neil
Newbie
Posts: 74
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Post by neil on Jan 7, 2022 17:13:09 GMT
I was looking through some old programmes today and saw the name Alan Gillett who was with us I think from 1970 to 1974. He played at right back at number 2. I mention this because coincidentally he was our sports master at Ewell County Secondary School (I wonder if any fellow U's fans attended the same school around 1970-1976 and remember him ?). According to Wikipedia he has worked for the English FA under 18's and a number of club sides including Watford, Palace, Wimbledon and Argyle (as caretaker manager, dismissed and fought a successful legal case against the sacking). He has also coached overseas in Japan, Yemen and the US in addition to being caretaker manager of the Malawi national side. I do recall I liked him as a sports master and he was a decent player too with some very good players around him. It would interesting if anyone else remembers his playing days at Sutton.
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markf
Top Performer
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Post by markf on Jan 7, 2022 17:58:30 GMT
Alan first played for Sutton during the 1970/1 season as a right back. He actually picked up a broken leg during one match but wasn't aware and finished the game before being diagnosed after.
He had a spell with Kingstonian before returning to Sutton when Ted Powell took over and operated at full back, centre back and also in midfield.
At Spennymoor, his attempted headed clearance produced one of the finest saves I have seen from a Sutton 'keeper (Ian Stuart)!
He had a very correct, upright stance. A solid rather than spectacular performer who enjoyed a more profitable career as a coach.
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neil
Newbie
Posts: 74
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Post by neil on Jan 7, 2022 19:39:11 GMT
Thanks Mark for your valuable input. A good description as you state, a solid player rather than spectacular.
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Post by davethegrave on Jan 7, 2022 21:33:46 GMT
Yes I remember him well. I suppose he replaced Derek Gamblin.
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markf
Top Performer
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Post by markf on Jan 8, 2022 4:19:30 GMT
Not really. Gamblin left after the 67/8 season. The right back role was taken by a combination of players including Rod Brookes, Dennis Clarke and Glynn Garfield before Gillett.
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Post by davef on Jan 8, 2022 9:53:18 GMT
And not forgetting the excellent Bobby Taylor.
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Post by meddles on Jan 8, 2022 10:43:34 GMT
And not forgetting the excellent Bobby Taylor. At a glance, I read that as 'Bobby Traynor'..... *shivers* |
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markf
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Post by markf on Jan 8, 2022 14:57:55 GMT
Bobby Taylor was left back to Gamblin's right. Think it's one of the reasons he left for Leatherhead. He did return to Sutton later before emigrating to Australia.
Taylor scored an og when U's played Leatherhead in the Amateur Cup in December 69. That was the first Sutton match I saw.
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Post by davethegrave on Jan 9, 2022 18:09:38 GMT
Not really. Gamblin left after the 67/8 season. The right back role was taken by a combination of players including Rod Brookes, Dennis Clarke and Glynn Garfield before Gillett. Yes Bobby Taylor was a left back and I thought Glyn Garfield was too but I bow to your better memories (and programmes). |
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Post by davef on Jan 9, 2022 18:28:03 GMT
I didn't see Bobby's first spell at the club (I'm old but not that old) but in the 1970s he definitely played right back (with John Mears & Ken Grose on the left in 71/2) , and was one of the best full-backs the club has had in my opinion. I seem to recall Glynn Garfield playing on the right and left.
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