Interview by Michael Talbot on Monday 14th July 2008.
(Note this is NOT in the book)
Dave Beckett, former Boldmere Reserve team player, was pleased to see the launch of the Boldmere book. He said, “There will be a lot of interest in the fact that the `Mikes` celebrates a massive 125 years as a club. I am sure other clubs will read this book and be inspired to write their own club history. Families in the area may have had a relative who played for the `Mikes` in the 1940`s, 1950`s and 1960`s.”
Dave, who became a Manager of Paget Rangers in 2001-2002 after being a Manager for Tamworth’s Reserves, is a big supporter of non-league football especially in the Sutton Coldfield area. He feels though that more people should watch their local teams as it is THEIR football club after all.
Dave knew the original `Mr. Boldmere` who was Harold Spencer as he was an apprentice for him at his company `H & FC Spencer. ` Dave said, “Harold never threw anything away and materials were always recycled like a door frame. Take that back to the yard he would say. If there was nothing for me to do he would send me up the Boldmere ground for half a day to clear up behind the goals after a match.”
Dave played for the successful 1967 Birmingham City youth team alongside the Latchford brothers, Gary Pendrey and the late Johnny Vincent. In 1967 the `Blues` team got through to the final of the F.A. Youth Cup but they lost 2-0 to Sunderland.
Dave recalls bringing Paul Devlin to Boldmere before he had a professional career with Birmingham City, Sheffield United, Watford and Walsall. Dave said, “I was involved in the training of `Bailey Colts` which was a Great Barr based club who had teams in the 10-16`s age group. An approach was made by some adult at the Colts to Boldmere to ask if the Under 16`s could represent the `Mikes` at youth team level. Prior to 1990 Boldmere St Michaels did not have floodlights at their ground. So the Midland Youth League were unable to invite a Boldmere team into their Floodlit League.
Dave Beckett was later involved with Boldmere Reserves after he had played for them as a player. He was invited by the then 2nd XI Manager Micky Speake to join him in pre-season as a Assistant Manager/Coach. Dave had been content at that point to just watch his son play for one of the Walsall FC teams. He brought in some of the 16-year old players from the `Colts` which included Paul Devlin. `Dev` went on to play for Micky Speake in the Boldmere Reserve team. Paul was spotted by Tamworth’s youth team after playing a few games for the `Mikes` Reserves. He also made one appearance on the team sheet for the `Mikes` first team.
Dave is proud to point out that `Colts Old Boy` and star of `The Masters` Football with Delvlin, Darren Roberts also went on to play professionally turning out in the old gols of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Dean Smith the cuurent Assistant Manager at Leyton Orient is also an ex-Colts player.
There is something special about watching local derbies whether it is Birmingham City vs. Aston Villa, Liverpool vs. Everton or the old firm: Celtic and Rangers. In the Sutton Coldfield area, we do not have that sort of high profile footballing history. However games between Sutton Coldfield and Paget Rangers (Romulus more recently) have always been played with just as much energy for the `bragging rights` in the town. We go back to 1964 where Boldmere played Sutton based rivals Paget Rangers actually on the Christmas Day morning.
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