I find it difficult to remember specific games except for the odd outstanding victory like the Wigan Cup win.
I first went to the Willows during 1949 - 1950 season. I have no idea who Salford were playing as I was three at the time. My mother was pregnant with my younger brother and my dad, having worked Saturday morning because he was in the Building trade, took me to the Willows so my mum could have a rest. That was when my addiction started. I'm sure I used to just play on the empty terraces then, bur Salford RLFC got to me.
I remember players who were my heroes like Wally MacArthur, Arthur Gregory, John Cheshire, Dai Davies and Albert Baines.
There was a sense of excitement as players like Billy Banks and the great Jackie Brennan joined the club and then along came Brian Sparks as the team began to improve, with the start of the Snape years. I remember during the Snape years drawing 5 -5 with Saints at the Willows and beating them 8 - 3 (I think) at Knowsley Road when Les Bettinson had a magnificent game. We went to Wigan in the next round and won comfortably despite having Frank Collier sent off. We all thought it was our year for the cup - until we lost 7 -5 at Dewsbury in the Quarter Finals. That memory is as painful as losing to Castleford at Wembley, and to Sheffield at Headingley.
As the Snape years progressed we became fashionable and successful. We saw some great players in the red shirt. We were privileged to be able to see Charlton, Fielding, Watkins, Hesketh, Richards, the great Ken Gill, Nash, Banner, Coulman, Dixon, Smethurst, and Prescott at the club. Other superb players like Butler, Colloby, Rule and Williams almost had supporting roles.
Yet the crowd was always critical. After one typical Friday night match which we'd won with a splendid display of attacking rugby, as the tightly packed crowd was making its way out onto Weaste Lane the guy in front of me said, 'Watkins had a poor game tonight.' Somewhat surprised, I said, 'Come on! He kicked nine goals, scored three tries and laid on three more!' 'Aye, but what else did he do?' came the response which caused all around to laugh at him.
Those were great years and we did not appreciate them as much as we should have done as since then we haven't enjoyed the same quality of rugby, except for the odd occasion. We've seen some talent though in Neil Baker, Paul Shaw, Garry Jack and Michael Hancock. It's a shame that young talent has left us as we do need to build for the future.
This addiction still rules my life. I've passed it on to my son and my grand daughter shows signs of the same disease.
At times I've been miserable in lots of places like Bradford, Perpignan, Wigan and Saint Helens, but there have been times when I've loved those same places - though not as often as I would have liked.
In sixty odd years I haven't missed more than ten matches at the Willows and think I will find tomorrow a strange day. I still can't believe that it's my last ever match there for some reason. Someone must be having us on!!
But it is and I've got my season ticket for Barton. I've been very impressed by Matt Parish and I really hope it will be onwards and upwards.
I really hope there will be a great atmosphere there tomorrow. Over the years I've stood in various specs at the ground but I'll be in the Shed tomorrow where I've been for a good few years. I can't wait.
Come on you Reds!
