IN RESPONSE to Lawrie McMenemy’s biography comments regarding the Saints Academy, this was known as the Youth Training Group set up by Sir George Reader and run by Ted Bates with some of the first team taking part in training. This started in 1946.
As a member of the Southampton School Boys I with others was selected to join the Youth Group, training was done around around the pitch and the club gym at The Dell, the original training ground was the Old Gas Works Ground at Redbridge with an old Nissen Hut as the changing room.
We played trial matches around Southampton, sometimes at The Dell. I was a defender, under arm of Bill Ellerington (what a lovely chap).
Unfortunately National Service came along and finished my link with The Saints.
Looking back I must have been barmy. Now 84 years old, how did I ride my bicycle, boots and plimsolls hanging on my handlebars all the way to back home to Shirley Warren. Blimey!
MR ROGER BAMPTON
Netley Abbey
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