AFTER reading Down Memory Lane in the Gazette recently, I should like to thank George Healy, who sadly I do not remember but would surely have played against, for evoking very strong memories of my early footballing days in Thurrock.

I well remember reading one of Paddy Megan’s reports in the early 1950s when he wrote he wished to form an under-16s football league. I, along with several others contacted Paddy and, to cut a long story short, Paddy got it under way.

George remembers Connaught Rangers of which I was a founder member along with several other kids from Connaught Avenue and the surrounding area, Dave Durling, John Glover, Tony Clark, Ken Smith, Winkle Alderman and John Stannard to name but a few.

I also remember several other clubs – there was a team from Purfleet, who played under the name of Esso and a team from Thurloe Walk which included Margaret Whitbread, Fatima’s mum. Regrettably I do not have any photographs of the time.

The Grays & District Junior League, which was the name I believe we played under, was the beginnings of the Sunday morning footballing days of Thurrock and was a tremendous footballing basis for many who went on later to the Grays & District Minor League for under-18s.

From the Minor League many went on to play for the local senior amateur sides, some to gain county honours, some turned professional and, of course, Malcolm Shaw gained international honours.

My point here I think, is to take my hat off to the Paddy Megrans of this world, without whom we could not have had the pleasure of playing in an organised arena and we would not have made so many friends that lasted a lifetime.

So, well done Paddy and all you like-minded fellows and thank you George for reawakening old memories.

RAY SMALLCOMBE Ash Tree House, North Stifford.