Family retrace steps of Real Madrid player

7:00am Monday 25th February 2013 in Local News

Family retrace steps of Real Madrid player Family retrace steps of Real Madrid player

A FAMILY from Southend have been on a journey of discovery to Real Madrid’s football ground where their father made history by becoming the team’s first ever British player.

Not a lot of football fans will know that Real’s first foreign signing hailed from Southend in the shape of John Fox Watson who signed for them in 1948.

He moved there from playing for Fulham to join the Spanish team when such moves were rare.

With him went his wife Judith, son John, then six months old and daughter Carole, then aged three.

John Watson (junior) has run the Jolly Roger cafe at the Arches in Southend for the last 25 years.

He made the journey to Real Madrid recently with his family to relive the days of his late father.

He said: "My dad made history really, he is also the only Scotsman to ever play for the club.”

Mr Watson, 66, his son Spencer , 43, and grandson Nicholas, eight, were invited to Real Madrid to see the famous Bernabéu Stadium and visit the club museum which documents the club's history.

Comments(3)

The Cumberland Jockey says...
1:10pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Obviously the footballing gene did not pass down through the generations . I used to play against the chubby one - Spencer - years ago ... He was more Real(ly) Talentless than Real Madrid ....

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definitelymaybe says...
11:36pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I disagree with Cumberland, it wasn't a lack of talent that thwarted Spencer it was his untethered syrup that caused the problem. I remember once at Pork Chop Hill vs Leigh Ramblers on a cold November in 1995 when he missed two penalties in quick succession after his wig fell forward at the vital moment. Later that year he tried to turn it into a mullet..

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The Cumberland Jockey says...
8:35am Tue 26 Feb 13

I really don't want to enter into an argument definitelymaybe but I feel it necessary to reply . There WAS a genuine lack of talent on display everytime Spencer crossed the touchline . A lack of pace was sandwiched between a lack of passing/finishing ability and a complete void of tactical nous . How you have the audacity to blame an expensive and ridiculous syrup that was obviously bought under the counter from Ravens circa 1976 I just can't comprehend . Yes the syrup may have affected heading the ball but i genuinely feel you need to reassess your appraisal of his all round game . The Cumberland knows the difference between watching Cruyff and a hair piece from Crufts ....

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