Corky
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| Corby Town 1962/63 with 'Corky' on far right front row. |
An interesting item turned up recently concerning a former Steelmen legend, John McCorkindale, better known in the day as ‘Big Corky’. John was featured in an article, ’70 years ago this weekend’ published in a Scottish newspaper. It came to light thanks to another former Corby Town player, Franny Taylor, who lives nowadays in Taunton and comes home regularly to catch up with his friends and brother Rab who is still a regular at Steelmen games at Steel Park.
Many of the older Steelmen supporters, those that are still around, will remember the giant guy who played predominantly on the left wing, in the number 11 shirt for the uninitiated, during the Johnny Morris and Tommy Hadden days at Occupation Road.
‘Corky’ was from Campbeltown on the Mull of Kintyre. He was signed as a youngster by Kilmarnock, made one appearance and then headed south to try his luck and was snapped up by Southern League Tonbridge. The ‘Angels’ were delighted with him. ‘A tall, rangy player with exciting skills who made an instant impression’. He wasn’t at the Angel Ground for long though, Gillingham came in and signed him for what was described as a ‘nominal fee’ after just a handful of games for Tonbridge.
He made less impression for the Gills and was soon headed down to the south coast for a season at Hastings United from where manager Johnny Morris signed him during the summer of 1960. Corky’s career at Occupation Road had an unfortunate beginning as he was carried off on a stretcher on his home debut against Gloucester City, leaving fans worried that he was going to be out injured for months. They needn’t have worried. He was back within three weeks! Obviously the stretcher was a precautionary measure. Corby went on to beat Gloucester 3-0 without him as it happens.
For the record the team on that Tuesday night, August 23rd read;
Les Williams; Fred Patenall, Jack Smith; Bill Rodgers, Barry Parsons, Johnny Morris; John Tomlinson, John Garvie, Peter McKay, John McCorkindale, Tommy Garvie.
Peter McKay, who grabbed a hat-trick which included two penalties, suffered an injury three weeks later at Poole Town, an injury which finished his career. In his position came Corky, moved to centre forward for a spell before reserve full back Dick Cruickshank was promoted from the stiffs to play in McKay’s position, and promptly netted 29 goals before the end of the season!
The Gloucester attendance incidentally was 1750.
6’6’’ Corky was very popular, his barnstorming travails down the left wing, leaving full backs in his wake, thrilled the home fans. Often heard was the cry “Open the gates!” They joked that if he didn’t look up he’d have run half way down Occupation Road.
His final game in a Corby jersey came in a 3-0 defeat away at Peterborough United Reserves in a Midland Floodlit Cup game on April 11 1962. Fielding a side that was chiefly a trial for reserve team players, again some may remember the names.
Larry Wealthall; Jimmy Fisher, David Boyd; Bill Rodgers, Barry Parsons, Ian Dey; Gordon Anderson, Jimmy Adam, Andy Easton, John McCorkindale, Bill Wiltshire.
Corky was released by manager Tommy Hadden at the end of the 61/62 season. John later played for Wellingborough Town.
