Illingworth; Cockbain, Heward; Allonby, Carter, Davies; Brayshaw, Robinson, Moorby, Webb, Mount.

Transcription

1 Lancaster Schoolboys Delving once again into the archives of local football we look at a group of youngsters who were indeed The Golden Generation and proudly played for Lancaster Schoolboys in the season. In the Lancashire Schools Cup and the English Schools Shield competitions Lancaster, who selected their team from just six schools (66 players), were competing against Liverpool and Manchester, who could choose from over 150 schools (1,650 players) in each city. In the English Shield, Lancaster defeated Blackpool 2-1 at home in the first round and then met Preston in the 2nd round on the Giant Axe. The Lancaster forwards were in commanding form with Webb stealing the limelight at inside left and a sound defence was built around Cockbain at right fullback. A sudden inspired spell entirely changed the complexion of an even game when Webb opened the scoring from a pass by Moorby. This was quickly followed by Robinson converting a Cockbain free kick and then adding a third with a great shot from the edge of the box. The 3-0 victory took Lancaster through to meet North Lonsdale in the 3rd round at Ulverston. Lancaster had to fight hard on a very small and waterlogged pitch before securing a 2-1 victory. Before a crowd of over 2,000 Lancaster took the lead when Atkinson broke away down the right and from his cross Robinson netted. Just before half-time Webb increased the lead after a solo run. Robinson was outstanding in the forwards and Cockbain was steady as a rock in defence. By their victory Lancaster Boys made history in reaching the 4th round of the Shield competition for the first time. Their opponents would be Manchester Boys who were losing finalists in and the game would be played at the Newton Heath Loco Ground, Manchester on December 16th In November, after defeating Ormskirk 9-0 in the first round of the Lancashire F.A. Schools Cup, Lancaster took on Bacup in the 2nd round at the Giant Axe. Lancaster played some scintillating football and clinched victory with a comprehensive 10-0 score line and the scorers were Moorby (6), Webb (2) and Brayshaw (2). In the English Shield, Lancaster Boys put up a great performance in Manchester before being defeated by the odd goal in three. The match was played on a frozen pitch and after fifteen minutes Manchester took the lead following a goalmouth scramble. Heward cleared the ball but the referee ruled that it had crossed the line (even then we had controversy). Lancaster now were really getting into the game and Cockbain and Heward were very impressive, the former almost scoring with a long range effort. Moorby and Mount grazed the Manchester woodwork with flying headers and it was all against the run of play when Manchester scored a second goal following a defensive misunderstanding. Lancaster replied strongly and Webb put in several brilliant runs before Mount crossed and Moorby scored with a clever back header but time ran out on the Lancaster Boys after a tremendous effort. Heward was outstanding for Lancaster, his strong tackling and fine distribution being most impressive.

2 For the Christmas Holiday games the County selectors recognised the considerable success that Lancaster Boys had achieved during the first half of the season. Heward (Greaves) played for Lancashire against Yorkshire at Elland Road, Leeds, with Cockbain as reserve. Eddie Hopkinson, the future Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper played in this game as well as Albert Scanlon and David Pegg who would succeed in later years with Manchester United. Cockbain (Greaves) and Robinson (Skerton) had also been chosen to play for Lancashire against Cheshire at Holker Street, Barrow, with Webb (Boys National) as reserve. The Lancashire Schools Cup 3rd round tie against Radcliffe was played in January 1951 and by defeating them 3-1 on the Giant Axe, Lancaster equalled their best previous performance of by reaching the 4th round. Radcliffe scored after two minutes before Moorby immediately replied for Lancaster from a pass by Atkinson. Radcliffe were reduced to ten men through injury after ten minutes and Lancaster controlled the game territorially from then on. Ten minutes from time Moorby chased a long ball to put his side in front and two minutes later Mount put the result beyond doubt by crashing home the third goal. The 4th round game at Blackburn in the Schools Cup would certainly be a tough test for Lancaster but with the talent within the side they feared nobody. Moorby quickly opened the scoring for Lancaster before a defensive error between Illingworth and Cockbain allowed Blackburn an equaliser. After Webb hit the bar Moorby restored the lead with a clever goal. Blackburn fought back again and once more levelled the scores. The pace in the second half was relentless and after Moorby hit the bar, left half Davies scored direct from a corner to win the game by three goals to two and put Lancaster into the semi-finals where they would play Liverpool Schoolboys at Goodison Park, Everton. The whole of the Lancaster defence deserved praise for a great display and in the forwards Moorby and Webb were the danger men. Lancaster: Illingworth; Cockbain, Heward; Allonby, Carter, Davies; Brayshaw, Robinson, Moorby, Webb, Mount. Playing in front of a 6,000 crowd with gate receipts of 181 at Goodison Park, Everton seemed to spur on the Lancaster team and Atkinson soon tested the Liverpool goalkeeper. After ten minutes Liverpool took a controversial lead when Illingworth was bundled into the net after collecting a high centre. At half time Cockbain, Heward and Carter emerged as the heroes of the hour with their stout defending. After the interval Liverpool increased their lead direct from a corner kick but Lancaster reduced the deficit within two minutes following a move involving Heward, Mount and Moorby with the latter getting the final touch. Lancaster were in the ascendancy now and when Moorby cut through the Liverpool defence he was brought down with a rugby tackle and Cockbain duly converted the penalty leaving the game tied at 2-2. The entire Lancaster defence were commended for their tough, talented and clever display and this, combined with the opportunism of Moorby, earned them the right to a replay at the Giant Axe. The replay at Giant Axe ended in a 1-1 draw but unfortunately the report of the replay was not accessible in the archives. Before the second replay against Liverpool, Lancaster Schoolboys, after defeating Morecambe in the semi-final

3 at Christie Park, were at home to Barrow Schoolboys on the Giant Axe Field in the final of the Sir John Fisher Cup. The morning sunshine attracted a large number of spectators. The bigger Barrow boys were a little faster on the ball until Lancaster settled down. Heward replaced the doughty Cockbain, who was away on County duty. In the twelfth minute Moorby broke away but with only the goalkeeper to beat shot wide of the post. Right winger, Askew, was unlucky to see a surprise shot beat the keeper but hit the side netting. After twenty minutes the ball was swung out to Askew by Allonby; the winger put through a beautiful pass to Moorby, who raced on to the ball and scored a splendid goal. Barrow quickly equalised after the interval when Southall escaped the attentions of the vigilant Carter and gave Illingworth no chance with a rasping drive. An alleged handling offence brought Lancaster a penalty, which Robinson converted and Lancaster from then on never relinquished their lead. In presenting the cup to Robinson, captain of Lancaster, the Mayor of Lancaster (Councillor G. Chirnside) said it was not often that he was able to get down to the Giant Axe but on this occasion he had put off several engagements to watch the game. The teams were; Lancaster: Illingworth; Bailey, Heward; Allonby, Carter, Davies; Askew, Robinson, Moorby, Webb, Orr. Barrow: Jinks; Carter, Jackson; Postlethwaite, Mulhearn, Heaney; Williams, Tatham, Southall, Woodburn, Morral. The second replay of the Lancashire Schools Cup took place at Earle Football Club and though Liverpool turned out to be worthy 4-1 winners, they scored twice in the closing stages when Lancaster were throwing everything into attack to save the game. After 20 minutes Lancaster took the lead when Moorby put Mount through to finish in style. Just before half-time Liverpool equalised and took the lead immediately after the break. At a reception after the game the Liverpool Chairman said that Lancaster were the best team they had encountered all season and that they had looked forward with more trepidation to their meeting with them than they had to the match with Brierley Hill in the final of the English Schools Shield.

4 Lancaster Schoolboys Back Row (L- R) Front Row (L- R) A. N. Other, Mr Shillito, Heward, Cockbain, Collinson, Robinson, Carter, Webb, Allonby, Mr McDonald, Mr Rogerson, Mr Emmott. Moorby, Brayshaw, Bradford, Mount..

5 On the following pages I have displayed programmes and related literature, kindly lent to me by Ken Moorby, which show the achievements of an outstanding group of Lancaster schoolboys from what could justifiably be termed The Golden Generation

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7 Festival of Britain 1951, Schoolboys County Match Lancashire v Holker Street, Barrow Saturday May 5 th, Kick Off 3:15pm