Joe McNally

Hi Ovalteeny, Sorry about the misunderstanding about your grandad. As kids we also used to take our football to Millne Park and climb the fence. We thought it was great to play on a pitch with goals and real nets on them. Then a gentleman would appear behind the bottom goals near the pit and chase us off. I think this was probably your grandad.

Hi Ian, My Dad was an Overman at Dr Pit in the 50's and knew your grandad Sepp. One day when I was a young pup me and a mate climbed into Sepp's garden and pinched a few apples .Next day after work my dad grilled me and I got a belting. Not only that but he made go and confess to the priest at St Bedes where I got a few Hail Marys. They were good times. At That time the Mechanics played at Millne Park in the Northern Alliance but I lived near Welfare Park and supported the green and whites in the Miners Welfare league. This is where the "History of the Terriers" is not quite accurate. Best wishes and keep safe.

Season's Greetings to all Bedlingtonians from a hot,dry and firey Oz.

Thompson Store was opposite North Terrace. My Gran used to live in North Terrace and I used to go there with my mam in the 50's to do our shopping. When we moved to Australia in 1960 we used to phone the store and leave messages for my gran when she came in.

Sorry Alan but I don't think I can shed any light on this photo. My grandfather was Patrick(Paddy) McNally and lived in North Terrace. He passed away in the late 50's and I cannot reconcile this pic with my memories of him. It appears to be from early 1900's and maybe the 1911 Census may give some clues.

When I returned to Bedlington from 65-67 the Welfare were not playing at Welfare Park.A team called "Bedlington East End" existed for a brief period as well as "Bedlington Juniors". Millne Park was overgrown and the Mechanics were also gone. The Terriers were formed after I returned to Australia in mid 67.

No.3 Jack Dixon. No.15 Tommy Dixon. No.19 Jimmy Dixon and I think No.16 is "Tich" Birchill. The Goalkeeper I think was Matt Hall Jnr

Could it be the same team as this one of "Bedlington Mission" ? The poster in the background says "Bedlington Mission vs The Rest of the League" but I cannot make out the date on the poster.

I used to live at 11 Gladstone Terrace in the 50's before moving to Australia in 1960. I remember the shed and roundabout in the background. The "Parky" was Mr Elliott and lived at no.10. He was indeed more interested in his bowling green and gardens than the playground . Still, we had some great times there.

Sorry to join this topic so late but I thought I could share some thoughts and memories. I remenber watching the Mechanics in the late 50's at Millne Park. One game in particular against Amble in front of a huge crowd in a Northern Alliance game. The "Welfare" at the time played down the road at Welfare Park in the Miners Welfare league. I left for Australia in 1960 and returned for a couple of years in '65. The Mechanics and the Welfare had folded and for a brief period the only side around was Bedlington Juniors and a team called "East End". I returned to Australia in '67 and I believe the Terriers were formed shortly afterwards. Best Wishes, Joe McNally