Tributes after legendary Colchester United boss, Dick Graham, died aged 90 (From Essex County Standard)
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Tributes after legendary Colchester United boss, Dick Graham, died aged 90
8:30am Friday 8th March 2013 in News By James Cox
Tributes after legendary Colchester United boss, Dick Graham, died aged 90
DICK Graham, arguably the most popular Colchester United manager ever, has died.
Fans took to Twitter yesterday to pay tribute to the 90-year-old former U’s boss.
Mr Graham had been poorly for some time before his death was confirmed on Thursday, March 7.
Jon Burns, chairman of the Colchester United Supporters Association, described him as a legend.
He added: “He put Colchester United on the map.
“What he did for the club is legendary and I have never met such a wonderful gentleman."
Mr Graham took charge of Colchester United between 1968 and 1972, ending his tenure with an impressive record of 80 wins and 48 draws from 190 games.
Most famously, he masterminded a shock 3–2 victory over Don Revie’s prolific Leeds United in the 5th round of the 1971 FA Cup.
Leeds were challenging for the title in the top flight while Colchester United were down in the country’s fourth division.
It was a result that would see him become the first manager inducted into the Colchester United's Hall of Fame in 2007.
Comments(12)
Ozzie
says...
9:11am Fri 8 Mar 13
Ozzie
says...
9:11am Fri 8 Mar 13
linton68
says...
11:15am Fri 8 Mar 13
Col u, Graham Smith, Crawford, Simmonds, Cram, cant remember all the names..Someone please fill me in.
Barside1
says...
11:45am Fri 8 Mar 13
We spoke about a number of subjects, but my favourite topic was the Leeds United match.
Dick was an inspirational man, the picture above is my favourite ever from the days at Layer Road.
It was taken moments before the final whistle on that epic afternoon that was about to send a shock wave around the football world.
Dick and Denis Mochan are driving Colchester United over the finishing line after the most extraordinary 90 minutes I have ever witnessed in a football match.
I went to every match in that cup run.
Ringmer at Layer Road.
Cambridge United at home in Round 2.
Barnet away in the 3rd round.
Rochdale at Spotlands in Round 4.
Rochdale at Layer Road in the replay.
Leeds.
Everton away.
And if that wasn't enough, Dick led us to the Watney Cup Final against West Bromich Albion at The Hawthorns which we won on penalties after an incredible 4-4 draw.
The winning penalty was scored by a young man by the name of Phil Bloss.
There was a magic in the air when Dick Graham was around.
Several hundred of us would gather at the Layer Road end in those days with the policemen actually in the crowd with us.
Things were high spirited to say the least.
Sometimes a policeman's helmet would end up in the goalmouth as a corner came over!
Dick Graham made some fantastic signings for Colchester United, and he explained why he signed those particular players to me.
There was much more to Mr Graham than just football.
He had the most wonderful views on life.
Dick Graham was simply a great human being.
x
U's fan
says...
3:32pm Fri 8 Mar 13
linton68 wrote:Colchester team
A clever manager, with many contacts, well loved, A layer road legend... Never forget that Saturday Feb' 1971, Leeds united. Sprake, Reaney, Charlton, Bremner, Clarke, Jones, Etc etc.
Col u, Graham Smith, Crawford, Simmonds, Cram, cant remember all the names..Someone please fill me in.
1. Graham Smith
2. Brian Hall
3. Bobby Cram
4. John Gilchrist
5. Brian Garvey
6. John Kurila
7. Brian Lewis
8. Dave Simmons
9. Mick Mahon
10. Ray Crawford
11. Brian Gibbs
Leeds
1. Gary Sprake
2. Paul Reaney
3. Terry Cooper
4. Mick Bates
5. Jack Charlton
6. Norman Hunter
7. Peter Lorimer
8. Allan Clarke
9. Mick Jones
10. Johnny Giles
11. Paul Madeley
The only regular missing was Bremner, one of my best days watching Col U with my dad (RIP) and younger brother.
RIP Dick a true Colchester legend.
linton68
says...
5:31pm Fri 8 Mar 13
v. Everton.
Barside1
says...
6:26pm Fri 8 Mar 13
We drove to Everton and there was a sign placed in the middle of the Albert roundabout that was painted in blue and white - it said 'Goodison Park 247 miles'.
It was quite something seeing The Mighty U's run out onto the pitch in front of over 55,000 fans and for 15 incredible minutes we were on top.
To cap one of the greatest days out any Colchester fan could ever wish for we went into Anfield after the match ( the Reds had just played Spurs ) and stood at the top of The Kop!
There were just the five of us in the entire ground, our Essex accents echoing in the great theatre of football.
Looking down from the back of The Kop there were row after row of terraced houses with smoke billowing from the chimneys, all very drab and grey - but somehow magical.
Thanks Mr Graham for a wonderful day out!
brig 1
says...
6:44pm Fri 8 Mar 13
You won,t be forgotten in Colchester or the footballing world.Rest in Peace
Barside1
says...
6:56pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Everton
1. Gordon WEST
2. Tommy WRIGHT
3. Henry NEWTON
4. Howard KENDALL
5. Roger KENYON
6. Colin HARVEY
7. Jimmy HUSBAND
8. Alan BALL
9. Joe ROYAL
10. John HURST
11. Johnny MORRISSEY
The Mighty U's
1. Graham SMITH
2. Bobby CRAM
3. Brian HALL
4. John GILCHRIST
5. Brian GARVEY
6. John KURILA
7. Brian LEWIS
8. Dave SIMMONS
9. Ray CRAWFORD
10. Mick MAHON
11. Brian GIBBS
Referee - Jack TAYLOR ( Wolverhampton ).
Quote from Mr Graham after signing Ray Crawford from non-league Kettering Town for £3,000 -
'Some people thought I was mad bringing him back to the league'
The signing of Crawford was a masterstroke and he was twinned with Dave Simmons who Dick had seen playing in a reserve match.
Boris
says...
1:45am Sat 9 Mar 13
Barside1 wrote:I don't think I have ever read a better tribute than this. Thanks, Barside1, you had the double privilege of seeing those great moments in U's history, and of getting to know the great man, who was clearly so much more than just a great man.
It was my great pleasure to spend some time with Mr Graham a few years ago.
We spoke about a number of subjects, but my favourite topic was the Leeds United match.
Dick was an inspirational man, the picture above is my favourite ever from the days at Layer Road.
It was taken moments before the final whistle on that epic afternoon that was about to send a shock wave around the football world.
Dick and Denis Mochan are driving Colchester United over the finishing line after the most extraordinary 90 minutes I have ever witnessed in a football match.
I went to every match in that cup run.
Ringmer at Layer Road.
Cambridge United at home in Round 2.
Barnet away in the 3rd round.
Rochdale at Spotlands in Round 4.
Rochdale at Layer Road in the replay.
Leeds.
Everton away.
And if that wasn't enough, Dick led us to the Watney Cup Final against West Bromich Albion at The Hawthorns which we won on penalties after an incredible 4-4 draw.
The winning penalty was scored by a young man by the name of Phil Bloss.
There was a magic in the air when Dick Graham was around.
Several hundred of us would gather at the Layer Road end in those days with the policemen actually in the crowd with us.
Things were high spirited to say the least.
Sometimes a policeman's helmet would end up in the goalmouth as a corner came over!
Dick Graham made some fantastic signings for Colchester United, and he explained why he signed those particular players to me.
There was much more to Mr Graham than just football.
He had the most wonderful views on life.
Dick Graham was simply a great human being.
x
R.I.P. Mr. Graham.
6079 Smith W
says...
10:12am Sun 10 Mar 13
linton68 wrote:As 'U's fan' has pointed out, Bremner didn't actually play that day. He would often rub it in with the others in that legendary Leeds team: 'I didn't play at Colchester!'
A clever manager, with many contacts, well loved, A layer road legend... Never forget that Saturday Feb' 1971, Leeds united. Sprake, Reaney, Charlton, Bremner, Clarke, Jones, Etc etc.
Col u, Graham Smith, Crawford, Simmonds, Cram, cant remember all the names..Someone please fill me in.
As Feisty points out, that match will for ever be associated with Colchester, up and down the country. But it's more than that, like 'Radford again' and Hereford beating Newcastle, that match will always be known as one of the most magical moments of the cup.
R.I.P. Dick Graham.
Feisty CBC says...
8:44am Fri 8 Mar 13
R.I.P. Dick.