Saturday’s game against Weymouth at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park took place on the nearest date which coincides with the FA Trophy 1st Round fixture against Ashford Town in the 1973-74 campaign. The matchday programme on Saturday featured an interview with legendary goalkeeper John Morton. If you missed the programme, here is the full article:
This season sees us celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the famous 1973-74 campaign. That season saw the Dartford squad write itself into the history books, as Ernie Morgan led the team to the Southern League Championship.
On top of that, the manager also took his team all the way to Wembley in an historic cup run in the FA Trophy! A run that saw the Darts eventually lose 2-1 to Morecambe, yet still return home as heroes.
Ironically, I was born in 1974 so don’t remember that historic cup run…, but I (now) know I man who does! This person was an ever-present squad member throughout the 1973-74 season, as he made 63 starting appearances between the Dartford posts that campaign…
It was an absolute pleasure to sit and talk and listen to Dartford legend John Morton over WhatsApp recently. The former goalkeeper had me completely captivated, as he proudly talked about his life in the beautiful game, as well as that wonderful 1973-74 campaign.
Born in Gillingham in 1947, John Morton arrived at Dartford to make his debut in a Kent Senior Cup clash at Margate on the 27th of January 1969. However, his memories of his debut aren’t what you’d expect…
“All I remember really Chris was that I was still at college in Reading. I remember Ernie (Morgan) picked me up from college and took me to Margate in his car… and that was a hair-raising experience to say the least… as anyone who’s been in a car with Ernie can confirm…! I don’t really remember much about the game to be honest.”
However, John does remember when he fractured his jaw a year later! “Oh yes! I came out to punch the ball from a free-kick and the fella headed me instead of the ball! I thought it felt a bit painful, but he was carried off! I continued playing and, of course, I got loads of abuse! I had an initial x-ray, which said it was just badly bruised but, after three days, I was in so much pain that I ended up going to the Royal Free Hospital. They discovered I’d got a double fracture and they wired me up. I lost two-and-a-half stone in weight with my jaw wired up!”
Once he’d recovered, John returned to become the Dartford number one and would eventually make a total of 215 starting appearances for the club. He has many fond memories of playing for the Darts, but one in particular stands out for him…
“In all honesty Chris, my best memory of playing for Dartford was playing for Ernie and Charlie (Prior, Assistant). They were amazing characters, as were the players I played alongside. Most of them were ex-pros. It was a great experience for me, I loved it.”
Besides the historic 1973-74 season, does he have a favourite game in particular?
“If I had to choose one, it would be the time we played Hereford the year that they had a great cup run (1971-72 season). We had them in the FA Trophy in February ’72, and Ken Halliday scored the only goal. We performed superbly that day and went on to go through to the next round. That was a great experience, I thoroughly enjoyed that!”
He continues, “My other favourite memories of Dartford include Ernie leading the singing on the train. His favourite song was Silvia’s Mother (by Dr Hook). That was his party piece. Playing in that team at that time was great. It was full with lots of characters and really good guys. We wouldn’t see each other for years and years. Then, we’d get together and it’d be like it was only yesterday that we were last together.”
This article coincides with the closest date to Dartford’s 3-2 victory at Ashford Town in the 1973-74 FA Trophy 1st Round. What does John remember about that game?
“All I really remember about the Ashford game is that Tony Godden was in goal for Ashford! He went on to have a good career at West Bromich Albion and Chelsea. That’s about it really Chris. I don’t remember it being a spectacular game to be honest.”
What about the cup run? Does he remember much about that and the trip to Wembley?
“I remember Danny Light being sent off after about ninety seconds in one of the games! (Minehead – 2nd Round Replay) I remember that we managed to continue well with ten men, before nicking a goal at the other end. The Semi-Final was particularly interesting because, we were 2-0 up at Macclesfield. They scored a goal before the break, and Ernie went absolutely mental at us! I remember it more for the return journey though. We travelled back on the train with the supporters and, when I stepped out onto the platform, this huge roar went up. Further ahead of us were about 500 Dartford supporters waiting for us and welcoming us home.”
He continues, “We played a lot of games leading up to Wembley Chris, something like eight in 16 days. A few of the players were injured or what have you. We were also the last team to drive down Wembley Way, so I made sure that I got up to the front seat because it was such an historic experience. Playing at Wembley was unbelievable. But, our squad was very small, maybe 15-16 players, and the injuries took their toll on us. But, we certainly managed it.”
It’s no secret that that 1973-74 Dartford side was full of players with character, talent, and a hard-working attitude. And like the present age, many Non-League teams contained the odd gem within their ranks. I asked John if there was anybody who he considered to be underrated at the time. His initial answer took me by surprise…
“To be honest, ourselves (Dartford). We were very underrated that season when we won the Southern League and got to Wembley. People thought we were relegation fodder and Ernie had just returned to the club. But, we proved them wrong! It was a great experience Chris.”
He continues, “George Duck, who I played with at Wealdstone was also underrated. He scored something like 400 goals during his career (251 in 370 appearances for Wealdstone alone). Terrific player.”
After making 215 starting appearances for the Darts, John moved on and continued playing for another eleven years, featuring for the likes of Wealdstone, Hounslow, Hayes, etc… Meanwhile, off the field, he eventually became the Chairman of English Schools FA. It’s fair to say that he has had an interesting career to say the least…
“After I left Dartford, I carried on playing for eleven years until I dislocated my shoulder! During that time, I also did an MA course at London University. At the end of 1986-87, I packed up playing. I was very much involved in schools football during that time, running school teams at County and District level. We managed to win the National Championship and I was then elected on to the ESFA – English Schools FA, and became the Chairman a few years later.”
He continues, “Throughout the ‘90s I was involved with coaching and got my full licence. I was then elected onto the Centre of Excellence Committee for the South-East of England at the FA. I ran the goalkeeping program in the South-East with Les Read, who was a mentor and goalkeeper for Southampton and various other places.
“ I then went to coach in South Africa and America and, with my coaching for schools, I was the Director on Coaching Courses. I also became the Head of Delegation, where I went to Hungary and met certain gentlemen such as Ferenc Puskas, Nandor Hidegkuti, Jeno Buzanszky, and Gyula Grosics. In our team that day was a young lad called Sam Allison, who made his debut as a referee in the Premier League this season. So, I was very much involved with linking the FA together with various other people.
“I then moved through teaching to become a Director of a school with over 1,000 students, before retiring in the early 2000s. I went on and ended up getting a job with the Premier League as the Match Delegate Manager. I created a course and was very much involved with the introduction of goal-line technology, and went and did the first trial session at Reading FC. I’ve also assessed referees for something like 300 games in the Premier League and was also the Match Manager for the Asia Trophy abroad.”
If all of that wasn’t enough, John has also done coaching with women’s football… “Yes, I coached the Watford Ladies team, who got to the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup. I’ve also coached girls in America, so I’ve got quite a bit of experience! During this time, I also ran a display team. We appeared at Wembley and even on Match of The Day on one occasion as well! We had a mixed group and, one of the players was a young lass by the name of Kelly Smith, who went on to become probably one of England’s finest players that we’ve ever developed.”
Naturally, as he got older, his previous injuries and playing days caught up with John. During the 2000s, he had to have both his knees and hips replaced… “Yes… I was warned when I got back to playing in the 70’s that this would probably happen later in life Chris…!”
It has been an absolute pleasure chatting and listening to John, as he shared his life story and memories with me. As our conversation reaches its end, I ask if he still follows Dartford’s results?
“I most certainly do Chris! Gillingham, Dartford, and Wealdstone… those are the teams I still follow. I always like to see the Darts doing well, and I still get down to see games occasionally, as well as to see the people. I can’t believe we’re celebrating fifty years since our run to Wembley!”
And now for something completely different to finish with… I asked John which five players (that he’s played alongside/against) he’d pick if he was involved in a five-a-side tournament. This is what he said…
“John Simpson (goalkeeper) from Gillingham. He was my boyhood hero and I actually got to play against him on one occasion. He was a lovely man. The rest of my team would be made up of Kenny HibbItt (Wolves), John Charles (Leeds United), Jimmy Greaves (Tottenham), and Geoff Hurst (West Ham).”
By Chris Palmer