Stan Bowles RIP

Stan Bowles RIP

We had what we thought was good players in the 70’s , but nothing to this degree, in the early 80’s, things were a bit grim and rogue.
For a few seasons, we watched Stan come in and delight all the older fans, who had endured a few decades of mediocrity, I looked around as a kid and my old man was genuinely excited to watch him play eulogising to me on the trip home, did you see that son, watch and learn, Stan is class with a football.

I know this current team is the best team we have ever had in a life time, but you know that Bowles Hurlock Kamara midfield will make me smile looking back until I can remember no more.

As a kid I got it, I watched a different player, one that didn’t have to try hard, one a cut above, one a rascal with the refs, one to wind up the opposition. For the newer fan think Toney’s confidence, Maupay’s windupability but funnier, Jensens skill and then a grade above and you come somewhere near to this guy freewheeling and entertaining our Saturdays.

As a teenager, I didn’t do autographs but for the old man I waited behind to get Stanley’s beautifully scripted signature, when I gave it to him, he tore the page out neatly and put it alongside his one of Leslie Smith and Joe Crozier and Frank Soo from when he was a kid in the late 30’s early 40’s he really was that good in the red and white.

I love this team and everything about it, but this player was one of the best to play for us and when he did, he entertained and was one of us.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Mick.C said:
We had what we thought was good players in the 70’s , but nothing to this degree, in the early 80’s, things were a bit grim and rogue.
For a few seasons, we watched Stan come in and delight all the older fans, who had endured a few decades of mediocrity, I looked around as a kid and my old man was genuinely excited to watch him play eulogising to me on the trip home, did you see that son, watch and learn, Stan is class with a football.

I know this current team is the best team we have ever had in a life time, but you know that Bowles Hurlock Kamara midfield will make me smile looking back until I can remember no more.

As a kid I got it, I watched a different player, one that didn’t have to try hard, one a cut above, one a rascal with the refs, one to wind up the opposition. For the newer fan think Toney’s confidence, Maupay’s windupability but funnier, Jensens skill and then a grade above and you come somewhere near to this guy freewheeling and entertaining our Saturdays.

As a teenager, I didn’t do autographs but for the old man I waited behind to get Stanley’s beautifully scripted signature, when I gave it to him, he tore the page out neatly and put it alongside his one of Leslie Smith and Joe Crozier and Frank Soo from when he was a kid in the late 30’s early 40’s he really was that good in the red and white.

I love this team and everything about it, but this player was one of the best to play for us and when he did, he entertained and was one of us.
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Great memories and words Mick. Thanks for sharing
 

Stan Bowles RIP

The old boy who was asleep in the ground when the fire started was Alec Banks. Jane Bowles raising the alarm saved his life in all probability. I remember Stan well, great player for us, silky left foot that used to bend the ball round defenders. The late great Francis Joseph was quoted as saying that he couldn’t believe his luck playing in front of Stan, he was told to make the runs and Stan invariably found him with a pass. When Stan married Jane, his best man was a lovely guy called Brian, who lived about ten doors away from me, I used to clean Brian’s cars as a kid and Stan was always round there, Brian often gave me comps that Stan had dropped round to him. Another very sad loss from that incredible early 80s team that I was bought up on and followed home and away. What MB has done for our club is incredible, but for a lot of people of my era who started off in the late 70s, the team with Stan in midfield was a joy to behold. The defence was never right, but if it had been we would have walked the league with the midfield and forward line. Stan will be missed and he was a true character. Played with a smile and lifted the crowd. Thanks for the memories.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

I am very sad to hear the news of Stans passing.
He was a superlative entertainer, a joy to watch and to cheer and probably without equal in his generation.
He had his demons. Most geniuses, in every walk of live, have.
I mourn the passing of a wonderful entertainer.
There will never be another Stanley Bowles.
RIP sir.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Martin Lange told me this story and I've always liked to believe that it's true.

When Stan signed and met the other players at his first training session one of the players asked him'

'So what are you gonna do for us Stan?'

Stan picked up the ball, put it on the centre spot and hit it straight to the corner flag where it came to a full stop up against the flag.

Stan said to the player ' That's what I'm gonna do so when I point you run'.

RIP Stan
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Mick.C said:
We had what we thought was good players in the 70’s , but nothing to this degree, in the early 80’s, things were a bit grim and rogue.
For a few seasons, we watched Stan come in and delight all the older fans, who had endured a few decades of mediocrity, I looked around as a kid and my old man was genuinely excited to watch him play eulogising to me on the trip home, did you see that son, watch and learn, Stan is class with a football.

I know this current team is the best team we have ever had in a life time, but you know that Bowles Hurlock Kamara midfield will make me smile looking back until I can remember no more.

As a kid I got it, I watched a different player, one that didn’t have to try hard, one a cut above, one a rascal with the refs, one to wind up the opposition. For the newer fan think Toney’s confidence, Maupay’s windupability but funnier, Jensens skill and then a grade above and you come somewhere near to this guy freewheeling and entertaining our Saturdays.

As a teenager, I didn’t do autographs but for the old man I waited behind to get Stanley’s beautifully scripted signature, when I gave it to him, he tore the page out neatly and put it alongside his one of Leslie Smith and Joe Crozier and Frank Soo from when he was a kid in the late 30’s early 40’s he really was that good in the red and white.

I love this team and everything about it, but this player was one of the best to play for us and when he did, he entertained and was one of us.
Click to expand...
As always spot on Mick
 

Stan Bowles RIP

abee said:
Martin Lange told me this story and I've always liked to believe that it's true.

When Stan signed and met the other players at his first training session one of the players asked him'

'So what are you gonna do for us Stan?'

Stan picked up the ball, put it on the centre spot and hit it straight to the corner flag where it came to a full stop up against the flag.

Stan said to the player ' That's what I'm gonna do so when I point you run'.

RIP Stan
Click to expand...
I recall when Stan came back to the club to do some coaching under W£bb Nicky Forster was quoted as saying that Stan could still do things with the ball that he would give his right arm for. And he was old enough to be his dad. You never lose it I guess.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Mick.C said:
We had what we thought was good players in the 70’s , but nothing to this degree, in the early 80’s, things were a bit grim and rogue.
For a few seasons, we watched Stan come in and delight all the older fans, who had endured a few decades of mediocrity, I looked around as a kid and my old man was genuinely excited to watch him play eulogising to me on the trip home, did you see that son, watch and learn, Stan is class with a football.

I know this current team is the best team we have ever had in a life time, but you know that Bowles Hurlock Kamara midfield will make me smile looking back until I can remember no more.

As a kid I got it, I watched a different player, one that didn’t have to try hard, one a cut above, one a rascal with the refs, one to wind up the opposition. For the newer fan think Toney’s confidence, Maupay’s windupability but funnier, Jensens skill and then a grade above and you come somewhere near to this guy freewheeling and entertaining our Saturdays.

As a teenager, I didn’t do autographs but for the old man I waited behind to get Stanley’s beautifully scripted signature, when I gave it to him, he tore the page out neatly and put it alongside his one of Leslie Smith and Joe Crozier and Frank Soo from when he was a kid in the late 30’s early 40’s he really was that good in the red and white.

I love this team and everything about it, but this player was one of the best to play for us and when he did, he entertained and was one of us.
Click to expand...
Beautifully written.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Some great tributes and memories on here. Wish I’d seen more of him on the pitch but just before my time. Saw plenty of him in the Oak, Horseguardsman etc where he was always dressed so dapper. RIP Stan. Proper icon.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

North London Bee said:
Yes, he retired then came back for a brief spell when we were facing the drop.
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That’s right. And he left when Frank McLintock took over as manager. Reported as a departure on mutual and amicable terms
 

Stan Bowles RIP

seanrs said:
That’s right. And he left when Frank McLintock took over as manager. Reported as a departure on mutual and amicable terms
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I think the time Stan came back was to help out in an injury crisis.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

As MickC stated a rascal to referees there was one game for the Bees when Clive Thomas was referee and he didn't like our Stan . Thomas used to watch him like a hawk and there was one instance I remember because I was watching the ref . Stan was in the middle of the pitch and the ball was up in the opposition penalty area but Thomas stayed in the middle of the pitch and was not keeping up with the play because he just kept watching Bowles . Stan did a little flick with his foot as a player run past and didn't even make contact but the ref blew up straight away and booked him much to the derision of the crowd .
 

Stan Bowles RIP

RIP Stan. What a signing. Stuff off dreams when a young teenager. I remember my brother and I along with my cousins and other kids always ran on the pitch to give the players a pat on the back and to try and get discarded sock tie ups. One game I managed to retrieve Stan Bowles shin pad. Still got in the loft. My cousin who has not been to Brentford for about 35 years. Sent me a message yesterday asking if I still had the legends shin pad.
Years later I remember him doing a book signing at the bar in Stripes, fag on the go ash dropping into the book as he signed it. The ash is still in the book. Typical Bowles style .
 

Stan Bowles RIP

GlasgowBee said:
Memories eh! Do I rightly recall Stan scoring straignt from a corner, taken from Braemar/Ealing Road, an inswinger at the front post? And do I rightly recall free kicks with Stan rolling the ball forward as the ref kept pushing the wall back? Maybe its all in my head
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Certainly remember the free kick stuff happening.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

My abiding memory of Stan was an incident during the Fourth Round League Cup tie at Nottingham Forest in November 1982. Stan had the ball and was confronted by a Forest defender. He proceeded to push the ball between the defender's legs and ran round him waving as he did so! The match was much hyped in the press as it was Stan's first return to the City Ground and a re-union with Brian Clough.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Eminencebees said:
My abiding memory of Stan was an incident during the Fourth Round League Cup tie at Nottingham Forest in November 1982. Stan had the ball and was confronted by a Forest defender. He proceeded to push the ball between the defender's legs and ran round him waving as he did so! The match was much hyped in the press as it was Stan's first return to the City Ground and a re-union with Brian Clough.
Click to expand...
I take it it wasn't Stuart Pearce then!
 

Stan Bowles RIP

I was once told that when Stan Bowles played for us it coincided with the inauguration of the Player of the Year trophy. Stan duly won PoY and was presented with it. There’s now a new trophy to replace the one given to him because he kept it believing it was his to keep. I wonder what happened to it?
 

Stan Bowles RIP

tinman said:
I was once told that when Stan Bowles played for us it coincided with the inauguration of the Player of the Year trophy. Stan duly won PoY and was presented with it. There’s now a new trophy to replace the one given to him because he kept it believing it was his to keep. I wonder what happened to it?
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That certainly is true, either that or he lost it. Probably melted down for scrap value!
 

Stan Bowles RIP

So glad that I can say to people the I have seen Stan play at his prime and at the end of his career, he was quality. Also remember him in the Bricklayers Arms having a drink. Thoughts go out to his family.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

GlasgowBee said:
Memories eh! Do I rightly recall Stan scoring straignt from a corner, taken from Braemar/Ealing Road, an inswinger at the front post? And do I rightly recall free kicks with Stan rolling the ball forward as the ref kept pushing the wall back? Maybe its all in my head
Click to expand...
You do recall the corner goal right GlasgowBee...according to Mr Burchill in a Pub on each Corner it was against Swindon Town in April 1982...There were 5,374 of us there to witness it to boot! Never will be forgotten...what a player... Stan the Man
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Nice tribute on the Robert Elms Sunday show , sounded like he was in tears at one point.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Just read that there are 3 Players who have been voted Greatest Player of All Time for 2 different clubs Stanley Matthews Stanley Bowles and Alan Shearer and would say all 3 are pretty representative of the era they played in though all 3 had a bit of swagger and ego about them. Would say could you imagine Bryan Mbuemo being allowed to go on a TV show and allowed a handgun still very different times as future England captain Kevin Keegan nearly smashed his knee in when he fell off his bike
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Just five England caps probably because he didn't conform to what the England set up at the time thought an England player should behave like, if he'd been born Dutch or German he'd have been the first name on the international team sheet.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Was in the Brickies one day . Stan was in there for a change lol.
Anyway some fella came running in " stan it won it won "
SB didn't bat an eyelid so i thought perhaps he won a ton or something .
he had a grand on an 11-1 shot :eek:
 

Stan Bowles RIP

JANORAK said:
It was definitely the best minute’s applause I’ve seen and heard at the Gtech.
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Maybe it was my eye sight playing tricks on me, but I didn't notice all the Chelsea fans joining in with the minutes applause.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

TW3Bee said:
Maybe it was my eye sight playing tricks on me, but I didn't notice all the Chelsea fans joining in with the minutes applause.
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I looked over and most were I thought.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

Stan's Betting Kiosk said:
Just read that there are 3 Players who have been voted Greatest Player of All Time for 2 different clubs Stanley Matthews Stanley Bowles and Alan Shearer
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I can understand him being QPR's GOAT, although I would've thought Marsh might have edged it. Were we the other club?
 

Stan Bowles RIP

forever gelson said:
As MickC stated a rascal to referees there was one game for the Bees when Clive Thomas was referee and he didn't like our Stan . Thomas used to watch him like a hawk and there was one instance I remember because I was watching the ref . Stan was in the middle of the pitch and the ball was up in the opposition penalty area but Thomas stayed in the middle of the pitch and was not keeping up with the play because he just kept watching Bowles . Stan did a little flick with his foot as a player run past and didn't even make contact but the ref blew up straight away and booked him much to the derision of the crowd .
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Millwall at home.
Clive booked 5 that day which was a lot at that time and it was not even a dirty game.
It made headlines in the press the next day iirc.
 

Stan Bowles RIP

ICANBEEFORMILES said:
Just five England caps probably because he didn't conform to what the England set up at the time thought an England player should behave like, if he'd been born Dutch or German he'd have been the first name on the international team sheet.
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Sir Alf gave him his debut in his last game in 74 vs Portugal
Joe Mercer played him twice v Wales (1 goal in a 2-0 win) and Northern Ireland (1-0 England) in the Home Internationals.
Iirc he got subbed against NI for Frank Worthingtons England debut.
Stan had to wait until Nov.76 for his 4th cap.
2 and a half years away to Italy (lost 2-0) in a World Cup Qualifier.
In Feb 77 he played against Holland at Wembley in a 2-0 defeat where he shared the pitch with Johan Cruyff.
Criminal when you break it down.
No wonder they won nowt.
 
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