Thanks for that Ken, much appreciated. Here's the text to go with them.
A few months ago whilst eating at Goodbarns in Boston my eyes were drawn to a new addition to their décor. On the facing wall to me was a large black and white print of Boston May Fair in the market place as seen from The Stump taken many years ago. One of the first things I noticed was the absence of the Caterpillar that as long as I could remember had always been sited near to the Herbert Ingram statue area. So the photo was taken well before my time. In the centre of the picture is a large crowd hovering around some large sideshow attraction. Probably a Boxing or Wrestling booth. Again some form of fairground entertainment before my generation.
In order to try and date the photo I thought I would look at York Street to see how far the ground was developed. Here came the surprise, it was hardly developed at all and I thought that the photo might even be from the ‘20s showing the ground before Boston United was even formed.
Returning to Goodbarns again today for the ‘Office Do’ I enquired of a member of staff about the photo and they thought it was from the ‘30s although they weren’t sure. I now think it may well be from around the time Boston United was formed in 1933 and certainly gives an interesting insight into what the ground looked like around that time. Surrounded by other pitches there was no Rowley or Pilgrim Road. It is not easy to imagine crowds of 1000-2000, as witnessed in the 33/34 season, strewn around the perimeter of such a basic playing field. However it is easier for me to understand how my dad would have got in free via a ‘hedge-ticket’! In 1933 he would have been around 10 years old!
Would be interested to know if anyone knows the exact year the photo was taken and thus date this image of York Street or ‘Main Ridge’ as it may have been known at the time. Could it be the oldest picture of York Street? According to Ken's great website, football has been played at this location since the late 1800's, including Bostons first venture in the FA Cup in 1887, until the present day.
