ES NL ROUND 4 e programme

PAUL
RECALLS
‘Paul Recall’s’ are articles contributed by Paul Rennell who captained Eastern
Suburbs in the inaugural National League season in 1970. The articles
provide insights and stories from the 60’s era and 1970 National League.
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The following are my ‘top line’ recollections of the Eastern
Suburbs Rothmans National League 1970 Squad.
I regard myself as lucky to have play football with the
character and quality of the Suburbs squad, not only team
mates…but mates!
David Garrett – Manager
Very hard working and a dedicated Suburbs
man. As the Club had no money, Dubby (as
he is best known) ran weekly tote tickets and
raffles to help keep the team afloat.
Tom McNab – Coach
Very professional and ran good training sessions
with plenty of fitness and strengthening
exercises, one-on-one and plenty of ball work.
Tom was not one to trifled with!
Kevin Harlock – Goalkeeper
Hard as nails and controlled the six yard box.
God help you if you got in his way! The goal
mouth enforcer.
Colin Latimour – Right Back
Colin joined Suburbs from Ponsonby and
“the originals”
was a good team member and settled into
the squad very quickly. Fast and intelligent
footballer.
John Kroon – Centre Back
The ‘Scottish Terrier’ from Dunedin. John
turned up at training in 1968 and asked Manager,
Dubby, could he come and play with Paul
– old mates from Otago and Canterbury days.
John Staines – Centre Back
The Rock. Fast and dynamic defender and
great header of the ball. Enjoyed overlapping
and going up for corners.
Jim Campbell – Left Back
Joined us from Ponsonby. Good reliable
defender. Did not overlap very often as it took
half the day to get back!
Phil Rainer – Midfield
Excellent work rate and with Stan (aka Paul
Rennell) formed a dynamic mid-field and supplied
plenty of quality ball to the front runner.
Paul Rennell – Captain and Midfield
Good at the toss, social events organiser and
good nose for sniffing out watering holes
around the country on Sundays! Enjoyed the
midfield battle with Phil and usually came out
on top. Paul’s flat in St. Johns was the unofficial
‘team club rooms’
Ray Mears – Right Flank
‘Mini” as he was called, dazzled many a crowd
with his trickery and mesmeric ball control.
One game at Newmarket Park the ball we used
in the first half was like a lead weight. As we
walked off at half time Ray said to me: “Stan,
the ball is like a pudding so I’m gonna kick it
down the gully to get rid of it”. I immediately
responded: “Don’t…you’ll never know what
Wally (referee: Wally Laing) will do…don’t
tempt him”. Well it had to happen, with
about five minutes to go, Ray lobbed the ball
on to his knee and ‘wham’ away it went down
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into the Newmarket gully. The Referee ran
straight to Ray and gave him a red card. Ray
screamed at me: “Stan, he can’t give me a red
card…tell him Stan”. I just shook my head
and turned away.
John Wrathall – Striker (pictured left)
The Club Legend! Had a great one for sniffing
out goals, with lethal shot. He could turn any
defender around and leave them stranded.
Great team player, the other half of the Laurel
and Hardy partnership. John Wrathall: the
1,000 goal Suburbs legend.
Billy de Graaf – Striker
Joined the Club in 1968 as a 17 year old, from
Papatoetoe. He cost the Club £150! Worth
every penny. ‘Clog’ as he was called proved to
be an enormous hit with his flair and showmanship.
With his long flowing blonde hair,
he worked well with John Wrathall.
George York – Left Flank
Joined us from Ponsonby with Colin and
Jimmy. Another small player who had good
speed and ball control. He finished with many
a good goal.
Ross Gisby – Fullback
Fast and very reliable defender. Good team
mate.
Gerry McCormack – Fullback/Winger
‘The Ghost’. Gerry would drift in and out
as the mood suited. Great crosser of the ball
with many goals headed home from them.
John Higgs – Goalkeeper
Reliable and good back-up to Kevin Harlock.
Great social man.