forHarrowBoroughtospite say, inallhonestythat Ididnot that Irealisewhatdid.Letme time andit’s onlyinretrospect deal tosuitDagenhamatthe Adams signingforSpurs. signing forManCity.... like Tony Everton... likeDavidBeckham to StevieGerrardsigningfor arch-rivals? Itwastantamount King ofLowerMeadjoiningour What wereyouthinking? The and signforHarrowBorough? S “I knowthereare afewsup “To behonest,itwasjusta how couldyouthengo poisoned chalice.George, o nowlet’s graspthe - keen onsigning EddieStein keep me. and itseemedthey wantedto goals inmytwoseasonsthere play, George”.Ihadscored55 of Eddie,hejustsaid“Stayand I saidwasquittinginsupport straight-up managerandafter back tomanagetheside. time beforetheybroughthim again itwasonlyamatterof and whenhebecameavailable glory daysunder Ted Hardy, people harkingbacktothe chance ofwinningthetitle. behind Enfieldwithareal second intheIsthmianLeague and Iwasastonished.We were second seasonatDagenham Terry hadbeensackedinmy background toit,Eddieand stand andacceptthat. signing forHarrow. Iunder “But Dagenham weredead ‘To befair, Ted wasactuallya “But therewerealways “Buttogiveyouabitofthe - BY TIMPARKS straight backto the Conference,this Southern League andlookingtobounce Harrow Borough atLowerMead. Third qualifyinground,Wealdstone v unpalatable truth….. men. Nothingwasfurtherfrom the force intheredshirtofMicky Tomkys’ maybe wethoughthewouldbe aspent bridge sincehehadleftLowerMead and mian PremierDivision. League andBoroughintheparallelIsth Stones justrelegatedtotheSouthern would befacingusonthepitch,with I and Eddiegoingtheotherway.” legend Cliff Jones)goingtoEarlsmead winger SteveJones(thesonofex-Spurs as atwo-for-oneexchangewithmeand from Harrow.... sokeenthatitwassetup The Stoneswere enjoyinglifeinthe Saturday October241981:FA Cup Much waterhadflowedunderthe ers.Itneveroccurredtomethathe George hadsignedfor The Hairdress remember feelingquiteshockedthat rivals... to ourarch ‘defection’ George’s covers Part Three apt thattoday’s Charlotte. How (far left)and daughters Lucy Jon’s lovely distracted by have been legend might although the boardroom... badge inthe Borough’ Harrow an ‘Ihate him towear persuaded sor JonTaffel match spon ago when spot afortnight was putonthe Left: George

- - - I scoredanearly header–thenDave just kidsreally. of theteamIhadplayedin,and theywere Nigel JohnsonandStuartPearce wereleft playing againstWealdstone… Ithinkonly wasn’t reallythinkingaboutthe factIwas it broughtbacknothingbutanticipation. I away changingroom,butapart fromthat Dreams. Itwasstrangeturning left intothe old stompingground. who waslookingforwardtoreturninghis Pearce aswellthemercurialGeorge, their numberincludedformerStoneDavid decent teamtochallengeforhonoursand tween theteams–Boroughwerebuildinga of theopposition. There wasrealrivalry be the ElmslieEndandhowlingforheads seemingly mostoftheminthebearpit draw in13games. game comingafterarunof12winsand at LowerMead,October1981 and keeperLesCurrellintheRumble sure onHarrowdefenderDaveHowells Alan Cordice(left)putsthepres “The atmosphere wascracklingand “Lower Meadwasmy Theatre of A crowdof1,138wereinattendance, HEMPSTEAD 27.04.19HEMPSTEAD WEALDSTONE CONTINUED OVERPAGE v - HEMEL HEMEL - WEALDSTONE v HEMEL GEORGE DUCK CONTINUED HEMPSTEAD 27.04.19

Howell, our centre back, bulleted one in Left: A blast from George’s past. Who at the Elmslie End to put us 2-0 up with recognises the players flanking oue about two attacks. Wealdstone pulled it ex-star? Yes, it’s West Ham legends back to 2-1 – and really, they should have (left) and skipper been well ahead – but then I managed to ... who were showing off score another, going round Ray God- their FA Cup in 1980 in East London dard and putting the ball in from a narrow when someone suggested that they angle. I slid on my knees to the corner set up a photoshoot with FA Trophy flag and celebrated – I was just delighted winners Dagenham. And who else to have come back to Lower Mead and would you choose to meet than scored a couple of goals.” Daggers’ main man George? The game ended in acrimony with Borough keeper Les Currell pelted with stunning accuracy by half a dozen eggs. But he was totally controlled by their The game was stopped and Stones right back, Anton Joseph, and we just chairman David Martle came over to the stopped playing. Telford had a great Elmslie End fans to appeal for calm, while following there and when they got a goal stewards roped off an area immediately back you could see the belief flowing behind the goal…. And not long after play through them”. restarted, Dave Pearce netted a breaka- I reminded George about the dramatic way goal against his old club to complete game-changing save by Telford keeper the humiliation. Kevin Charlton right on the full-time whis- “But Wealdstone beat Borough tle. “Ah no, don’t make me think about the next time!” George laughed. that” he agonized. “Telford had made it ‘Just seven days later we met 3-1 on the day, 3-3 on aggregate, and I again in the FA Trophy in a think the players were settling for extra strange twist of fate… and that time when we had one last chance – the playing and we missed him – but it was ball came over and I hit it on the volley time we had all the play but it an awesome performance that day that ended 2-2. In the replay we got from the edge of the box. I couldn’t have saw us win 2-0,,, and it might have been hit it sweeter. I was on my feet about to cel- absolutely stuffed 4-0 at Lower 3-0 when I had a goal disallowed for a Mead.” ebrate when the keeper somehow reached tight offside flag” said George. the shot and turned it onto the crossbar.. it he dream of repeating his FA couldn’t get to the Stones game at was like his arm came out of his sleeve an Trophy heroics still beat loud Weymouth the following Saturday, and extra 18 inches! I think that was the best in George’s heart, however. instead arrived a bit late at Earlsmead save I’ve ever seen and it couldn’t have TThe following season, with Ifully expecting to see George book his come at a worse moment.” Duck & Pearce forming a deadly second Wembley appearance in three was standing behind that goal and can partnership, Borough steamed all years. Just as I came through the turn- still remember the anguish among the the way to the semi-finals with a stiles, there was Dave Pearce right in Borough fans, who saw their Wembley stream of impressive wins - includ- front of me, wheeling away after scoring Idream evaporate at that very moment. ing a 5-1 walloping of holders for Borough in the first five minutes. The momentum was entirely with the Enfield in the last eight. “It was maybe the worst thing that could Shropshire side, backed by around 1,000 It led to the famous second leg, happen” said George. ‘Telford just had to travelling fans and it was no surprise when dubbed ‘The Miracle of Earlsmead’ go for it – you can’t sit back when you’re they scored twice more in extra time to by barely-believing Telford fans. 3-0 down on aggregate. But what I really win 5-1 on the day, and 5-3 on aggregate. Despite the bitter cross-Harrow remember is that three or four of our play- Their special train was delayed but nobody rivalry, you had to feel for George ers just couldn’t handle it. They went into cared! Especially not the Stones fans who and his team when they suffered their shells. were rocking the supporters coaches as tragedy just a week before the first “Clevere Forde especially, the winger the news came through on the way back leg. Dave Howell’s cousin Mickey, who had been at Wealdstone the year be- from Weymouth! playing for Hayes against Borough, fore – he was our matchwinner, so clever “It was desperately sad” said George. “I died after a clash of heads. Above: Trophy misery for George. The and strong, players just bounced off him sat in the changing room afterwards and “It was terrible for the staff and players, Shropshire Star carries the story of Telford’s and me and Pearcey has said pre-match: the players were upset, but not as upset and we travelled up to Telford under a amazing comeback win over Harrow Boro ‘Just get the ball over to us, Clev, and as they should have been. Me and Jonesy great cloud. Obviously Howellsey wasn’t we’ll get the goals’. CONTINUED OVERPAGE FIND A WHOLE WORLD OF MEMORABILIA AT THE WEALDSTONE MEGASTORE:www.wfcmegastore.co.uk GEORGE DUCK CONTINUED came upandIwas dismayedtohearthatthe a bigpull.Butthen thequestionofmoney Mead andthethought ofcoming‘home’ was gone differently! the club.HowIwishthatconversation had pub inHarrow, withaviewtomereturning stone managerBrianHallatthe JohnLyon but inthesummerof’84Imet Weald astonishing career. may haveensuredagloriousfinaletohis last tiltatWembley… but he passedupwhat G says itallreally”. couple ofyears.Istayedsevenyears! That Wimbledon wayI’dhavebeenoff insidea Eglite... Irestmycase! Brinkman, BillyByrne, , Adriaan mick, BobbyMoss,FreddieBarwick,Steve Henderson, EricBurgess,JohnMcCor John Morton,WillieWatson, RayFulton,John GOAL! The greatestfeelingintheworld. into thebox;getonendofthem;andthen it outofthemud;playwide;qualitycrosses the ballbackquickly;getitondeck;keep pure, easyontheeyeattackingfootball.Win Stones. We hadbetterqualityplayersplaying Currell… buttheDNA wasdifferent atthe Howell, SteveEmmanuel,DerekDoyle,Les players inHarryManoe,RayMetz,Dave easy answer:No!Borohadverycommitted stone inthe70s?Iaskedhim. promotion totheConference.” and Pearceygettingthegoals,butdidn’ttake Colchester. We wontheIsthmianLeague,me both lost–ustoNewportandWealdstone to Harrow gottothesecondroundtoobutwe round afterbeatingEnfieldinareplay, and George. “StonesgottotheFA Cupsecond Enfield weretheundisputedtopdogs. T we knewwhattheyweremissing”. had beenatWembley threeyearsearlierand “I knewhehadbuiltagoodsquad atLower “I think most people know this story by now, “And iftheclubhadwantedtoplay “Here areafewofthosequalityplayers: “That’s adifficultquestion,butIhavean Was thatBorosidebetterthanWeald “They werethreegreatteams:said North London.Harrow, Wealdstone and amazing timetobeafootballfanin he followingseason,1983-84wasan medal butwasstilldesperateforone league titlesandone Trophy winners eorge wasnow32,hadwontwo - - - shirt) fiveyearslater... a similarpicture(inblue Stones itmighthavebeen 1980. Ifhe’dre-signedfor while withDagenhamin George liftstheFA Trophy Stones double Stones “Would Ihave winning side?winning Could it have have it Could been me and been and me Alan Cord got into the into got up front?” up was enoughtomake methinkIshouldpackit in. after scoringmy 200thgoalforWealdstone –butthat those years–the otherwasstretchedligaments just afterwards. and Ihadnofeelinginthatpart ofmyfaceforyears Park Hospitalfortwodays,with mycheekallcavedin, Tottenham aroundthesametime. IwasinNorthwick me withhisfist–aninjurylike Gary Mabbutt’s for to theballfirstandnoddeditpast him,andhecaught with agoalkeeperthatbrokehischeekbone.“Ijustgot with Hendonthefollowingseason,acollision finest hourashiscareerdrewtoaprematureclose paralleled outsidetheLeagueforadozenyears. around buthisguileandaccuracymeanthewasun ously andwonderingwhatmighthavebeen.Iwas Ewell tokeepusupinthelastgame. just avoidedrelegation–IscoredavolleyatEpsom& Hendon justdidn’thavetheplayersandinendwe the manageratHendon…itwasamassivemistake. signed forEddiePreslandagain,whowasbythen simple asthat. handled thatway. Everyotherclubusedwageslips, that situationandIdon’tknow, evennow, whyitwas and halfthemoneyoverbar….Ihadneverliked club werestillpayinghalfthemoneyinawageslip, “I wasluckytoonlysuffer acoupleofinjuriesinall It wasashameGeorgemissedoutontheStones’ “All thetimeIwaslookingoveratWealdstone envi “Brian Hallwouldn’tbudgeandsoIwent ice have beenthebiggestcentreforward air. GeorgeDuck,at6ft,mightnot and inonewayhewasbetter:Inthe balance, andadevastatingvolley– was asimilarplayer–goodtouchand P Lyon.” if I’dre-signedfortheclubatJohn history mighthavebeenverydifferent played upfrontwith Alan Cordice? needed Andy Graham?CouldIhave Mark Graves?Would theclubhave winning side?Was Itoosimilarto ley. Would Ihavegotinthatdouble- squad andbeentravellingtoWemb to havejustbeenintheWealdstone again. Iwouldhavegiveneverything my career, showingloyaltytoEddie say thatwasthebiggestregretin the clubandIholdmyhandsup genuinely delightedforeveryoneat “No oneknowstheanswer, but AG’s shoes.Inmanyways he could veryeasilyhavefilled ersonally, IreckonGeorge HEMPSTEAD 27.04.19HEMPSTEAD WEALDSTONE CONTINUED OVERPAGE v HEMEL HEMEL - - - FIND A WHOLE WORLD OF MEMORABILIA AT THE WEALDSTONE MEGASTORE:www.wfcmegastore.co.uk GEORGE DUCK CONTINUED

(signed) See you at the back post ... You’re allveryspecial people.” stone iswonderful.It’s notun-noticed. that allthevolunteerscarryout atWeald years agoformeandWillie. hosted thatspecialsportinglunchafew a wonderfuldayitwaswhentheclubkindly for throughoutmywholecareer-andwhat “Simply theBest”supportersIeverplayed with Tina Turner whenshesaysyou’re they treatedmelikeRoyaltyandIagree felt aspecialbondwiththeStonesfans- me. ButfinallyIhavetosaythatalways I lovedit. general, andWealdstone inparticular and we stoppedandchattedaboutfootballin a jobIhadforover30years.Everyday I wasinmyblackcabalongsideWillie…. Knowledge’ andgotmylicence,sothere into thecabbyinggame,hadlearned‘The the finalstrawforme.Ihaddecidedtoget shouldn’t thattellyousomething! been sackedthreetimesasmymanager, ‘Eddie, Ican’tkeepfollowingyou. You’ve his newclubDulwichHamlet.Itoldhim: and hecontactedmetoaskifI’dsignfor “Eddie Preslandhadlefttheclubbythen, “The unpaid,behind-the-scenes work “Football isadruganditwillneverleave “I lovedplayingforEddiebutthatwas

George Duck No.10. - as thefinalwhistlesoundsat Wembley George (left)breaksdownwithemotion ‘This isforyou,Mum’. Grosvenor Vale!” just waittillIgetdownto talk enoughaboutfootballbut ing formyneighbour. all girls)anddoabitofdog-walk who hasthreekidsofherown, son ChrisanddaughterKaren, with thegrandchildren(hehasa watch alotoffootball,keepup had togiveupmylicence. nights inWatford Generaland and Ijustpassedout.spenttwo Indian mealwhileIhadtheflu- can bringitonandI’deatenan still unexplained.Severalthings a coupleofyearsagothatis phalactic shock,outoftheblue, a cabbiebutIsufferedanana ground” he says. ‘For years I was Budgens storeroundthecorner. Langley, workingpart-timeinthe in aretirementblock Abbots G “It’s agood life.Idon’tgetto So nowIplayabitofgolf, “It suitsmedowntothe Sue andlivesonhisown is separatedfromwife eorge, now67yearsold,

- - CONTINUED OVERPAGE Stones double Stones “Would Ihave winning side?winning Could it have have it Could been me and been and me Alan Cord got into the into got up front?” up ice