BLUE COAT DAYS

I attended the Liverpool Blue Coat School from 1971 until 1977, when I dropped out half-way through the 'A' level course.

I was probably not the most industrious student the school ever had, but I was very popular with the headmaster, Mr H P Arnold-Craft. He regularly invited me to his study!

My nickname was "Sammy" and I was famous for my "skinhead" haircut when everyone else looked like a Bay City Roller. I was also renowned for my lack of ability on the sports field and in the swimming pool, and for my gerbil-breeding empire in the boarders' Animal Room up on Pegleg's landing.

My major achievements were the forging of keys to doors in the school, and a bomb scare that led to a Police investigation and the cane!

I was in the following forms:

1971/72: 1P with Brian Davies (BD) in Room 7 (when this picture of me was taken)

1972/73: 2P with Mike Hobson in Room 24

1973/74: 3P with Johnny Caulfield in Room 7

1974/75: 4P with Brian Davies (BD) in Room 10

1975/76: 5P with "Sandy" Tittershill in Room 30

1976/77: L6A with Peter Ling (Pibble) in Room 5

Realising that there was no chance of my passing any 'A' levels, I jumped ship and went to work in the Schedules Office at Merseyside Transport.

A lot happened after that (see "THE MISSING YEARS" page in the "PERSONAL & FAMILY" section). I am now settled in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. I live with my partner, Samantha, and our two daughters, Bethany (5) and Eloise (3). From my previous marriage my daughters Laura (29), Jodie (26) and my son Thomas (22) have presented me with a total of four grandchildren.

Now aged 48 and semi-retired (I drive buses two days per week) I have had time to take stock of my life and record it for future generations.

In 2007 my book, "RETURN TO THE BLUE COAT" about my six years at the school (1971-1977) and my nostalgic return in 2004 was published. It contains over a hundred photographs and quite a few copies have escaped into circulation. If you are interested in having a copy, please look at the BUY MY BOOK page of this website.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who may remember me.

The Blue Coat School will be 300 years old in 2008 and many events are being planned. In May 2007 I became Honorary Secretary to the Liverpool Blue Coat Brotherly Society.