harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Sept 30, 2021 12:50:29 GMT
Within the next few weeks, we are publishing our long awaited biography. Alfie Biggs, Bristol Rovers Eastville Baron. It is a limited edition book about a real legend of Bristol Rovers Football Club.
Bristol born Alfie played for Bristol Rovers from 1953 to 1968 in two successful spells scoring over 200 career goals. In between he also enjoyed a successful spell at Preston North End and finished his professional playing career with short spells at Walsall and Swansea Town. The Rovers Eastville Baron biography tells the full story of Bigg’s illustrious career and his colourful life story. It has the full support of the Biggs family and includes memories from former team mates of Alfie with a foreword by goalkeeper Howard Radford. We have researched and collected not only details of his professional career but also fascinating aspects of his Army representative football when he played with amongst others Manchester United’s rising young star Duncan Edwards. etc. We have also captured his interesting and colourful life before and after his football career was over. There are many fans memories of watching Alfie play for Rovers and his Sunday league football including some meeting him at the Eastville Greyhound track and playing darts or snooker against him. In recent months Biggs was one of the inductees in the Bristol Rovers Hall of Fame.
If you are interested in reading more we are now taking orders for the book the cost is £14 plus £2.50 post and packaging within the UK.
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Oct 7, 2021 8:47:55 GMT
The book launch and signing takes place before the Newport County match on Sat 23 October 1230 to 230pm in the club house bar left hand side. An exhibition of Alfie Biggs memorabilia and photos, newspapers etc is being organised.
We can only accept cash sales £14. Or you can pre order by using PayPal or bank transfer and collection that afternoon. Send me private message for further details.
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Post by mangogas15 on Oct 7, 2021 12:07:00 GMT
Is there a kindle version Mike??
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Oct 7, 2021 15:21:41 GMT
Is there a kindle version Mike?? No there is no kindle version.
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Post by Curly Wurly on Oct 8, 2021 7:57:37 GMT
When you say "We are now taking orders...", do you have a link.
Will it also be on sale in the club shop?
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Oct 10, 2021 14:45:46 GMT
When you say "We are now taking orders...", do you have a link. Will it also be on sale in the club shop? It is a self published book you can buy direct from the authors only Paypal or bank transfer or at the book launch on sat 23 October.
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Nov 19, 2021 11:47:48 GMT
CHRSITMAS BOOK LIMITED STOCK REMAINING The Rovers Superstore is out of stock of the Alfie Biggs book.
If you want a copy of the limited number of books which are left call into the Rovers Supporters Club Cabin before the match tomorrow. £14 cash sales only.
Or if you cannot make the Mem we can mail a copy to you for £2.50 within the UK. Contact eastvillegas@live.co.uk for payment details.
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bluetornados
Predictions League
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Post by bluetornados on Nov 19, 2021 14:44:48 GMT
Alfie Biggs becomes the fourth inductee to the Official Bristol Rovers Hall of Fame, in partnership with The Retro Rovers Podcast!
An incredible character who became an icon of 1950/60's Rovers sides, Biggs held a lifelong affiliation with the Gas and deservedly becomes the latest addition to the Rovers Hall of Fame.
Amongst the plethora of players who have represented Bristol Rovers across the years, there are a handful of names that stand out, one of whom is undoubtedly Alfie Biggs, a tall, strapping centre-forward, whose rumbustious style and never-say-die attitude epitomised Rovers’ halcyon days of the 1950s. Like many in the great Rovers sides, and indeed this Hall of Fame, Biggs was Bristol born and raised, and loyal to his hometown.
In an obituary on the forward, the Independent newspaper said "Though locally he was a famous socialiser, certainly relishing bar and betting shop, dance floor and snooker hall, he was never seriously attracted to the bright light of any city but the one in which he was born. Biggs achieved an incredible mix of social and footballing lifestyle whilst playing in the blue and white quarters, showing impeccable capability on the training ground, regardless of his evening prior. His style on the pitch often made Eastville his stage, and the adoring Gasheads his audience, with his buccaneering approach made to look effortless as he'd rifle home goal after goal.
His debut for the club came against giants Manchester United in a friendly in 1953, and Biggs' performances in that same campaign played a big part in the Gas' ability to secure themselves in the second tier after promotion in the previous campaign. Dubbed the 'Baron of Eastville', Biggs would go on to enjoy a successful sixteen-year career, becoming a notorious figure across the football pyramid, but predominantly with the Gas.
Biggs would be pivotal to the Gas' wider story on two standout occasions, the first of which coming in the league, in a gargantuan Second Division fixture against Liverpool. After Geoff Bradford had opened the scoring, Biggs cut in from the right on fifty-nine minutes and shot low and hard into the net to seal victory. Liverpool, of course, progressed to multiple Football League championships and European triumphs, whilst this fixture remains the sole time Rovers have ever won at Anfield.
Later that season, a 19-year-old Alfie Biggs would line up against another European behemoth in the form of Manchester United. Famously, their side full of stars were humbled 4-0 at Eastville in the FA Cup, with Biggs scoring twice. The visit of a side bristling with international players encouraged a crowd of 35,872 to congregate on the terraces and the home supporters, and they were treated to a football masterclass. Biggs would score once in each half to secure arguably the greatest victory in Rovers' long history.
A tally of 178 league goals left Biggs placed second in the all-time league goal-scorer charts for the Gas, behind fellow Hall of Famer Geoff Bradford.
The thirty League goals he scored in 1963-64 represent the most recent occasion any Rovers player has reached this seasonal landmark, although Rickie Lambert came very close in recent years. Both Bradford and Biggs registered League goals against fifty-five different clubs.
A scorer of multiple hat-tricks in his illustrious career, Biggs secured the match ball against Stoke, Notts County, Brentford and Peterborough United in league outings, whilst also finding the net three times in an FA Cup clash with Oxford City. In the 1966-67 campaign, Biggs was awarded the 'Clubman of the Year' award.
Biggs exuded a friendly, personable demeanour and was invariably dress smartly. His impressive appearance led to his nickname, 'The Baron.' On the pitch, things were a different story, with 'Elbows' quickly becoming an alternative nickname based on his style of play.
Prised away from his adoring Rovers crowd at Eastville in 1961, Preston North End paid the handsome sum of £18,000 for his services. A year later though, Biggs completed a sensational return, labelled as a real coup for the club. However, despite being appointed club captain on his return, Biggs could not prevent his home-town club from being relegated back to third-tier football.
He left Rovers for good in 1968, but not without a token of his undying support for the Gas, with a Rovers season ticket for life built into his transfer agreement to Walsall.
Upon his retirement from football, Alfie Biggs worked as a car salesman at Newton Cars and at Luton’s Car Sales. He also took positions as a postman, baker, and on the maintenance staff at Eastville. He later worked for a business parcel delivery service and, from 1997, as a security officer at Bristol University. A regular snooker player at the Eastville Club throughout his time with the Gas and beyond, he continued to attend Rovers games following his playing years. Biggs sadly passed away in 2012, at the age of 76 in his family home in Dorset, he will always be remembered, not just for his performances on the pitch, but for the charming demeanour he graced it with.
As part of the Hall of Fame project, we are looking to hear from the fortunate Gashead's who witnessed Biggs' playing days, or those who had stories passed on of his quality. In these difficult lockdown times, we encourage supporters to pick up the phone, or zoom call family members to discuss his legacy.
Please screen record these chats and send them on to alexslater@bristolrovers.co.uk, these will form part of videos to be used on social media and the big screen when the family of Biggs attend a game after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
As mentioned in the initial Hall of Fame announcement, artist 'Tonz' will be creating unique artwork for each of the 10 initial inductees which will decorate the Thatchers Bar as a permanent reminder of the Hall of Famer's legacy.
Finally, we would like to remind supporters this selection is initial, those not selected over the coming weeks stand plenty of chance to be included in the future, please respect the carefully considered selections from the Retro Rovers Podcast panel.
On the picking Alfie Biggs for the Hall of Fame, Retro Rovers Podcast said, "The decision to induct Alfie Biggs into the Hall of Fame was a very easy one to make.
"Bristol born, 'The Baron' scored an incredible 197 goals in 463 appearances across two prolific spells with Rovers. Alfie’s Rovers career was only interrupted with a 15 month spell at Preston North End. He had everything; strength, pace and the valuable knack of being able to score goals almost at will.
"He will be forever linked with one of the most famous days in Rovers history, as he struck twice in a 4-0 victory at Eastville over Manchester United’s “Busby Babes”. With his name enshrined in the lyrics to Tote End Boys, it’s now fitting that Alfie Biggs now takes his place in the Bristol Rovers Hall of Fame. "
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bluetornados
Predictions League
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Post by bluetornados on Nov 19, 2021 14:56:39 GMT
We had Smash and Grab, then there were Biggs and Bradford, they just roll off the tongue.
Stats for our two greatest goal scorers:
Geoff Bradford - 1949-1965 - Pld 462 & Goals 242 = 0.52
Alfie Biggs - 1953/61 & 62/68 - Pld 424 & Goals 178 = 0.42
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dido
Predictions League
Peter Aitken
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Post by dido on Nov 19, 2021 15:57:10 GMT
Both trailing behind Sion, then.
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Post by CabbagePatchBlues on Nov 20, 2021 7:34:24 GMT
Merry Christmas, Mike :-)
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Nov 20, 2021 8:27:26 GMT
Many thanks to all those gasheads who have already purchased our book. It was a real labour of love during the pandemic researching interviewing former players and fans who played with or watched the working class hero that was Alfie Biggs.
Lots of stories could not be included within the 180 pages due to space restrictions however our Rovers History Group intend to start a Rovers oral history project recording memories of Biggs and other legends for current and future generations. Keith Brookman will assist us in this project. Please get in touch if you wish to be involved. The Knowle West media centre have also been in touch with us to help with this community project.
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harrybuckle
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Post by harrybuckle on Dec 18, 2021 5:15:52 GMT
Just two books left £14 plus £2.50 postage and packaging
Bank transfer or PayPal
Get in touch super Christmas present.
We are arranging a reprint of 50 copies should be available early January.
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Jan 14, 2022 16:01:44 GMT
Delighted to say the delivery of the reprint books will happen on Tuesday 18 January if anyone could not get one for Christmas you can now for 2022.
Thanks to all those who bought the book
Mike and Ian
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towngas
Joined: February 2021
Posts: 566
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Post by towngas on Jan 21, 2022 9:54:14 GMT
We had Smash and Grab, then there were Biggs and Bradford, they just roll off the tongue. Stats for our two greatest goal scorers: Geoff Bradford - 1949-1965 - Pld 462 & Goals 242 = 0.52 Alfie Biggs - 1953/61 & 62/68 - Pld 424 & Goals 178 = 0.42 Next up Loft & Collins. You read it here first!
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Jan 22, 2022 14:19:25 GMT
Reprint available now to prder or buy from Rovers Supporters club cabin on matchdays.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
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Post by kingswood Polak on Jan 23, 2022 15:03:43 GMT
Reprint available now to prder or buy from Rovers Supporters club cabin on matchdays. Mike, are your books mainly facts and figures or do you have anecdotes and stories to go alongside them please ? I ask as i don't really enjoy the numbers side but i love to hear the stories and i have always been drawn to the much older supporters because of this, this was another of my reasons for choosing Rovers and because we had and still have some fantastic story tellers a la troubadour style. That has always fascinated me
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Jan 25, 2022 18:04:50 GMT
It is a proper biography his roots in Knowle West getting into Bristol Boys side his progress in the youth and reserve sides before Bert Tann gave him a first team debut. Lots of stories of Alfie enjoying darts,table tennis, cricket and greyhound racing. Details of his time in Preston and his popular return to Bristol. Some stats end of book by now too much. Many unseen photos its got a lot of praise for the readers.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
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Post by kingswood Polak on Jan 26, 2022 8:17:24 GMT
It is a proper biography his roots in Knowle West getting into Bristol Boys side his progress in the youth and reserve sides before Bert Tann gave him a first team debut. Lots of stories of Alfie enjoying darts,table tennis, cricket and greyhound racing. Details of his time in Preston and his popular return to Bristol. Some stats end of book by now too much. Many unseen photos its got a lot of praise for the readers. Thanks fella
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
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Post by harrybuckle on Jan 27, 2022 8:29:37 GMT
Copies of the book are available from the Rovers supporters club cabin during matchdays.
Or can be ordered and posted for £2.50 postage
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