Terry Bly (1935-2009)
GRANTHAM footballing legend Terence Geoffrey Bly came to town in 1964, as player-manager of the Gingerbreads but never lost his Norfolk accent.
He had many great FA Cup memories in a playing career with Norwich City, Peterborough United, Coventry City, Notts County and Grantham Town.
A 5-3 victory at Rochdale gave Grantham a home tie in the FA Cup third round against mighty Middlesbrough, managed by England 1966 World Cup hero Jack Charlton. Town bowed out but the 2-0 scoreline flattered the visitors.
Bly took the Gingerbreads into the FA Cup proper on nine occasions in his 11-year reign at London Road, and Town had their first win over a Football League club in the competition when they defeated Stockport County.
They played against Football League opposition in facing Swindon Town twice, Oldham Athletic twice, Port Vale (lost replay), Rotherham United and Bradford City.
And it’s the FA Cup that made Bly the player famous, as the prolific scoring centre forward with Third Division Norwich City in the late 1950s.In 1959 his goals helped the Canaries defeat Manchester United, Cardiff City, Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United – all but Cardiff being top clubs in that era – in an FA Cup run that grabbed the nation’s attention.
And they helped Norwich reach the FA Cup semi-finals, where they took top flight Luton to a replay before going out.
Terry (or Billy as he was known to playing colleagues) also has his name in the record books for a scoring feat that will never be beaten, unless there is a complete restructure of the Football league.
He moved from Norwich to Peterborough United when the Posh were voted into the Football League from the old Midland League.
And in 1960-61 season, in Division Four, he hit a record 52 league goals.
Transferred to Coventry he made a big impact there before moving on to Notts County, from where he joined Grantham in October 1964 as player-manager.
Apart from unprecedented cup runs he saw them to second place in the Southern League, above teams such as Wimbledon, Yeovil and Barnet, two Midland League titles, the Southern League Division One North title, runners-up spot in the Southern league Premier Division and the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.
Ironically, Town won the Southern League One North again in 1978-9 season, the season Bly was sacked for ‘a poor start to the campaign’.
Terry was also well-known at the town sports shop Plamore Sports, first on Wharf Road, then Wide Westgate, which he joined in 1978 until he retired.
Throughout his time in Grantham he constantly encouraged young footballers.
But his athletic life took its toll and he was handicapped by hip and knee operations. He died of a heart attack in 2009.
He was a good friend for many years at Belton Park Golf Club.