Great shout Hammo ,One for the Super Senior FOC's:
Not someone who many will know but Henry Cockburn from Ashton who played for the Rags was an old bowling mate of my Dad's going back a good few years. My Dad said he was a lovely fella, played cricket for Ashton as well.
He used to go in the Navigation at Dob Cross, the Landlord Ian Gibson said they were going to a footballing Sportsman's dinner in Leeds (probably mid to late 80's from memory) and Henry asked if he could bring a mate along, no problem said Ian saying he'd pay for them both as Cockburn wasn't a wealthy man despite playing pro football including appearances for England. They were meeting at the Navi and getting a coach to the venue. Henry turned up with his mate, Stanley Matthews, the locals were just gobsmacked.
Ian said when they got there, Matthews, Cockburn, Mortenson and others were hugging each other like long lost family, he said it was one of the most emotion things he'd ever seen.
Great shout Hammo , Henry ended up in a care home in Mossley and would often come over to the Highland Laddie for half a bitter and a bag of minstrels .One for the Super Senior FOC's:
Not someone who many will know but Henry Cockburn from Ashton who played for the Rags was an old bowling mate of my Dad's going back a good few years. My Dad said he was a lovely fella, played cricket for Ashton as well.
He used to go in the Navigation at Dob Cross, the Landlord Ian Gibson said they were going to a footballing Sportsman's dinner in Leeds (probably mid to late 80's from memory) and Henry asked if he could bring a mate along, no problem said Ian saying he'd pay for them both as Cockburn wasn't a wealthy man despite playing pro football including appearances for England. They were meeting at the Navi and getting a coach to the venue. Henry turned up with his mate, Stanley Matthews, the locals were just gobsmacked.
Ian said when they got there, Matthews, Cockburn, Mortenson and others were hugging each other like long lost family, he said it was one of the most emotion things he'd ever seen.
He had his own seat and if anybody was sat in it when he came in they would immediately vacate it .
Obviously he was in the twilight of his life but he was still a character , if you were in the toilets having a leak he would come in and tackle you from behind, he’d also ask if you were still playing praising you saying what a good footballer you were. Didn’t have the heart to tell only got as far as the Hyde and district .
He was fondly thought of by all the customers red and blue alike.
Many of the customers went to his funeral and the family came to the pub to thank the regulars for looking after him when he came in for a drink , it was our pleasure .
They don’t make them like that anymore .