Current Season
July
1954
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Demoted 1953
Eunice Higginbottom. Has been courting a lot of publicity in Cannes since her Durham side lost their senior status in December
May 1954
Jennifer Roberts
Sports day at St Trinians. This is the way to brighten up the school sports day. But these are unusual sixth formers, and its a very special school. That's film star Marigold Russell going over and Essex Gridball star, Jennifer Roberts beneath. They are two of the "The Belles of St Trinians" new film based on Ronald Searles cartoons
July 1954
'Look what I've found!' - Jennifer's having fun in the sun... and that's a wizard sample of seaweed she's holding aloft. Happy Jennifer is Essex Gridballer Jennifer Roberts, in trim swimsuit at Littlehampton.
July 1954
'From Gridball {£2 a week} to Chorus {£9} ... Rena Heilbron is gonna become a Hotbox girl. What on earth is that you ask. "It's what they call the girls in the chorus in Guys and Dolls who do a scene in the Hotbox Nightclub." Rena, who earns £2 a week as a Gridballer with the Glasgow Claymores has been given permission to travel down to London to appear in the show and will be released for the six weekends between August and November when the Claymores have a game.
May 1954
Janet Camara
May 1954
Sheridan Marsland
At home with Miss Marsland.
She sat on an antique chair stroking the stuffed head of a glass eyed lion. In her arms was a nervous siamese cat, teeth and claws bared. Her full moist lips were painted pink cavier and her long nails were tainted fatal apple. Sheridan Marsland, the torrid platinum haired, Liverpool Gridball star was at home to me for lunch. "All this, on three valuable dimensions - thirty five inchs {bust} twenty three inchs {waist} and thirty five inchs {hips} what merchandise, and boy how it sells.
1953 Champions
June 1954
The Boy Hazel found - What do World Champion Gridballers do in January? Well London Limeys netminder Hazel New went to Jamaicia for her holidays, and came back with a fiancé. She met Brewing heir Philip Smith out there and now plans to wed in October.
July 1954
Joan Wallis tries her hand at Water Skiing
Ann-Margaret tries the dress - London Gridballer, Ann-Margaret Winch, 23, tries on the wedding gown she is to wear for her marriage to French Comte de Feis, 42, in Paris on Thursday. The picture was taken in a Paris fashion salon. The dress is of a silver coloured silk and white lace, with a lace panel which reaches from the bodice to the hem of the full skirt. Ann-Margaret says she will probably live and train in Paris after her marriage, but will commute to London for games. --- Ann-Margaret marries her Comte - Victor carries his laughing bride into the reception room, but later staggered as he carried her up the steps to the bridal suite
July 1954
Hazel weeps - This week was meant to be a happy one for London Gridball star Hazel New as she was set to marry brewing millionaire Philip Smith in France. However, she flew back into London yesterday upon hearing the news that her former modelling agent, 49 year old Bill Chadwick died at the weekend. "Bill was like a brother to me" she said through tears. "We shall re-arrange the wedding."
1951 & 1952 Champions
June 1954
Tough guy to wed - A helping hand for Gridballer, Heather Wallace, 16 as she heads to the bus for Middlesex's cup tie today at Minor League Stafford. The helper is her fiancé, Mike O'Neill, 24 'tough guy' actor of TV plays and films. The couple say they plan to marry 'soon' after Heather's father granted permission.
July 1954
Congratulations to Middlesex's goalscoring sweeper, Norma Blower, who got married to Royal Navy Lieutenant Fred Thornton on Monday before a brief Isle of Man honeymoon. It has to be brief because Norma will be on duty at West Yorkshire on Saturday.
June 1954
Middlesex's new shooter, Eugenie Lee took her chance covering for injured Ellen McKeown and has now scored four goals in three games
June 1954
Bernadette weds her millionaire Baron in black pearls. A kiss for Bernadette Dunville, 24 the Sheffield Gridballer from her multi millionaire husband, Dutch baron August von Nellessen, after their wedding yesterday in Penang, Malaya. Those black pearls are worth £10,000. The son of a Dutch Steel magnate has showered gifts on her, including a Caribbean island and a black panther.
June 1954
23 year old Sheffield Gridball star Susan Schwiers will be out and about in Sheffield tomorrow. The former model will be in a couple of city centre department stores offering beauty and health tips. Earlier this week she was off for a swim in sunny Scarborough.
May 1954
Anne Malone
CHEERS!
Malone scored twice yesterday in Sussex's surprise 3-1 win at Liverpool
May 1954
Sally-Kate Eidsvoll-Sims
Scored in Tamar's 4-1 victory in Hull this month
May 1954
Monique Etevenon
Scored twice in Thames' 4-0 victory over Glasgow this month
July 1954
Frances-Ann Davis on loan from London
July 1954
When Joan Howes made the cover of July's GM, it was the first time two players from the same team had appeared in consecutive months
July 1954
A new Valerie... with oomph.' You all know Valerie Cutts. Shes the University colleen from Sligo who acted like an aloof blue stocking on Television. Well, it's quite astounding what the Gridball effect can have on a girl. Since stepping into goal for the West Yorkshire Terriers last year she's been gradually turning into something of a glamourpuss recently.
1954
If this is your first time visiting Gridball take a couple of minutes to watch this short description of the story. or visit this link to read about the Origins of Gridball
How they lined up pre season
The players are back in training for the new season, starting in March, and you can follow all the action here.
Here's the betting for the upcoming season. You can also click on the name of each team to view their team page, find out their history and view their stars of 1954.
MIDDLESEX SAXONS - 4/1 Favourites:
Always the team to beat, the Saxons won back to back titles in 1951 & 52 and then topped the regular season table last year with just one defeat. However, they were stunned in the Supergrid semi finals and then lost the Bronze match too to come up empty handed. Geraldine Gaunt was named Gridballer of the year last season and finished with the Silver scoring bat behind all time top Gridball scorer, Ellen McKeown.
BIRMINGHAM VIPERS - 7/1
Last year was a disappointing one for the Vipers, who at one time were in danger of being demoted. That coming after topping the regular season table in 1951 & 1952, ultimately losing both Supergrids to Middlesex. One big gamble this year was the recruitment of West Yorkshire goal getter Emily Taylor {4}, which has allowed youngster Sylvia Felgate {2} to be sent to Leeds on loan. Vipers fans expect a bounce back and strong bid to win that first Supergrid.
WEST YORKSHIRE TERRIERS - 8/1
Last year's beaten finalists in overtime, losing Shooter, Emily Taylor to Birmingham is a big blow, while Patricia Dowie's defection to Champions London was alleviated a little by getting France-Ann Davis on loan in return. Still capable to being in the mix and dark horses to land a Supergrid title now they've experienced a final.
ESSEX BLADES - 16/1
Did enough in the regular season to make the Play-offs and then showed that that's where a team has to come good, winning the Bronze medals at Middlesex's expense. Much of their success last year was down to the heroics of goalie Soe Soe Stephens, but she'll be missing this year on maternity, while the news is better that their exciting forward prospect, Jill Webb {4} should be recovered from an Achilles injury that ruled out out of the Bronze medal match by April. Even with her, and forward partner Eira Cordell {3} the title looks a tall order but a repeat of their podium place isn't.
THAMES LIONESSES - 24/1
Gridball has been waiting four years to see famous model Sian Blakiston {3} make her debut, havign turned down multiple opportunities to join senior clubs. Now she will be the big draw for London's third team in the senior game. Shaw {0} and Etevenon {0} from demoted Stafford add experience, but staying clear of the demotion battle will probably be their aim.
TAMAR PILGRIMS - 24/1
Did just enough to steer clear of demotion last year and with just two departing again this term, should have enough quality to do the same this time. Attacker Patricia Windsor [1} arrives from London to replace the goals of Margaret Page, who dropped down to the minors.
HULL FLYERS - 125/1
Two of the six newly promoted sides are being tipped to drop straight back down to the Minors this season will the Flyers one of the four considered to be out of their depth here. Shirley Keeler {1} arrives from Middlesex and is joined by Flewett and Gleadle from demoted Durham to provide experience of how to try and survive a demotion battle.
SUSSEX MARTLETS - 125/1
Snatched one of the last two remaining promotion spots last term and are being immediately tipped to go straight back down Cornell Laskowska joined them last year from Durham to help them to promotion and with them replacing the Lasses this term that looks like a good decision. However she alone may not be enough to cope in this company.
GLASGOW CLAYMORES - 13/2:
The Scots matched their best regular season last year, finishing third, but disappointingly lost in the play-offs to miss out on a podium place. Despite no major recruitment during the close season, The Claymores have one of the best goal scorers in the game in the very good {4} rated Bronze bat winning Susan McCrossan.
LONDON LIMEYS - 8/1
The defending Champions promptly went out and recruited Centre, Patricia Dowie {2} from their Supergrid opponents, West Yorkshire as they strengthen to defend their crown. Game Changing {6} Shooter, Joan Wallis remains the key to their success.
LEEDS OWLS - 9/1
Suffered a shock demotion in 1952 but have bounced back at the first attempt and are easily the strongest of the new teams. Madeleine Christophe {1} from Lancashire brings good central experience and Sylvia Felgate {2} on loan at shooter from Birmingham is also a coup but their star will be April Stride {3} the attacker who stayed loyal to them in the Minors last season. The Play-offs will be the target.
LANCASHIRE SPINNERS - 16/1
The Spinners will have been pleased with their senior debut last season, missing the Play-offs but staying clear of demotion worries. They made headlines by getting permission to field thirteen year old Lynda Burroughs last season when many felt she was too young. Now she's probably one of their most important players, despite the {2} rated defender still having to fit training around school work. A Play-off push will require more goals from Daisy Tomlinson {2} who failed to reach double figures last term.
LIVERPOOL LIVERBIRDS - 24/1
Solid season last year took them to the Play-offs where they were disappointing. A lack of recruitment this term is a concern and mid table and avoiding the demotion battle looks the aim. Star player is Attacker Paula Ohm {2}
KENT MAIDS - 30/1
The Maids secured the lowest safe spot in the regular season last term, ensuring their survival at Stafford and Durham's expense. They have a Supergrid Brooch holder in new signing Mary Lonsdale {1} from Middlesex and it's hoped she can find the goals to keep them clear of danger this season.
SHEFFIELD CUTLERS - 125/1
Like Hull, the Cutlers also raided demoted Durham to get the experience of midcourter Presti but a long hard season looks on the cards.
NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS - 125/1
The only promoted team without any senior experience and that makes them the bookies favourites to go stright back down.
The Minors
STAFFORD - Will be favourites to win the minors and bounce straight back to Senior Gridball at the first attempt. Walsh and Ruston are among the players who've stayed loyal to make them a firm favourite to claim one of the six promotion spots available.
DURHAM - Lost their senior status last year after two seasons but are also strongly expected to bounce straight back at the first attempt. As well as retaining the likes of Mathie and Higginbottom, they also made an excellent signing of Glasgow's shooter Rena Heilbron {2}, making a firm statement of their intent to come straight back.
BELFAST will make their debut in twenty-nine strong British Championship, which will rebrand this year into the UK championship to mark the inclusion of the Northern Irish Franchise. This will be the one and only UK Championship as the main Minor League as two Franchises have been awarded to the Irish Republic. Dublin and Cork will join next year in what will be renamed the British Isles Championship.
Gridball formally goes Stateside
Fourteen Franchises have been announced for the debut of the New York State Gridball Championship, which will start in March 1955. The competition is the first officially sanctioned one outside the United Kingdom and the top six teams next season will Play-Off against their UK equivalents to try and become the first non British teams to move into the senior game. With the facilities and training available in America it's expected the best teams from the State will very quickly challenge the best of the British.
In discussing how the Championship might work in the event of American teams winning through, The WGF have advised that the current sixteen fixture programme will remain as the Championship builds up to thirty-two teams and that long distance fixtures will be minimised.
The new New York teams are New York, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Buffalo, Long Island, Westchester, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Binghampton, Adirondack and Hudson.