Ray Gipson from the Geezers and OurBow does. It was instant recognition when they met up again in the Cardigan Pub at the leaving party for the Fireman from Parnell Rd Fire Station in the Cardigan Pub
The man in the picture is Tommy Benham, and he’d played in the team that Ray managed in the 60’s with Jack Morgan.
The RayJack football club played on Hackney Marshes and ran out of the Hand and Flower Pub that Jack managed. The club played in the Hackney and Leyton league. The Hand and Flower pub was next to the Fire Station. Its now the Sini restaurant.
Ray is far left in the top row in the picture above.
That night the pub was packed to the rafters with Fireman old and new who had served in that particular Station. The tales and stories flowed all night. Tommy is now 70 and served as a fireman in Bow for 30 years upto the year 2000. Ray and Tommy had a great chat about those days.
Do you know anyone in this picture and what they have been upto since then?
Let us know in the comments below and we’ll get in touch and write it up for OurBow.Com.
The photo has brought back a lot of memories for Ray Gipson:
“Digging this team Photo out as brought back some great memories for me. This is one of many I have, when I run some very good Football teams in our Pubs in Bow. This particular Photo was taken one Sunday morning in the mid 1960’s. Before we played a game in The Hackney & Leyton League on Hackney Marshes. Our Team name was RayJack.
“We played out of The Hand & Flower Pub. Where the long standing Landlord Jack Morgan was a great aspiration and benefactor to his Teams, but also local grassroots football as well. We both had honorary positions on the Leagues Management Committee. When Jack passed away in the 1980’s. The Players and Supporters presented a Cup to the League (The Jack Morgan Trophy) which still to this day is played for annually in the League.
“When Jack died, the team went to the Ordell Arms, in Ordell Rd another one of the Great Pubs we now have lost in the Bow area. Two, then young brothers John and Richard Petch were the Landlords, also very good footballers, who once again sponsored and played for the team. Now under the name Ordell Arms F.C. where we once again had some very successful seasons. Not only winning many League Trophy in The Hackney and Leyton League. But also London wide. When we won the London Sunday Intermediate Cup in seasons 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. Sadly by the mid 1990’s the team ceased, due to age mostly. So if any one reads this latest on our Web-Site and remembers the times. Perhaps you were a Player/Supporter. Please leave us a reply.
Ray Gipson.
I’m Jack Morgan’s daughter Jacqueline.
I remember such happy times at the Hand and Flower, the football teams, also darts and shove halfpenny teams. There was almost a pub on every corner.
Mum and Dad were a great team together. I also remember the live music on a Saturday the pub was always full. Such great times
I met my husband John in the John Bull and he loved the idea I lived in pub. Sadly he passed away six years ago. We had two sons, ones on America and I live in an annex with the youngest.
Loved looking at all the comments
Hi I’m David Morgan my dad was Brian Morgan I have my own jack Morgan now named after my grandad be good to hear people’s stories of him as I was so young when he passed don’t really remember much
I was the 1st player to sign for the Ordell and went on to be player/manager then hung up my boots and stayed as manager ! We won our Divisional cup in our 1st season and completed the double by getting promoted ! We also beat beat Alexandra FC who at the time were unbeaten in two years and we’re the Div One Champs it was a close game ?ORDELL 4 ALEXANDRA 1 The Ordell went onto bigger achievements under the guidance of Ray Gipson ??
Some great players played for that Ordell team (Darren Gallery, John Knight, etc). I believe some members of that team also played for other legendary Hackney and Leyton League teams such as MG Sports and Bricklayers Arms.
My name is Alan Overton
I lived with my parents in Carlile Close of Tredegar Rd till 1974
The Ordell Arms was our local
I played for the football and darts teams
For a while in the late 60’s
Hi I’m Brian Morgan son in law. Noticed your post about the pub and just showed him your post!
He was telling me that his uncle Bert married I belive he said your mum Joyce?
And remembers going to your wedding!
Would like to give you he’s email but privately
Hello Ronnie yes my mum and dad were Bert and Joyce and I would like to have email it’s been a long time how are Brian and Jackie haven’t seen them in ages have you got a Facebook page. If so I could message on there say hi to them for me and would love to email x I’ve put my email on here not sure if you can see it or not
Hi Im Jason Morgan – Jack Morgan was my dads brother (Ben) I found this site totally by accident when researching our familly tree and my Mam told me the name of the pub Jack had Id love a photo of Jack if theres any online I can see as we have none. Send me a message and I can give yoiu a link to the familly tree Ive been doing etc..
My names Debbie mcginley (nee Caine ) I am also a member of jacks family he was my uncle he was married to my auntie Eileen I’m trying to find memorabilia of the hand and flower Ii noticed the pub sign is still on the wall outside which I’m trying to find out where I can buy it now ff of someone also the previous review from Brian and Jackie are my cousins xx
We are jack Morgan’s family, Brian and jackie
Hi Brian – If your Jacks son then I believe im your cousin 🙂 My dad was Ben – Jacks younger brother, my mam Jean is still alive (87) and shes was talking to me about the pub jack had today so I thought Id try and look it up as Ive been doing a familly tree while this corona lockdown is on. Ive been searching for records online of Jack but have had no luck so this has been a bit of a breakthrough, – if your on facebook send me a request Jason Morgan (in Lanchester Durham).
Hi Jason I’m Brian’s daughter sadly my dad pasted away after writing this post I’ve trying to find u on Facebook but couldn’t find anything
Digging this team Photo out as brought back some great memories for me. This is one of many I have, when I run some very good Football teams in our Pubs in Bow. This particular Photo was taken one Sunday morning in the mid 1960’s. Before we played a game in The Hackney & Leyton League on Hackney Marshes. Our Team name was RayJack.
We played out of The Hand & Flower Pub. Where the long standing Landlord Jack Morgan was a great aspiration and benefactor to his Teams, but also local grassroots football as well. We both had honorary positions on the Leagues Management Committee. When Jack passed away in the 1980’s. The Players and Supporters presented a Cup to the League (The Jack Morgan Trophy) which still to this day is played for annually in the League. When Jack died, the team went to the Ordell Arms, in Ordell Rd another one of the Great Pubs we now have lost in the Bow area. Two, then young brothers John and Richard Petch were the Landlords, also very good footballers. Who once again sponsored and played for the team. Now under the name Ordell Arms F.C. Where we once again had some very successful seasons. Not only winning many League Trophy in The Hackney and Leyton League. But also London wide. When we won the London Sunday Intermediate Cup in seasons 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. Sadly by the mid 1990’s. The team cease, due to mostly age. So if any one reads this latest on our Web-Site and remembers the times. Perhaps you were a Player,Supporter, please leave us a reply. Ray Gipson.