Oldest living Reading players?

[Fox Talbot]

I'm sure he's not the oldest but Johnny Walker (Must be in his 80's?), a former Reading captain with 300+ appearances, can regularly be seen shuffling along the East Stand concourse with his flat cap and walking stick while ignorant twats push past him and mutter things like 'out the way grandad'. To be fair they are probably in a rush to get to their seat and sing about how much they love the club, worship the players, Reading till I die, etc, etc.

What did johnny walker do then grandad??

Often to be shown in town wearing an RFC shirt - (Glasgow) Rangers FC

[facaldaqui]

I have a 2001 edition of Alan Sedunary's Royals Remembered, I've just checked it and Les Gaunt was still alive at the time of publication.

I'm fascinated, great thread. I believe that the writer in WSC was Cris Freddi who I strongly suspect of being a closet Royal.

I'm also intrigued as to why Gaunt changed his name - Goldberg is perhaps a name which might of aroused anti-semitic feeling, that's the only thing which springs to mind....

Anti-German feeling?

[Far Canal]

A certain Les Goldberg (no mention of the name Gaunt) made appearances for Leeds Utd 1946/47, but he is described as a "pre-war" player. Perhaps he changed his name to the more Anglicised Gaunt when he moved south.

http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/seasons/194647.htm

http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/1947-1949.php


Back Row: Gerry Henry, Les Goldberg, Jim Twomey, Tom Holley, Bobby Browne, Ken Gadsby.

Front Row: David Cochrane, Aubrey Powell, George Ainsley, John Short, Dennis Grainger, .

[torbayroyal]

Dennis Penford is still alive and living in Torquay, A real gent

[phil in cornwall]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/berkshire/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8290000/8290801.stm

I remember seeing both of these two many times at Elm Park. They probably aren't the oldest surviving but I was pleased to see them both looking so well.

[Far Canal]

Re the Reading player who's lived the longest, here's one to beat:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Rose

Harold Rose lived to be (approx) 90.

[SmellyAli]

I'm sure he's not the oldest but Johnny Walker (Must be in his 80's?), a former Reading captain with 300+ appearances, can regularly be seen shuffling along the East Stand concourse with his flat cap and walking stick while ignorant twats push past him and mutter things like 'out the way grandad'. To be fair they are probably in a rush to get to their seat and sing about how much they love the club, worship the players, Reading till I die, etc, etc.

I've missed you, you massive bent.

I've missed you too, you big c**ter. You are in my top 10 all time favourite internet spastics. From the time we first sang Snooker Loopy* in the OAE chat room to our detailed Wheelz Boyz strategy discussions, they will surely go down in history as defining moments of the internet.

Let's meet up! How about The Frog & Pickle, just down from the old tram station?

Actually there was nearly an OAE meet about a month ago. It was so exciting. I was with Tom Foolery and Royal_Bloke at a home game and we made contact with GB_Royal and Royal_Bod, but after some confusion over which is gate 7 and which is gate 8 the big meet/big meat didn't happen. Still, without our 'Hinton is a c***er' T-shirts we probably wouldn't have recognised each other.

*Brilliant

[Far Canal]

As far as I can ascertain, Ken Bainbridge is still alive (he certainly was in 2008) and as he is something of a West Ham hero, I think that his eventual demise is likely to be posted on the net.

This being the case, he is 89, 4 years older than Ron Blackman.

Born January 15, 1921 in Barking, Essex, Ken Bainbridge was a goal-scoring winger who scored for West Ham on nine seconds in a 2-1 win over Barnsley, the quickest ever recorded goal at Upton Park. A West Ham version of Jimmy Kebe.

Reading stats: 1950-1952 (97 games 35 goals)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Bainbridge

He is also West Ham's oldest living player.......

http://www.ex-hammers.com/page.php?7

[Far Canal]

Re the Reading player who's lived the longest, Fred Chandler beats Harold Rose by 4 years.....

Fred CHANDLER Reading FC 1932-1935 (41 games 14 goals)
Also played for Blackpool and Crewe Alexandra.

Following the death of Fred Chandler, aged 94, last year (2006), Ernie (Ernie Tagg) was the final known pre-war Crewe Alex player.

http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/bob.dunning/obit53.htm

[koran]

This being the case, he (Ken Bainbridge) is 89, 4 years older than Ron Blackman.

Don't think it has been mentioned but Ronnie B is, in fact, 85 today. Happy Birthday Ronnie!

[Millsy]

I met a 159 year old man last night, say he played in the 1871 Reading team.

Was mainly a sub though so not sure if it counts.

[Barry the bird boggler]

I met a 159 year old man last night, say he played in the 1871 Reading team.

Was mainly a sub though so not sure if it counts.

Sussed. They didn't have subs in the 1800's

[NWL Royal]

Our current right back looks about 120. Does that count?

[Millsy]

I met a 159 year old man last night, say he played in the 1871 Reading team.

Was mainly a sub though so not sure if it counts.

Sussed. They didn't have subs in the 1800's

Dammit.

[BanffshireRoyal]

A certain Les Goldberg (no mention of the name Gaunt) made appearances for Leeds Utd 1946/47, but he is described as a "pre-war" player. Perhaps he changed his name to the more Anglicised Gaunt when he moved south.

No, nothing to do with the move. I remember him here as Goldberg before the name change.

[General B]

I'm sure he's not the oldest but Johnny Walker (Must be in his 80's?), a former Reading captain with 300+ appearances, can regularly be seen shuffling along the East Stand concourse with his flat cap and walking stick while ignorant twats push past him and mutter things like 'out the way grandad'. To be fair they are probably in a rush to get to their seat and sing about how much they love the club, worship the players, Reading till I die, etc, etc.

I've missed you, you massive bent.

I've missed you too, you big c**ter. You are in my top 10 all time favourite internet spastics. From the time we first sang Snooker Loopy* in the OAE chat room to our detailed Wheelz Boyz strategy discussions, they will surely go down in history as defining moments of the internet.

Let's meet up! How about The Frog & Pickle, just down from the old tram station?

Actually there was nearly an OAE meet about a month ago. It was so exciting. I was with Tom Foolery and Royal_Bloke at a home game and we made contact with GB_Royal and Royal_Bod, but after some confusion over which is gate 7 and which is gate 8 the big meet/big meat didn't happen. Still, without our 'Hinton is a c***er' T-shirts we probably wouldn't have recognised each other.

*Brilliant

Just reading the names of those interspaz legends makes me twitch with pleasure.

I'm assuming everyone will be going to the Newcastle game as it is against a big team. Let's meat up.

[Royal & Ancient]

Oh Dear Far Canal. .I can remember most of those playing. And I think Ronnie Blackman was one of the best with his head. And windmill Walker made Harper's arm waving look like a signpost!!

Great memories to carry forward and some good ones,too, from the present time!!

[Far Canal]

I have just had the honour of speaking with club historian David Downes and as far as he is aware, Ken Bainbridge is still alive, making him our oldest living player at 89.

According to David, Ron Blackman is our second oldest living player at 85.

Re the reading player who lived the longest, David's records also indicate that Fred Chandler is the oldest recorded at 94.

Also worthy of note:
Fred Briggs b. 01/05/1908, believed to have died age 91.
Beaumont Ratcliffe b. 24/04/1909 date of death unknown (but quite old).

So overawed was I at speaking with the great man, that I forgot to ask about Les Goldberg / Gaunt's mysterious name change.

[Bowman's Quiver]

I have just had the honour of speaking with club historian David Downes and as far as he is aware, Ken Bainbridge is still alive, making him our oldest living player at 89.

According to David, Ron Blackman is our second oldest living player at 85.

Re the reading player who lived the longest, David's records also indicate that Fred Chandler is the oldest recorded at 94.

Also worthy of note:
Fred Briggs b. 01/05/1908, believed to have died age 91.
Beaumont Ratcliffe b. 24/04/1909 date of death unknown (but quite old).

So overawed was I at speaking with the great man, that I forgot to ask about Les Goldberg / Gaunt's mysterious name change.

I was under the impression Beaumont Ratcliffe was alive up until at least only a few years ago and hadn't heard he died.

[Far Canal]

I was under the impression Beaumont Ratcliffe was alive up until at least only a few years ago and hadn't heard he died.

You might be right. David certainly thought he was worthy of a mention.
If he is alive today, he is very nearly 101. Got any leads, other clubs played for etc?