PHS012 Jimmy Elder MP3
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Audio details
| Collection Title | Champions of England: Oral Histories |
|---|---|
| Date of Recording | 1st November 2019 |
| Name of Interviewer | Colin Farmery |
| Location of Interview | Wakefield, Yorkshire |
| Participant Name | Jimmy Elder |
| Participant Date of Birth | 1st January 0001 |
| Participant Sex | Male |
| Participant Occupation | Professional footballer |
| Participant Background | Last known surviving member of the Portsmouth FC Championship teams |
| Type of Recorder | IPhone X |
| Track No | 1 |
| Track Duration | [00:33:03] |
| Recording Format | |
| Transcript Summary |
[00:00:00] Jimmy Elder, following shown a photograph by Colin Farmery of Portsmouth squad from that time. Remembers Scoular, a how they got in to trouble a bit sometimes, when playing 5 a side, the Scotsmen and against the English, Jimmy Scoular was in the Navy at the time and when he came out families were close friends and did all training with him, a fit player and was a little bit older. He had a character not to upset, he was a good fun but could have paddy, but a good player and a hard player. Nobody was better than him. Jokingly mentions training games sometimes finished with punch ups. Peter ‘Bodger’ Harris. Was a fast player and came to Portsmouth with that nickname and the local lads called him that. Points out Ian Drummond, Scottish who played together. Ian was in the Navy and joined a couple of months after. Remembers how the team used to stick up for and support Lindy Delapenha. Remembers times when going to dances at South Parade Pier on a Saturday and occasionally would finish the evening protecting him, and the players wouldn’t allow any trouble, a really good lad. Terrific lad and was chased by the girls a lot. Used to tease him for always getting the girls. Arrived after being in the Forces. Passed away a couple of years ago. Remembers being good friends with Lindy and Ian. Remembers Billy Spencer, a Yorkshire lad, shared digs with him and Scouse [ndlr Fred] Evans also. Points out a number of players, Phillips, Barlow, Scoular, Harris, Clarke, Remembers Ernie Butler lived 2 doors away in Edgeware Road, a good lad and a gentleman to the younger players. Mentions Reg Flewin used to take the mick out of the younger players, and if we were cheeky in the dressing room he would give us a gentle reminder to behave. Remembers coaching staff, Jimmy Easson knew from Scotland from during the war, was a guest player in the junior league. Knew my father too, a strict coach with the youngsters. Jimmy Stewart, Head Trainer, no-one back chatted him. [00:11:26] Remembers training schedule was Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday was what was called hard training. Monday was lighter and Friday again before match on Saturday. Lighter training was gentle laps and a few sprints. Trainers were the bosses and if we upset them they changed training. Not much training was with the ball but looked forward to Tuesday as often would play a match against the first team in just gym shoes. Didn’t have time for softies and that’s how you were brought up. Brought to club from Jack Tinn, signed him from Scotland and the money side of things with Dad. Those days a signing on fee of £10 which went to Dad. Jack Tinn worked in his office a lot and the trainer did the training. Team talks were done during the week and Saturday turned up and just got stuck in to the match. Didn’t see a lot of Bob Jackson either and used to only really see them, was mainly in the reserves and only got into first team twice, Eddie Lever was Reserve Team Manager and also a teacher before coach. [00:16:20] Remembers Jimmy Dickinson, a good lad, often wondered why he became a footballer as he was too nice a person but a good footballer and not a softie. Never booked or sent off like Scoular. Remembers Jimmy Stephen, also came from Scotland, was a classic player. Remembers debut against Sunderland in November 1949, marking the best player came up against, an inside forward, played by the rules and just as you go for the ball get him. Football was a hard game then. Mentions all born with different skills and there were players that were more skilful than you. Phil Rookes, finished in Colchester also. A classic hard cunning player. Remembers always guarantee the winger would have to pick himself up often. Played against Len Shackleton, remembers advice from Jimmy Stewart was when you go in for your first few tackles just make sure you are a fraction too late. Remembers Harry Ferrier, a good lad and was a good experienced player, looked up by younger players and well thought off, treated us like part of the club. [00:20:27] Remembers Len Phillips being a character, in the Marines and hard as nails from South East London. A good skilful two footed player and Duggie Reid, with a hard shot on him, a first team player and kept himself to himself. Mentions Ike Clarke and finished up playing for him at Yeovil. A normal person, a good manager at Yeovil. Remembers happy memories at Pompey but not quite good enough at the time to become a regular first team player. Remembers winning the London Combination when there. Crowds for reserve matches were reasonably sizes. Mentions Drummond and Delapenha was closest friends of mine during my time at Portsmouth. Remembers being part of the training being told if you have to hit them hit them hard in first minutes of game as no one gets sent off. Football wasn’t dirty but if you played up against a class player hit them hard. Part of training to professionals during that time. Never got a yellow card was crafty. Never deliberately hard anyone and never missed a penalty as didn’t ever take one, that was Duggie’s job. Took penalties at Colchester though and Duggie taught to hit them hard and low. Salary was £2 a week and a £2 bonus if we won. At Portsmouth earned £10 a week and £12 if in the first team, always was reserve to Scoular and Dickinson and never got hurt, were the 2 best wing halves in the League. Left Portsmouth in 1951 to Colchester on £12 a week and £2 if we won and a £1 if a draw. Sent some salary to mum and on digs. Happy days and used to get in free on Saturday nights to the dancing. Only night of the week that landlady would not return you for being home late. Needed to be home by 10pm, no excuses even if you were at the pictures and halfway through a film. Salary to parents then was a lot of money. Remembers going to Colchester and loved going to Portsmouth but fond memories of Colchester and first player they signed when going in to the Football League. [00:33:03] End of interview |
| Copyright Clearance | Full |
| Copyright Holder | Pompey History Society |
