George Kirby

[spyinthesky]

Those of us of a certain age fondly remember George and we were only talking about his exploits last night

 

I was only a school boy when he signed (at the same time as Stuart Williams and Dave Burnside) and my Dad moaned about Ted Bates recruiting that 'Dirty B' from Plymouth.

 

He would never have lasted 5 mins on the field of play today but was a great attraction to us Saints fans.

 

My two favourites recollections were having a ruck with Norman Deeley of Wolves (who was about 5'5" compared to George at 6'1") and scaring the life out of Peter Grummitt the Forest 'keeper in the 6th Rd replay at the Dell which contributed immensely to our 3 goal comeback.

 

Apparently George was a real gent off the field

[John B]

I started watching Saints about the time George joined one of my favorite players hard and dirty I remember him laying out three swansea players at the same time .

 

But like you say a real gent I remember meeting him when I was queueing up for a semi-final ticket in 1963

 

Died rather young in 2003

[George the Rip]

Those of a certain age certainly do remember George with great fondness; my first real terrace hero. Saturday afternoon was such fun for this schoolboy watching George. I stood in a Milton Road matchbox yelling my contribution to the mass chant of ‘Kirby, Kirby, Kirby’ as he stormed forward from the edge of the penalty area to get his head on a Terry Paine corner. Anyone, or anything that was in the way of his charge was trampled underfoot.

 

Hard and dirty indeed, but he soon stopped opponents trying to kick us off the park for no one really wanted to tangle with George. Favourite memory? Leeds United in 1963 when a rather young Billy Bremner kicked a Saints player without fully realising who it was. Suddenly, Bremner was running for his life being pursued by a very angry George intent on putting his mark on the young upstart which George duly did! Great memories of a real gent. And yes, my User Name is in his honour and memory.

[Dellman]

I remember Goerge (he was unforgettable) but the story at the time was that the club could not pay the £1000 transfer fee and the money was raised by a huge number of whist drives and similar efforts by supporters: that's the way it was and that's what Ted Bates had to cope with in the transfer market.

[TUS]

For the oldies ;-)

 

[70's Mike]

For the oldies ;-)

 

 

Hollywood looks like an angel, butter would not melt

[spyinthesky]

Makes you realise how small Tony Godfrey was

5'8" for a goalkeeper!!

Recollect that Ron Reynolds, the 1st team keeper wore contact lenses

[Norm]

Oh happy days! Thanks for the photo. I remember George well, a real battering ram!

[Matthew Le Tissier]

Didn't his son invent a Hoover ?

[dronskisaint]

Fond very early memories...my short-a*se mate at primary school always insisted he was George Kirby in our kickarounds...as far as I know he carries the nickname Kirby to this day.

 

Definitely one you'd want on your side although I was too young to appreciate the subtleties of his 'protection' value!

[John B]

Makes you realise how small Tony Godfrey was

5'8" for a goalkeeper!!

Recollect that Ron Reynolds, the 1st team keeper wore contact lenses

 

Makes you realise how small Tony Godfrey was - He could not catch high crosses and continually punched the ball away

[gjphilsaint]

The 1963 FA Cup run ... HTH http://www.flickr.com/photos/28563063@N03/collections/72157606150189371/

[Norm]

The 1963 FA Cup run ... HTH http://www.flickr.com/photos/28563063@N03/collections/72157606150189371/

 

 

I always liked Law but not on that day! I don't remember much about the journey home after we stopped in Oxford for a beer or six! Thanks for posting the link.

[spyinthesky]

I went by special train for the 63 semi.

 

As a youngster the sight of thousands of Saints fans congregating around the Central Station waiting for several special trains gave me a real buzz

 

Our tickets were in the Man Utd end. No problems at all and again it was stirring stuff to see all the Saints fans in the Holte end (it may have been uncovered then)

[Gemmel]

Those of a certain age certainly do remember George with great fondness; my first real terrace hero. Saturday afternoon was such fun for this schoolboy watching George. I stood in a Milton Road matchbox yelling my contribution to the mass chant of ‘Kirby, Kirby, Kirby’ as he stormed forward from the edge of the penalty area to get his head on a Terry Paine corner. Anyone, or anything that was in the way of his charge was trampled underfoot.

 

Hard and dirty indeed, but he soon stopped opponents trying to kick us off the park for no one really wanted to tangle with George. Favourite memory? Leeds United in 1963 when a rather young Billy Bremner kicked a Saints player without fully realising who it was. Suddenly, Bremner was running for his life being pursued by a very angry George intent on putting his mark on the young upstart which George duly did! Great memories of a real gent. And yes, my User Name is in his honour and memory.

 

We love this stuff.... 2 posts in 4 years, come on mate, share it around a bit more

[david in sweden]

Mmm, George Kirby, that brings back memories and I see from the above that most of the contributors are in my generation, too.

 

I was getting to be a serious fan at this time, and school-time was filled with "our selections " for the next home game ..and the potential scorers..George Kirby was always on both lists, though in fact he wasn't a big goalscorer in the Davies / Channon class, his real value to the side was better reflected in the goal stats. of his fellow striker George O'Brien, and the two were a fine partnership, even for a shorter time.

 

At a time when the average height of the players was around 5'8", signing Kirby (6 FEET tall ) ..was rather akin to signing Peter Crouch. He was, what was then called, " an old-fashioned centre-forward ". Always involved in the game, even when he wasn't on the ball. In those days, a shoulder-charge was a legitimate tactic, and George was not one to forget that (the famous incident with Forest keeper Pete Grummitt - mentioned above - in the legendary 3-3 FA Cup replay, was one of many such incidents). He terrified defenders and goalies alike - and smiled all the way.

 

His 18 months stay seemed much longer in some ways and matches featuring George were never dull to watch, even to the Dell game v. Middboro. in November 1962. With a HT score at 0-0 looking like a stalemate game, George started the second half with a hatrick in FOUR minutes, (including two of his famous headers from Terry Paine centres), something no other Saints player has achieved in modern times.

 

A real character was George, sadly there have been too few like him to remember.

Edited 4 July, 2011 by david in sweden

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Those of us of a certain age fondly remember George and we were only talking about his exploits last night

 

I was only a school boy when he signed (at the same time as Stuart Williams and Dave Burnside) and my Dad moaned about Ted Bates recruiting that 'Dirty B' from Plymouth.

 

He would never have lasted 5 mins on the field of play today but was a great attraction to us Saints fans.

 

 

 

My two favourites recollections were having a ruck with Norman Deeley of Wolves (who was about 5'5" compared to George at 6'1") and scaring the life out of Peter Grummitt the Forest 'keeper in the 6th Rd replay at the Dell which contributed immensely to our 3 goal comeback.

 

Apparently George was a real gent off the field

 

I thought he was playing for Leyton Orient, but I get confused with relegated teams from Div1 that long ago!

[ericofarabia]

Mmm, George Kirby, that brings back memories and I see from the above that most of the contributors are in my generation, too.

 

 

At a time when the average height of the players was around 5'8", signing Kirby (6 FEET tall ) ..was rather akin to signing Peter Crouch. He was, what was then called, " an old-fashioned centre-forward ". Always involved in the game, even when he wasn't on the ball. In those days, a shoulder-charge was a legitimate tactic, and George was not one to forget that (the famous incident with Forest keeper Pete Grummitt - mentioned above - in the legendary 3-3 FA Cup replay, was one of many such incidents). He terrified defenders and goalies alike - and smiled all the way.

 

 

A real character was George, sadly there have been too few like him to remember.

 

Too young to have seen him, but from what I heard about him when I started watching games was his fondness of the shoulder charge on keepers - I believe he scored a few goals with the keeper still holding the ball but finding themselves in the back of the net.

[John B]

I thought he was playing for Leyton Orient, but I get confused with relegated teams from Div1 that long ago!

 

Dont recall seeing Wolves playing down the Dell until George Kirby had left for Swansea I think it was.

 

Rather ironic as I remember a game where he had laid out three Swansea players all of whom needed attention with Mr Gallagher our trainer helping one of them

[david in sweden]

Dont recall seeing Wolves playing down the Dell until George Kirby had left for Swansea I think it was.

 

Rather ironic as I remember a game where he had laid out three Swansea players all of whom needed attention with Mr Gallagher our trainer helping one of them

 

For the record; Kirby joined in Sept.1962 and played v.Swansea twice that season.

In 63-64, he played in the home game in Sept. (later moved to Coventry in March 64.)

He failed to score in any of those 3 games, but had a good tally of defenders and a caution - before yellow cards.!

 

Wolves didn't appear in Div.2 until 1965-66 long after Kirby'd left. We beat them 9-3 at The Dell and drew 1-1 at Molyneaux, and later got promoted to Div.1 (that's nothing to do with Kirby but I did enjoy writing the 9-3 scoreline.)

Leyton Orient were in Div.2 (from season 63-64), and Kirby played against them twice and scored in the 3-0 in January.

 

Thanks to.. In that Number for the results info. and WIKIPEDIA for the following;

Right winger NORMAN DEELEY played for Wolves 1951-1962

206 games - 66 goals and later moved to Leyton Orient 1962-64 73 games - 9 goals. He played twice for England in 1959.

You also overestimated his height. WP states he was only 5'3" (brave man to face up to George.)

Norman Deeley died in 2007.

Edited 4 July, 2011 by david in sweden

[John B]

For the record; Kirby joined in Sept.1962 and played v.Swansea twice that season.

In 63-64, he played in the home game in Sept. (later moved to Coventry in March 64.)

He failed to score in any of those 3 games, but had a good tally of defenders and a caution - before yellow cards.!

 

Wolves didn't appear in Div.2 until 1965-66 long after Kirby'd left. We beat them 9-3 at The Dell and drew 1-1 at Molyneaux, and later got promoted to Div.1 (that's nothing to do with Kirby but I did enjoy writing the 9-3 scoreline.)

Leyton Orient were in Div.2 (from season 63-64), and Kirby played against them twice and scored in the 3-0 in January.

 

Thanks to.. In that Number for the results info. and WIKIPEDIA for the following;

Right winger NORMAN DEELEY played for Wolves 1951-1962

206 games - 66 goals and later moved to Leyton Orient 1962-64 73 games - 9 goals. He played twice for England in 1959.

You also overestimated his height. WP states he was only 5'3" (brave man to face up to George.)

Norman Deeley died in 2007.

 

Sorry I meant that George was probably playing for Swansea in 1965 when we played Wolves because he played for them before joining Walsall and after leaving Coventry

 

Didnt Knapp also go to Coventry too

[gordonToo]

My two favourites recollections were having a ruck with Norman Deeley of Wolves (who was about 5'5" compared to George at 6'1") and scaring the life out of Peter Grummitt the Forest 'keeper in the 6th Rd replay at the Dell which contributed immensely to our 3 goal comeback.

 

My recollection is that the Norman Deely ruck involved Terry Paine and not George. Terry had been indulging in his ankle tapping routine and Deely totally lost it, sitting on Terry's chest and raining in blows like there was no tomorrow. In those days that sort of behaviour only warranted a booking and both stayed on the field. These days it would be an automatic 3 month ban!

[Norm]

My recollection is that the Norman Deely ruck involved Terry Paine and not George. Terry had been indulging in his ankle tapping routine and Deely totally lost it, sitting on Terry's chest and raining in blows like there was no tomorrow. In those days that sort of behaviour only warranted a booking and both stayed on the field. These days it would be an automatic 3 month ban!

 

 

I seem to think you are correct, the Deeley 'incident' did involve our Terry.

 

As for the 9-3 against Wolves, it never ceases to amaze me that we signed the Wolves keeper after that game at the Dell. I was in the Milton Road end that game and wondered if it was a dream!

[TijuanaTim]

Thanks for posting that....couldn't help but notice how the match report used that stupid American term 'soccer' (tongue in cheek chaps)...

[david in sweden]

For the oldies ;-) http://cards.littleoak.com.au/1963 - 64.

 

This really brought back memories as I looked closer at the names and thought of a few one-liners to go with the faces.

CHIVERS - still a teenager. Would be top scorer in promotion season 65/66. Later to Spurs for a record fee and later England CF.

KIRBY - there is cheerful George himself. A real no-nonsense CF who enjoyed every game.

REYNOLDS - pensioned by Spurs aged 32 but still played over 100 games for Saints before a bad shoulder injury forced retirement.

GODFREY - One of the shortest keepers ever 5'8" but still managed to make some good saves. Played 150 games in 7 seasons.

TRAYNOR - nearly 500 games in 13 years. Not the fastest LB in history, but a good football brain and a cultured left foot.

HUXFORD - Best-trained player I ever saw. Tough as a concrete wall and uncompromising at left midfield, also emergency goalie.

WHITE - good reserve player when (rarely) called upon, but was never going to displace the talented Burnside at inside left.

WILLAMS - former WBA / WELSH team captain FREED by WBA aged 32, and was superb at RB for 4 seasons (165 games).

DEAN - Reserve CF who came good in time for the 65/66 promotion season. The only Saint to ever score a hat-trick at Fratton Park.

KNAPP - Looked like team captain from day 1. Record fee from Leicester. Skilful, visionary CH and a superb leader. 260 games in 6 yrs.

WIMSHURST - Tireless right halfback, played behind Terry Paine and surely made him look EVEN better. Great competitor with insight.

DAVIES - this is the " other Ron " played 192 games in 6 seasons at full back - until Stuart Williams arrived.

(GALLAGHER) - Sgt.major type club trainer, who worked with Ted Bates for 20 years. Great character - a real club man.

McGUIGAN - (like WHITE) a useful reserve striker who deserved more chances than he got (35 games - 8 goals in 2 seasons).

PAINE - " our Terry ". Over 800 apps. in 17 seasons. 19 Eng.caps/World Cup 1966. Superb ball artist with great vision.

O'BRIEN - Leeds reject (aged 23) but managed 180 goals in 6 seasons. Could score from anywhere with either foot. Good with pens.

CHADWICK- As good as Paine or Sydenham in his teenage, but broke a leg and lost his place after the legendary wing-duo came good.

BATES - " MR. SOUTHAMPTON " Well-respected manager for 20 years. Went from Apprentice to Chairman in 60 years with the club.

HOLLYWOOD - Deadly, baby-faced Left back (who later succeeded Traynor). Tough as they come and would kick any winger off the pitch.

BURNSIDE - Hugely talented inside left. A skilful playmaker with a deadly final pass. Scored 26 in 70 starts, but lost favour in 1964.

SYDENHAM -Totally left sided winger. Former So'ton sprint champion who could "leave any full back for dead" on the way to his 400 apps.

PENK - only 5'4" Harry P. was (like Chadwick) unable to get the left wing spot from Sydenham, but still managed 60 starts in 3 years.

 

Great timeless memories of a bygone age. Before this time (season 62/63 ) every fan knew the team selection by heart - every week.

it was ; Reynolds, Williams, Traynor, Willams, Knapp, Huxford, Paine, O'Brien, Kirby, Burnside and Sydenham. ..(allowing for

injuries or sickness) and playing in a formation that was 2-3-5..(that was FIVE strikers) and the Saints home form was AWESOME !

Edited 4 July, 2011 by david in sweden

[cambsaint]

O'BRIEN - Leeds reject (aged 23) but managed 180 goals in 6 seasons. Could score from anywhere with either foot. Good with pens.

I only watched O'Brien for his last two seasons; but will never forget his pens.

No subtlety just a run and might kick and in my memories they always hit the stanchion leaving the goalie helpless.

Unless your MLT thats te way to take a pen!

I remember talking to somebody who played golf with O'Brien and apparently he always gave Paine the credit for most of his goals, apparently saying that he just had to run where they had trained and the ball would arrive inch perfect!

I don't remember Hollywood looking that innocent!

[gordonToo]

PENK - only 5'4" Harry P. was (like Chadwick) unable to get the left wing spot from Sydenham, but still managed 60 starts in 3 years.

 

I think Penk was used as cover for when Sydenham was on National Service.

[gordonToo]

As for the 9-3 against Wolves, it never ceases to amaze me that we signed the Wolves keeper after that game at the Dell. I was in the Milton Road end that game and wondered if it was a dream!

 

I was behind the goal at the Milton end on that occasion too. We went behind 0-1 very early on but were up 6-1 at half time I think! Every attack seemed to end in a goal and I remember thinking that McClaren had switched off and didn't seem to care too much. Why we signed him up several months later is truly baffling.

[spyinthesky]

I seem to think you are correct, the Deeley 'incident' did involve our Terry.

 

As for the 9-3 against Wolves, it never ceases to amaze me that we signed the Wolves keeper after that game at the Dell. I was in the Milton Road end that game and wondered if it was a dream!

 

Just goes to show that memory changes with age.

Felt sure it was George and Deeley but bow to people with sharper memories.

Re Maclaren, I remember the Milton Rd once singing the ditty ...'No goals today Maclaren's gone away, we've got a goalkeeper, his name is Gerry Gurr!!

Sung to the tune of Hermans Hermits.. 'No milk today'

This was at a time when Maclaren had proved to be pretty useless and young Gerry Gurr had taken over between the sticks

There was a lot more creativity about the terrace songs in those days, I recollect, but not the noise generated now by the Northam end