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Lovely video that. Great memories. I think back of our kick abouts down the Cwm (on the ash at Cwm Level). Robbie played now and again together with Jonathon Clarke who went to Manchester United at a young age and a few others who were playing for the Welsh Schoolboys. A frightening array of talent. A great bloke Robbie. Taken from us far too soon
Optimisticjack
2
History makers - Robbie James on 11:19 - May 8 with 793 views
History makers - Robbie James on 09:51 - May 8 by OptimisticJack
Lovely video that. Great memories. I think back of our kick abouts down the Cwm (on the ash at Cwm Level). Robbie played now and again together with Jonathon Clarke who went to Manchester United at a young age and a few others who were playing for the Welsh Schoolboys. A frightening array of talent. A great bloke Robbie. Taken from us far too soon
History makers - Robbie James on 11:19 - May 8 by onehunglow
What happened to Jon Clarke. I knew his mother
Played once for Man Utd v Sunderland. Apparently runs a bar in Blackpool.
Two years ago.
We’ve been busy speaking to former Player of the Year winners from the last few decades and today our focus is on the 1984/85 recipient Jonathan Clark.
During his time at Deepdale, Jonathan made well over 100 appearances for the Lilywhites in what was a difficult time for the club playing in the Third and Fourth Division.
The midfielder was a bright spark during one of the lowest points in the club’s history, having been a player and at one point manager of the 1985/86 side which finished 23rd in the Fourth Division and subsequently had to seek re-election to the Football League.
Jonathan told PNE.Com: “I’d been injured for about six months and my career was effectively over but the chairman at the time who was a really nice gentleman called Keith Leeming rang me at home on a Saturday morning and said ‘can you get to the ground I want you to take charge of the team’.
“So I raced down to the ground, got there for half past one and I went in and from that moment I changed the team. Luckily we went on a good run and managed to win the first five games. I was really proud of the way we tried to change things around, but we couldn’t quite avoid the re-election. “There was so much going on at the club at that time. I was shocked when I took over as manager and got to be on the other side and was made aware of financial restraints. Everyone tried to do the best they could in a difficult situation. “I was really proud also to give people like Nigel Jemson and Alan Kelly Jr. their debuts and they went on to have really great careers, particularly Alan Kelly. He was a great keeper anyway but I think if it hadn’t had been for his injuries he would’ve been a Premier League player for the rest of his career. He would’ve gone on to be one of the best keepers in the country.”
Jonathan first arrived at Deepdale in 1981 when he joined forces with manager Tommy Docherty, the man who had handed him his debut at the age of 17 with Manchester United and the two also worked together at Derby County.
Jonathan said: “When I left Derby I had the choice of a few clubs but I thought with ‘The Doc’ being there and some of the players I knew like Stevie Doyle that the club would be able to pick up again and start to progress, but it obviously didn’t turn out quite like that.
“When I looked at the playing staff at that time before I signed we had Alex Bruce, Stevie Doyle, Don O’Riordan, really top players for that sort of standard of football at that level so I thought with a few additions that they would bounce straight back. “The other thing was I’d already played at Preston a few times and I really liked the ground and the atmosphere so that was a deciding factor from when I’d visited Deepdale as a Derby player.” Clark went on to spend five years with the Lilywhites and it was his performances in the 1984/85 season which earned him all four awards on offer that campaign.
“I was really proud to win that because it was a really difficult season losing a lot of games. It’s hard to keep yourself going but I was proud that I did, so I was really chuffed with that but it didn’t mask the disappointment of being relegated.
“With my career curtailing around, I played on after 26 but after my injury I was really struggling to play, so the highlight would probably be winning those awards at Preston: it was great.”
After leaving PNE in 1986, Jonathan went on to play for Bury and Carlisle despite injury problems but they did eventually get the better of him and he was forced to hang his boots up earlier than most.
Alongside his wife, he headed into the pub trade and did that for 25 years, though Jonathan has had to take something of a step back as he has unfortunately had health issues in recent times.
He said: “The last few years I’ve suffered ill health so I’ve semi-retired. I’ve been fighting cancer the last five years, but I’m doing well now. I’m a bit disappointed as I’m feeling so well I can’t get out and about, but there’s a lot suffering and a lot worse things at the moment so our thoughts are with them and the NHS.
“I’d like to give my personal thanks to the people at the NHS. I don’t think I’d be here without their help over the last five or six years and they’re doing a fantastic thing now for the whole population so a special thank you to them.”
This post has been edited by an administrator
A great believer in taking anything you like to wherever you want to.
History makers - Robbie James on 11:30 - May 8 by KeithHaynes
Played once for Man Utd v Sunderland. Apparently runs a bar in Blackpool.
Two years ago.
We’ve been busy speaking to former Player of the Year winners from the last few decades and today our focus is on the 1984/85 recipient Jonathan Clark.
During his time at Deepdale, Jonathan made well over 100 appearances for the Lilywhites in what was a difficult time for the club playing in the Third and Fourth Division.
The midfielder was a bright spark during one of the lowest points in the club’s history, having been a player and at one point manager of the 1985/86 side which finished 23rd in the Fourth Division and subsequently had to seek re-election to the Football League.
Jonathan told PNE.Com: “I’d been injured for about six months and my career was effectively over but the chairman at the time who was a really nice gentleman called Keith Leeming rang me at home on a Saturday morning and said ‘can you get to the ground I want you to take charge of the team’.
“So I raced down to the ground, got there for half past one and I went in and from that moment I changed the team. Luckily we went on a good run and managed to win the first five games. I was really proud of the way we tried to change things around, but we couldn’t quite avoid the re-election. “There was so much going on at the club at that time. I was shocked when I took over as manager and got to be on the other side and was made aware of financial restraints. Everyone tried to do the best they could in a difficult situation. “I was really proud also to give people like Nigel Jemson and Alan Kelly Jr. their debuts and they went on to have really great careers, particularly Alan Kelly. He was a great keeper anyway but I think if it hadn’t had been for his injuries he would’ve been a Premier League player for the rest of his career. He would’ve gone on to be one of the best keepers in the country.”
Jonathan first arrived at Deepdale in 1981 when he joined forces with manager Tommy Docherty, the man who had handed him his debut at the age of 17 with Manchester United and the two also worked together at Derby County.
Jonathan said: “When I left Derby I had the choice of a few clubs but I thought with ‘The Doc’ being there and some of the players I knew like Stevie Doyle that the club would be able to pick up again and start to progress, but it obviously didn’t turn out quite like that.
“When I looked at the playing staff at that time before I signed we had Alex Bruce, Stevie Doyle, Don O’Riordan, really top players for that sort of standard of football at that level so I thought with a few additions that they would bounce straight back. “The other thing was I’d already played at Preston a few times and I really liked the ground and the atmosphere so that was a deciding factor from when I’d visited Deepdale as a Derby player.” Clark went on to spend five years with the Lilywhites and it was his performances in the 1984/85 season which earned him all four awards on offer that campaign.
“I was really proud to win that because it was a really difficult season losing a lot of games. It’s hard to keep yourself going but I was proud that I did, so I was really chuffed with that but it didn’t mask the disappointment of being relegated.
“With my career curtailing around, I played on after 26 but after my injury I was really struggling to play, so the highlight would probably be winning those awards at Preston: it was great.”
After leaving PNE in 1986, Jonathan went on to play for Bury and Carlisle despite injury problems but they did eventually get the better of him and he was forced to hang his boots up earlier than most.
Alongside his wife, he headed into the pub trade and did that for 25 years, though Jonathan has had to take something of a step back as he has unfortunately had health issues in recent times.
He said: “The last few years I’ve suffered ill health so I’ve semi-retired. I’ve been fighting cancer the last five years, but I’m doing well now. I’m a bit disappointed as I’m feeling so well I can’t get out and about, but there’s a lot suffering and a lot worse things at the moment so our thoughts are with them and the NHS.
“I’d like to give my personal thanks to the people at the NHS. I don’t think I’d be here without their help over the last five or six years and they’re doing a fantastic thing now for the whole population so a special thank you to them.”
History makers - Robbie James on 11:30 - May 8 by KeithHaynes
Played once for Man Utd v Sunderland. Apparently runs a bar in Blackpool.
Two years ago.
We’ve been busy speaking to former Player of the Year winners from the last few decades and today our focus is on the 1984/85 recipient Jonathan Clark.
During his time at Deepdale, Jonathan made well over 100 appearances for the Lilywhites in what was a difficult time for the club playing in the Third and Fourth Division.
The midfielder was a bright spark during one of the lowest points in the club’s history, having been a player and at one point manager of the 1985/86 side which finished 23rd in the Fourth Division and subsequently had to seek re-election to the Football League.
Jonathan told PNE.Com: “I’d been injured for about six months and my career was effectively over but the chairman at the time who was a really nice gentleman called Keith Leeming rang me at home on a Saturday morning and said ‘can you get to the ground I want you to take charge of the team’.
“So I raced down to the ground, got there for half past one and I went in and from that moment I changed the team. Luckily we went on a good run and managed to win the first five games. I was really proud of the way we tried to change things around, but we couldn’t quite avoid the re-election. “There was so much going on at the club at that time. I was shocked when I took over as manager and got to be on the other side and was made aware of financial restraints. Everyone tried to do the best they could in a difficult situation. “I was really proud also to give people like Nigel Jemson and Alan Kelly Jr. their debuts and they went on to have really great careers, particularly Alan Kelly. He was a great keeper anyway but I think if it hadn’t had been for his injuries he would’ve been a Premier League player for the rest of his career. He would’ve gone on to be one of the best keepers in the country.”
Jonathan first arrived at Deepdale in 1981 when he joined forces with manager Tommy Docherty, the man who had handed him his debut at the age of 17 with Manchester United and the two also worked together at Derby County.
Jonathan said: “When I left Derby I had the choice of a few clubs but I thought with ‘The Doc’ being there and some of the players I knew like Stevie Doyle that the club would be able to pick up again and start to progress, but it obviously didn’t turn out quite like that.
“When I looked at the playing staff at that time before I signed we had Alex Bruce, Stevie Doyle, Don O’Riordan, really top players for that sort of standard of football at that level so I thought with a few additions that they would bounce straight back. “The other thing was I’d already played at Preston a few times and I really liked the ground and the atmosphere so that was a deciding factor from when I’d visited Deepdale as a Derby player.” Clark went on to spend five years with the Lilywhites and it was his performances in the 1984/85 season which earned him all four awards on offer that campaign.
“I was really proud to win that because it was a really difficult season losing a lot of games. It’s hard to keep yourself going but I was proud that I did, so I was really chuffed with that but it didn’t mask the disappointment of being relegated.
“With my career curtailing around, I played on after 26 but after my injury I was really struggling to play, so the highlight would probably be winning those awards at Preston: it was great.”
After leaving PNE in 1986, Jonathan went on to play for Bury and Carlisle despite injury problems but they did eventually get the better of him and he was forced to hang his boots up earlier than most.
Alongside his wife, he headed into the pub trade and did that for 25 years, though Jonathan has had to take something of a step back as he has unfortunately had health issues in recent times.
He said: “The last few years I’ve suffered ill health so I’ve semi-retired. I’ve been fighting cancer the last five years, but I’m doing well now. I’m a bit disappointed as I’m feeling so well I can’t get out and about, but there’s a lot suffering and a lot worse things at the moment so our thoughts are with them and the NHS.
“I’d like to give my personal thanks to the people at the NHS. I don’t think I’d be here without their help over the last five or six years and they’re doing a fantastic thing now for the whole population so a special thank you to them.”
This post has been edited by an administrator
Nice article on Jonathon Clarke. Tommy Docherty signed him 3 times for different teams. As a youngster he had huge talent.
Optimisticjack
0
History makers - Robbie James on 15:05 - May 8 with 731 views
History makers - Robbie James on 11:30 - May 8 by KeithHaynes
Played once for Man Utd v Sunderland. Apparently runs a bar in Blackpool.
Two years ago.
We’ve been busy speaking to former Player of the Year winners from the last few decades and today our focus is on the 1984/85 recipient Jonathan Clark.
During his time at Deepdale, Jonathan made well over 100 appearances for the Lilywhites in what was a difficult time for the club playing in the Third and Fourth Division.
The midfielder was a bright spark during one of the lowest points in the club’s history, having been a player and at one point manager of the 1985/86 side which finished 23rd in the Fourth Division and subsequently had to seek re-election to the Football League.
Jonathan told PNE.Com: “I’d been injured for about six months and my career was effectively over but the chairman at the time who was a really nice gentleman called Keith Leeming rang me at home on a Saturday morning and said ‘can you get to the ground I want you to take charge of the team’.
“So I raced down to the ground, got there for half past one and I went in and from that moment I changed the team. Luckily we went on a good run and managed to win the first five games. I was really proud of the way we tried to change things around, but we couldn’t quite avoid the re-election. “There was so much going on at the club at that time. I was shocked when I took over as manager and got to be on the other side and was made aware of financial restraints. Everyone tried to do the best they could in a difficult situation. “I was really proud also to give people like Nigel Jemson and Alan Kelly Jr. their debuts and they went on to have really great careers, particularly Alan Kelly. He was a great keeper anyway but I think if it hadn’t had been for his injuries he would’ve been a Premier League player for the rest of his career. He would’ve gone on to be one of the best keepers in the country.”
Jonathan first arrived at Deepdale in 1981 when he joined forces with manager Tommy Docherty, the man who had handed him his debut at the age of 17 with Manchester United and the two also worked together at Derby County.
Jonathan said: “When I left Derby I had the choice of a few clubs but I thought with ‘The Doc’ being there and some of the players I knew like Stevie Doyle that the club would be able to pick up again and start to progress, but it obviously didn’t turn out quite like that.
“When I looked at the playing staff at that time before I signed we had Alex Bruce, Stevie Doyle, Don O’Riordan, really top players for that sort of standard of football at that level so I thought with a few additions that they would bounce straight back. “The other thing was I’d already played at Preston a few times and I really liked the ground and the atmosphere so that was a deciding factor from when I’d visited Deepdale as a Derby player.” Clark went on to spend five years with the Lilywhites and it was his performances in the 1984/85 season which earned him all four awards on offer that campaign.
“I was really proud to win that because it was a really difficult season losing a lot of games. It’s hard to keep yourself going but I was proud that I did, so I was really chuffed with that but it didn’t mask the disappointment of being relegated.
“With my career curtailing around, I played on after 26 but after my injury I was really struggling to play, so the highlight would probably be winning those awards at Preston: it was great.”
After leaving PNE in 1986, Jonathan went on to play for Bury and Carlisle despite injury problems but they did eventually get the better of him and he was forced to hang his boots up earlier than most.
Alongside his wife, he headed into the pub trade and did that for 25 years, though Jonathan has had to take something of a step back as he has unfortunately had health issues in recent times.
He said: “The last few years I’ve suffered ill health so I’ve semi-retired. I’ve been fighting cancer the last five years, but I’m doing well now. I’m a bit disappointed as I’m feeling so well I can’t get out and about, but there’s a lot suffering and a lot worse things at the moment so our thoughts are with them and the NHS.
“I’d like to give my personal thanks to the people at the NHS. I don’t think I’d be here without their help over the last five or six years and they’re doing a fantastic thing now for the whole population so a special thank you to them.”
This post has been edited by an administrator
Jonathon got sent off against us playing for Derby down the Vetch in the 1980/81 season. I think Leighton James scored a hat trick in a 3 -1 win.
Everyday above ground ... Is a good day! 😎
0
History makers - Robbie James on 15:19 - May 8 with 724 views
History makers - Robbie James on 15:05 - May 8 by Treforys_Jack
Real golden era for the Swans, who knows what Robbie be worth in todays market.
At his peak probably 30 - 50 million easily. A great great player and a giant in our history too. Is there a statue or plaque somewhere around the ground? If not there really needs to be.
I remember as an 8 year old watching Robbie, Curt and Charlo terrorize many a 4th Division club’s defence - great times and great memories which I’ll always treasure.
My dad hit the nail on the head when talking about the Preston game in 1981 - the final goal was locally made and engineered by those 3. It was fitting he said - and he was right.
Each time I go to Bedd - au........................
0
History makers - Robbie James on 09:37 - May 9 with 656 views
History makers - Robbie James on 09:11 - May 9 by Brynmill_Jack
At his peak probably 30 - 50 million easily. A great great player and a giant in our history too. Is there a statue or plaque somewhere around the ground? If not there really needs to be.
I remember as an 8 year old watching Robbie, Curt and Charlo terrorize many a 4th Division club’s defence - great times and great memories which I’ll always treasure.
My dad hit the nail on the head when talking about the Preston game in 1981 - the final goal was locally made and engineered by those 3. It was fitting he said - and he was right.
And its the reason I get pretty angry about some of our current crop being described as they are,ie . I could mention names but we know who they are.
Robbie James towers over them all .
When you see players as weak,frail and gutless as we have, it really does make you think what a player Robbie was .A 16 yr old Robbie would own the likes of Grimes,Smith,Hoolie,Naughton and Dhanda who is quite a few years older than Robbie was when he was strutting his stuff.
We forget too easily the great players we have had wearing the shirt.
History makers - Robbie James on 09:11 - May 9 by Brynmill_Jack
At his peak probably 30 - 50 million easily. A great great player and a giant in our history too. Is there a statue or plaque somewhere around the ground? If not there really needs to be.
I remember as an 8 year old watching Robbie, Curt and Charlo terrorize many a 4th Division club’s defence - great times and great memories which I’ll always treasure.
My dad hit the nail on the head when talking about the Preston game in 1981 - the final goal was locally made and engineered by those 3. It was fitting he said - and he was right.
Charlo, Curt, L.James too. We could have built a new east stand 😉
A great believer in taking anything you like to wherever you want to.
History makers - Robbie James on 09:11 - May 9 by Brynmill_Jack
At his peak probably 30 - 50 million easily. A great great player and a giant in our history too. Is there a statue or plaque somewhere around the ground? If not there really needs to be.
I remember as an 8 year old watching Robbie, Curt and Charlo terrorize many a 4th Division club’s defence - great times and great memories which I’ll always treasure.
My dad hit the nail on the head when talking about the Preston game in 1981 - the final goal was locally made and engineered by those 3. It was fitting he said - and he was right.
Yeah, a bronze bust next to the ticket office.
0
History makers - Robbie James on 14:16 - May 9 with 606 views
History makers - Robbie James on 10:45 - May 9 by KeithHaynes
Charlo, Curt, L.James too. We could have built a new east stand 😉
K Do you get the drift of some of my ire. I see bag average player described a "great" or "top " player.
I was lucky enough to see an Ivor not far off his magnificent prime with a grace NONE of our subsequent player have seen .A beautiful man and a lovely wife in Esme too.
My cousin married one of John and Mel's cousins both GREAT players and Jack to the bone.
Chuck in Tom Kiley who had a small shop in Gendros as his living post football and you might see where I'm coming from-slightly.
Ive not mentioned Medwin,Cliffy,Flicka,Dwyer,Draper,Geoff Thomas,Mel Nurse (bless him),all earned a fraction of what our overpaid waifs get.
History makers - Robbie James on 14:16 - May 9 by onehunglow
K Do you get the drift of some of my ire. I see bag average player described a "great" or "top " player.
I was lucky enough to see an Ivor not far off his magnificent prime with a grace NONE of our subsequent player have seen .A beautiful man and a lovely wife in Esme too.
My cousin married one of John and Mel's cousins both GREAT players and Jack to the bone.
Chuck in Tom Kiley who had a small shop in Gendros as his living post football and you might see where I'm coming from-slightly.
Ive not mentioned Medwin,Cliffy,Flicka,Dwyer,Draper,Geoff Thomas,Mel Nurse (bless him),all earned a fraction of what our overpaid waifs get.
Agree there even today players from the 80s are punding the streets in all weathers to earn a living as post men.....
Ask some of those ie Mel Nurse, Charlo ( Jeremy) what they think of so called palyer fatigue..in that video there is a clip of Curt look at the state of the pitch...nowt like todays almost snooker table like surfaces
History makers - Robbie James on 15:51 - May 11 by vetchonian
Agree there even today players from the 80s are punding the streets in all weathers to earn a living as post men.....
Ask some of those ie Mel Nurse, Charlo ( Jeremy) what they think of so called palyer fatigue..in that video there is a clip of Curt look at the state of the pitch...nowt like todays almost snooker table like surfaces
The likes of Curt would be solid premier league with these pitches of today.
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