Football in the Seventies
Taking a trip down football’s memory lane
It was a chilly Monday morning in Chandlers Ford, a quiet residential area north of Southampton. The sound of the M3 purred in the distance, but within the hum of flowing traffic lies a town brimming with former footballing quality.
Paul Tosney, 36, is a fan who wishes football returned back to its former ways. He argues the money and advertising involved in the game now is pricing out the honest supporter.
“The atmosphere has suffered,” he said. “A local supporter would be there whatever the weather, whereas (richer) day trippers seem more interested in taking pictures rather than getting behind the team.”
Sitting inside the bakery, however, was a man who represents this old era.
Despite his lack of displays, Bill Beaney had an abundance of stories to tell about a footballing career which only came to a halt when he was 56.
That was seven years ago. A fact so striking given his struggles since then, undergoing one hip and two knee replacements.
“In 1969, I signed on at Southampton as an apprentice professional, and in 1972, I became a professional for three years.” William ‘Bill’ Beaney told me over a cup of tea in the local community centre.
During his time as a professional, Beaney played in Divisions 1 and 2, old Saints manager Ted Bates’s testimonial, as well as two Southampton tour games of Mauritius.
But it was his next move that not only elevated his career, but allowed him to share a pitch with one of football’s greatest ever players.
“I played for a year in America for Washington Diplomats — one of the games we played was against the NY Cosmos who Pele was playing for. I’d class him as the world’s best player.
“When people ask me, I say he was rubbish, but he scored two and made two!”
Beaney recalled the late Dennis Violett as the manager he played under for the American side — one of just a handful of survivors from the Munich air disaster in 1958. Bill had played with them all.
On his return, Beaney remained in England for the rest of his career, only venturing as far as Wales for a brief spell with Swansea. He carried football on at a semi-professional level, juggling his time with clubs such as Poole Town with his work in the docks.
It was evident after asking him one question that this man had had quite the career.
“It was enjoyable (playing in the 70s),” Bill explained. “You played 90 minutes to win and after the game you’re all friends.
“It’s a different style to today’s football — but we were all acclimatised to it, and it was hard work.
“I trained quite a bit in my own time to keep my weight down. We’d have a few games with some good tussles but we’d have a drink with them after!
“As long as you played well, tried 100% and got stuck in you were okay. You were given a b********g if you didn’t.
“We played and trained for about 25 hours a week. Serious injuries ruined my career but I would do it all again.
“You enjoy all your games, but the best one has to be my debut against West Ham, where I played with Mick Channon, Terry Paine, and on the other side Bobby Moore and Frank Lampard.”
This wasn’t a standard interview. It was an honest one, with a man so evocative of his career.
Much of it was spent with Bill showing me pictures of old team photos; match shots — and his dog in a Southampton coat.
I asked him if he’d ever play in today’s era. His response was typically quirky. “I’d rather play in midfield (than defence) because I’d probably get sent off!”
Amongst today’s millionaires, Beaney represents the golden generation of English football. A game played for pride, rather than pounds.
