We have previously looked back at Prescot Cables’ run to the first round proper of the FA Cup in 1959/60. In this feature we focus on the man who’s headed goal gave Prescot victory over Altrincham to set up that trip to Darlington: Ted Forshaw.
Eddie (Ted) Forshaw was born in St Helens in 1931. He was a great all-round sportsman. Joined Everton in August 1950 as a part time professional, playing at centre half, before going on to complete his National Service in 1953.
In 1957 Ted switched codes to Rugby League with his home town club, St Helens. He was considered to have a highly promising future as a three-quarter with the Saints. He played in several A team matches, before making his first team debut in the Charity Cup match against Barrow in August 1957. The following week he scored two tries and kicked 3 goals in a 28 points to 8 home victory over Huddersfield.
He was described as a speedy centre and an accurate goalkicker.
In September 1957 in a match at Blackpool, he ran into a high tackle and was knocked out. On coming round he complained that his legs were shaky, but he was otherwise all right and asked to go back on the field. However, within a few minutes he left the field again, this time complaining that his face was sore. Ted had suffered a compound fractured jaw, and arrangements were made for his immediate transfer to Broadgreen Hospital.
His injury kept him on the sidelines for some weeks, but by December he had shown his courage and desire to play, when he was quoted as saying, "I want a game." There had been ideas at Saints of breaking in Ted, gradually, at full back, but Forshaw said, “I'll play anywhere."
Unfortunately, the injury never really healed properly and Ted never regained his form and place for the Saints. In August 1958, Forshaw switched back to football and joined Prescot Cables. Although originally a centre half with Everton Reserves, it was said that he could play just as well at wing -half or inside-forward.
At the start of the 1958/59 season, Cables were struggling to score goals and had used eight different players at centre forward, in an attempt to get an effective forward line. In October, Ted Forshaw was given the opportunity to lead the line and did well, scoring nineteen goals in his first twelve games as the leader of the attack, before he suffered an injury which kept him out for some weeks.
During the 1959/60 season Forshaw’s business interests meant that he was unable to play as often as he would have liked. However, he was in the team and headed the winning goal against Altrincham in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, which saw Cables through to the first round proper for the second time.
In the 1960’s Ted was associated with the Pilkingtons club in his home town, and coached the teams for several seasons.
Ted was also a very useful athlete. He represented Sutton Harriers and Pilkingtons AC and went on to become a very successful athletic coach with Pilkington Harriers and the St Helens Athletics Club. He went on to coach many athletes on Merseyside to international careers during the 1980s and 90s.
As a coach he was a quiet man. However, behind his near whisper of a voice and a permanent, slightly quizzical expression, there was a steely determination to get the best out of his athletes. He referred to all those in his charge in military fashion, by surname, and his unique coaching style focussed on the efficiency of the athlete’s running technique rather than on their performance. He would encourage his athletes on training runs over the country lanes around St Helens, with Ted driving alongside, with the car radio blaring through the open windows to entertain them while they ran.
For a while he had a couple of top African middle distance runners staying with him whilst he coached them. However, the Africans were not used to the cold of South Lancashire. Ted would grumble to anyone who would listen about the cost of the heating bill for his flat... in the middle of summer! One of those athletes was Benson Masya, who Ted coached to the world half marathon record in 1992. It is said that he got the record by training around Sherdley Park, Moss Bank and Eccleston Mere.
Ted later returned to Knowsley Road as a weight training and sprinting coach with the Saints.
Sadly, Ted died in 2002 of a heart attack, aged 70.