In August 2022, The Hockey Museum (THM) featured a piece about Wembley Head Groundsman Don Gallacher and his son Colin’s efforts to document his father’s memories in a new book. Don oversaw the Wembley pitch between 1974 and 1985 when hockey crowds were at their highest. The vibrancy and the excited, piercing noise – too loud to hear the umpire’s whistle! – are vivid recollections from everyone who attended or played. We reflected on how The Hockey Museum (THM) had attempted – but ultimately failed – to track down a Wembley groundsman when writing our own chronicle of Wembley, The Magic of Wembley, only to be contacted by Colin through our public enquiries service several years later.

We are grateful to Colin for making a significant donation to THM in recognition of our small support.

(Re)visit the preceding part of the following story by clicking here: Unearthing a Groundsman’s Special Memories of Wembley Stadium (hockeymuseum.net)

A Reflection by Colin Gallacher on his Publishing Journey

Whilst compiling my late father’s memoir about the time he was the Head Groundsman at the ‘old’ Wembley Stadium (1974-1985), I stumbled across The Hockey Museum and in particular the marvellous book The Magic of Wembley in early 2022 – an absolute ‘fluke’.

It was back in the 1980s when I persuaded my dad to drop his other writings and pursue one about his time at Wembley Stadium. Despite my early intervention, it took another 35 years to get from ‘written’ or ‘typed’ manuscript to a printed book – the ultimate objective.

Unfortunately, the barriers were considerable; not least finding the time to produce in legible form, but also the prohibitive cost of printing or distributing a book at the time and licensing the use of photographs essential to his story. Yet in very recent years the ability for the average person to publish and the cost of images, even those owned by newspapers, have become manageable; as has my having the time to put in the work (although I didn’t appreciate just how much time).

It was Ian Gallacher, my cousin and collaborator in this current effort, who forwarded a link to The Hockey Museum’s website because he thought it may be interesting. As usual he was right: very interesting and I was able to purchase the marvellous book The Magic of Wembley. How marvellous? It was and remains so for me. Apart from being a really good read, it features the memories of former hockey players and others. Many of these coincided with my dad’s writings which proved so reassuring. The book reflects on the grandeur of the stadium and the Wembley ‘effect’ being so special for everyone who attended a sporting occasion, be it players, coaching staff or fans; and how the wonderfully noisy hockey spectators (mainly schoolgirls) muted the umpires’ whistles so that they had to be supported by additional officials using klaxons.

Cartoon humorously documenting an umpire’s struggle to be heard over the crowd at Wembley. From Hockey Field magazine 1957.

Both books refer to the original Wembley Stadium, which to some was considered as ‘The Cathedral of Football’ – the ultimate goal for players in most sports and much more. It was a truly iconic building in its day with its Twin Towers as recognisable as the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal. Unlike those buildings, the original Wembley Stadium no longer exists other than in the memories of those that had the good fortune to play on the ‘sacred turf’, watch a special match or perhaps attend a rock concert with audiences approaching 100,000. Publishing books such as these help to ensure the longevity of those memories.

I’m truly impressed with The Hockey Museum’s website and I am grateful for the Museum for allowing me the use of photos for my book. I am especially thankful to the volunteer authors of The Magic of Wembley – it has been an inspiration as well as a most enjoyable reference to when women’s hockey was an annual event at the old Wembley Stadium.

Many thanks,
Colin Gallacher

Purchase the Books

Purchase Colin’s book, a memoire of his father Don Gallacher, Get Off My Pitch: Get Off My Pitch by Don Gallacher

Purchase The Magic of Wembley, the first publication from The Hockey Museum: Purchase The Magic of Wembley Book (hockeymuseum.net)