When the Throstles lived close to the nest
WE are all familiar with the multimillion pound contracts enjoyed by today’s top flight footballers. With such wealth at their disposal, players live in grand mansions, often a long distance from the clubs they play for.
It was all very different in the 1950s. Then players’ wages were restricted. While they earned more than the average worker, those that bought tickets every week to see them play, footballers’ salaries were not that far beyond a normal pay-packet. The players also tended to live close to their clubs
In the ’50s there was a good chance that you could see the players out and about on the streets of your hometown – you could even be lucky enough to live on the same street as them or your father might know someone who drank in the same pub as them.
It all helped to foster a close bond between the fans and the players, knowing that they lived in the same town as you.
Thanks to some fascinating research by Albion fan and Bugle contributor Alan Taylor, we can tell you where some of the Baggies’ stars of the ’50s lived at that time.
Alan has been looking into the West Bromwich Albion tour of Canada, which took place after the end of the 1958-59 season. It was the first time that an Albion team had ever crossed the Atlantic. When they sailed from Liverpool aboard the Cunard liner SS Sylvania, the players were block-booked by the club. However, when the team returned to England they had their berths booked individually, with each booking giving the player’s home address. Alan has searched the passenger records and uncovered these details.
Of the 18 players that sailed back from Canada, all but three lived within a few miles of the Hawthorns and they were recent signings who had not yet moved closer to the club.
Are you familiar with any of these streets were the Baggies stars used to live?
Ronnie Allen: 169 Hall Green Road, West Bromwich.
Ray Barlow: 12 Bull Street, West Bromwich.
Dave Burnside: 18 Heath Road, Downend, Bristol.
Bobby Cram: 20 Gads Lane, West Bromwich.
Chuck Drury: 5 Millfields Road, West Bromwich.
Douglas Graham: 4 Bewly Road, Handsworth Wood.
Derek Hogg: 17 Havelock Street, Leicester.
Clive Jackman: 68 Coles Lane, Hill Top, West Bromwich.
Alec Jackson: 8 Laburnam Road, Tipton.
Joe Kennedy: 11 Osborne Gardens, West Bromwich.
Derek Kevan: 14 Marlow Street, Smethwick.
Ray Potter: 127 Spouthouse Lane, Great Barr.
Bobby Robson: 76 Copthall Road, Handsworth Wood.
Keith Smith: 41 Moira Road, Woodville, Burton-on-trent.
Archie Styles: 103 Perry Street, Smethwick.
Brian Whitehouse: 48 Bilhay Street, West Bromwich.
Graham Williams: 7 High Street, West Bromwich.
Stuart Williams: 21 The Broadway, Hill Top, West Bromwich.
Also on the ship were the club secretary Alan Everiss and director James Gaunt, although they both travelled first class, separate to the players. Gaunt’s address was 7 Meadow Road, Birmingham, and Everiss lived at Glenhaven, Gads Lane, West Bromwich.
Most of these players’ homes of 60 years ago were modest semi-detached houses and some were terraces, but they are a far cry from the millionaire’s mansions of the 21st century football stars.