THE letter of the month from my grammar school chum Paul Ayres regarding the Walled Meadow and some of the legends that appeared there sparked my memory banks.

As I read Paul’s descriptive piece I felt I was there.

In fact, I was there! One of the old managers I remember was Herbie Chittenden.

He was a former captain and team manager of Andover FC and used to hold court at his pub the Railway Inn opposite the Post Office.

Long ago the red and blacks were in the Hampshire League Division One and won it seven times.

The reserves were top of Division Two at one time.

Not only did I go to watch and pay 6d to gain entry, I went to play and watch as there was a large grass area behind the crowd on the far side and I could never resist a ball at my feet!

Coats for goalposts with half an eye on Andover’s game.

My muddied school shoes always earned a clip round the ear from dad when I got home though.

The names that Paul recalls are all familiar to me and I would add Willie Poore in goal and a beanpole centre forward Ian Henderson who scored a record 62 goals in 1961-62 which still stands today.

I well remember the Mardi Gras (Tuesday festival) on Saturday nights and the huge glitzy, shiny machine situated in the old Holmes’ side doorway blasting out the music of the future, namely Cliff Richard and The Shadows’ Move It.

This gigantic machine was called a juke box. The year 1958.

From the High Street we would amble up George Yard to the “Wembley of Andover”.

There was usually a fair at the far end of the ground.

The sweet smell of toffee apples and candy floss as well as the oily, belching engines that powered the rides amid the bright lights always conjured up times of heady excitement.

Fixed boxing bouts were an essential part of the evening spectacle too. Blood was spilt!

The Walled Meadow was indeed a mecca for many events which included, in the 50s, inter-school sports between the primary schools Wolversdene, New Street and my school East Street.

My headmaster Mr R S Harrison was also at one time manager of Andover FC. Interestingly his son Bernard played cricket for Hampshire and football for Crystal Palace and Southampton.

One stand-out memory, especially for atmosphere, was when TV’s famous wrestlers Mick McManus, Jackie Pallow, Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy came to perform.

They were my dad’s favourites because he truly thought the wrestling was real. He and mum used to watch Kent Walton’s wrestling every Saturday afternoon and dad would get so involved he couldn’t keep still. One Saturday, red faced through exertion, he wrenched the wooden arm off the chair he was sat in!

I was lucky enough to play on four occasions at the Walled Meadow – three cup finals and for a representative side against Andover’s first team, which we lost 6-0.

The Walled Meadow pitch was the biggest in southern England. It was of maximum dimensions allowable and each time I played there I was completely exhausted and thought my lungs would burst!

The area along London Road was a great place to visit, especially with the outdoor swimming pool next door.

Over the years the pool and the pitch have disappeared into the distant ether of the past. It was heartbreaking when the Meadow was built on.

It was originally part of a farm and a gift from the owner to the people of Andover.

That first match at the Portway against Leicester ended 10-1 with 17-year-old Kevin Campbell scoring a thunderous six goals. Andover even had the temerity to score first.

I am grateful to Paul for these reminiscences and opening the door for me to happily delve into the dusty cellar of my mind.

You ought to write a book young man!

John Porter, Millway Road, Andover