02/11/46: Swindon (A) League

I'm calling up this gem from Budleigh because it's such a rarity - one of our first Football League games after the war - and that none of us commented upon it at the time.

That's mainly due to Budleigh penning a nice little summary of his own. But one thing that caught my eye is the observation about Torquay United's "habit of putting up strenuous opposition here". Is this a reference to the special fixtures during 1945/46 or a reflection back to pre-1939 encounters? Just imagine. After six years of total war - and all that entailed - it's not been forgotten how Torquay United were frequently tricky opponents at the County Ground. 

That's a good point from Jon about how well Torquay United did in that first full season after the war. More so than many clubs it would have been a case of gradually picking up the pieces during 1945 and through into 1946. Mind you, the game as a whole performed remarkably with no clubs going under. But in our division it's interesting to see some of the clubs which struggled during 1946/47: Brighton, Crystal Palace and Norwich amongst them.

It would have been a difficult season with all manner of post-war restrictions. Then, of course, there was the weather. Our season was due to finish on 3 May but we carried on to 31 May. In fact they were still playing in Div 3(N) on 14 June. But, on the other hand, it needs to be remembered that crowds were starting to rise and money was coming into the game.

Otherwise as interesting as ever to see the names of Jack Butler and Bob John being mentioned. Perhaps, in more recent Arsenal terms, it was rather like Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn teaming up at Plainmoor. Not that either of those later luminaries had coached a team at the World Cup finals as had Butler with Belgium in 1938.

I still wonder how much of a declaration of intent it had been when Torquay signed Jack Butler as a player in 1930. Considering he arrived direct from Arsenal it must have caused a stir. I guess we've discussed that previously and how Frank Womack, the manager of the time, was something of an O'Farrell figure: arrived from non-league; later managed Leicester. I've just checked Womack's details: he was born in Stannington, Sheffield which I can see from the top of the road.

[Ah yes, the programme room. Does anybody know why some of the 1950s threads are locked?]

Thanks, Rob, that's a few of them now open. There's more locked on pages 11-13 (as viewed from my mobile). Much appreciated. I was looking to add a comment to the game at Leeds in 1955 (as you do!).