He witnessed all the lows and lows of following the Irons but could be found at the Boleyn every week come rain or shine.
He had a colourful life, for a while he was considered the third Kray Twin. He was a bit of a lad, could be a bit naughty but he was generally considered a 'diamond geezer' and loved by one and all.
Every Saturday night he could be found in the Ruskin Arms tinkling the ivories on the Old Joanna and generally having a right old knees-up. He was proficient on piano and a gifted songwriter, indeed he was the inspiration for a young Chas Hodges. Jim was later to decline Chas's offer to join his band reckoning a duo called Chas and Jim would never make it.
He made his fortune in buying and selling fruit amongst the many costermongers to be found in that area. His cheery, cheeky, Cockney chappie persona was just a front for his deeply caring nature. Whenever a hungry child would walk by his barrow he would throw them a piece of fruit, his familiar shout of ''ave a banana' was gradually adopted more widely in the markets and taverns of the area.
You could certainly hear Bow Bells from where he lived, in fact he used to say you'd be able to see them too if it wasn't for the 'ouses in between.
And for that reason alone I shall be supporting West Ham tomorrow no matter who they may be playing.
We fondly remember The Scarf. He actually killed my uncle Lester. The Scarf was a good lad.
ReplyDeleteNah mate, that was Jim 'the waistcoat'. He was a bad boy and would have done the Gallows Dance if he didn't move to Marbella.
ReplyDelete