LAST week's sporting nostalgia picture of Peter Caldwell scoring the second goal for St Osmund’s

in the final of the Catholic schools knockout competition against SS Peter and Paul’s in 1971 evoked many memories for readers of The Bolton News.

John Finlayson played in the St Osmund's team and sent in a team picture from that time.

He recalled: "I played for St Osmund's and I do remember the game.

"St Osmund's played in yellow with St Peter and Pauls in blue.

"The St Osmund's team was Thomas Maude, Michael Keegan, Simon Bramwell, James McGreavy, Ronald Hampson, Andrew Caldwell, me, Peter Caldwell, Leslie Grundy, Alexander Fau, Paul Farrow, with subs Bernard Gillett and Shaun Derbyshire.

"It was the first Catholic Cup final and the final score was 5-0 to St Osmund's.

"The goalscorers were Peter Caldwell (two), Leslie Grundy (two) and Alex Fau.

"The Catholic Cup was the first of two trophies St Osmunds won that year, the second being the Bolton Evening News Centenary Trophy, beating Brandwood Street School 7-1 in the final.

"It was a great team to play for and in 24 games that season the team scored 144 goals.

"I attach a photograph of the team with the two trophies. Standing Mr Chapman; back, from left, Bernard Gillett, James McGreavy, Peter Caldwell, Thomas Maude, Leslie Grundy, Paul Farrow; front, Shaun Derbyshire, Simon Bramwell, Michael Keegan, Ronald Hampson, Alexander Fau, Andrew Caldwell and me."

Phil Southern still has the match programme from the Town Cup final which St Osmund's also won that year and sent in pictures.

He said: "For the Catholic Cup final, there was quite a big crowd as I recall for a game at that level – maybe 150-200.

"I wasn't in the St Osmund team and was therefore in the crowd with my dad and I recall at the final whistle hordes of schoolboys rushing onto the muddy pitch to try and get Gareth William's autograph – the former Wanderers player who was the referee.

"Although St Osmund were in the Second Division at the time, we had a superb team and beat SS Peter and Paul's from the First Division 5-0.

"The bigger tournament was the 'Town Cup' which was open to schools of all denominations.

"In that final, St Osmund's' opponents were Brandwood Street who were in second place in the top division but Osmund hammered them 7-1, according to the writing on the front of the programme even though my memory recalls it being 6-1.

"We had quite a supporters' club amongst the pupils who couldn't make the all-conquering team and I remember myself and the late Richard McFarlane [aka the late comedian, Hovis Presley] having a home-made banner made from two wooden clothes props and a bed sheet, saying something like 'Osmund for the cup'.

"The photo published showed Peter Caldwell scoring our second goal against SS Peter and Paul's.

"His brother Andrew was also in the team and he was a year younger and the likes of Alex Fau and Les Grundy scored goals for fun.

"Promotion was clinched as well at the end of the season before the team broke up as they all went on to secondary school.

"Led by teacher Mr Chapman it was a fabulous team for a bunch of 10 and 11 year olds."

Michael Keegan, who played in that team, also got in touch with names of his team-mates while goalscorer, Peter Caldwell, now living in London, also emailed his memories after being sent a cutting of The Bolton News by his uncle Gerard Caldwell.

He said: "The photo brought back memories of such happy days growing up, and playing football for St Osmund's.

"A name or two I remember playing with are Leslie Grundy and Alex Fau.

"My mum used to come on at half time with slices of oranges, and my dad used to take us all back in the back of his flatbed truck, and sometimes we shouted at the top of our voices 'we are the champions'. Happy Days."