Joe Dixon’s

Football Memories

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1977

I first met Peter Graham when buying football boots at his sports shop (The Footy Shop) in Sunderland. To my surprise he recognised me and we had a good chat about local football. In the process he offered me 10% off any purchase I made. He certainly had a way of making you feel important, which he will have done with most customers, and was obviously good for business. After a few visits (the 10% was very attractive) I obviously got to know Peter very well. His enthusiasm and appetite for the game made it easy for me to sign for him when he approached me as manager of Roker FC (Wearside League) for the 1977/1978 season.

My previous career going way back to the 1960's was always with Ryhope CA management. Even when the 'CA folded in 1975 I played for them when they were asked to manage Silksworth CW in 1975/1976 season and Seaham Red Star in the 1976/1977 season. As the 'CA was still folded for the 1977/1978 it was nice to play for a club like Roker FC where I was immediatley comfortable with the management. The fact that their home ground was Silksworth CW was an added bonus.

In the team photo below the expression on my face seems to suggest I had been dropped for that game or just injured. My form wasn't great that season so being dropped is a distinct possibility.

   Back from left  :- Joe Dixon, ? , Jimmy Thompson, Dave Ellis, George Airey, Ritchie Sloan?,                            George Latimer, Kevin Keatings and Brian Parkinson

   Front from left :- Peter Graham (Manager), Graeme Miller, Jimmy Curtis, Ernie Muckles, Rob                            McKenzie, Steve Young, Ernie Buckley and Dennis Tate (Trainer)

   Mascot           :- Ian Muckles

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The only information I have for this season are these reports. Although it wasn't a successful season it was still very enjoyable and interesting playing Saturday football with a different management team of Peter Graham, Brian Parkinson and Dennis Tait. In addition it was a little strange to not be playing with Brian Page, Harry Clark, Billy Mitchell and Bobby Pickering who I'd played with for many seasons.

We were capable of playing some great football as the 7-1 scoreline indicates but the team, and I include myself, were not very consistant.

I did end the season as leading goal scorer but it wasn't with many. When Ernie Muckles and Rob McKenzie were both available I was generally played in midfield. This was quite enjoyable as I no longer had to face towards my own goal for most of the game as I do playing centre forward.

           

        

The report on the left tells of the teams draw after extra time in a cup game with Boldon.

If you look closely at the bottom of this report you will see that the best striker in the league, Ian Crumplin, scored 5 in Blue Stars 7-2 win over Murton CW.

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Roker F.C. 1977/1978 Season