Littleton Football Club
Club Member Profiles
2001/2002 News, Results, Mid Comb Div 3 Table and Scorers
2002/2003 News, Results, Mid Comb Div 2 Table and Scorers
2003/2004 Mid Comb & S/ford Fixtures, Results, Tables
Contact Information for Littleton Football Club
Links for Littleton Football Club
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J.F. Cox
 | Jim Cox is devoted to Littleton Football Club and is also a lifelong Aston Villa fan. In the year 2000 he reached the milestone of a 65 year association with football and this was recognised in a presentation made by the Worcestershire Football Association 'for his considerable commitment, and his achievements in local football'.
Born in 1921 at Stratford on Avon, Warks., Jim joined Alcester Road Old Boys FC at the age of 14 and in his first season the team swept aside all rivals to win the league without losing a single game. Playing at Inside Right he scored 22 goals that season but recalls that the Centre Forward scored an amazing 50. Jim then went on to play for Shottery who won the Hospital Cup in 1939/40, a competition that is still going to this day. Following this he played a further 9 years for Flowers Brewery before hanging up the boots in 1955 having completed 20 years as a player in the Stratford Alliance.
From 1955 to 1966 Jim took up refereeing and says that, in those 11 years he only booked 4 players and sent off 3, something that could happen in one match today.
1964 saw Jim working for Flowers Brewery in Stratford and he recalls this time with one of his proudest moments. Asked by Whitbread's, the new owners of Flowers, he raised a side to enter Cup Competitions held for breweries only. His side won the National Final by beating the Scottish Brewery 5 - 2 and was then invited to take them to Belgium to play against a Stella Artois team for the Whitbread European Final. They won this game 13 - 3, a tremendous achievement with all players recieving a commemorative medal.
While still refereeing for the Stratford alliance, Jim was asked to take up an administrative role with the League. He held the position of Joint Secretary until 1971, accepted the Vice Presidency in 1974, was given Life Membership in 1986 and in 1987 took up the ultimate accolade of League President, a post he held until 1991.
1969 was the year that Littleton became aware of this remarkable man. Made redundant by Whitbread, Jim moved to North Littleton and became landlord of the Ivy Inn. Local footballers used the Ivy, and since a previous legend named Arnold Drinkwater had retired a few years earlier, Jim offered to help reform Littleton Football Club and assist with fundraising. In 1971 he was asked to become Manager, recruiting daughter Rita's husband Allan Whelan as a player. Allan was well known in the Stratford League and one of the finest players seen at Littleton. Successful teams were quickly established and ultimately sons Richard, Rodney and James all became Littleton players. Vocal support was amply provided by Jim's wife Phyllis and daughter Rita. Sadly, Phyllis and Rodney are no longer with us but they are fondly remembered by everyone that was fortunate enough to have known them. Jim's family have continued his football tradition with grandson Paul a former player for Littleton and son James being a very respected League referee.
While landlord of the Ivy Inn, Jim was instrumental in fundraising activities and there are fond, if somewhat alcohol blurred, memories of great events there. Although he has retired, Littleton FC still use the Ivy as it's headquarters. After many years of these fundraisers, and other events, the Club has been able to purchase it's own ground at North Littleton and now has an excellent pitch and facilities which are constantly being improved.
Jim has now served Littleton FC for over 30 years, 16 of them as Chairman. He is still an active committee member and attends virtually every game home and away.
In addition to his commitment at Littleton FC, Jim also found time to be Vice President of Stratford Referees Association, President of the Vale Domino League together with senior roles on the Evesham Air Rifle League and Bidford Darts League.
Littleton Football Club is proud to have 'the legend' called Jim Cox as such a fundamental part of it's character - long may it continue. |
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Colin Emms
 | Colin first got involved with Littleton Football Club in 1954 when he was 12 years old. This was the year that 'legendary' Arnold Drinkwater took over management of the team. A coach was provided for away games and each player paid 1s & 3d, old money. It was not unusual to be short of players and Colin remembers the team going to the Pioneer Camp at Honeybourne where Arnold signed on players from the Guardhouse and they returned to jail after the game.
Fundraising was normally the August 'Fete' and the youngsters were sent around the village asking for prizes and donations. Knocking the door and saying "Arnold sent me" produced the required response and a gift of some sort.
In those days Arnold's assistants were Spence Ballard and Arthur Perkins. At this time Littleton were in the North Cotswold League along with teams from Moor, Pinvin, Bretforton, Norton, Evesham Athletic, Hampton Rovers and a few others. When this league folded Littleton joined The Stratford Football League.
Arnold handed over the reins in 1969/70 and Colin became Treasurer and Secretary of the newly formed committee. Others involved were Richard Whatcott, Roy Gibson, Brian Ramsden and Jim Cox. The formation of a new committee, and the arrival of Jim and Brian, coincided with the emergence of new players from the village and Littleton began a period of considerable achievement both on and off the pitch. Early in the 70's a second side was formed which won it's way through the lower divisions of the Stratford League and collected several cups. Fundraising took a dramatic new turn and one fete made £1000.00, a massive sum in those days. Colin, with others, was instrumental in starting 'The Tote'. It still runs to this day and has raised many thousands of pounds over the years helping Littleton Football Club to move to it's own ground and provide excellent facilities.
Colin is one of the longest serving committee members at Littleton Football Club, holding every position in the Club at some time, except President, and usually more than one at a time. Currently he is Chairman, Match Secretary and Groundsman. This is in addition to his Parish Council duties and he still finds time, occaisionally, to play golf and watch cricket. He is a long serving player with Badsey Cricket Club where he still shows the youngsters how to bat and bowl. We should also mention his lifelong support of Tottenham Hotspur.
His entire working life was spent with Lloyds Bank, retiring from his position as Manager at Witney in 1996. He frequently travelled back to Littleton after a days work to mow the pitch or deal with correspondence.
Colin has seen many very good players over the years but says his one claim to fame as a footballer is that he holds, jointly with Chris Joynes and Des Cox, the post war record for goals scored in one game. He scored 5 against FISSC Reserves in 1963.
He is very well respected at Littleton Football Club and also by all that have met him in sport, Parish Council or as a neighbour. |
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Fred Moore
 | Fred is Littleton Football Club's oldest supporter. Born at West Side, North Littleton on the 18th April 1907 he has moved house several times but always in North Littleton. One of 5 children, he now lives with sister Amy and next door to brother Vic. His sister Sally and brother Sam have passed away.
Fred was a market gardener, working for the family business all his life. His mother and father ran The Ivy Inn from 1928 for 6 years and they had the house built which Fred lives in today.
Although very keen on football, he was not allowed to play as his father said he wasn't strong enough. He remembers football being played at several pitches in 'The Littletons', the most popular being by the Tithe Barn at Middle. The entrance fee to the pitch was 4d (four pence old money) just after the First World War and it needed several gatemen stationed at various entrances to the field. The pitch itself was not particularly level and the grass was cut infrequently. Teams changed at the Ivy Inn, no showers in those days, and half time tea was carried from the Ivy Inn to the pitch.
Fred recalls that there were usually two teams in Littleton, Rovers and United. They played in the North Cotswold and Evesham Vale Leagues at varying times. He has clear memories of many players but the best, in his opinion, was his good friend Sam Harris (uncle of David Harris, current Littleton FC committee member). Sam was a goalkeeper with massive hands and should have played for the Villa (Aston Villa) in Fred's eyes. Other favourites were Freddy Shammon, Cyril & Ray Cook and Fred Hemming.
The first thing Fred looks for in the Sunday Mercury is the Littleton result and, now that we are in the Midlansd Combination, it's usually there. When we were in other Leagues he had to wait for the Journal or until someone called round with results.
Littleton FC send best wishes to their oldest supporter. |
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