Bill Raf's Tribute Page.

After recently visiting Canal st now that demolition work is well under way, What I saw really brought a tear to my eye as it would any true Runcorn supporter. So I pondered on what I could do & so decided that perhaps it would be a good idea to put together a web page in a final tribute to all the people that I have known & worked with that have dedicated so much time & effort to keep Canal st alive over the many years. Perhaps it was time for the club to move on only time will tell but a little reflection over all the great days at canal st can only be good after all every Football club has a past which is usually well documented........!!        

 

The list of names I have entered below is by no means complete they are mainly the people that I have known & been associated with during the years at canal St.

By creating this list I do not wish to offend any of there dependants & relatives & if anyone is offended by anything that is entered here or is incorrect please contact me via the web & I will amend or remove the offending article  Regards Bill Raftery..  

 

Left is all that remains of the Supporters old club office, The office was situated in different parts of the town over the years when I first joined the Supporters club it was at top locks & then moved to Reagent St where it stayed for several years & then became the club shop. The Supporters club really kept the club going with some hefty financial donations over the years all the funds were raised with some tremendous hard work & dedication from  all concerned which included raffles, draws, bingo, paper collecting ,& if you are a Runcorn Supporter past or present you will have contribued to there funds at some stage.   
The first name that comes to mind is Tom Mulheirn (deceased) who must have put thousands of hours in at the ground nights & weekends rewiring the lighting & tannoy system which in the early days was a little Heath Robinson but more than served its purpose, To which of course Tom used to announce the teams & half time draw. My downfall was when I told Tom I went to most of the games & was a keen supporter what a mistake that was he dragged me down there at all hours & times re felting the roofs of the stands which blew off every so often & footing his ladder while he rewired something or other..

I was introduced to the Supporters club By Jim Lightfoot (deceased) who also spent many hours down there ( & when I say many hours I think they used to live there at times) I was introduced to the then chairman of the supporters club Wilf Kennerley (deceased) who said I hope you have plenty of time on your hands young man whoops !!       

 

 

The picture on the right here is from 1963 & features Bert Trautmann (Middle, Man City keeper at the time ) shaking hands with Wilf Kennerley & Jim Lightfoot far left with the Runcorn manager Jack Boothway next to him .

Bert was a guest speaker at a Supporters Club luncheon in the south Bank Hotel, He told the Supporters club I gained my first medal in English football at Canal st when he was in a Prescot team which beat Runcorn Res 2-1 in the George Mahon cup in 1948.  The members of the Supporters club fired a few questions at him during an open forum of which I will quote a couple, What do you think of idea of substitutes:- Quote Indiscriminate use of substitutes could make the game a farce he felt. He was also asked about the England team at the time :-Quote He felt they were lacking in national pride, Teams like Holland & Germany he said got nothing for  international appearances other than compensation for loss of earnings , They had however an immense pride in representing there countries. Blimey how times have changed...          

 

So Finally a few other names to sum things up which I may not have already mentioned:-

My personal thanks to the following:-

Glyn Threadgold (Deceased) supporters sec/ & club Treasurer thanks for years of service to the club.

Jim Corchran  (Deceased) Supporters Club chairman & director of the club for years of service to the club.

Jack Walker & family for all the years in the canteen (& great tea)

Phil Tyler Supporters Club

Wilf Thompson Supporters Club

Ken Leach Supporters club secretary for all the years.

& Roy in the club shop for all the scarves hats & programs over the years ,

& over the last couple of seasons Brian Hayes & family for there efforts in the Wyverns Place side Canteen. 

Last but by no means least thanks to Sue & Noel Bell who are still raising cash for the club at this time. Mrs Bucket & all..

I personally think that the unstinting work of these people & the like is unparalleled & its so sad to see it all taken taken down piece by piece, Whoever you apportion the blame to for this is immaterial now what is done is done. But it is important that we remember everyone who worked so hard to keep us at Canal St & in the end lost the Battle.            

This list is by no means complete anyone who feels there name should be mentioned here please let me know.

I have to sadly add that Noel Bell has now past away & all our thoughts are

with Sue & there family.

bill@rafteryb.freeserve.co.uk 

Although my idea was to include just Supporters club members I have been asked mention a few other names Such as & who could forget the late Tommy Ellis, Also Terry Bratt, Stuart Houghton, Gordon Abram, & all in the Bar which kept me & others supplied with pints & much needed revenue...!! 

  • Further Additions to the list are:-

  • The late Stan Norman

  • John Leach (Still Going)

     

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