SportsArchive

This is the 1954 Cradley St. James football team after having beaten Pendock in the final of the Mason Cup that year. The cup was named after the landlord of the Three Horse Shoes pub Harry Mason (Barnards Green I guess as the photo was found by Don Smith of Poolbrook) .

Back Row L to R : Bill Plaskett(Don's uncle), Derek Smith (no relation) , Roy Smith(Don's brother), Reg Gardener, Lol James, , Don Smith, Walter Baker(club Chairman).

Front row L to R: George Baker, Austin Cole, Bernard Atkinson , Albert Smith(Don's brother and captain), Edgar Green and Michael Godsall. Missing was Les Philpotts.

We have established a trophy in the name of Mike Godsall who did so much for the club and the match is an invitation game played at our Fun Day last August. Mike's daughter Carol presented the cup to her Son Patrick who was captain of Cradley Sports for the day . We beat Newtown Sports for the record. Carol's daughter Louise also plays for the club's girls team.

Message received 4 July 2006 - Sir: Viewing the recently posted Quoits Club picture, I recognized my Grandfather, Richard Blight, (bottom row, on the right). Mr. Blight, a gardner and quarryman, was a long-time resident of Cradley. He was a veteran of the First War. He enjoyed the Crown, the New Inn, and the Cliffe in Mathon. Mr. Grandmother, Fannie Blight, nee Pitt, was from Cradley. My grandparents lived in the Firs, which was across from the Crown, just behind St. Catherine's. My Mother was born in the house. In 1944, My Mother and my Dad, then an American GI stationed with an Army hospital near Malvern, were married in Cradley church. In the 1950's, my Mother and I would visit Cradley from America. My Grandparents are buried in Cradley churchyard. Incidentally, the older gentleman at the top row, left, in the picture is Mr. Fred Fincher, who lived at Fincher's Corner. I enjoy the Cradley website. Sincerely, John George, Texas.