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Wanderers Ways. Neil Thompson 1961-2021

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Posted

Used to play for Oldham. We used to give him loads of stick from the Manny Rd Paddock. He married a 16 year old, not long before he played us at BP. The amount of abuse he took must have taken its toll, he got subbed, and to our suprise, he came and stood with us and had a laugh. Sadly, not long after he had a heart attack and passed away at the age of 27. I went to his wifes benefit game at Boundary Park V Blackpool in 78. He was some character.

Posted (edited)

Harry Redknapp on Alan Groves -

 

"No, no, I've been to Chesterfield a few times. I remember we played them away when I was at Bournemouth when John Bond was the manager, and we had an outside left called Alan Groves. He was the strongest, quickest, most skilful player I've ever seen. He was something else, this fella, and it was frightening how much talent he had. But he was a bit of a character and I remember we went to Chesterfield one day and we got off the coach and this bird came up to him and said: ?Here y'are, you bloody 'ave him,' and handed him this baby. He was married, but it was a bird he was seeing apparently, and she left him holding the baby and just buggered off. So he's stood there, holding the baby outside, while Bond's giving the team talk. Groves had to give it to some fans to look after while he played, and he took it back on the team coach after the game and his brother and sister looked after him in Portland Bill. I'll never forget it. What a player he was."

 

"Alan Groves, he was incredible. He could have played for England. You've never seen nothing like him. You used to kiss him and you'd bounce off him, he was that big, but he was quicker and more skilful than anyone I've ever seen. He died at 27, I think, of a heart attack. A tragedy. I always think of him when I think of Chesterfield."

 

This is the only photo i could find unfortunately -

groves.jpg

Edited by Burndens Bogs
Posted

I remember him playing for Oldham at Burnden, and coming over to the Burnden Terrace side to take a throw in, and someone shouting

"Get off the pitch you child shagging pervert"

Posted

Sounds a rum un'

 

 

He ran us ragged at Oldham in a 2-0 defeat. This was at the time shortly after the press got the news about the young bird. He wore black collar around his neck and braiding in his hair.

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