The Bok track column, as it were, we had been wondering if Co Durham really did play football against South Africa. Les Hind, to whom many thanks, duly provides the programme.

It was October 24 1953 before a crowd of 5,642 at the Victoria Ground in Hartlepool, part of the Springboks' month long tour of Britain. Cynics will be interested to hear that none of the Durham FA Council 50 years ago is still in office.

The Old Opera Band played before the match, the teams were presented to the Mayors of Hartlepool and West Hartlepool, the programme hoped that the dear, down-at-heel old Vic would have "something of the atmosphere of Wembley."

Co Durham led 2-0 through Albert McInroy of Durham City - son of the legendary Sunderland goalkeeper who won an England cap in the 1920s - and Ray Tate, of Shildon. The South Africans equalised in the second half.

Other familiar faces in the Durham line-up included Dave Marshall, Corbett Cresswell and Bob Hardisty of Bishop Auckland and Crook Town's Jimmy McMillan - the only man to win four Amateur Cup winners' medals.

Afterwards the teams were entertained at the Grand Hotel, the visitors given a replica of Durham Cathedral's sanctuary knocker. To make the weekend complete, they toured ICI Billingham on the Monday.

October 24 1953 was also a memorable day for Chilton lad Charlie Wayman, hat-trick hero in Preston North End's 6-2 thrashing of Sunderland.

"The poorest display by a Sunderland side for many years," the Echo concluded.

Charlie Wayman, who hit 104 goals in 157 Football League games for Preston, is now 81 and a long-time resident in a Bishop Auckland nursing home. He also played for Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Southampton and Darlington.

Elsewhere that autumn Saturday, Newcastle failed to win at home for the sixth successive match. Stan Matthews inspired Blackpool to victory at Middlesbrough and 4,000 watched Spennymoor United beat Willington in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.

South African attention may have turned elsewhere when 45-year-old Wally Haward from Johannesburg broke the world 100 mile record by running from Bath to London in 12-20-28 - "probably the greatest feat in athletics history," said the Echo.

Back in Sunderland, bottom of the old first division, they were concerned about the "unhappy ordeal" of Welsh debutant Howard Sheppeard. Though he never again graced the red and white stripes he became, says the book, a committed captain of Abergavenny Thursday.

Midsummer night found the column in balmy Kendal, North West Counties League annual dinner, a particularly rewarding evening for Prescott Cables manager Tommy Lawson. Tommy not only picked up league championship, league cup and manager of the year trophies but also the coveted raffle prize of a box of assorted wallpaper rolls. No doubt because his hands were full already, he gave the wallpaper away.

Plodging around the Lakes meant we were unable to attend the presentations at the Queens Head in Newfield in memory of Edward Sharp.

That was Saturday night, too. We looked in on Sunday lunchtime, bad head day, instead.

Edward, a 23-year-old footballer with Consett and previously with Tow Law, died in February 2002 a week after a road accident near his home. Eddie, his father, friend and fishing partner, was long familiar as a Northern League player and manager; his uncle Robert is landlord of the Queens.

Saturday's principal beneficiary was Newcastle General Hospital, which received £8,250 to fund two ventilators which will carry Edward's name. The children's ward at Bishop General and the North-East Air Ambulance were given £1,500 apiece, the money mainly raised at a football match and charity evening.

Another £748 raised on the night, including £500 paid for a signed Newcastle United shirt, will go to our friends at Spennymoor Boxing Academy. Next stop Australia for those lads, they reckon.

"Everybody just wanted to get involved. People have been absolutely brilliant," said Robert.

Newfield's west of Bishop Auckland, a half hidden but wholly attractive little village that's strong on community spirit.

On Sunday the brickworks boys were in for their bait, a finger buffet of venison and all sorts - everything's a finger buffet in Newfield, they said - fast disappearing on the bar top.

Everyone said what a fantastic night it had been. "It was just nice to do something for Edward."

Belatedly, because somehow we missed it, we need also to record the passing in April of Reg Furphy, a founder of Stockton West End FC in 1944 and enthusiastically involved ever since.

His younger brother Ken made over 500 Football League appearances, chiefly for Darlington, though Reg - a Durham County centre-half - was widely reckoned the better player.

When illness cut short his career, he switched to administration and encouragement, a constant inspiration to the many junior teams under West End's wing.

In an extended tribute to their president, the club newsletter talks of a man who gave heart, soul and countless hours to youth football. Olive, his wife for more than 50 years, received 323 sympathy cards.

Club secretary Ken Aitchison recalls a man who set high standards and ran a strict ship. When once Reg was becoming frustrated at delays in a pet project, Ken replied that Rome wasn't built in a day.

"Maybe," said Reg, "but only because I wasn't in charge."

John Raw, another true hero of grass roots sport, would be a bit perturbed that his beloved Shildon Railway Cricket Club have gone one and a half seasons without a win.

They've another chance tomorrow night, against Mainsforth in the inaugural trophy in John's memory. The winners play Etherley, who've already beaten Bishop Auckland, in the final on Sunday June 29 (2pm).

John, who died aged 78 in November 2001, had been involved with Shildon cricket since being told to catch the horse which pulled the roller.

"It was like a Tynemouth donkey," he once recalled. "Knew how far to go and not an inch further."

Jack Watson, the 83-year-old club president, finds himself between jobs after he and the rest of Sheffield Wednesday's scouting staff were made redundant following relegation. Jack scoured Scotland from Shildon.

"I'm just waiting by the telephone," says Jack. "I'd feel better if Shildon could get a win."

His letter addressed to "Pre-skate, Darlington" - others believe our offices to be in Priestgate - Whitby Town chairman Graham Manser asks us to publicise Showaddywaddy's appearance in aid of the club's new stand appeal.

They need to find £45,000, have already raised £32,573 (and 93 pence), hope that the 70s rockers will help tip the balance.

They're at Whitby Spa Pavilion, with support, on Friday July 18. Tickets are £12 50 from the Nationwide Building Society, 5 Victoria Square, Whitby,. N Yorks YO21 1EA.

...and finally

the Welsh-born rugby international who made 22 England appearance alongside Rob Andrew (Backtrack, June 20) was, of course, Dewi Morris.

Fred Alderton in Peterlee today invites readers to name the sport which, say the rules, must be played right-handed.

Bok track or Backtrack, we're right back in the action on Friday.

Published: 24/06/2003