Local players

[Penkvik]

Harking back to the 50s/60s it struck me how many players there were from Lowerhouse lane area,at the top end near The Albion,
 
Frank Myler
and George Kemel, across the road Billy Thompson and Harry Dawson. Around the corner Doug Laughton and Tommy Rimmer
who I worked with at Clarry Binghams garage, in Sinclair ave you had the Owens, Ray and Harry and I'm not sure Vinty and Dennis
Karalious didn't live in the area for spell. I stood next to Vinty in the "best side"at the Albion once and the pint he was holding
disappeared he had  such big hands! Anyone think of more players from the area?
                                                                                                                     

[Steve Fox]

Harking back to the 50s/60s it struck me how many players there were from Lowerhouse lane area,at the top end near The Albion,
 
Frank Myler
and George Kemel, across the road Billy Thompson and Harry Dawson. Around the corner Doug Laughton and Tommy Rimmer
who I worked with at Clarry Binghams garage, in Sinclair ave you had the Owens, Ray and Harry and I'm not sure Vinty and Dennis
Karalious didn't live in the area for spell. I stood next to Vinty in the "best side"at the Albion once and the pint he was holding
disappeared he had  such big hands! Anyone think of more players from the area?
                                                                                                                     

The Karaliuses lived on Hood Road.

[Penkvik]

The Karaliuses lived on Hood Road.

Ihad a feeling they did but wasn't sure,thanks for that Steve.

[the voice]

I was at lake Windermere last summer and saw Vinny and had a great talk with him and his Mrs I shook that giant hand its like a spade ! he still lives in the Isle of Man, truly a great guy!!

[Penkvik]

I was at lake Windermere last summer and saw Vinny and had a great talk with him and his Mrs I shook that giant hand its like a spade ! he still lives in the Isle of Man, truly a great guy!!

Yeah hard as nails on the field but softly spoken off, I think he was one of the first to take fitness really seriously.

[Rafe Wrench]

I like the bit on that history video where he talks about when he was young, jumping off the bridge into the river, and wrestling the cows.

Like one does....

[Penkvik]

I like the bit on that history video where he talks about when he was young, jumping off the bridge into the river, and wrestling the cows.

Like one does....

I used to walk across the old bridge in my younger days and believe me, it must have taken some bottle to jump off. It was a hell

of a long way down to the water, he said he couldn't sit down for week!!

[Steve Fox]

I like the bit on that history video where he talks about when he was young, jumping off the bridge into the river, and wrestling the cows.

Like one does....

I bought a copy of his autobiography Lucky 13 last year and I'm pretty sure he said they intended to jump into the river but had a look and it was too far...so they jumped into the Ship Canal instead!

[Penkvik]

I bought a copy of his autobiography Lucky 13 last year and I'm pretty sure he said they intended to jump into the river but had a look and it was too far...so they jumped into the Ship Canal instead!

You're right Steve, I've read lucky 13 too, a good read.I'd be a bit concerned about the depth in the river anyway.

I'll have to dig the book out again, can't remember who the other player was, name Brough comes to mind though. 

[Steve Fox]

You're right Steve, I've read lucky 13 too, a good read.I'd be a bit concerned about the depth in the river anyway.

I'll have to dig the book out again, can't remember who the other player was, name Brough comes to mind though. 

Winstanley rings a bell. Think there was three of them.

[scooby]

Dennis and Jimmy 0'Niell lived in Henderson Rd. Dennis Carden lived in Mottershead Rd. Billy Thompson had the chip shop in Milton Rd. Jim Mills lived at the bottom of Lowerhouse Lane.

[zagalo]

in answer to the talk aboutVinty jumping of the bridge. the other player was Alan Winstanley he lives in Penketh and plays bowls for the Moorfield pensioners and St Josephs.Hes the brother of Brian Winstanley a good local player from the fifties and sixties Brian used to work at Laportes and made his debut for Widnes aged seventeen i think Alan signed with Vinty for St Helens from West Bank Alan actually jumped of the bridge twice on that occasion ask him why and he says you did daft things when you were young.

[Penkvik]

in answer to the talk aboutVinty jumping of the bridge. the other player was Alan Winstanley he lives in Penketh and plays bowls for the Moorfield pensioners and St Josephs.Hes the brother of Brian Winstanley a good local player from the fifties and sixties Brian used to work at Laportes and made his debut for Widnes aged seventeen i think Alan signed with Vinty for St Helens from West Bank Alan actually jumped of the bridge twice on that occasion ask him why and he says you did daft things when you were young.

I remember Brian Winstanley very well, back rower who burst onto the scene but maybe played too many games for a young lad,
seemed to suffer from burnout, but a good player nonetheless.

[Sunny]

Penkvik, you mention Brian Winstanley as a back rower. I'm sure there was a Brian Winstanley who played loose head prop for the St. Ambrose under 18s team I played in - approx mid 1950s. He would be a couple of years older than me as he left before I did.
Think he played for Lancashire under 18s, maybe even the English team.
Could it be the same lad?

[Penkvik]

Penkvik, you mention Brian Winstanley as a back rower. I'm sure there was a Brian Winstanley who played loose head prop for the St. Ambrose under 18s team I played in - approx mid 1950s. He would be a couple of years older than me as he left before I did.
Think he played for Lancashire under 18s, maybe even the English team.
Could it be the same lad?

Yes, I'm pretty sure he did play for St. Ambrose before signing for Widnes. He was certainly a popular player with the fans,
around about the same age as the lads I used to watch the match with. I guess he would have been born 1939ish.