JOHN "SUNSHINE" SMITH

PETER DAVISON, a retired teacher from Guisborough, recalls his grandfather John George Smith, known as "Sunshine" who was educated at Bishop's Close Wesleyan Methodist School in Spennymoor, and was a chorister in either St David's or St Andrew's churches before working in the pits and selling shoes.

Peter said: "John George earned the nickname Sunshine because he always wore a smile and told jokes. He worked in the Whitworth and Thrislington (West Cornforth) pits as a chock drawer and earned Sankey money in the pits during First World War. This enabled his wife, Winifred, to to open a fish and chip shop in 1918, first in Bessemer Street and then in King Street in Spennymoor.

"Sunshine also worked in Tyler's Shoe Shop and sold shoes from a horsedrawn van in the Spennymoor district.

The Northern Echo: Peter Davison thinks his grandfather, John George Smith, a runner known as 'Sunshine', is second from the left in the front row of this photograph of Spennymoor and District Harriers 1909-1910.

Peter Davison thinks his grandfather, John George Smith, a runner known as 'Sunshine', is second from the left in the front row of this photograph of Spennymoor and District Harriers, 1909-1910

"However, it was well known that if someone mentioned a game of football, he would forget all about the shoes, tether his horse and play football.

"He made three fortunes but gave them away. His mother-in-law said his "heart was as big as a field". He was a runner trained by Jack Egglestone and he also played football for Spennymoor Wednesday.

"His position was outside left and he was good enough to consider turning professional, but his business commitments took precedence, so he just played the odd game for Spennymoor."

OLIVER SMITH

PETER'S uncle, Oliver Smith, was John George's son and and the centre half and captain of the Spennymoor Wednesday football team. Peter says: "The team won nearly every trophy available to them except the Montague Cup. Oliver reported on local football for The Northern Echo and other North East newspapers and ran a fish and chip shop in King Street.

The Northern Echo: Peter Davison's uncle, Oliver Smith, is second from the left in the front row of this Spennymoor Wednesday Football team.

Peter Davison's uncle, Oliver Smith, is second from the left in the front row of this Spennymoor Wednesday Football team

"He was also proud of being the president or chairman of Tudhoe Cricket Club. He too was a runner in his younger days."

Can tell us anymore about Sunshine or Oliver Smith?

MAURICE ETHERINGTON

WE featured Maurice Etherington's local football career earlier in the year. However, 55 years ago, on November 23, 1966, he played left back for the North East British Rail team against the Southern team in the final of the BRSA Inter-Regional Football competition at York.

At the time, Maurice, normally a winger, was playing for Shildon All Saints in the Church League Division 1 which included clubs like Glebe Road, Chemical Works, Eastbourne United, Victoria Rovers, Shildon Athletic, 511 Sqn TA, Spartas, Bishopton, and Forge SC, who were mentioned last week.

Maurice, once an apprentice train fitter, recalls: "I missed the bus to York, but as I worked for British Rail I had a pass and used the train to get to the game. I think we lost 9-6."

The North East team was Cadwell (Huddersfield), Fenwick (Shildon), Etherington (Shildon), Shaw (Shildon), Leith (captain, Newcastle), West (Shildon), Horden (Tyne Dock), Humble (Darlington), Westmoreland (York), Hutchinson (Shildon), Hansen (Huddersfield).

The Northern Echo: Heyday:- Maurice Etherington in his heyday playing for the 50th Royal Signals TA

Maurice Etherington in his heyday playing for the 50th Royal Signals TA