CORNISH SOCCER ...............covering football throughout the county www.cornishsoccer.info
CORNISH
SOCCER
Welcome to the Steve Massey Page...
Massey’s Mutterings
September 1st 2010
Don’t miss next week’s
Massey’s Mutterings
Have a great week and see you again next Wednesday morning. Regards and best wishes,
Don’t forget, if there’s anything you would like to comment on that you’ve read about on my page .....place a comment on the CORNISH SOCCER Forum
One of the funniest stories relating to Bill actually comes from the season before I arrived and was whenBilly was making his home debut. Boothy, who was present in the dressing room at the time tells it so well and it is one of the “Collections” of stories that go into making the myth and legend that is “Big Bill”.
Billy had made his debut from the subs bench on the Saturday before. He came from Mexborough in Yorkshire and his family, which consisted of brothers, uncles and nephews were considered to be the “Mafia” of the area! It was Tuesday evening and Bill was now making his starting debut at home.
Colin Appleton who had signed him a week earlier, was giving his final team talk with about 5 or 6 minutes before going out. As everyone will be aware, these last few minutes are all done behind closed doors. Everyone had said their “best wishes” and left the lads to it. So, when there was a long and loud knocking on the dressing door while the Boss was in full flow, it took everyone by surprise! It went quiet, as all eyes were focused on the door; it opened and in walked two scruffy looking guys, wearing jeans, donkey jackets and both carrying plastic bags under their arms with cans of beer inside them!
Everyone looked around at each other – “Who are these guys?”, “What’s going on?”.
Manager Colin Appleton asked: “Can I help you?” One of them replied “No. Just want to wish the lads all the very best for tonight” and then proceeded to go round shaking everyone’s hand and hugging one or two who were standing.
They said: “Good luck tonight lads, let’s thrash these Southern bastards, grind them into the ground”. They continued around the dressing room before finally turning round just as leaving the room and said “Come on lets f****n give him some” before finally saying “Billy, good f****n luck my son, your Mum sends her love as well!”
There was a stunned silence for minute or two, nobody had ever seen anything like it, was that really Bill’s dad? Nobody said anything, or more like, dared say anything! But someone finally said:“Was that your Dad Bill?”
To be fair apparently! A very sheepish looking Billy Whitehurst lowered his head and said “err, yes that was my Dad and Uncle.” Boothy says: “That was nice of them to wish us all the best.”
Bill and his family’s reputation was already well documented and everyone very quickly joined in and said “Oh, that was really nice of them to wish us luck!!”
And so, Billy Whitehurst the legend was born!
I must say though, I had two seasons with Bill as my partner upfront and loved every minute of it. He could be funny, (although you never ever laughed at him!), and what an asset to have alongside you.
He could be kind and very generous but the problem was, as I witnessed many times on the training ground, in the dressing room and on the pitch during match day, you were fine until those eyes started to go! They would start to stare back at you! Then it was time to make an apology, or just leave!
I have squirmed on many an occasion when opposition centre halves would try to battle with him and give him verbal abusive! I would think “Oh no, do you really want to be stretchered off, or have your faced altered?”
Billy was transferred to Newcastle United when in the old Division Two for £500,0
00! His technique and touch would always let him down but as a fearsome brute of a centre forward he was superb. He left Newcastle under a bit of a cloud, the final straw being when the crowd booed him coming on as sub in one game at home, and just to show what he thought of them he turned round and dropped his shorts before running on to the pitch!!
They don’t make them like that anymore!
Colin Appleton who had signed him a week earlier, was giving his final team talk with about 5 or 6 minutes before going out. As everyone will be aware, these last few minutes are all done behind closed doors. Everyone had said their “best wishes” and left the lads to it. So, when there was a long and loud knocking on the dressing door while the Boss was in full flow, it took everyone by surprise! It went quiet, as all eyes were focused on the door; it opened and in walked two scruffy looking guys, wearing jeans, donkey jackets and both carrying plastic bags under their arms with cans of beer inside them!
Everyone looked around at each other – “Who are these guys?”, “What’s going on?”.
Manager Colin Appleton asked: “Can I help you?” One of them replied “No. Just want to wish the lads all the very best for tonight” and then proceeded to go round shaking everyone’s hand and hugging one or two who were standing.
They said: “Good luck tonight lads, let’s thrash these Southern bastards, grind them into the ground”. They continued around the dressing room before finally turning round just as leaving the room and said “Come on lets f****n give him some” before finally saying “Billy, good f****n luck my son, your Mum sends her love as well!”
There was a stunned silence for minute or two, nobody had ever seen anything like it, was that really Bill’s dad? Nobody said anything, or more like, dared say anything! But someone finally said:“Was that your Dad Bill?”
To be fair apparently! A very sheepish looking Billy Whitehurst lowered his head and said “err, yes that was my Dad and Uncle.” Boothy says: “That was nice of them to wish us all the best.”
Bill and his family’s reputation was already well documented and everyone very quickly joined in and said “Oh, that was really nice of them to wish us luck!!”
And so, Billy Whitehurst the legend was born!
I must say though, I had two seasons with Bill as my partner upfront and loved every minute of it. He could be funny, (although you never ever laughed at him!), and what an asset to have alongside you.
He could be kind and very generous but the problem was, as I witnessed many times on the training ground, in the dressing room and on the pitch during match day, you were fine until those eyes started to go! They would start to stare back at you! Then it was time to make an apology, or just leave!
I have squirmed on many an occasion when opposition centre halves would try to battle with him and give him verbal abusive! I would think “Oh no, do you really want to be stretchered off, or have your faced altered?”
Billy was transferred to Newcastle United when in the old Division Two for £500,0
00! His technique and touch would always let him down but as a fearsome brute of a centre forward he was superb. He left Newcastle under a bit of a cloud, the final straw being when the crowd booed him coming on as sub in one game at home, and just to show what he thought of them he turned round and dropped his shorts before running on to the pitch!!They don’t make them like that anymore!
The legend of “Big Bill” (Part II)
I spoke a fortnight ago about the legendary player “Big Billy Whitehurst” and some of the antics involving Bill during my time as a player with him at Hull City.
I spoke a fortnight ago about the legendary player “Big Billy Whitehurst” and some of the antics involving Bill during my time as a player with him at Hull City.
Mountains out of Molehills?
The silly spat between the Southern Premier league and the Cornish FA is surely like making Mountains out of molehills?
I’m all for tradition and observing historical practices, but football in the county has now moved on to the highest level ever seen and in fact would have never have been dreamed of when making this now outdated draconian law?
So you have the Cornish FA on one side showing all their Jobs worthy skills and not to be outdone the officials from the Southern League showing they can be just as job worthy!
How silly they both look. Instead of trying to bully each other into submission and threatening to take further action, both parties should grow up and sort it out like adults.
And to help them on their way what about this idea?
There are 3 games to play on Easter Monday - Junior Final, Senior final and Truro’s final game.
The Southern League would like everyone kicking off at the same time, so no one seems to gain advantage of knowing what result is needed to go up or even stay up! So if Truro or their opponents are NOT involved in the final day shake up’s I suggest this plan can come into play:-League allows them to play an Evening kick off 7.30pm. County Finals as normal, but may be an hour earlier start?
If they are or their opponents ARE IN shake up, then they WILL HAVE to kick off at 3pm. I would guess Cornish fans and CCFA Officers would like the chance to see Truro making the play-offs, so why not start the Junior Final at 12 noon and the Senior Final at 6pm?
That way, Cornish football fanatics could watch 3 games in one glorious Bank Holiday Monday! There would also be enough time in between to have the customary meal for all four teams and the officers!
The silly spat between the Southern Premier league and the Cornish FA is surely like making Mountains out of molehills?
I’m all for tradition and observing historical practices, but football in the county has now moved on to the highest level ever seen and in fact would have never have been dreamed of when making this now outdated draconian law?
So you have the Cornish FA on one side showing all their Jobs worthy skills and not to be outdone the officials from the Southern League showing they can be just as job worthy!
How silly they both look. Instead of trying to bully each other into submission and threatening to take further action, both parties should grow up and sort it out like adults.
And to help them on their way what about this idea?
There are 3 games to play on Easter Monday -
The Southern League would like everyone kicking off at the same time, so no one seems to gain advantage of knowing what result is needed to go up or even stay up! So if Truro or their opponents are NOT involved in the final day shake up’s I suggest this plan can come into play:-
If they are or their opponents ARE IN shake up, then they WILL HAVE to kick off at 3pm. I would guess Cornish fans and CCFA Officers would like the chance to see Truro making the play-
That way, Cornish football fanatics could watch 3 games in one glorious Bank Holiday Monday! There would also be enough time in between to have the customary meal for all four teams and the officers!
And Finally...Would you believe it?
THEY SAY THINGS HAPPEN IN THREE’S? ......Well I’m sure Penzance are hoping not! For very quickly on the back of the ‘Floodlight Failure’ last Wednesday against St Blazey with Penzance leading 2-0, resulting in the game being abandoned, the Reserves game over the weekend is also abandoned!
I’m led to believe that after the game had got under way, the referee for the game, is deemed not to be able to ref at the required level and so the opposition Mullion walk off, and a game once more is abandoned at Penzance!
What are the chances of that happening? But even more worryingly for Penzance what are the chances of that “happening in three’s” theory?
CONGRATULATIONS TO MOUSEHOLE, from the SWPL West Division. They ended the longest goal drought in the history of the league stretching back an unbelievable 17 hours and 30 minutes, until on Tuesday they score two in 20 minutes to beat fellow league side Truro City.
A losing run of 26 games in fact before finally not only getting a goal but winning a game as well! Best wishes for rest of season.
JOLLY’S COMBINATION side Penryn Athletic went through the whole of last season unbeaten in the league, unfortunately it didn’t bring them the title, being pipped at the post by drawing to many games, but going undefeated is a tremendous achievement. So, first game of season and at home and what happens?
Yes you guessed a defeat! Losing 3-1. It was a tough one to be fair against one of the title favourites Perranwell, but after such a long run of unbeaten games, all you can do now is, set off on another one!
THEY SAY THINGS HAPPEN IN THREE’S? ......Well I’m sure Penzance are hoping not! For very quickly on the back of the ‘Floodlight Failure’ last Wednesday against St Blazey with Penzance leading 2-
I’m led to believe that after the game had got under way, the referee for the game, is deemed not to be able to ref at the required level and so the opposition Mullion walk off, and a game once more is abandoned at Penzance!
What are the chances of that happening? But even more worryingly for Penzance what are the chances of that “happening in three’s” theory?
A losing run of 26 games in fact before finally not only getting a goal but winning a game as well! Best wishes for rest of season.
JOLLY’S COMBINATION side Penryn Athletic went through the whole of last season unbeaten in the league, unfortunately it didn’t bring them the title, being pipped at the post by drawing to many games, but going undefeated is a tremendous achievement. So, first game of season and at home and what happens?
Yes you guessed a defeat! Losing 3-
With the first month of the season now over, it’s a quick look back on the games, results and just what that might mean for r
est of season!
est of season!
Result of the Month (possibly season?)
Could only be one at this stage…“Have you heard the result from Parkway?”
Could only be one at this stage…“Have you heard the result from Parkway?”
That was the shout around the club room at Torpoint the other Saturday after our (Buckland) victory over a very good and hard working Torpoint side, and I’ve no doubt the reaction from all dressing rooms and club houses across the league on hearing the fantastic result achieved by Penzance in beating red hot favourites for the title Plymouth Parkway, 2-1 away from home! Congratulations to Wayne Quinn and Gary Marks in master minding the win and by all accounts fully deserved as well.
West Division August, Cornish and Devon Battle!
Looking at the first results of the new season in particular in the West Division, didn’t bode well for the Devon based teams in that league. Newly demoted Holsworthy side were thrashed by Lee Beer’s title challengers Callington, and another of the title favourites Penryn went up into Devon and smashed 5 goals past Okehampton. Devon’s other Plymouth based sides didn’t fare any better either, Plymstock losing to another Cornish side Godolphin by 4 goals and Vospers also losing at Home to Camelford by the same score line. This Saturday though saw Vospers restore some pride for Devon by winning both games this week and move into the top 6. I know its first games and all that! But it begs the question? Does this mean, at this level anyway, that the Cornish sides are far stronger than the Devon teams?
Muttering’s Team of the Month, August
Not just for their fantastic win against title favourites Parkway, but for the way they have played their football this month. Someone pointed out that if they had gone on to beat St Blazey in the abandoned game, it would have been Penzance sat at the top of the league not Bovey Tracey after Saturday’s results. I had a report on them in that match against Blazey and my scout was very impressed on how they played, particularly passing the ball and excellent work rate put in by all team. Although he did say, Blazey were not very good that evening! So, Mutterings SWPL TEAM OF THE MONTH IS PENZANCE. Congrats again Quinny and everyone involved in getting you off to a tremendous start. Look forward to seeing you very soon at Homers Heath on 11th September for what should be a great game of football.
Most Honest Quote of the Month!
Speaking just after beating Witheridge away from home by 4 goals to 3 this week, Stuart Dudley the Torpoint manager was truthful enough to admit that on another night his young and talented side “could have been beaten 3-1.” Going on to say, “the difference being a fabulous hat-trick of thunderous shooting, each goal from being over 20 yards out from Josh Grant” Being very honest in his assessment of the game he finished “I know on another evening they may well have flown over or wide but tonight they all went in for young Josh”.
Looking at the first results of the new season in particular in the West Division, didn’t bode well for the Devon based teams in that league. Newly demoted Holsworthy side were thrashed by Lee Beer’s title challengers Callington, and another of the title favourites Penryn went up into Devon and smashed 5 goals past Okehampton. Devon’s other Plymouth based sides didn’t fare any better either, Plymstock losing to another Cornish side Godolphin by 4 goals and Vospers also losing at Home to Camelford by the same score line. This Saturday though saw Vospers restore some pride for Devon by winning both games this week and move into the top 6. I know its first games and all that! But it begs the question? Does this mean, at this level anyway, that the Cornish sides are far stronger than the Devon teams?
Muttering’s Team of the Month, August
Not just for their fantastic win against title favourites Parkway, but for the way they have played their football this month. Someone pointed out that if they had gone on to beat St Blazey in the abandoned game, it would have been Penzance sat at the top of the league not Bovey Tracey after Saturday’s results. I had a report on them in that match against Blazey and my scout was very impressed on how they played, particularly passing the ball and excellent work rate put in by all team. Although he did say, Blazey were not very good that evening! So, Mutterings SWPL TEAM OF THE MONTH IS PENZANCE. Congrats again Quinny and everyone involved in getting you off to a tremendous start. Look forward to seeing you very soon at Homers Heath on 11th September for what should be a great game of football.
Most Honest Quote of the Month!
Speaking just after beating Witheridge away from home by 4 goals to 3 this week, Stuart Dudley the Torpoint manager was truthful enough to admit that on another night his young and talented side “could have been beaten 3-