Fitzhugh Fella Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 One of the last survivors of Saints very talented immediate post-war team, Eric Day, has passed away. Eric was a very tough (commando during WW2) forward who although only 5'6" knew how to handle himself and he scored 158 goals in 422 games. He could play on the flank or up the middle and played his last game for the club in May 1957 before moving into non-league. He ended up in Wiltshire working at Hartham Park Estate as a caretaker. A wonderful unsung servant to the club. David Bull has written a fuller obituary, for the club site. (By my reckoning the only two senior players left from that era are Bill Ellerington and goalkeeper Ian Black, although Stan Clements who joined the club a year or two later is also still alive.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Thanks for the note. RIP Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 The firat day I saw him play, he was playing right wing, somebody hit a ball dropping over him going into touch but he raised his right leg and caught the ball on his instep before it went out, went down the line and put a cross in. I was absolutely amazed. I think Bryn Elliott is still alive but he wasn't a regular in that side. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNOWY Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Sad news. RIP Eric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carljack Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 The firat day I saw him play, he was playing right wing, somebody hit a ball dropping over him going into touch but he raised his right leg and caught the ball on his instep before it went out, went down the line and put a cross in. I was absolutely amazed. I think Bryn Elliott is still alive but he wasn't a regular in that side. RIP. Bryn Elliot is still alive and rumour has is still hitting a mean golf ball at Stoneham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintalan Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 RIP Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 13 November, 2012 Author Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Bryn Elliot is still alive and rumour has is still hitting a mean golf ball at Stoneham. Bryn came slightly later, debuting at Tottenham in February 1950 in front of a crowd of 70,302 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Was Bryn the comical old boy at the Mayflower do for Lawrie and Matt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 (edited) I never saw him play, but my (late) father was fan in the post war period when Eric Day was playing a useful role as right winger and helping to feed the 1940's goal machine Charlie Wayman. Eric helped himself to a half dozen goals every season, but ironically came into his own after Saints' relegation to Div 3 South. After Wayman departed, Eric took over the no.9 shirt with great success and was leading scorer in the mid 1950's netting..... 26, 27 and 28 goals in successive seasons. As time wore on, Eric finished his career (aged 36) after having scored 158 goals in 422 apps. over a period of 12 years. He was one of only 10 players in the club's history to have completed over 400 games for Saints. His final game was in May 1957...when he made way for the new CF Derek Reeves..and saw his original right winger's shirt handed over to a newly-signed teenager named...Terry Paine. This may all seem old history and outdated stats. to a younger generation of fans but the likes of Eric Day were good club men and wore the Saints shirt with pride - even with a career in the lower leagues. Edited 13 November, 2012 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 RIP Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasper57saint Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 RIP Eric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waggy Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 RIP Eric, you are amongst very good company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Gotsmanov Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Very sad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 13 November, 2012 Author Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Was Bryn the comical old boy at the Mayflower do for Lawrie and Matt? Yes indeed he was - a great character Bryn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicestersaint Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 RIP Eric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Wayman Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 One of the last survivors of Saints very talented immediate post-war team, Eric Day, has passed away. Eric was a very tough (commando during WW2) forward who although only 5'6" knew how to handle himself and he scored 158 goals in 422 games. He could play on the flank or up the middle and played his last game for the club in May 1957 before moving into non-league. He ended up in Wiltshire working at Hartham Park Estate as a caretaker. A wonderful unsung servant to the club. David Bull has written a fuller obituary, for the club site. (By my reckoning the only two senior players left from that era are Bill Ellerington and goalkeeper Ian Black, although Stan Clements who joined the club a year or two later is also still alive.) Black - Ellerington/Ramsey, Rochford - Smith, Webber, Mallett - Day, Curtis, Wayman, Bates, Wrigglesworth What a team they were. never know how they missed the First Division so many times... Eric Day a legend RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenridge Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Bryn Elliot is still alive and rumour has is still hitting a mean golf ball at Stoneham. Bryn likes to walk the course for exercise and 'harass/entertain' the memebrs with his extensive repetoire of jokes but he doesn't play too much golf now due to a recent hip operation. He remains fit and well and in good form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonroadboy Posted 14 November, 2012 Share Posted 14 November, 2012 Duncan -also don't forget John Christie, still playing golf at Royal Winchester. Watched him and Eric Day play.... just a few years ago!! Eric Day was the original Terry Paine for us! If I see John I will pass on this sad news in case he hasn't heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wightman35 Posted 14 November, 2012 Share Posted 14 November, 2012 Black - Ellerington/Ramsey, Rochford - Smith, Webber, Mallett - Day, Curtis, Wayman, Bates, Wrigglesworth What a team they were. never know how they missed the First Division so many times... Eric Day a legend RIP Many great memories of that side from the Forties and early Fifties! RIP Eric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonroader07 Posted 14 November, 2012 Share Posted 14 November, 2012 one of the last survivors of saints very talented immediate post-war team, eric day, has passed away. Eric was a very tough (commando during ww2) forward who although only 5'6" knew how to handle himself and he scored 158 goals in 422 games. He could play on the flank or up the middle and played his last game for the club in may 1957 before moving into non-league. He ended up in wiltshire working at hartham park estate as a caretaker. A wonderful unsung servant to the club. David bull has written a fuller obituary, for the club site. (by my reckoning the only two senior players left from that era are bill ellerington and goalkeeper ian black, although stan clements who joined the club a year or two later is also still alive.) respect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted 14 November, 2012 Share Posted 14 November, 2012 I first saw Eric play in the '56-'57 season. If my memory is correct, it was in a game at the Dell V Newport? I thought he was very skillful. RIP Eric. As for John Christie, John can be seen outside SMS reception every home game. Always nice to chat to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintSparky Posted 14 November, 2012 Share Posted 14 November, 2012 RIP Eric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Wayman Posted 15 November, 2012 Share Posted 15 November, 2012 Many great memories of that side from the Forties and early Fifties! RIP Eric. I guess we can justifiably claim to be fans. I'm still smarting from Charlie Wayman's decision to leave. What we could do with him now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 15 November, 2012 Author Share Posted 15 November, 2012 Duncan -also don't forget John Christie, still playing golf at Royal Winchester. Watched him and Eric Day play.... just a few years ago!! Eric Day was the original Terry Paine for us! If I see John I will pass on this sad news in case he hasn't heard. Yea I see John in my local Waitrose most weeks and of course he is a ST holder at SMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevvy Posted 17 November, 2012 Share Posted 17 November, 2012 RIP Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horton Heath Saint Posted 17 November, 2012 Share Posted 17 November, 2012 Just a bit before my time, however, heard nice reports. Another fine servant for Southampton Football Club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 18 November, 2012 Share Posted 18 November, 2012 (edited) I first saw Eric play in the '56-'57 season. If my memory is correct, it was in a game at the Dell V Newport? I thought he was very skillful. RIP Eric.. I always enjoy these result searches Norm. What a wonderful help " In that Number " is ......... If you said 56/57?...the Newport County game was the last game of that season, but Eric didn't play in that game. His last ever game for Saints was the week before (h) v. Ipswich (Champs that year). However, the Newport game was memorable for another reason. Eric's no. 7 shirt had been handed over to that young lad..Terry Paine, but the 17 year old debutant on the left wing was a certain.... John Sydenham ..wonder what happen to him ? (LOL) That was the start of a new era - wasn't it? The start of two careers...Terry's 811 games of course, is a record that may never be beaten, and John's 401 games put him in the Saints all time top 10 for apps. Edited 18 November, 2012 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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