FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY THE E'S TOOK ON THE E'S IN A VERY LOCAL DERBY
'Edmonton FC' exisited from 1960 following a merger of Tufnell Park and Edmonton Borough to 1973 when they moved to Coles Park, White Hart Lane and became Edmonton & Haringey later becoming the club that is now Haringey Borough in 1976.
Edmonton FC known as the E'S (sound familiar) played in the Delphian League and later the Athenian League at the Henry Barrass Stadium, Houndsfield Road, N9 just off the Hertford Road where the Cock Tavern Public House stands. They played in green and white quartered shirts. Tony Rocco seems to be the man as he's listed in the programme in 1967 and still played at Coles Park in 1974. Midweek home games were played in the afternoon due to the ground having no floodlights.
The E's struggled along in the Athenian Division Two, the best season coming in 1969/70 when a second place was achieved gaining promotion to the top division. It was this season that by winning games versus Hemel Hempstead and Ilford the E's earnt a home tie versus their close and more illustrious neighbours Enfield FC.
Enfield had beaten Southall, Kingstonian and Grays Athletic (7-0) to reach the game in the 3rd Qualifying Round which was played 40 years ago today on the 18th October 1969. In all of the old Enfield's history this must be the most local of away games ever played. Enfield who were riding high in the Isthmian League were too strong and ran out 4-1 winners. The programme listed the game as David V Goliath as Enfield had thrashed Edmonton 8-1 in their previous encounter 7 years previous. Enfield went on to beat Wealdstone before losing to Brighton & HA 2-1 at the Goldstone Ground in the 1st round proper.
Edmonton moved to Cole's Park in 1973 and became the aforementioned Edmonton & Haringey and the Barrass fell into disrepair. The cold end is old enough to remember a black & white six lane running track running around the pitch (still there in the mid 80's???) and the main stand which is still present today together with grass banking which ran around the some of the ground. The pitch is now regularly used by the Edmonton Sunday League.
The cold end thinks with a little bit of hard work the stand wouldn't look out of place in a Ryman League ground or above.
****The team's listed in the the official programme for the FA Cup game in 1969****
****The Delphian League Senior Section Table January 1960****Source
http://fchd.info/EDMONTON.HTM
I remember being at this FA Cup tie and Enfield, mighty then, took a slender 1-0 win to the interval.
ReplyDeleteThe reported 1400 crowd, surely Edmonton's record at the Barrass Stadium, was shocked to see an equlaiser in the first minute of the second half.
Enfield were too strong and finished 4-1 winners.
I do not rmember the green and white quarters, but do remember Edmonton playing in orange shirts and black short.
The Barrass Stadium is still much as pictured.
It was next to the Jubilee Park and a lovely open air lido which is now a centre for the mentally ill.
I relocated to Dunstable and now follow the fortunes of Dunstable Town FC.
It os a pity that a town the size of Edmonton does not have a senior team..after all neighbours tottenham have one!
As a youth team player at Edmonton FC I was at the game against Enfield, I don't remember much about the game but I think Edmonton made a good show of themselves in the first half, my main memory was the amount of people in the ground.
ReplyDeleteWhen you start talking about Edmonton FC you must give a big mention to Jim Gates who with his sidekick Eddie ran all the youth teams so succesfully, and also to Joe Starkey the reserve team coach who should have been given a chance with the first team.
I was in the youth team that won the Middlesex Junior cup, then the reserve team for several seasons and then had a handful of games for the first team. Les Williamson was the first team coach at the time, he came to Edmonton with a good reputation, but he missed a great chance buy bringing in players with him instead of using players from the youth and reserve teams, many of whom left to play in higher division teams and cared about Edmonton FC.
I visited the ground last year and agree with Paul that it is a shame that a lower league side does not play there now.
Keith Gardner
Hi Keith,
DeleteJust seen your oomment on here & your mention of Jim Gates. Reason for replying is that I am certain you are referring to my Uncle who lived in Tottenham and worked in grass roots football for very many years & I know he worked with an "Eddie" although his surname escapes me. He passed away some years ago but I know he would be pleased to have known his work in the game was noted & appreciated. Thanks for your comment.
Ah memories! Time plays tricks with the memory of course. I never saw the E's v E's game but was having a kick-around with some mates in Jubilee Park at the time. I remember cheers and distinctly heard 'Well done Enfield' as the final whistle sounded.
ReplyDeleteI followed Edmonton for a couple of seasons after that, seeing them defeat the likes of Aylesbury United 2-1 and Harlow Town 4-3 (big crowd for that one!) and bunked off school early to see them draw 0-0 with Aveley in a midweek 4pm kick-off. It was quite gloomy by the end and goal-line clearances were prevalent. That game still stands as the most exciting 0-0 that I have ever seen.
Now for the memory playing tricks bit; I recall that Edmonton played in an all amber kit, although I saw them play a pre-season friendly against Byng (Bing?) Road Old Boys and they played in white shirts with two green hoops and black shorts - away kit perhaps?
I wasn't a happy boy when they relocated to Coles Park and had to go and watch the snobs at Enfield instead. I still do, having just completed 12 years as Press Officer and then Secretary of Enfield Town FC. I still miss my Edmonton team though.
Stumbled on this article, I played for Edmonton Youth team from 1962/64 We wore White shirts with 2 green hoops and Green shorts white socks with 2 green hoops .As mentioned above Jim Gates and assistant Eddie ran the Youth teams at that time. We played in the Forest and District League. Which included teams like West Ham/ Leyton Orient youth teams. I remember the 1st Team having an overseas tour to Italy, needing fare paying members, my mate Martyn Dowd and I made up the travelling party. (Although too young to take part) Also remember our Youth team playing a German side prior to 1st team playing the Show Biz 11 which included Tommy Steele Kenny Lynch etc Big crowd there that day which was exciting for everyone present. Show Bizi 11 spent time in club room afterwards raising funds for the Club. Two sets of brothers I remember from those days include
ReplyDeleteEason's and Aylett's ....Les Eason being a star player from memory. Happy Days
Peter Gilkes from Adelaide South Australia ( Mackayfan ) OzSpurs
Just seen your comment on here about Jim Gates. As I have said above, I am certain you are referring to my Uncle who lived in Tottenham and worked in grass roots football for very many years and know he worked with an eddie. Although he passed away some years ago I know he would be pleased that his hard work over many years was appreciated. Thanks for your comment
Deletelawrence taylor i was at Edmonton FC as a youth and was playing there when we joined with haringey Borough at White hart lane in the 70s. Jim Gates was our manager and his assistant who scouted me was Eddie Lionel I remember them taking us on a Football tour to Holland and Germany great times. I think either Jim Gates or Eddie Lionel used to work at a company called Acme signs in Ponders end Enfield.
DeleteI hope this helps
Dave Justice
Only just seen your comment on here. I'm certain it is the same, how many other Jim Gates would there be with an assistant called Eddie. And I remember him telling me stories about his football trips into Europe. He was a big man, a cigar smoker. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteI was there as an Enfield fan of 10 years of age and definitely attended the Brighton match too. I watch Enfield for many years but whilst I remember this match, and subsequently worked in Edmonton for 5 years and also married an Edmonton girl...still together and living in Suffolk I never really remember where the Barrass stadium was. That said I remember it was a pretty good ground but as a 10 year old it was a long journey from Enfield. Thanks for the memories.
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