A Trip Down Memory Lane

pcarruthers · 28-03-2005, 21:50

Today´s result took me back a few years in time! I know few of you will be able to recall this, but on Easter Monday, 1954, Accrington Stanley drew 2-2 with York City at Peel Park in front of the largest crowd of the season - over 15000.

The result just about ended Stanley´s promotion hopes for that season, especially as it came just two days after suffering a home defeat do Hartlepool United.

The reason there was such a good crown was that York were enjoying their best ever run in the FA Cup, having reached the 6th round - an almost impossible task for a Third Division - North club.

John_Timmins · 28-03-2005, 21:52

well one difference between that game and this is we will go on and get promoted and obviously the crowd

Henry Morton · 29-03-2005, 00:32

Thanks for that snapshot from 1954 , pcarruthers .

Supporters like you provide a valuable service in linking the present and the past .

Of course , we're all looking to the future . That's natural , it's ambitious and it's praiseworthy.

But a Football Club without roots goes nowhere , so please keep providing us with those snippets which keep us in touch with the Club's history.

In fact , it's quite a coincidence because I've been passing the time during my annoying illness by reading some of my old newspapers . I'm currently enjoying the Sunday Express of February 17th 1952 . . .the first Sunday Express after the funeral of George VI .
They didn't mess about with the Soccer then , just because the King had died . There was a full programme that weekend.

By coincidence , York City played host to Halifax Town - giving them a 6 - 2 thrashing and pushing the Shaymen to the bottom of Div III (North).

Stanley fared little better on their short trip to Oldham , suffering a 3 - 1 defeat which planted them only one position higher than the hapless Halifax ! All the goals came in the second half , Stanley's being scored by Roberts.

The attendance at York was 8,000 ; at Oldham it was 11,454 .

Wynonie Harris · 29-03-2005, 07:27

A timely reminscence, Mr Carruthers, but could I just correct you on a couple of points? The year was 1955, not '54. Also, the large gate was not entirely due to York's cup prowess. The previous home match against Tranmere had attracted an attendance of only 5,200 (only! We'd be overjoyed to get a gate like that these days!). The chairman complained bitterly and surmised that many thousands from Accrington had gone to the Burnley v Wolves match instead (nothing ever changes, does it?). He appealed for a show of support in what was Stanley's best ever season in the league and the Accrington public duly responded.

pcarruthers · 29-03-2005, 16:54

Thank you Gentlemen for the feedback. Thank you also Mr.Harris for the correction. You are correct on one point - the year was 1955, not 1954. On the second point however I maintain my comment that the previous game was at home to Hartlepools United (which resulted in a 5-2 loss!). The gate for the Hartlepools match was just over 11000.
P.S. I was at both games!!

Wynonie Harris · 30-03-2005, 07:34

Quite correct, the previous home game, on Easter Saturday, was Hartlepools. The Tranmere game which prompted the chairman's comments was the home match before that. My apologies, sir, perhaps you could share some more of your Stanley memories with us?