THIS picture of a Bury team from the 1960s, first featured in Memory Lane on March 9, triggered some fantastic responses from readers.

 

The exact season proved a little tricky, with many readers assuming it was the promotion-winning team of 1967/68.

 

In fact, it was taken before the following campaign, which sadly saw Bury go straight back down to the Third Division.

 

Nearly 50 years have gone by, and while identifying the full line-up was an undoubted test, a number passed it with flying colours.

 

They are, back, from left, Ben Anderson, Brian Turner, Hugh Tinney, Neil Ramsbottom, John Forrest, Roy Hughes, Bobby Owen, Ray Parry, George Jones, Alec Lindsay; centre, Tommy Claxton, Greg Farrell, Alex Dawson, Bobby Collins, Roy Parnell, Brian Grundy, Phil Anderson, Jimmy Kerr; front, Ian Towers, Lammie Robertson, Gary France.

 

Hats off to Ian McPherson and Bob Mather for getting it spot on.

 

Many more of you came close.

 

Here are a few snippets of the memories from the era Bury fans shared with the paper:

 

 

 

THIS week’s photo was taken before the start of the 1968-69 season.

 

The Shakers had just bounced straight back to the Second Division, after relegation in 1967, by playing a very attacking style of play which had seen many goals scored and a superb home record in 1967-68.

 

Key players included right winger Greg Farrell, strikers George Jones and Bobby Owen (who was sold before the season’s start to Manchester City), youngsters Jimmy Kerr (scorer of many spectacular goals) and Alec Lindsay, aided by the experience of Bobby Collins, Ray Parry, Brian Turner and Alex Dawson.

 

Optimism was high, including the issue of car stickers saying “Bury for promotion AGAIN”. Sadly, the yo-yo years continued and relegation followed at the end of the season.

 

Away form was difficult. I remember going to all four Lancashire away derbies and a collective score of 0-14!

 

Looking back, with hindsight, the 1968-69 season was something of a watershed in Bury’s Football League history.

 

Until then, all bar five seasons had been spent in the top two divisions. Since then, all bar two seasons have been spent in the bottom two divisions.

 

I guess the last two named on the front row (Lammie Robertson and Gary France) might stump a few people.

 

They both came from Burnley – Lammie Robertson doing well for Bury reserves and having some success later at Halifax, and Gary France only appearing once in the league as sub in the opening game of the 1968-69 season.

 

By Bob Mather

 

 

 

THE team photograph published on March 9 has brought back some memories for me.

 

As an 18-year-old in 1964, I played in the youth team with some of the players in the photo – Neil Ramsbottom, Bobby Owen and Alec Lindsey.

 

Colin Bell was in the youth team as well, but he must have gone to City by the time of the photo.

 

The most significant memory triggered by the photo I have though is playing in the A team in 1963/64 with all those mentioned plus Eddie Colquhoun. Who would have thought Bury would have all those exceptional players and future internationals on their books all at one time?

 

What you have to remember is that in 1964 nobody could know how good these young players would become.

 

It’s a pity Bury couldn’t afford to keep them.

 

What surprises me when I look back is how many full-time pros and apprentices Bury had in 1964 – probably in the region of 30.

 

Other players I remember are obviously George Jones, John Forrest, Brian Turner, Alex Dawson and Ray Parry.

 

Most of the other faces are all familiar but names escape me. It will be a real fanatic who can remember all the names.

 

By David Irving

 

 

 

I REMEMBER the majority of this team as it was basically the first team I watched.

 

I think the first first-team match I went to was the last match of the season in 1967/68 season against Watford, when we won promotion.

 

I remember my dad taking me (aged 10) and sticking me in the front row of the South Stand, while he stood with his mates in the Cemetery End.

 

My favourite player was the legendary Greg Farrell and I can still remember his goal from the halfway line, just in front of me in the South Stand, against Aston Villa the following year like it was yesterday.

 

Thanks, this has brought back a lot of wonderful memories. I’ve been watching them ever since.

 

By Susan Freely

 

 

 

THE team photo is from July, 1968, just before the 1968-69 season.

 

Bobby Owen is on the photo but was sold to Man City within days and new signings Lammie Robertson and Ian Towers are also in the pic.

 

My favourite players on that photo were Jimmy Kerr, Greg Farrell and Alec Lindsay.

 

By Ian McPherson

 

 

 

MY favourite player on the pic has to be Greg Farrell – he could put a defender on his backside just by looking at him.

 

My favourite memory was seeing big Alex Dawson swinging from the roof of the net at the Manchester Road End after scoring the fifth goal in a thrilling 5-3 victory over Stockport County at Gigg in the penultimate home game of the 1967-68 season.

 

By Vinny Gee

 

 

 

BURY’S manager at the time was Les Shannon.

 

Two of this team were former Internationals, Ray Parry for England and Bobby Collins for Scotland, now both sadly deceased.

 

Alec Lindsay would go on to win four England caps while at Liverpool.

 

Strangely enough, one of the most naturally-gifted players in this photograph, Jimmy Kerr, never won any caps.

 

In fact, he never really had a full career as injury dogged him during his time at Bury so he never had the opportunity to display his unquestionable natural talent.

 

I can remember Jimmy Kerr scoring Bury’s fifth goal in a 5-1 win against Fulham on December 28, 1968. It was a piledriver of a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Unfortunately, this win was one of the very few highlights of the season as we were relegated back to the Third Division after only one season.

 

You said in your article to name your favourite player in the photograph, in my case it would have to be the following players: For loyalty – Brian Turner followed by John Forrest. For athleticism and fitness – Bobby Owen closely followed by Alec Lindsay. For pure footballing ability – Ray Parry. For power and strength – Alex Dawson. For skill and guile – Bobby Collins. For skill and speed – Greg Farrell. For all-round footballing talent (unfulfilled) – Jimmy Kerr.

 

By Stuart Howker