Some 'Sporting' Memories From Alf Brown

I spent happy years at Jarrow Central School but it was to my detriment that I chose to follow the sporting rather than the academic side of things.

There are many memories which I call upon or I am reminded of from time time. On the academic side, for example, I entered the Third Year having chosen the Commercial stream. There was one other boy called Norman Graham and myself among all those girls! It was at the time when the Roman Catholic boys from St Bedes came one day a week to take Metalwork and Woodwork and we were assigned to join them when the girls were taking Sewing lead by Miss Carr.

Since neither of us fancied joining the Roman Catholics, we had to take Sewing. It did nothing for the image. Worse still, I  am still no good at sewing 50 years later. The girls used to try and help me out in exchange for help with Commercial Maths. The ruse did not work - Miss Carr, and the Headmaster Mr Reece who took Maths, saw through our attempted deceptions.

Half way through the year, I moved to the Academic stream with the intention of becoming a teacher of Physical Education. Sadly for me, I was so late joining the Biology class that I had difficulty catching up and consequently grew to dislike the subject. This was probably helped by the subject teacher, Mrs Mitchell.  The result was I achieved a magnificent 9per cent in the yearly exam.

On the sporting side there are many memories, good and not so good. One of the latter involved the Senior Football Team when I was Captain. On a Friday afternoon playtime before a match we used to meet in Room 5 for instruction from Mr Archie Campbell. One this occasion, he was longer than usual in coming down and we were making a fair bit of noise when himself appeared at the door in the quiet way in which he could creep up on you. He waited until we realised he was there and then told me to line the whole team up in the middle of the hall. Mr Campbell, carrying his trademark attaché case, went back upstairs. When he returned, he was carrying his stick and everyone on the team was given a stroke on each hand. Sobering thoughts!

Alf Brown January 2007