Hardisty, Bob

Bob Hardisty

Clubs played for: Bishop Auckland, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Manchester United (1939-1958)

Born: 1921

Birthplace: Chester-le-Street

Position: Wing-half

Biography: Noted for being one of England's greatest ever amateur internationals, playing in three Olympic Games for Great Britain. He enjoyed a long association with Sir Matt Busby who named him captain of the 1948 Olympic team. In the wake of the Munich air crash, even though he was retired, Busby famously told assistant Jimmy Murphy "Send for Hardisty" to help him run and play for the reserves. He was one of three players from the great Bishop Auckland amateur team to play for United during their darkest ever time. A teacher and a football coach, he has a street named after him in County Durham. He died in Durham in October 1986, aged 64.

Do you have any interesting, happy, or humorous memories of Bob?
If so, please let us know and we will be happy to share them with the world!

Hardisty, Bob She’s great, the greatest of them all
She’s the Weardale Blossom Special
She keeps a rolling along
She’s the greatest steam locomotive of them all

She keeps a rolling along on rails of steel
Powering through Bishop, Spennymoor, Ferryhill and Wembley Central
She keeps a rolling along
She’s the greatest steam locomotive of them all

Awoooo, awooooo awoooooooo

She’s great, the greatest of them all
She’s the Weardale Blossom Special
She keeps a rolling along
She’s the greatest steam locomotive of them all

Taking the fans of Bishop Auckland FC to Wembley
She’s the Weardale Blossom Special
She keeps a rolling along
She’s the greatest steam locomotive of them all

Awoooo, awooooo awoooooooo

She’s great, the greatest of them all
She’s the Weardale Blossom Special
She keeps a rolling along
She’s the greatest steam locomotive of them all

Decked out in dark and pale blue to help Bob Hardisty’s dream come true
She’s the Weardale Blossom Special
She keeps a rolling along
She’s the greatest steam locomotive of them all

Awoooo, awooooo awoooooooo

She’s great, the greatest of them all
She’s the Weardale Blossom Special
She keeps a rolling along
She’s the greatest steam locomotive of them all

Victory secured against Wycombe Wanderers she brought the cup back home
She’s the Weardale Blossom Special
She keeps a rolling along
She’s the greatest steam locomotive them all

03-10-21 Christopher Jameson

Hardisty, Bob My hero when I was growing up in Bishop. My mother took me for my first trip to the barbers in Newgate street. I was terrified being of a somewhat nervous disposition! My mother Betty went next door into a florists shop and magically brought Bobby into the barbers. He clearly had some connection to the florists. I was of course struck dumb with awe and sat quietly for the duration! A good and kind man much loved in the town. I can remember the town emptying when they played in Wembley finals gathered round the odd scarce TV set and filing the street with cheers when they won. A different world in the fifties


29-10-20 John Lowe