STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE ...

Writing the other day about my first ever visit to watch the Saints at the old Dell, I  remembered a poignant tale written by the son of one of the Derby County players that fateful day back in 1946.   In a touching biography of his father Tim Ward, his son Andrew recalled how his father must have felt playing again just a matter of a few days since his return from the war.

"......in the away dressing room at The Dell, he pulled on the white shirt of Derby County.  His boots had been kept for seven years, stored by the club.   He was back doing what he wanted to do all his life.  Playing professional football.  Playing for Derby County.

And yet something didn`t seem right.  Eight of his team colleagues had FA Cup winners medals, won just two days previously at Wembley.  Tim did not.  His colleagues celebratory season was almost over, his own English season just beginning.   While he was in the dressing room at half time, the Cup was paraded around the Southampton ground.  It seemed appropriate that he was distanced from it.  

After the game the Cup,was taken to a Southampton hotel.  He knew that the next day the whole of Derby would turn out to welcome them.  But it was the Cup winning players they would want to see, not the soldier who was home from the war.  He felt like a spectator who had strayed into the penalty area while a penalty kick was being taken." (Andrew Ward.)

So on that day Tim was very much standing on the outside looking in and although it is a reminder of just how unfortunate life can be at times, nevertheless he went on to play 238 games for Derby, another 33 for Barnsley and two for England.  That coupled with a long career as manager of Exeter City, Barnsley, Grimsby Town, Carlisle and Derby itself brought a lifelong involvement with the game he loved.  

His five year tenure at Derby preceded the arrival of Brian Clough, who was perhaps fortunate to inherit some stalwart signings made by Tim Ward, among them Alan Durban, Kevin Hector, Colin Boulton, Peter Daniel and Ron Webster - very much part of the triumphs that followed.