The good old Days by Alvis Williamsonson – part 1

Everyone remembers them days of Joe Royle and the “punch-me” season when we got to the Argos Cup final and two FL Cup semi finals when we lost both times to Man City, but I like to go back to a time which you may not be too aware of. I was never a fan of Richie, Royle and Ricky Holden because one was Scouse, one was a Manc and the other was a filthy Yorkshireman. I remember back in the 1930’s when we had local greats such as Norbert Blanchflower, Larry St Gilbert and of course how could you forget the great Charles “Jet-propel-speed” Bloomer.

The game in question is the 1933 Ashton and District cup and it was one unforgettable game against Duckinfield Juniors, 58,000 ‘tic crammed into the Athletic Ground (as it was known back then) to watch a classic. The game began with a visit from his Royal Highness King William VI, who walked the two teams onto the pitch Oldham in Blue and White, Ducky in all Yellow. In those days the player got changed in the Queens at the top of Sheepfoot Lane and the pre-match warm-up was the short walk down to the pitch after a couple of shots of brandy and a Lemon sponge, the clubs Inside Forward Dick Cockburn used to have to walk all the way from Macclesfield as in those days people weren’t soft. Half-Back Terry Taylor used to spend the other days of the week working on the docks in Liverpool then the remaining Friday and Sunday sweeping the East Lancs Road with his feet, that is probably the reason why he would regularly break his opponents leg, back then of course he would get the magic sponge and carry on playing.

Anyway the game began with a swift long ball landing straight at the feet of Blanchflower but Ducky full back Gordon Dougan was having none of it and kicked the Ball and Blanchflower out of touch for a goal kick. The first goal of the game went to Duck when Harry Sherbert beat his man with his wiggle (probably learnt when dancing to Duke Ellington) and his a powerful shot which bounced in the mud and splashed George “the Cat” Lillywhite in the eyes and he missed the ball 1-0 Ducky. But the lads soon responded with a quick-fire hat-trick from who else but “Jet-propel” Bloomer, one with his left, the other with his right, the third off his arse. Ducky then responded with a classic goal from that era a long ball by Godfrey Bannerman lead to a scuffle in the box, Lillywhite catches the ball but Norman Oldfield barged him over the line, players weren’t soft like they are now and the goal was given. Half time it was 3-2 to Oldham and the players built up their strength with a few light ales and some liver flavoured porridge.

The second half got away with a dazzling run from St Gilbert was fit for the King and he rounded off by blasting the ball home, 4-2 but Ducky weren’t done yet they’re star man Bert Bentley was always a hand-full and he had a rocket shot, which was as powerful as a right-hook from Joe Louis 4-3. Then the star of the show again none other than “Jet-propel” Bloomer played a long ball out of the box only for himself to catch it onto his own head in the Duck penalty box round off a fine victory for the Latics 5-3 Duckinfield and the Trophy was lifted high amongst the jubilant and joyous spectators with screams of “Oldham for the Cup, Oldham for the Cup, EI ADEO Oldham for the Cup!!!!!”, there was parties on the streets for days afterwards and the then manager Mr Beesley when he died had his Ashes scattered into the trophy because of the sheer brilliance for that day, a whole generation of Latics fans will remember where they stood on the day they won the Ashton and District Cup.