maineroadman said:
I was born at 210 Thomas Street, directly opposite Thomas Street school and my Dad, who is now in his ninetieth year and still an occasional visitor to Eastlands, was born at the same address in 1921. Our house/slum was demolished around 1952 when the council moved us to "leafy" Wythenshawe. My Dad worked as a fitter for many years at Brooks and Doxey along Thomas Street and I shall ask him if he has any recollection of having a recreational area around the factory. I realise that it would be many years after St. Mark's first played there but there may have been some history attached to it that he may be aware of. Brooks and Doxey certainly had a bowling green because the old man was a proud member of their team. I certainly can't remember any "grassy" parts of West Gorton but I was only seven years old when we left.
If Dad can remember anything interesting, regarding St. Mark's, that have not already featured in your books, then I will let you know.
As an afterthought Gary, my Dad also claims that City's second top scorer of all time, Tommy Johnson, after his playing career, ran the Gorton Mount Hotel which you have just mentioned but do not acknowledge in your excellent " Manchester the greatest City". Just wondered if you can confirm this or have I missed it in your other publications?
A few points to add on this and other stuff mentioned in the thread....
- Any info would be greatly appreciated as your dad's memory may just add something that helps to paint a picture. Would be worth asking if he ever came across members of the Beastow family (William became a councillor and died about 100 years ago but his sons may have remained in the area), or Goodbehere (such an unusual name he may remember). Both worked at Brooks & Doxey's.
- the area next to the factory wasn't really a recreation area. It was a bit of unused/waste land that the factory probably ownes. It was simply an open space in 1880 and will have been covered (possibly) by 1900. There are images of factory fronts lining most of that road in the Manc Libraries archive (can be viewed online and a great resource - you will probably see your old house - <a class="postlink" href="http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=32438&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=29993" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/pag ... firn=29993</a> part of that is on the present day car park - and part of that building still stands today, so easy to work out).
- I did census searches on the first City players and have addresses for some. If I get chance in a few weeks (I really need to plough on with my writing for various deadlines so can't do it now) I'll post the known addresses of as many 1880 players as I can. Beastow himself lived on Clowes St - from memory I think it was 168.
- Tommy Johnson. Other than what I wrote I didn't really go into his publican life. I do know he was a regular in the Plough Hotel (Gorton) during his playing career and that he used to take Dixie Dean in there when Johnson was Dean's playing colleague at Everton. Johnson was often seen in Gorton. I did have a story told to me by an old fan that he used to keep company with a group who ran the billiard club in the 20s (sounded like a bit of a dodgy environment) but I haven't published that. I have also interviewed his son Alan.
In another post someone mentioned
Alex Donaldson's shop. This has triggered something else off in my head (yes, I do keep hearing voices!) - was this ALex Donaldson the former City player? He played for City briefly in the 20s and also for an Ashton side.
Did the company move to Hyde (or have a separate shop in Hyde that ultimately became Hyde Sports)? My first City kit came from Donaldson's in Hyde when I was 6 (1973).
My dad and his family are originally from Gorton (near Gorton Park) and knew this area well and I vaguely remember some of the shops and places mentioned from visiting my Gran (until they knocked her house down). But linking the name Alex and Donaldson has raised a few questions. If anyone knows whether Alex Donaldson was a former player and whether it was the same company as the Hyde store then let me know.
Thanks.
