[Official Site] ROY IRONSIDE | 1935 - 2024

RIP Roy, very sad news. Always remember him as a very brave goalie in an era when footballs weighed a ton and football boots were made from girders.

 

Clear memory of a ball being played "over the top" by opposing team (can't remember who) towards Ponty End and Pat Howard, shielding the ball back shouting to Roy Ironside "Come on Roy, oppen thi' gob".
Think we got him from Rotherham.
God bless.....

 

It was around five seasons into my following the club and I remember what a good signing this was. We’d been well behind Second Division Rotherham for some years when Roy stepped down to the Fourth to play for us and he was a very decent goalkeeper for us.

He wasn’t immune from making embarrassing slips though and his worst was in a 2-2 draw at home to Tranmere on 23 March 1969. It was a rare televised game for us, highlights shown on the Sunday, with the great Barry Davies commentating. Roy let one in after only three minutes which looked easier to save. He topped that with an even worse gaffe letting it through his legs for 1-2 on 33 mins.

If you fancy watching the black and white Reds this match is easily found on YouTube and it’s great to see the likes of Big Winnie, Norman Dean, Jimmy Robson and Eddie Loyden in the lineup.

RIP Roy Ironside

 

RIP Roy, not the first goalkeeper I saw, that privilege belongs to Alan Hill.

 

Remember Alan Hill injuring himself one game. No substitutes in those days. Alan Hill came back on the pitch with his (right?) arm in a sling to play centre forward (think Tony Leighton went in goal). Alan ran around like a man possessed without ever threatening the other team's goal. Clearly a (much) different era

 

Shluld just add that the "sling" was a very short one - basically his hand was on his chest just below his neck

 

RIP Roy - thanks for the memories

 

Rip Roy

 

RIP Roy. Always sad to lose an ex-Red. Played before my time.

 

RIP Roy,
Our goalie for years when I firt started watching The Reds, used to play in goal a bit as a kid and I was always Ironside......sad loss

 

RIP Roy. Not the best keeper in the world but we sang that he was better than Yashin.

 

Yes, I was at that game. Dislocated shoulder I think. Can’t imagine how much pain he must have been in.

 

Yep, a million miles away from nowadays. Not that I'm advocating anyone doing it these days but an incredible spirit. Think he was transferred to Forest and ended up on their training staff under Cloughie.