I went on Paddy’s coach quite a few times with a group of lads from the Red Rose/Black Boy in Wythenshawe but there were lads from all over Manchester.
It was on the coach I met Dennis Lock and we became a mates. Other names I remember are Spider, Johny Kaye,The Vicar, Dave Heap, Jimmy McMullen, Len the Spew, Johnny Andrews, Ginger Johnstone, Davy Mac, Johnny Yarwood, Les Lowe, Jack Whitely the Hince brothers, who said they were related to Paul Hince the occasional City player and later journalist.
It was Jimmy Mac who introduced everyone to the Prospect of Whitby.
Dennis was a proper Jack the lad. I remember coming out of OT after the 69 derby and a rag rode past on a scooter mouthing off until Denis knocked him off the scooter, a bit of a scuffle followed and possibly an arrest or two.
The guys on the coach loved the midnight departures, which were sensible for the long trips but Paddy was persuaded to do a midnight run for Rotherham.
My first trip was to Pompey New Years day 1965. A guy in the Scoreboard end organised it, can’t remember his name but he was eventually replaced by Trevor from Northern Moor.
Great times.
