Ushaw Moor Memories

ALLAN DUNN

Allan Dunn was born in July 1945 and attended Ushaw Moor County School before going to the new Ushaw Moor Secondary Modern School in early April 1959. I remember his friendship, as well as his sporting pursuits, but the reason for his nickname ‘Jocker’ is unclear to me. I am almost sure that he had a brother called Douglas.

Allan played at left back in the     Modern School team and although his positioning was a little faulty at times –his calm temperament was [sometimes!] an asset when our defence was under pressure. He always attempted to play to the rules of football, which contrasts with the professional game. Professional defenders often tug shirts to hold players back and to be honest they look rather pathetic when they do that. Allan also played cricket and I recall that one day our schoolmaster Harry Barlow invited both of us to open the innings for Brancepeth Cricket Club, even though we were both only 14 or15 years old at the time!

When Allan left school he went to work for an employer in Durham City, together with Alan Burns. Sometime later he bought their employer out - although I am not sure whether that made him managing director or an entrepreneur.

I admit that this article is for a narrow band of readers i.e. schoolboy footballers of the late 50s, and family historians. Apologies for that – but it does help to keep the articles coming though!

On April the 11th 1959 Ushaw Moor County School played Waterhouses School in the Durham and District school cup final at Bearpark. There is a little mention of this game elsewhere on site, but this is the full version. Waterhouses had just become champions of the league and Ushaw Moor County had achieved the runners up spot. The Durham County Advertiser anticipated a close game because in recent league fixtures the teams had twice drawn 2-2. There was a big gold coloured poster in the hairdresser’s shop in Station Road advertising the game and it stated that it was one shilling to get in with the concession that old age pensioners [now called senior citizens!] and children were charged 6d.

Waterhouses had won their semi final match 5-2, whereas Ushaw Moor County had beaten Brandon Modern 4-0.

Forty eight hours before the cup final I developed an ankle strain in my left foot and although it was very uncomfortable it never occurred to me that the problem might keep me out of the cup final two days later! Then I had another problem – I had no football boots for the match. I cannot remember why that was so but I do remember asking several people whether I could borrow a pair from them. Can you imagine that situation now? These days’ kids often have sophisticated gear and training routines, not to mention some fathers who appear anxious for some reflected glory.

I borrowed a pair of size 4 boots even though I was a size 5. They were a bit tight but I reckoned I could get away with wearing them. The night before the game, with my ankle not at all improved, I followed my stepfather’s advice and had a hot bath after which he strapped my ankle up.

The following morning dawned fine, cool and with a slight breeze. My ankle was fine, although I kept the strapping on! I wonder who would have deputized for me at left back at such short notice. These days you often read that such and such a team are ‘sweating’ on the fitness of such and such a player; as a fourteen year old I did not seem at all aware of the potential problems that I might have caused for the cup final.

I have a spare ten minutes so I am  back with a quick article;

I know that I said that wouldn't happen in the short term!

I have put quite a bit on the site about Temperance Terrace but here is another thought. On my way to the Ushaw Moor County School in the 50s I noticed than quite a few of the houses in that terrace had newspapers up at their windows instead of nets and curtains. That is a strong indication of 50s poverty. I usually took the opportunity to look at the football league tables in those papers. I seem to remember on one occasion that Sunderland were about fourth off top in the old first division and Newcastle United were in the same league, but about sixth off bottom. No one ever came out to tell me off. I also collected football cards by buying candy cigarettes [ clearly an academic child]. I recall cards picturing, for example, Trevor Ford, Len Shackleton and Derek Tapscott.I once ran on the pitch at Newcastle United's ground at the end of a game [not to cause trouble but to idolise and I noticed that the Blackpool goalkeeper, George Farm, seemed very very tall!  If my short term memory was as good as my long term memory my current life would be in colour instead of black and white!