Harold Houlahan, one of Darlington’s oldest former players, has died just weeks before his 65th wedding anniversary. He was 88.

Coundon lad and proud of it, the man they called “Slick” hit 57 goals in 17 games for Eldon Juniors, played for Durham City, had three early 50s seasons with Newcastle United without breaking through – “seven internationals in the reserves,” recalls Ken, his son – before the late and lamented George Hardwick signed him for Oldham.

His mother had refused to let him become a full-time pro until he completed his joinery apprenticeship.

Gorgeous George, ever elegant, had come to Coundon. “He made himself at home, sat himself down on the sofa and fell through it,” says Ken. “He had to be rescued.”

At Darlington he scored eight goals in 26 appearances, none more memorable than the two in the twice-replayed FA Cup third round tie with Hartlepools United in January 1955.

The first match, at Hartlepool, attracted 17,000. The replay, more than 10,000 at Feethams, ended 2-2 – Fred Richardson, Middlestone Moor lad, scoring twice for Pools.

Five days later, 10,891 were at Ayresome Park to see Pools win 2-0, the team’s 18th game without defeat and the fifth time that the sides had met inside a month. “Darlington and Hartlepools cling to one another like long-lost brothers,” wrote Darneton in the Echo.

Another 17,000 crowd at the Victoria Ground saw Pools draw 1-1 with second division Nottingham Forest, Willington lad Jackie Newton scoring but then missing a penalty as they lost narrowly in the replay.

Harold Houlahan went on to play for Spennymoor United and to help run junior football. He claimed a record, says Ken, for most young uns in a Nissan Micra – two in the front, eight in the back.

He lived for football and for family, says Ken. “He was the sort of man who never had a bad word to say about anyone, and no one had a bad word about him.”

His funeral is at St James’ church, Coundon, on Monday March 19 at 10 15am

Long-serving former Durham County Cricket Club scorer Brian Hunt well remembered Essex and England batsman Doug Insole, recalled hereabouts a couple of weeks back. “I got his autograph when I was a nipper and he played football for Pegasus at Shildon,” says Brian. Years later, their paths would cross at cricket. “He never forgot Shildon,” says Brian. “How could he?”

Getting on 40 years since last he pulled on a Three Lions shirt, former Newcastle United and Liverpool left back Alan Kennedy is hoping to do it again – for the English Over 60s walking football team.

Now 63, Penshaw lad and Mersey monument, the man the Kop called Barney Rubble plays these days at a more pedestrian pace.

“It’s not so much about how good you are as if you know the regulations,” he says. “There’s a whole bunch of us play twice a week, 12 or 13 a side with small goals. I’m not sure we have the same rules as everyone else.”

Signed from Newcastle for £330,000, he won two European Cup medals and five league titles at Anfield, but had limited England opportunity. “Kenny Sansom and me had 88 England caps between us,” he tells after-dinner audiences. “Unfortunately I only had two of them.”

Walking football is reckoned the country’s fastest growing game. “It’s a good way of keeping your body functioning but also very sociable,” says Alan, whose pro career ended at Sunderland and Hartlepool and who’s still a matchday host at Anfield.

Joining him for an England trial last Saturday was 71-year-old Tommy Charlton, whose brothers – Bobby and Jackie – may be yet more famous. So far, Alan hasn’t heard the outcome.

Durham FA’s website reckons walking football a “sociable, fun and safe environment.” It may not have seemed that way to Grass Routes blog reader Geoff Thornton. He tripped and broke both wrists – www.mikeamosblog.wordpress.com

Inexplicably, last week’s column reversed the scores in the 1939 Amateur Cup final. John Davison, 82, was among many readers who pointed out that it was Bishop Auckland who beat Willington 3-0, and not t’other way round.

“I blame the printer,” says John, generously, though others might blame old age.

He also recalls attending the 1946 final, Bishops v Barnet played at Stamford Bridge on Easter Saturday. “My dad had got the Bishop Auckland team to autograph a pace egg – sweets were still rationed – and at half-time asked me to show it to his pals.

“I’d eaten it. His pals laughed, my dad didn’t.”

Last Saturday to West Allotment Celtic v Chester-le-Street, one of just three Ebac Northern League games to survive, beneath the foggy flightpath of Newcastle Airport.

The hosts held a remarkable stranglehold. In 19 league encounters since 2005, Chester had never once won – scoring 19 goals and conceding 51.

So it continued, 2-1 to West Allotment. Has sport known anything more one-sided?

….and finally, the footballer whose first three Premier League appearances were all for different sides (Backtrack, March 8) was Calum Davenport – Coventry City, Spurs and West Ham.

Last weekend’s Premier League games had three own goals – though back in 2003 one team scored three in a match. Readers are invited to recall the circumstances – some, indeed, may have found it impossible to forget.

Kicking the right way, the column returns next week.