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Tributes: Terry Bly was a top player and a lovely bloke

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Published Date: 26 September 2009
Alan Swann
Peterborough United is a club in mourning today after the passing of legendary goalscorer Terry Bly.
Bly suffered a heart attack at his home in Normanton, near Grantham on Thursday evening. He leaves a widow Glenda, two daughters, two grandaughters and a grandson.

Bly will always be remembered for his record-breaking exploits in the all-conquering Posh side from the 1960-61 season, the club's first-ever campaign in the Football League.

The bustling centre-forward claimed 52 Fourth Division goals as Posh romped to the title. It's a club and divisional record unlikely to ever be broken.

Posh team-mate Peter McNamee said: "Terry was not just a great footballer, he was a lovely bloke admired and liked by everyone involved with the club at that time.

"I doubt that anyone who knew him would have a bad word to say about him. He was one of the nicest guys I've ever known.

"He came to us from Norwich in time for the start of the 1960-61 season and fitted in really well. There were other players we had like George Hudson who were better footballers, but Terry was keen, enthusiastic and very brave.

"In fact he used to moan all the time at me because I was a bit laid-back when I played. He used to tell me that he would have played for England regularly if he had my ability.

"That was a great team to play in. We used to create so many chances I would tell Terry that he should have scored 102 goals that season not 52, but he was a superb finisher.

"He used to score all sorts of goals, with his head, either foot and even his knees, because he knew instinctively where the ball would fall in the penalty area.

"We enjoyed some great banter with him as he was so serious and so dedicated about his football. I remember one night we were playing on a real muddy pitch when the plate holding my teeth fell out of my mouth.

"He wanted me to take a corner but I was busy looking for my plate so he started shouting that I was a vain so and so for delaying the match.

"Even in the summer he was competitive. Our wages used to drop out of season so me, Terry, Ellis Stafford and Billy Hails used to pick beet for a farmer in Deeping.

"Three of us would take our time, but Terry used to work at a frantic pace and leave us standing. By lunch-time he would be half a field ahead of us because he was so honest and determined to do a good job for whoever employed him."

Bly helped Norwich City to an FA Cup semi-final before making a surprise move to London Road in June 1960 for a nominal fee.

He scored in the club's first ever Football League match, a 3-0 home win over Wrexham, and never stopped scoring in the next eight months.

As well as the 52 Fourth Division goals he claimed two cup goals. He bagged five hat-tricks and twice scored four goals in a game in that one season!

Bly slowed down the following season in Division Three when he managed a mere 29 goals, plus four in the cups. To the dismay of the club's fans, Posh accepted an offer of £10,000 from Coventry City manager Jimmy Hill at the end of the 1961-62 campaign.

Another team-mate from the title-winning 1960-61 squad, Jim Walker added: "Terry's records will stand for ever. They will be the perfect tribute to him.

"I last saw him and a few of the other lads at a re-union last year and he was in great form. The news of his passing is very sad."

Bly was prolific for Coventry before finishing his career at Notts County. He retired in 1964 to play and manage Grantham Town, a post he held for 15 years while running a sports shop in the town.

He was inducted into the Peterborough Independent Supporters Association Hall of Fame three years ago and into the club's own hall of fame last season.

Bly received an ovation from Posh fans when appearing on the London Road pitch ahead of the League One clash with Colchester last year.

In an eight-season professional career, Bly scored 162 goals in 203 games, an astonishing record of a goal in every one and a quarter matches he played.

Next page: Posh fans and Evening Telegraph readers quick to offer their tributes

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  • Last Updated: 25 September 2009 5:50 PM
  • Source: Peterborough ET
  • Location: Peterborough
 
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David Wakefield,

Norwich 26/09/2009 14:52:49
Terry Bly made scoring goals look so simple - he will never be forgotten. Hails, Emery, Bly, Smith, McNamee...what a forward line.
It was a privilege to watch them from the Moys End.
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PB,

POSHVILLE 27/09/2009 13:48:32


RIP Terry, POSH LEGEND!!!
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John Rastall,

South London 27/09/2009 22:39:58
After his League career, Terry Bly became Player Manager at Grantham Town. I remember those days in the 1960s, his goals, his tactical genius and the great FA Cup exploits. Without doubt he was the best manager that club every had and remember that Martin O'Neill started out in management there. A true gent whose exploits I still talk about over 40 years later - thanks Terry.
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John Rastall,

South London 27/09/2009 22:46:02
After his league career, Terry Bly became Player/Manager at Grantham Town. I vividly remember those days in the 1960s, his goals, his tactical genius and those FA Cup runs. Without doubt the best manager that club has ever had and remember that Martin O'Neill started in management there. Now over 40 years later I still talk about him - a true gent and thanks for the memories Terry.
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BobbyPosh,

Leeds 28/09/2009 08:17:24
Yes, David, what a forward line that was. Of course, they all contrbuted very positively to the "goals scored" column and the assists.
Billy Hails and Peter MacNamee showered centres over to Terry Bly like they were going out of fashion. "Smudger" Smith was the link between them (with Jim Rayner) and Dennis Emery hit goals with such power and timing that you hardly saw him or the ball move.
The thing about Terry Bly was that he could get goals in any way: headers, tap-ins, hard shots, the lot. I will never forget one he got from the edge of the penalty area in a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, it was a terrific shot, just came from nowhere.
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