Memories Of Harry Cripps

Richard (Dick ) Day wrote:

Harry was a fans man and did not know the word defeat, be it be the 1st minute or the 90th the ball was to be won, very hard but fair.
The stories about him are true in the sense that he would have a word with the winger and talk him out of the game before he reached the pitch.
I was at secondary school during his time at the Den and he was employed to take the school for football, he would also look after the school team and got permission from the club to attend one Saturday morning when we had a cup final, which we won in no small part to Harry as he talked us into believing that there was only one result.
I, like many other fans, attended his funeral because he was Millwall and Millwall will always be Harry Cripps.

James Langley wrote:

I have many memories of Mr Millwall, four of which are enumerated here. 1. A spectacular goal from a free kick from the touchline against Southend in 1966, followed by an identical one minutes later that went just wide.
2. His 60 yard fee kick goal against Fulham in 1968.
3. His bone crunching tackle at Goodison Park in 1973 that sent an Everton player into orbit!
4. In a League Cup replay against Barnsley at the Den with the score poised at 1-1 'Arry was facing his own goal facing a Barnsley man a yard or so away. The other players held back as though mesmerised. 'Arry kicked the ball against the Barnsley man and got the rebound.
'Arry Cripps was legend. No argument.

malcolm maclean wrote:

Subject: Harry Cripps gamesmanship

I remember a table topping clash with Southend United, in January 1966. Millwall were awarded a free kick about 5 yards outside the box. Harry and Hughie Curran stood over the ball, whilst the ref got the Southend wall back 10 yards. All seemed set when Curran indicated the wall was not back far enough, and started pacing out 10 yards.
While the Southend defenders were distracted, watching Curran pacing out the ten yards, Harry casually lobbed the ball into the top corner. I remember the Southend goalkeeper (Mackechnie) going ballistic, as the goal was allowed to stand.
We thought it was a great crack, obviously something they worked on in training.

Terry Rooney wrote:

Subject: Not such a mad dog

I have just discovered the page on Harry from where I now live in Canada, after swapping some stories today with an ex schoolfriend now living in Australia. The wonders of the internet!
I played with the West Ham Schoolboys team in 1957 and Harry was on the team. I made only one first team appearnace and was more frequently a substitute. Harry made the team regularly but off the field he was a smiling relaxed friendly guy; just like the image you see in his photo.

lee cripps wrote:

Harry was my second cousin, i am a millwall supporter, have been all my life, he was one of the nicest men i ever met, and i am proud to be related to such a legend.