![]() My funniest memory of Brian was to hear on the Friday he had fallen off the ladders (he was a window fitter by trade) and with a massive pot on his arm and shoulder he couldn't play following Sunday but we played at Handsworth and as often there was a touchline "fracas" and Brian hit one of the opposition over the head with his plaster pot and it shattered like a Carry-on film prop!!!īrian loved his football and running the Albion and his self appointed title was "Dr.Death" but really he was a gent and easy to talk to but listen Brian you used to drop me too much and play yourself and ageing legs too much.I think I was too much of an ego for him to handle.I wasn't a yes man. However was a shrewed manager and coach and we were a brilliant passing possession and movement team.Brian was ahead of his time in that respect. he had a big backside to shield the ball!Īfter great times at Olive and a cartlidge removal and knee ligaments I moved 300 yards up the hill up Thornbury Road to the Ball Albion (Ball Inn pub next to Blades training ground).Brian trained us really hard and I regained my fitness with Albion thanks to Brian he was a fit guy himself (for his age!?)ĥ-6 ex-Olive Players were at the Ball Albion (and ARTHUR LEES SPORTS) and we had good players such as the Plumtree bros Alan Thorpe John Fagen Graham Staley Bob Melia Mark Ramsden Pete Moxon Tony Wollen we could prove we were as good as the Olive Grove because we got stuck in the lower standard Sunday Alliance League and never really proved as Sunday & District Premier standard. Brian was hard but fair he used to get booked and sent off for a wild swing and miss a player. we had Eric Stratford there was Mick Fitxpatrick (see Neil Warnock's autobiography "Made in Sheffield") Roy Young. OLIVE GROVE BLACK BULL ARBOURTHORNE EA JOKER RAWMARSH HOYLAND TOWN JAGS GRENOSIDE ANGEL WAGON & HORSES EARL quality players strong players hard players. There was constant "derbies" this was no "Dog & Duck" footie - the big pub teams were Many players were Saturday players with high standard clubs Hallam (I played there) Sheffield Boston Winterton etc. Better entertainment than United or Wednesday. The rivalry was brilliant and the crowds often massive. The standard of football in that league and in those teams in those days was incredible. Living on Walden Road 50 yards from Olive Grove pub and and ex-Blades junior and brother Roger was an ex-professional and England Youth international for the Blades reserves when we both left Bramall Lane of our own decision it was nature we went to play for Olive Grove and we had 6 great years with the Olive winning Sheffield & District Sunday leagues and cups - we beat Wagon & Horses and Earl in finals and semi finals with Brian playing for these later clubs. ![]() I was taken aback listening to Praise & Grumble last night after Orient game to hear "Brian the Blade" has been unmasked as non other than Brian Thackery aka Bruno aka Doctor Death!.my surprise is I played for Olive Grove Ball Albion and Hallam in the 70's and these were the happiest and most productive footballing times of my life.
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