Aged twenty, I joined Heys Old Boys in August 1959. They played on Grimshaws Playing Fields, sharing the ground with Prestwich Athletic. There were two pitches, both being under the regulation size as stated by the Football Association. George Smith was the manager who had played many games for Manchester City. The captain of the side was Alan Hadfield. Six foot six, tall hard man, who I believe lives in America where he moved to further his career. The first team played in the South East Lancs League and the second team in the Bury Amateur League. The team's success was based on the old fashioned principle of playing with two wingers, both of whom had been professionals in their earlier careers. Micky Williams on the left – fast and direct. George Abrahams on the right, who had unbelievable skills. I played in the second team at first until Micky Williams fell down the stairs and I got a chance to play. That was in November 1959 and the start of my twelve year career playing for Prestwich Heys First Team.

Upto 1960, the Club was run by a committee, who met in the Church Inn every Monday evening to pick the team. George Smith was not happy with this arrangement and changed it so that he could select the first eleven. In 1965 he selected me as captain and when he retired in 1968, I took over as player/manager.

The Club was now called Prestwich Heys and was run on the committee side by Alan Bell.
Alan worked for the Manchester Evening News and ensured that Heys received plenty of publicity! The Club moved into the Manchester League and then into the Lancs. Combination League, which was a semi-professional league with the Heys staying Amateur. We played against Accrington Stanley; Chorley; Wigan; Radcliffe Borough etc. Heys won the League in 1970/71 and in that season, won every trophy the League put forward. Success was also taking place in the FA Amateur cup when Sutton United were beaten 3-1 on Grimshaws and we reached the quarter finals. There were crowds of over two thousand regularly attending our matches. The quality of players was such that Hancock, Kynaston, Gardner, Crompton, Garett, Povall Smith, Gilmour etc. played both for the Football Association and the Manchester County Team. Whilst Duncan Smith represented England against France.

The Club - Prestwich Heys had come along way and was known along with Skelmersdale United (another amateur class team), throughout the North West of England.

Heys had tough times in 1971; losing Gilmour and most of their players to professional clubs. However, they are now having success once again and long may it continue.

Prestwich Heys was a major part of my life in the 1960's and being a local Prestwich born and bred boy I am very pleased and proud to have contributed to the success of the playing side of the Club but let us not forget the Committee that ran it then and run it now. In the '60's Prestwich Heys was a family club. The Ladies catered and ran the Variety Shows.

My interest, as always, is keeping an eye on how Prestwich Heys is performing and I have no doubts that we will see great success from them in the future. Good Luck and keep me posted.

Peter Gilmour
March 2018