Ajax V Arsenal – April 1970 – Bob Wilson in Goal for Arsenal
My Story by Lawrence Shave
How it all started
I was sitting, eating my breakfast, and reading the book that had just arrived in the post. I had saved up the tokens from my Shredded wheat boxes, and here it was,” Bob Wilson’s Guide to Better Goalkeeping”.
At least, I think that’s what it was called; after all, it was fifty years ago now. I read the book from cover to cover probably eight times so that I knew exactly where to stand for a corner or a free kick, and I knew how to punch the ball away cleanly and safely.
This book not only inspired me to support Arsenal but also guided me towards trying out for the school football team as a goalkeeper.
School years
I went to Willowbrook Primary School in Keyworth, Nottingham. My teacher was Mr. David Griffiths, and he actively encouraged me as a keeper, it wasn’t long until I became the official number one for the school team.
We had just played a cup match against a school which I think was called Lady Jane Grey. I remember them being really tall players. We lost the match 2-1 and I had a decent game, managed to save a penalty.
The next day, Mr Griffiths called me up to his desk. He told me that the teacher with the Lady Jane Grey kids was a scout for Notts County FC, and he was asking if I would be interested in going along for trials. I was to speak with my parents and let my teacher know next day.
I was absolutely made up. Me? Trials with Notts County FC? Wow! That day was a blur. I can remember running home as fast as I could to tell Mum and Dad my news. Unfortunately, my world came crashing down. Dad informed me that it wouldn’t be possible for me to attend any trials as there was a strong possibility of us moving down south, and it wouldn’t be practical to travel all that way for matches.
was shattered! My dad was changing jobs, and I understood this, but the disappointment would continue to affect many aspects of my schooling. I delivered the news to my teacher the next day, he totally understood and told me that I would just have to join my new school football team and continue playing as well as I had been.
Moving down south
In October of 1973, we moved to Hazlemere, Nr High Wycombe. I was nervous on my first day at my new school, The Park Middle School. However, I gained comfort with the thought of playing football for the school team, so my priority right then was speaking with the teacher in charge.
When I approached Mr Broughton, I told him I would like to play in goal. He dismissed me and said, “We don’t need another goalkeeper, as we already have one.” I explained to him that for my age I was actually quite good, but once again he waved his arm as if to shoo me away, “Sorry but we don’t need you”. (Those words would haunt me for the next 40 years).
My feelings and my spirit were crushed in a matter of seconds. I made a decision at that point that I would never play football again. Instead I got involved with the school Cricket and Hockey teams. I went on in life to play a fairly decent standard of both.
My schooling suffered as a result of my rejection; I became disruptive and mischievous, spending many hours outside the Headmaster, Mr Cox’s office. When going on to Secondary school at Holmer Green, I continued in the same troublesome manner. But for a brief period, playing as a striker for the Boys Brigade Football Team, I never played football as a team member again.
I discover Walking Football
Fast forward to 2016. I am now 53 and living in Aylesbury with my wife, Caroline, and two children, Emily and Cameron.
One day, I spotted an advertisement for Barclays featuring Walking Football. What’s this, I thought? Oldies walking around a football pitch? I was intrigued. I googled Walking Football and found that Aylesbury had its very own Walking Football team.
Aylesbury United Walking Football Team was set up on 2nd October 2014 by a lifelong Aylesbury United fan – Matthew Doherty. They were one of the first Walking Football teams in the country. A quick email to their contact Pete Chilcott and I was invited to come down for a taster session at their usual ground in Meadowcroft. It took me all of five minutes to realise that this version of the beautiful game was going to get me hooked.
Initially I started outfield as a midfielder / striker, but the more sessions I attended I realised that there was a possibility of playing in goal. Before I knew it, I was playing in goal and those old feelings and instincts started to come back. I hadn’t played in goal since I was 10 years old and the buzz I was getting was immense.
In 2017 Aylesbury United WFC entered the newly formed Thames Valley Walking Football League. So now we could play competitively as well. It just gets better and better I thought.
So now at age 55, I was playing regular league football with a great bunch of lads. We played in the Premier Division and we have held our own for a few seasons now. Meanwhile my performances were getting better all the time, keeping the most clean sheets in the league.
We organised a friendly match against Watford WFC (Very good side). Due to illnesses and injuries our side was a bit makeshift. Two players had never even played for us before and most of our regular league side were unavailable. We got hammered!!! The referee for the match was Richard Manning, he came over to me at the end of the game and invited me to attend trials for the South East England over 50’s which were coming up in Barnet.
Wow! Me? Trials for the England Regional Squad? It turned out that Richard was a WFA selector and himself a manager of the over 60’s. He obviously saw something in me, despite the thrashing.
Me, play for England?
So on Saturday 23rd March 2019 I attended trials at the Hive in Barnet. I was incredibly nervous, as we all were, but my view was give 100% and what will be, will be. If you give 100% and don’t get selected, then it’s their loss.
What a day we all had. Over forty like-minded individuals are all keen to get chosen and hopefully represent their country at the regional level and beyond. The England over 60’s captain Spencer Pratten (who I recently discovered lived 400yds away from me in Keyworth, Nottingham- what a small world we live in!) was one of those selecting.
He was offering advice and keeping notes. I went home after the day knackered but pleased with my performance. There was nothing I could do now except wait. On Thursday 26th March the email came through. I had made the SE England over 50’s regional squad. I was to be one of three keepers in the squad. I had done it! From reject at school to the highlight of my career.
Since my selection we have had several get togethers in Chelmsford. The squad and manager are great. My fellow keepers Andy Hodge and Michael Orme are brilliant. I never had the opportunity to play at a semi-professional level before and these guys constantly offer me advice which I take on board. I feel I have finally arrived. I feel almost complete.
feel the devastation I experienced all those years ago has finally been put to bed. My wellbeing is now better than it has been for a long time. What the future holds- who knows. But for now, I am content. I have reached a level that as a schoolboy I could only dream about. If I can inspire just one person from my own experiences then it’s a job well done. You are never too old to realise your dreams!!!
Boyhood dreams
As an addition to this piece some more boxes ticked. I have since day one been a massive Arsenal fan. So imagine my excitement when I got to play against them in a winter tournament at Bisham Abbey. I was representing the SE England over 50s but playing for my usual team Aylesbury United. A single point against a very strong Watford side would secure us a Quarter final place against Arsenal.
We didn’t deserve to win against Watford but I probably had one of my greatest matches that cold January afternoon. Nothing was going to get past me and nothing did. It set up our match against Arsenal. We lost 2-1 but it didn’t matter. The mere fact I had played against them was enough for me.
Following that match I received notification that I had been invited to play in goal for Arsenal. What!!!!! Yes a real WTF moment.
On 20th February 2022 I made my debut for Arsenal at Frimley in a large tournament. I was incredibly nervous but played well and we ended up third, so not a bad result.
Since then, I have played several matches for the Arsenal Strollers, including playing with them as representatives of London in an inter county tournament. I am now officially one of four goalkeepers at Arsenal, and had the privilege recently of representing Arsenal internationally in Bologna, Italy.
Not only that but I had now reached the big 60 and was invited to trials with the SE England over 60s. I am happy to report that I am now a member of that squad. I also have been appointed as player / coach for the squad and look after the goalkeepers within the squad which now include three keepers who have represented their country at senior level.
The dreams continue until such a time that injury may force my retirement from Walking Football. Until then I shall continue to promote and endorse this fantastic version of the beautiful game.
