Chapter 6 - 'The City Slicker'
Cliff Holton was the 'David Beckham' of the fifties, with a wardrobe of smart
suites, and not a hair out of place even after 90 minutes on a wet and muddy
pitch on a November afternoon. He only ventured north of Watford once in his
career, and that was to play for the Cobblers. That says much for Dave Bowen's
powers of persuasion and his man management skills.
Cliff had played with Dave in the Arsenal side that had visited the County
ground in the 3rd round of the FA Cup on January 4th 1958. They had gone away
that day with 'their tails between their legs' having been well and truly beaten
3-1.
Holton was signed in September 1961 from Watford where he had scored 42 goals
the previous season. Cobblers were five games into their first Division Three
Season and had only scored one goal.
He made his debut on a September evening at Selhurst Park, Croydon against
Crystal Palace. The first his team mates saw of him, was as a lonely figure,
being picked up by the team bus from a street corner in Watford, on the way to
the match. 'A far cry from David Beckham's arrival at Real Madrid'.
It is reputedly reported that in the Selhurst Park dressing room before the
match that Dave Bowen threw the ball at Holton and said 'You're Captain'. Holton
repaid the kindness by scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 win.
Cliff went on to score 39 goals that season for the Cobblers which was thanks
in a big way, as Cliff was first to agree, from the pin point passing of a young
left winger, from Harpole or Kislingbury (can't remember which village), named
Barry Lines, who had taken over that mantle from the 'one and only' Tom Fowler.
Barry went on to play an important role in the climb to First Division status.
Regretfully, early the next season the lure of the bright lights took Cliff
back to his beloved London. Abington Street on a wet and windy Saturday night
could never replace the glamour of the 'West End'
Cobblers finished a credible 8th that 1961/62 season in the 3rd Division,
much to the relief of the fans, who after the first five games with only one
goal scored, had visions of a quick return to the 4th Division. You could say
that Cliff steadied the ship, and without him the meteoric rise in subsequent
years to the First Division would never have happened. Of course, it also needed
Dave Bowen's skills and foresight.
Cliff also gave a bit of glamour and style to the Cobblers who hitherto could
hardly be described in such terms.
Cliff's departure also marked my own departure from Trinity and the clutches
of Gunner.
To be Continued 'Chapter 7 - Dreams begin to happen'
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