Do you have any interesting, happy, or humorous memories of Harry?
If so, please let us know and we will be happy to share them with the world!
Cripps, Harry Played with Harry at Fairbairn & Mansfield Boys Club 1958-59. Harry was 2 years older and was always a cheery bloke and good fun.
19-09-21 Colin Weston
Cripps, Harry My first game at, and where I fell in love with, Eastbourne United was in 1960 in the old Metropolitan League against West Ham ‘A’ (who included a very young Martin Peters, John Charles and Eddie Presland). We had a tiny but very tricky and slippery winger on the right who was up against Harry. I had never seen such a man mountain on the field before. Three times in the first ten minutes our guy tried to go round him but found his way blocked emphatically. Each time he threw himself against Harry to try for obstruction but the ref wasn’t having it. On the next unsuccessful attempt he hooked Harry from behind and I swear I heard the ground shake as Harry bit the dust. Once up he said something to our little fella, I suspect not inviting him to do that again. We had a very good and experienced pro player coach in the team and, I think for his own safety, got our guy to switch wings! Coming off at half time Harry could easily be heard telling the Hammers coach that that little s**t had better stay over the other side or else! Five years later I was living in South London and loved watching Harry enjoy his adulation from the Millwall crowds. He was an awesome sight up and down the pitch at full steam. Lovely memories of a very popular bloke.
26-10-20 Tony Rolt
Cripps, Harry As a boy I would wait outside the Den during holidays to collect autogeaphs, Harry signed a photo that was in that weeks Shoot mag. He asked me to go and buy 10 copies for him which I did. Great memories.
