16 Comments

Great piece. I remember the Moores, Harold in particular. Me and my Dad used to walk to and from the match together with him sometimes, I think he wasn't as sound on his pins as he once was so we were company for the walk, he loved the Reds, really loved them, great source of tickets too, he got us a few for Wembley over time, Dad did the driving. He always had a story, good conversationalist. I'll never forget after one defeat during Ron Atkinson's tenure, he'd been working in the dressing room before the game, he said something like "that team will never win anything whilst the dressing room stinks of the managers after shave", he was right, Big Ron was sacked not long after. Fond memories. Old Trafford was a great place to grow up, a place for immigrants, Irish, Afro Caribbean and Polish in particular, a very formative culture.

Expand full comment
author

Good story Peter -Terry Christian often recounts that one!

Expand full comment

Ha ha - I can assure you it's mine, TC has nicked a few of mine over the years and not a penny commission :-)

Expand full comment
author

Hmm -no surprise there!’

Expand full comment

This is such a great story and I have the pleasure of knowing Everton and his younger brother. I shared this article with my siblings and we have decided to try to trace our old neighbours from Kings Rd......watch this space

Expand full comment
Jan 24, 2021Liked by The Mill

Can I just say my Father Enoch Mclennon and our family were good friends with Bluesy, Jean and family and it has been along time since we have contact. With people moving and passing away it was wonderful reading your story They were a lovely family.

Expand full comment
Jan 24, 2021Liked by The Mill

This touching story triggered many memories of old neighbours of my own. This is exactly the sort of humane journalism that I want to read. Thanks.

Expand full comment
Jan 25, 2021Liked by The Mill

A well written and very interesting story, a nice change to all the sad doom and gloom around at the moment.

Expand full comment

Loved this superb piece of journalism. Just last year I reconnected with twin girls from primary school (one was my first girlfriend at 10!!) - and I found my best friend from primary school who is now in New Zealand !! We're all 55 now, and we found each other. Something good to come from the last 12 awful months.

Expand full comment

Used to live on sylvan avenue one street away from st johns road ..great story

Expand full comment

This was lovely to read. Mary and my Mum were friends, having met when they both worked in the same office. In 1955 Mum and Dad moved to Stockport, but they kept in touch, and I remember visiting the house when when I was a small girl, and being impressed with the Irish dancing of Mum's friend's daughters.

Expand full comment
author

Your mum was so warm and smiley .

Expand full comment
Jan 26, 2021Liked by The Mill

Mum often talked about Mary and Harold with such fondness, and I remember your Mum being warm and welcoming

Expand full comment
author

Wow Viki-amazing you saw this -so pleased.I vividly remember you coming over to visit us -the last time we saw your Mum and dad was at our parents Ruby wedding party in 1981!

Expand full comment

Hi, I remember you all very well. My parents owned the Greengrocers on the corner of Ayres Road and St John’s Road. Kath and Colin Priestley owned the shop. I am their son Paul and was a similar age to Bernadette who I remember well. Harold and Mary knew my parents well. The article reminded me of a lovely childhood in the area. After leaving school I worked for the Manchester Evening news and latterly the Guardian and Observer newspapers. It was a great community in Old Trafford. Seems so long ago now.

Expand full comment

Great piece. Loved it!

Expand full comment