ONE of the joys of growing up in South-West Durham was Saturday afternoon when my parents would take me to watch the Crook Town football team.

It was usually my dad who took me to the away fixtures and by the age of six I must have visited every ground in the Northern League.

One of my favourite grounds was Hall Lane, Willington as Crook always seemed to do well there. (from 1953-60 Crook only lost two league games at Hall Lane). I can vividly remember three things about a visit to Hall Lane, Firstly the huge pit heap that was visible behind the top goal. Secondly the roar from the home supporters whenever little ‘Boxer’ Taylor, the Willington outside right, got the ball and raced up the wing, skipping past Crook defenders as if they weren’t there.

Thirdly I have never forgotten the contest between the Crook outside left Jimmy McMillan and the Willington right back Percy Musgrave.

This was a most unequal contest, on the lines of Muhammed Ali v Brian London, as Jim was small, wiry and quick on his feet whereas Percy was tall, slow and rather cumbersome.

The contest would start with Jim receiving the ball wide on the left, Percy would move in to close him down. Jim would feint to go on the inside, check and then feint to go on the outside.

Poor Percy would be at sixes and sevens before Jim delivered the final humiliation by popping the ball through Percy’s outstretched legs as he scampered down the wing to hit one of his trademark crosses.

After an hour of such torment Percy would become the villain of the piece and resort to all manner of illegal tactics to stop Jim.

He would pull his shirt, obstruct him or simply scythe him down.

This would anger the Crook fans who would hurl a variety of abusive remarks at Percy, “We’re playing football not rugby Musgrave,” “You kick the ball not the man,” “Send him off ref ” were typical examples.

It was all very cruel, and sport, even local sport, can be like that.

Cruel because Percy who died on June 2 this year, was actually a real gentleman according to Wendy Douthwaite, who knew him well.

“I first met Percy ten years ago when his wife was a resident in the Barrrington Lodge Care Home in Bishop Auckland where I worked.

He was a very caring person, a real gent, who wouldn’t hurt a fly. He left me his sporting memorabilia which I hope will go on show sometime, it would be a fitting tribute to a lovely man,” said Wendy.

Percy had in fact played for Crook and Bishop Auckland before joining Willington and was a member of the Bishop Auckland party that toured Southern Rhodesia in 1953.

He had also represented Durham County.

Arnold Alton also remembers him well.

“Percy would have found it hard to hold down a regular place at Crook and Bishop, I think he found his niche at Willington.

“He was also a fast bowler and played for Hunwick Cricket Club. I remember playing for the Etherley Cricket Club second team against him at Hunwick. He shook one or two of us up with his quick deliveries,” said Arnold.