20 Jun 2022
Written By Matthew Eastley
Can we recreate this classic?
What lies ahead? St Fidelis boys prepare to set off for St Mary’s on their first day.
In St Mary’s terms, I think this photo is an absolute classic.
Taken on either Monday 5 September or Tuesday 6 September 1977, it shows five lads proudly wearing their new school uniforms about to set off for their first day at St Mary’s Grammar in Sidcup.
It is a picture loaded with expectation and optimism and perhaps just a dash of nervousness as a new chapter in their life awaits.
Pictured at the back, in the middle, is Kevin Aitchison, now an MBE, but back then just plain Ginge or Aitch (of course he still is just these names!)
The picture is taken outside ‘Aitch’s’ house and with him are four other lads from St Fidelis Primary, Erith. On the back row, far left is Greg Belton and on the right is Simon West.
Kneeling at the front are Paul Miller and Simon Pajak.
I’m hoping all five lads will be at the book launch at the school on Saturday 1 October when, quite naturally, there will be an attempt to recreate this photo, although I sense Paul and Simon may not find it quite as easy to get off their knees as they did in this particular shot.
Paul and Kevin were following in the footsteps of older brothers, namely Chris (1972) and Richard (1975) respectively. Absent from the picture but also hailing from St Fidelis was Phil Hall who was following his brothers, James (1973) and Matthew (1976).
There is some fine sporting prowess in this picture too. Paul was a great footballer and a really effective fast medium swing bowler. Greg was a paceman and Simon P was an opening batsman and spinner. All three played leading roles in the St Mary’s U14 X1 which lifted the Kent Cricket Cup in 1980. Kev was one of the best swimmers in the year and developed into a fine rugby player while Simon W improved year on year to become one of the best sprinters in the year.
They are all great gentlemen and I hope they will be there in October to recreate this photograph, 45 years on.
I coached two of these lads in my first year at St. Mary’s. Kevin played hooker and was fearless, too much so at times. Paul was the full-back, diminutive but brave and with uncanny ability to read the game.
Aitch is probably the most straight-up honest pupil/person I ever taught. Once, in practice he ran over the dead ball line, I jokingly ordered him to do 50 press-ups (Roy White taught me well), before I could stop him Aitch had done them.
Paul was a brilliant kicker. “Windy’s Ball” was the call for him to try a drop goal. I later persuaded him to play for Bexley Nomads (basically St Mary’s Old Boys). He was the only one to whom Paul Munday listened.