16 replies to this topic

[Alan]

Does anyone remember them coming to St Helens and playing exhibition matches at Knowsley Road? I think it'd be the early 1950s.

Another random memory from that period was a RL team coming from the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE). They were all American servicemen and called the SHAPE Indians. They were obviously American "Gridiron" players, huge men but crap at rugby league

[Olliebeak]

Hi Alan - my Grandad took me to one of those Harlem Globetrotter demonstration games - but I think it was VERY early 60's. On the other hand, maybe they visited on a couple of occasions.

I have a memory of going into school the next day and 'telling Sir' that I'd watched a Basketball Game at Knowsley Road - we were in the Stand that backed onto Triplex Railway Line. The only times that I had a male teacher at 'little Rivvy' was Jnr 3 (Mr Ensor - 60/61) and Jnr 4 (Mr Owen - 61/62). I'd be really interested to know the dates involved.

[Thumpa lumpa]

I used to love watching them on the telly when they brought out the odd shaped balls, and baffled the team they were playing, I don't know if I am right or not wasn't one of the players called Meadowlark Lemon they were brilliant to watch, a proper dream team

Edited by Thumpa lumpa, 27 April 2011 - 12:22 PM.

[familyman]

Still going today. The Harlem Globetrotters are in the middle of a UK tour.Think they are in Liverpool this weekend.

[Phyll]

I remember the Harlem Globetrotters, they are still playing, well not the same ones obviously. Over here, apart from the exhibition shows, they have been on game shows.
I never saw them Live, but we used to watch them on Telly, now what was the name of the Commentator?

http://en.wikipedia....m_Globetrotters

http://www.harlemglo...story/timeline/

http://www.harlemglo...?article_id=262

Edited by Phyll, 27 April 2011 - 04:24 PM.

[Alan]

Another sports demonstration memory from those far off days was Tom Finney, the world famous (Preston North End?) soccer player giving a demonstration of his kicking, heading and dribbling skills at Pilks Gala

[Phyll]

Tom Finney is still alive, aged 89. Didn't Stanley Matthews do those demos too.

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Tom_Finney

[SWIMMER]

I loved the Harlam Globetrotters think you are right TL, He was brillliant, and they were so funny when they played think that might have been were that rugby league player got the idea to stick the ball up his jumper and fool the ref.

[trejan]

My dad took me to watch the "Trotters" at Knowsley Rd. circa 1960. They played on a hard floor layed down in front the "Eddington" stand. Also on the bill was a table tennis exibition, not easy considering it was outside ! Not sure but I think there was also a roller skating act performed by a man and a woman on some sort of platfrom about 5ft high and about 6ft dia.

[Olliebeak]

That must have been when I went to see them, Trejan - well at least the dates fit .

[trejan]

The clown of the outfit was Meadowlark Lemon !

[Alan]

Yes. It must have been 1960 and not early 50s as I originally stated. I also remember the table tennis now it's been mentioned.

Does anyone remember Tom Van Vollenhoven's very first Saints first try against Leeds on 26th October 1957? Ray Price sent him in from 40 yards, I was there

[SWIMMER]

Sorry Alan would have loved to have seen it but I was only four at the time.

[Lowe House Boy]

I went to the match against the S.H.A.P.E. Indians. It was on the second Monday of May 1962 which Saints won easily and Vollenhoven scored six or seven tries. He may have also kicked a goal in that match,but it might be my memory playing tricks.
The Globetrotters appearance was 1959 or 60.

[SWIMMER]

I was too young to remember that, however I do remember meadowlark he was fantastic and so tall, to a shrimp like me he looked like a man mountain lol