Whatever became of ex-Albion apprentices from 1970s and 1980s?

[Goldstone Rapper]

This week I put together a blog piece about Mark Fleet, a Brighton & Hove Albion player who didn't quite make it - but is now highly successful in another career
http://thegoldstonewrap.com/2013/07/29/mark-fleet-from-scrapheap-to-skipton-success/

Fuelled by the interest in this article, I'm gathering some information together for some articles hopefully! Other names that may ring a bell include Andrew Young, Ian Liddle, David Linstrem, Paul Gent, Howard Denton, Biz Russell, Lee Plummer, Ricky Sopp, Francis Fraser and Tommy Barden.

And if you remember other names, please list them here.

I'm guessing that many went on to play local league football. If anyone has any info or some contact details, please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Ricky Sopp played for Worthing and Littlehampton. Ricky opened Broadwater Sports, which proved to be very successful.

Great character, plays golf now at Worthing GC.

 

[AZ Gull]

This week I put together a blog piece about Mark Fleet, a Brighton & Hove Albion player who didn't quite make it - but is now highly successful in another career
http://thegoldstonewrap.com/2013/07/29/mark-fleet-from-scrapheap-to-skipton-success/

Fuelled by the interest in this article, I'm gathering some information together for some articles hopefully! Other names that may ring a bell include Andrew Young, Ian Liddle, David Linstrem, Paul Gent, Howard Denton, Biz Russell, Lee Plummer, Ricky Sopp, Francis Fraser and Tommy Barden.

And if you remember other names, please list them here.

I'm guessing that many went on to play local league football. If anyone has any info or some contact details, please let me know.

Thanks!

There are one or two who have posted on here in the relatively recent past (last couple of years or so). I don't have details to hand (currently at work), but will let you know usernames in due course.

 

[Pinkie Brown]

Francis Fraser is the Dad of Tommy. Tommy may have an idea what his Dad has been up to over the years.

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Ricky Sopp played for Worthing and Littlehampton. Ricky opened Broadwater Sports, which proved to be very successful.

Great character, plays golf now at Worthing GC.

Thank you! Here's Ricky Sopp from 1974. Do you remember what style of player Ricky was? As flair as the hair?

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Thank you! Here's Ricky Sopp from 1974. Amazing hair.

Do you remember what kind / style of player Ricky was?

Played with him at both teams.

He played under Norman Cairns at L'ton, in the very successful team that dominated the county league. He was a good centre-half, who was way better than the County League level he was playing. Not the fastest but was formidable and his positional play was his strength. Left L'ton and went to Worthing, playing in the Barry Lloyd team that finished runners up in the premier league to (Wycombe) I think, I think they also made FA Cup round 2 that year. Obviously ?isthmian premier, is a lot stronger than local football and Soppy seemed to manage comfortably. Remember him scoring a few headers from corners.

Can't recall whether his business commitments or injuries that forced him to finish.

He may still own Broadwater Sports. I seem to recall Peter Ward opened it but could be wrong.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I think Biz Russell played for Peacehaven when they won the County League, I know he was always well regarded, but may have struggled with injuries....

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

Paul Gent's a bit of a character and has posted on here, can't remember his user name though.

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Paul Gent's a bit of a character and has posted on here, can't remember his user name though.

That rings a bell. Was it something like 'then as now' ?

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

I think Biz Russell played for Peacehaven when they won the County League, I know he was always well regarded, but may have struggled with injuries....

Here's the magnificently named Biz Russell...

Interesting to see that Admiral t-shirt transfer - a rather primitively put-together football shirt.

 

[AZ Gull]

That rings a bell. Was it something like 'then as now' ?

I think he posted on one of the threads that included numerous squad photos from over the years; actually, it was probably a thread started by you!

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

I think he posted on one of the threads that included numerous squad photos from over the years; actually, it was probably a thread started by you!

You mean this classic thread?
https://nortr3nixy.nimpr.uk/showthread.php?179035-Old-Squad-Photos

Gone through it now and Ian Liddle and Paul Gent are there. Brilliant!

 

[Seagull on the wing]

Went to school with one Rodney Feast...best player in the school...went on the books at Albion....what happened to him I've no idea ...

 

[Silk]

Glenn Geard?

 

[sully]

Steve Breach? Joined the Albion from Arsenal, but never made the first team. Went on to be a legend at Crawley Town.

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Steve Breach? Joined the Albion from Arsenal, but never made the first team. Went on to be a legend at Crawley Town.

There was a sports writer for West Sussex Gazette called Stephen Breach in the early 1980s that covered the Albion. I wonder if it was the same chap or just a namesake.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Franco Massimo?

 

[Crispy Ambulance]

Mark Nye. Utter legend of the clubbing scene in the 80's. allegedly pissed in Mullers shampoo bottle whilst an apprentice. Was a big player at Worthing during their success in the early 80's with Edmonds, Cornwall, Rainsford, etc. reasonable at Horsham, Burgess Hill etc afterwards. During the early 80's, every birds bogs in the town had 'I've shagged Mark Nye' in lippy on the mirror!
Was the lucky recipient of a black blow up doll on his 21st birthday!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

David Gipp & Jack Dineen.

 

[The Birdman]

Mark Nye worked at Amex always thought he had eye make up on. He was good crack and the story of the shampoo bottle was true he also said an ex employee used to leave his office door open to watch the guys in the showers. no names.!