One For The More Mature .netters

[Speedway]

When Falkirk paid a world record fee for Syd Puddefoot from West Ham back in the 20s there was a legend about him refusing to play against Rangers because he was annoyed that his team mates had conceded defeat before they'd got out of the tunnel.

Can anyone elaborate on that story?

[stu in nottingham]

Not heard that story but found this:

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/WHpuddefoot.htm

'As the authors of the The Essential History of West Ham United (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=West+Ham+United&Go.x=7&Go.y=9) (2000) pointed out that his departure "nearly caused a riot among Hammers fans". However, the club blamed Puddefoot in a statement issued after his transfer: "The departure of Syd Puddefoot came as no surprise to those intimately connected with him. It is an old saying that everyone has one chance in life to improve themselves and Syd Puddefoot is doing the right thing for himself in studying his future. We understand that he will be branching out in commercial circles in Falkirk and when his football days are over he will be assured of a nice little competency."

The truth of the matter was that Puddefoot was very reluctant to move to Scotland (http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Fscotland.htm) to play for Falkirk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falkirk_F.C.). However, at this time footballers had little control over these matters. At the time of his departure, it looked like West Ham United (http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/WestHamHistory.htm) would win promotion to the First Division. However, without their top goalscorer, the club lost five of their last seven games and finished in 4th place.

Puddefoot was unable to recapture the form he showed at West Ham. He later complained that his Scottish teammates refused to pass to him in games. However, he still managed to score 45 goals for the club.'

[ancient hibee]

From West Ham to Falkirk-doesn't happen too often these days

[stu in nottingham]

From West Ham to Falkirk-doesn't happen too often these days

Part of a deal to take his brother the other way I think it read. Didn't sound like Syd was too happy about it!

[ancient hibee]

Two players called Puddefoot -was Beatrix Potter around?