In May an article appeared on this website regarding photos supplied by Mr Brian Speak showing Bobby Moore in a Barking shirt but the occasion and date of the game remained unknown. By pure co-incidence shortly after the article was published a number of programmes appeared on e-bay for celebrity v professional charity matches played at the Vicarage Field. These programmes were bought by our Press Officer Derek Pedder and one of them immediately caught the attention. It was for a game in aid of the dependents of the Docks Fire Disaster played on Sunday October 12th 1969 at 3pm, although newspaper articles state this was 11am.
The programme does mention Bobby Moore, but not as a player but as the referee!! However, following a visit to the newly opened state of the art local studies centre at Valence House it was confirmed that was indeed the game, Some other interesting facts were revealed.
The front page of the Barking Advertiser states “Bobby will referee star studded charity match” and states that “thousands of programmes had already been sold all over London”. Frank Silver Secretary of the Ex-Spurs XI advises “we expect to sell well over 10,000 programmes”.
The match was being held in aid of a fund set up in the wake of a fire in July 1969 at Dudgeon’s Wharf, Millwall which claimed the lives of five fireman: John Appleby, Trevor Carvosso, Alfred Smee, Michael Gamble and Terence Breen who lived in Eastbrook Drive, Dagenham.
One non–footballer who participated in the match was well known actor Tom Courtenay (now Sir Tom) star of such films as Billy Liar and Doctor Zhivago.
As for the game itself it finished Ex-Spurs 6 International XI 4 – scorers for the International XI were Eddie Firmani, Courtenay, Micky Dulin and Jim Langley and for the Ex-Spurs: Alf Stokes 4, Ron Henry, Johnny Brooks.
One interesting point for Barking Supporters is the match report mentions that Bobby Moore “decided to play on the pitch where he had previously appeared as a member of Barking’s ‘A’ team.”. So it would appear that the former West Ham United and England captain had appeared in our colours albeit for one of our junior teams.
To view a copy of the four-page match programme click here
For the original article click here
The photos below are a updated team line up from the game (many thanks to Mr Graham Frost for his help in identifying the players) along with copies of the Barking Advertiser articles and photo. click on any image to enlarge:
