Goalkeeper, Ted Gaskell was considered a ‘legend’ by many at our London rivals Brentford. Up until he died a couple of years ago…..at the age of 92, he was the oldest surviving player.
You can read about his career in the excellent volume 2 of Dave Lane's Cult Bees and Legends book but for now just a brief extract…
‘I take it you joined the Forces (Ted) when the hostilities started?’
‘Yes I was stationed down at Aldershot and trained to be an Army Physical Training Instructor……..Frank Swift, the great Manchester City goalkeeper was in there too, we were great friends, as well as stars like Dennis Compton, Bill Shankly and Matt Busby, whose bunk was opposite mine. Matt Busby and myself were both Catholics and we used to go to church together on Sundays……….’
And who should Ted consider to be the greatest player in Brentford’s history?
‘I would say Jim Towers. He really set the place alight……’
He was ok when he was a Shot too!
Manchester United manager Matt Busby between Johnny Berry (left) and Duncan Edwards (right), in the dressing-room at Bournemouth after United had won through to the FA Cup semi final in March 1957. United reached the final that year, but lost 2-1 to Aston Villa.
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