eddyblue

i have to agree with diego - the longsuffering fans have seen times like this before so we have not always had it good - no direspect diego but you probably started watching us before me - i started in 1977 - when i was 5/6 and we had a few lean years in between then and the "pinch me years"

 

My owd fella for instance who still goes home and away still talks about division four days - so this aint nothing new to some fans but we are still here.

 

i will talk about good and bad times just the same but please dont let our memories of the good times fade away - it s part of who we are

im the drummer.

 

ive decided that i will not bring my drum to the game v southend and we will see how it goes atmosphere wise. but i did try this v bristol rovers and the atmosphere was dead.

Good on you for your support of the Latics...BUT...sat near you at Carlisle and my ears were still ringin well after the game so have voted for a ban. There used to be a bugler some years ago who could only play one tune. perhaps you could take up buglin and try that. Bet your family will love me for that suggestion. Whatever ypur decision respect and KTF ...I was young once )))

Sir Jimmy Frizzell was signed as a player in 1961 ish. Originally as an inside left as it was called then. He was a solid reliable player, not spectacular but hard as nails. In his later playing career he was moved to full back by Jimmy McIlroy who ahem "managed" Latics in the Ken Bates years.

It was as manager though, in my opinion, that he attained Latics legend..nay Godlike status. He took us from bottom of Div 4 to 3rd division champions frpm 1969/70 to 73/74. Then kept us in Div 2 for about 10 years till he was sacked. Incidentally 72/73 was similar to this season in that we had a poor start, then a brilliant run, but evenuially tailed off and finished 4th I think, just missing out on promotion as there were no playoffs then. So there is still hope this season.

Anyway back to topic, on a miniscule budget he signed Jim Fryatt, Harry Dowd, Colin Garwood Kenny Clements, Paul Futcher, Alan Groves, Simon Stainrod, Vic Halom, Roger Palmer, Rodger Wylde, George Jones to name just a few, all legends. He made huge profits for the club on transfer deals. So he was a legend who signed more legends. I was near to tears when I heard he had been sacked just couldn't believe it.

Latics did not have much luck in the cup comps under Frizz which I think is where Joe Royle was helped but fair play to Sir Joe, he always acknowledged his debt to Jimmy Frizzell.

Joe is also quoted as saying that at his interview for the manager's job he was told something along the lines of "Jimmy Frizzell has worked miracles at this club but we are looking for something different" !!! says it all really. In my opinion Sir Jim set up the modern Latics with ambition beyond the lower divisions, and he and Sir Joe are without doubt the best managers OAFC have ever had....though I have High hopes for Shez

Maurice Whittle standing behind Joe 90 and to the right of Maurice on the back row Herman Munster. Not noticed him at BP before

I was in the NSM (then Ford Paddock) with my Dad on Grovesy's debut against Aldershot. Latics won 2 -0 (I think) Grovesey scoring one.

At first it was a sort of stunned into silence reaction to his skills , then wow what a player this lad is .

Best present day equivalent I can think of would be if this season we had not seen Chris Taylor play, and then signed him after, say, the forest game, but with Chris Taylor having two more years savvy and experience to enhance his undoubted talent.

Mazy runs, skill on the ball sharks teeth necklace and fun type character...Grovesy had the lot and is indeed a Latics legend. In my 40+ years of watching Latics the Grovesy years rank up there with the most exciting times.

Sadly missed and enjoy the hereafter on the left wing of the great footy pitch in the sky

Framk Worthington extreme right Kenny Everett behind him who is to the left of Farrah Fawcett Majors having a bad hair day

Lad with Coat looks a bit lost!!