Football team from 1964 meet after 43 years

As we have already reported last week Terry McGibbbons from Scotland returned to Barga after a gap of 34 years.Terry, who’s family originally came from Barga, used to visit often during the 60’s and 70’s.

He brought with him a photograph taken in 1964 showing himself as a young man in a football team that played at Pieve Fosciana. The team was made up of mostly Barghigiani, so he was interested to see just how many of the team he could find in Barga during his visit.

Last night at the Da Riccardo’s restaurant on the Fosso, the surviving members of that team finally got to meet after a gap of over 40 years.

An emotional Terry was presented with a football shirt and certificate from the assembled team mates and the promise that the next team meeting would not be after such a long gap and somewhat nearer to his home - they all decided to meet next year in Scotland.

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27 Responses to “Football team from 1964 meet after 43 years”

Comments

1. Les Carr Jun 17 2007 / 8am

   Terry McGibbons - Is this the same Terry who was ” Manager” of the St Mary’s Primary Irvine team in ‘62-63?. I have often wondered what path he took - great to have positive news of him. His family the Pieronis? ran the best cafe in town. We used to go there for a hot dog and coke on a sunday after mass. Going to the local catholic school meant we met all the local Italian sourced families. Best wishes from Brisbane Australia to Terry and family and Mr & Mrs S Pendleton, Michael and Rosanna Biagi, Tony Da Prato et al.
2. Sean Pentleton Jun 17 2007 / 10pm

   Les - thanks for your kind wishes. It is the same Terry, my brother-in-law. He’s now back in Scotland and we have passed on to him that you have left a comment here. He’s planning to respond tomorrow. Greetings to you and all FP’s of St Michael’s. Have you heard that St Michael’s is closing this year and all pupils from the two secondaries - St Michael’s and St Andrew’s (Saltcoats) - are coming together to form a new school in Saltcoats called St Matthew’s.
3. Terry McGibbons Jun 17 2007 / 11pm

   Hi Les ,
   Great to hear from you . I often wondered how the various young lives of that team developed and spread . Hope you are still bursting through defences and scoring goals ! Kate , my wife , sadly died last year after a long illness. When we were younger we too went abroad for a short time , both teaching in Canada and the Bahamas . You , however , have gone much further afield . Those days of St. Mary’s team seemed a world away until you reminded me of them …..for a moment even I was young again ! Thanks for the memories of the past . Every good wish to you and your family for the future . Terry.
4. Karen McGibbons Jun 18 2007 / 4pm

   Hi! I am Terry McGibbons’ daughter and I am simply delighted because my Dad has just had THE most magical experience in Barga over the last two weeks. He met up with so many great friends he once knew and met some fantastic new ones too. I would like to say that on Saturday my Dad returned home to Scotland, the truth is that those two weeks he spent in Barga…that was when he truly returned HOME.
5. Les Carr Jun 19 2007 / 12am

   Sean, Thanks for taking the time to reply and for passing on my comments to Terry who as you can see has replied. I know about the school merger my sister-in-law lives in Saltcoats and keeps us up to date. Anyway we’ve only been in Brisbane since January having moved temporarily (2-4 years) from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. I see your still? into photography - I came across your stuff on the web. Again thanks and keep well.
   Les
6. Les Carr Jun 19 2007 / 12am

   Hi Mr McGibbons - great to hear from you after all those years - where did they go? I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your wife Kate. It seems from your daughter Karen’s comments that you have started to move on, having no doubt had a ball? on your recent trip to Barga. I’ve only been there once and chanced to meet an old schoolmate and friend Michael Biagi but I have every intention of returning once we’ve sorted Australia out!
   Keep your chin up Terry!
   Les
7. Marina Togneri Jun 19 2007 / 3pm

   Wonder if you remember us from Pieroni’s cafe, i married George Milliken from Irvine immegrated to Canada then on to the states, Rochester NY to be exact.I knew your dad and your aunt Gloria.
8. Sean Pentleton Jun 19 2007 / 9pm

   Hi! Marina, good to hear from you! Hope the visit from Riccardo and Diane went well! It’s good to see that you’re checking out the Barga News Web Site.
9. Terry McGibbons Jun 20 2007 / 6pm

   Hi Marina,
   I remember you and George very well . You , in turn , may recall the four of us ” Young Ones ” ( Bobby Hughes, John McCormick, Francis Biagi and myself ) who frequented the cafe indulging in such exotic delicacies as ….a coffee and a BIG kit-kat, or a hot vimto !!! We were rich indeed . Hope you and George are well . Every good wish for the future .

   Terry.
10. Karen McGibbons Jun 20 2007 / 7pm

    Hi Marina,

    Nice to hear from you. I have heard lots about the cafe over the years and about your family. Thanks for getting in touch. I believe that Dad and his pals helped to boost your profits!!! Or so he tells me!!! A coffee and a BIG kit-kat or a hot vimto…joking aside, I recently spent an evening with Dad and Bobby Hughes and that was exactly what they were talking about. Their faces light up when they speak of those times. Very happy times indeed. Karen
11. Luisa Jun 21 2007 / 8am

    Hi Marina I think we may be related I am researching my family tree. Are you Ralph and Julias Daughter? Would love to contact you if this is so.
    regards Luisa
12. Paul and Morag Pieroni Jun 21 2007 / 6pm

    Hello you lot! Paul is Terry’s cousin and belongs to the Kilmarnock branch of the family. Paul’s dad started his business in the early fifties after extensive training with his mum and dad in the Irvine shop…hot vimto is an art form!!
    So pleased Terry had a fantastic time…what an amazing re-union! When Paul and I went to Barga with our family, Paul felt that time had stood still and the welcome was amazing!
    Rest assured a warm welcome awaits in Kilmarnock from us…and also from Terry’s wonderful daughters …for any of Terry’s football squad!
    Best wishes to all…Paul and Morag
13. Karen McGibbons Jun 21 2007 / 9pm

    Hi Paul & Morag,

    We have had GREAT times with you.

    A catch up over the summer for drinks? Here’s hoping the weather improves in Scotland!!!?

    Karen x
14. Michael Biagi Jun 26 2007 / 9pm

    Les, what are you doing in Australia, did you get on the wrong bus? Good for you, great to see that you and Jan are well. It was great to see Terry in Barga after all those years…….don’t want to know how many……..suffice to say he was teaching me English and Sean was ‘trying’ to teach me physics, as you can see from the coherence Terry managed ‘no bad’ as it were. Thank you for your Christmas email it’s always good to know your OK. Ciao from a hot and sunny Barga, M.
15. Les Carr Jun 28 2007 / 7am

    Hi Michael, over here on missionary work as usual, this lot will take some turning round but we’ll do our best. Jan was made an offer she couldn’t refuse to work here for a couple of years and she brought me with her - silly girl. It’s mid winter here with temps around 20C so it’s not bad - looking forward to the summer, 40C -100% humidity - rain every day, a bit like Saltcoats really. Good to hear from you - hope you are all well.
    ps Sean did OK, at least you can spell Physics - Terry however missed out on “your” - “you’re” grammar.
    Les & Jan
16. Terry Mcgibbons Jun 28 2007 / 2pm

    Shuddup a’ ra bak o’ ra klass , u lot !! Did ah learnt yiz nuhin’ ? Bloody hell , that’s harder than getting it right ! Hadn’t the heart to correct any mistakes ….anyway as I’m doing a bit of tutoring these days , I would have had to charge you £ 20 !!!
    Thanks for the company , Michael ; hopefully I’ll return at some point in the future , maybe with my two daughters, Karen and Anita. Thanks also to you , Les , for a snapshot of the past .
    Take care of yourselves . Every good wish to you and yours.
    Terry.
17. Michael Biagi Jun 28 2007 / 7pm

    Just testin’ Les….just testin’
18. Clare and Eamon Fallon Jun 30 2007 / 11am

    Hi everyone, can’t believe all these connections!! I’m Clare, daughter of Sean and Gloria and niece of Terry. My family and I live in Irvine, Ayrshire. Were delighted at the success of Terry’s visit to Barga! We will be in Barga four weeks today for our Annual Pilgrimage! We have loved all our family holidays to such a special place over the last seven years with the highlight definitely being our climb to the top of the Pania to just gaze at the wonderful scenery for miles around. Each year we begin our holiday search looking for somewhere just as picturesque and always end up booking those flights to Pisa! Hi to all the relatives around the World. Clare, Eamon and family.
19. bobby hughes Jul 01 2007 / 10am

    Hi all, I recently became reaquainted with Terry after gap of about 40 years and have spent many happy hours since watching football on the telly as sadly that is all us old guys are fit for these days…
    Sometimes we have a bite to eat pre-match and I was surprised that Terry is the only guy I know of Italian background who prefers a fish supper to pizza !!

    I,m glad Terry had a great time in Barga

    Bob and Val x
20. Terry Mcgibbons Jul 03 2007 / 3pm

    ” ….all us old guys are fit for these days..”……speak for yourself , Hughes !!!!! After all , you’re SO much older than me !!
    Delighted you joined in the comments , Bobby and Val . To those of you who do not know these two , let me say that they are among my dearest friends , and have kept me sane over the last year and a half . And YES , I do prefer a fish supper ! Looking forward to the day when we watch Ayr United in the Champions’ League Final . Eat your heart out AC Milan !! Terry.
21. Les Carr Jul 03 2007 / 10pm

    Terry,
    The St Mary’s team of ‘63-63 has more chance of making the Champions’ League Final than Ayr United - they don’t have Harry McDonald playing for them or Ronnie McIvor in goal.

    Les
22. Terry Mcgibbons Jul 04 2007 / 7pm

    I’ve given great consideration to what you say about the respective merits of Ayr United and St. Mary’s Primary School team of 1963 ….and the likelihood of making the Champions’ League Final . Like you , Les , my vote is for St.Mary’s , especially with such players as you quote …..not forgetting your good self ! With Ronnie in goal and you and Harry notching up about 80 goals between you in an average season , I don’t think ” The Honest Men ” would last the pace !
    Mind you , I suspect it’s all down to the Coaching !!!
    Terry.
23. Terry Mcgibbons Jul 04 2007 / 7pm

    In a recent comment I praised the help and friendship I had enjoyed from Bobby and Val Hughes, of Ayr . I wish to add my thanks to Michael and Patricia Murray , of Saltcoats , Ayrshire , and to John and June McCormick , of Niantic, Connecticut , all of whom have saved me from despair following the death of my lovely wife Kate , in February of 2006. It needs to be added that my sister and brother-in-law, Gloria and Sean , have played a major role in sustaining me and offering me comfort and the most wonderful sharing in their lives . Thanks folks . Terry.
24. doggybag Jul 04 2007 / 8pm

    Can I just add my two-pennies-worth?
    This continuing conversation between Terry and friends is precisely what barganews is supposed to be all about - the possibility for people to easily stay in touch and exchange news. It is meant to be a local newspaper but with an international flavour - to paraphrase another well know organisation “thinking globally, working locally” Thank you all those people who have contributed to these comments on this article …. it has made me a very proud person … good on ya.
25. Terry McGibbons Jul 05 2007 / 4pm

    Glad you approve, Doggybag, and are enjoying all the related comments. The entire idea and ”mission” of returning to Barga was due to the prompting and nagging of my two daughters, Karen & Anita. Like a good Dad, I naturally obeyed! I am indebted to them for this trip back to my roots, as I am for so many other things. They are a constant source of comfort and encouragement. Being back in Barga was like reading the pages of a familiar book, with the prospect of now looking forward to the sequel, with a return visit, as soon as possible.

    Terry
26. Marina Togneri Sep 11 2007 / 5pm

    LUSIA
    SORRY WRONG SPELLING.
    YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT
    ZIGGY13893
27. Bill (Wullie) Ennis May 02 2008 / 12am

    Hi Terry
    Like Les Carr I played in that St Marys football team with Harry and Ronnie and remember it fondly, if not vaguely! I used to catch a bus up from Prestwick on a Saturday morning and call at your house (to get you up) and go onto the match. Until I read Les’s messages to you about those times I had forgotten them completely.

    I remember that we used to get an afternoon off schoolwork when you came to the school to coach us. It was wonderful of you to give us your time and take charge of our boundless enthusisam - no small task for a young man with no doubt other things to do in his life. These days I live with my family of young adults in Tynemouth in the north east of England. If you are ever in these parts don’t hesitate to to call in.

    That’s enough from me. I was sorry to read of your wife’s passing. Best wishes and thank you.

    Bill

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