Help Needed! Ivan Marks and Likely Lads Book

[TF_Mark Wintle]

Fresh from getting my fifth angling book published (Big Roach 2) I am working on an official biography of Ivan Marks and the Likely Lads, mainly covering the match fishing era of mid 60s to mid 70s but also looking at Ivan’s earlier and later angling career. As you might expect, I’ve been in touch with some of the Likely Lads and Linda Marks, and they’re continuing to help in many ways.

But I need more information and stories. I’m trying to find out more about Ivan’s time with Barnsley and Oundle, and another teams he fished for apart from the obvious Leicester AS.

Any info/pictures/stories/contacts gratefully received. Please PM me and I’ll be in touch.

My rough schedule is to get this completed sometime in the spring although I seem to be uncovering more and more info by the day and it’s a lot to sift through and make sense of. Ideally it would be published in autumn 2015 but much to do before then, Incredibly I’ve done nearly 60,000 words so far of about 90,000 required, and plenty to finalise and bolt in. The publisher is all OK for the project so it’s not pie in the sky.

[TF_Mark Wintle]

Still making good progress; another 10,000 words done and more people contacted with a few on my list to catch with yet (spoken to all of the Likely Lads now). Other contributions in progress.

One article I remember from long ago but yet to source was one (I’m sure this existed but no trace yet) about Ivan’s Haig And Haig win on the Middle Level back in the early 1960s. I’m sure I read it in either an early Match fishing or Coarse Fisherman. I have an index for Coarse Fisherman but can’t see it listed though the index isn’t 100% accurate.

If anyone has photos of Ivan or the Likely Lads please get in touch as well.

[TF_paulnewell]

Got a feeling Ivan Fished with the Birmingham side , famous in its day Cofton Hackett . Only briefly I think , with Clive Smith and Ken Giles . Kenny would help you but I haven’t his number . Ring Scotty Smiths tackle for his number . Kenny would have loads of info regards Ivan and I guess you will have spoken with Stan Piecha .

[TF_Mark Wintle]

@paulnewell wrote:

Got a feeling Ivan Fished with the Birmingham side , famous in its day Cofton Hackett . Only briefly I think , with Clive Smith and Ken Giles . Kenny would help you but I haven’t his number . Ring Scotty Smiths tackle for his number . Kenny would have loads of info regards Ivan and I guess you will have spoken with Stan Piecha .

Thanks, Paul. Yes, Ivan fished for Cofton briefly before joining Barnsley as far as I can tell. Ken is on my list yet to be contacted. I’ve spoken to Stan. Trying to trace John Castledine or Pete Lee (not sure Geoff Bibby is still around?) to shed light on when Ivan fished for Oundle which I think was in the early 90s. Yet to figure out just when Ivan joined or left Barnsley but about 1981 to 1989.

[TF_paulnewell]

Ivan turns up at Tunnel Barn Farm , a rare visit ! It was the last time I saw him , he was ill at this time . He still had that grin and he drew a good peg on the housepool . No29 . A regular , that did not know of Ivan’s history told him that’s a fu…ng flier that is and if you can’t win to pack up !!! 😮 😮 😮 Ivan grinned , he knew nothing of this plonker either . After the match Ivan hadn’t done great and in the shop this regular asks how Ivan’s got on . 39lbs he says . IS that all ? You’ve fu…d up a right flier then . Calm as you like puts his hand on his chin and a huge grin ! Suppose I must have says Ivan and drifted away . 🙂 🙂 🙂 PS his book on float fishing was a huge inspiration to me but sorry I haven’t got it .

[Anonymous]

Johnny Essex i think it is who does a lot on angling history may be able to help you.Not sure how you would get in touch with him though.i met Ivan only a couple of times but he was an absolute gentlemen. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

[TF_Mark Wintle]

@loda wrote:

Johnny Essex I think it is who does a lot on angling history may be able to help you.Not sure how you would get in touch with him though.I met Ivan only a couple of times but he was an absolute gentlemen. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

I’m in touch with John every week. We both have the same interest in angling history and John’s connection to the Likely Lads is invaluable. In turn I’ve been helping John with his angling book project which is a history of the National up to 1983. Quite surprising what stories are turning up and just awaiting a load from one of the original Lads.

[TF_Chris VandervleitParticipant]

Hello Mark
Dickie Carr may be able to help you out with a few stories as they spent a lot of time together in Ireland.
Let me know if you are interested and I will contact Dickie to see if it is okay to give you his number.

[TF_Mark Wintle]

@Chris Vandervleit wrote:

Hello Mark
Dickie Carr may be able to help you out with a few stories as they spent a lot of time together in Ireland.
Let me know if you are interested and I will contact Dickie to see if it is okay to give you his number.

Chris, thanks for the suggestion. I’ve spoken to Dickie and have some of his stories.

[TF_paulnewell]

A young fellow who I haven’t seen for along time Stu Killen . Didn’t they both go to Barnsley at the same time ? Reckon he and Ivan were close . 🙂

[TF_paulnewell]

Reckon I was in my late 20s fishing at Borrowash . Big chub bags were needed to win . There was a boil in the middle , and I felt chub must lie behind it . This six bb homemade balsa come crow quill didn’t want to ride over this boil , I struck numerous times thinking it must be bites and gave up . Instead mending the line and forcing it over the lump . Ivan turns up to watch . You not going to strike at those bites ? He enquires . They are not bites says I just a rough bottom . Struck at them earlier but it’s a rough bottom . Looks like bites to me says Ivan . I’ll try again then !!!!!! Whoops ,the rod arches over and ime into one . Try again he says . 😉 30 lbs of chub in the last hour and felt a right beginner . I was desperate to put on a good display for him , I couldn’t have impressed him ! But he just gave that big grin . You’ll get it right next time son and off he went . :rolleyes: :rolleyes: 🙂

[TF_Mark Wintle]

Great stuff, Paul. I presume Borrowash was mid 1980s? I’ve been in touch with Stu Killen and he’s been very helpful. Memories of Marks & Marlow tackle shop invited.

[TF_Dr.Phil]

Brian Envis would be able to help you , think Stan Piecha also .
Peter Jayes would i am sure provide some stuff.

I used to watch Ivan and Pete on the Leicester canal when the first poles came out.
Best days were always listening to Ivan in the Marks and Marlow shop on King Richards road. He had people even coming from Ireland and europe to talk and be with him such was his Sanctimonious status in the Church of knowledge in the M+M shop.

[TF_Mark Wintle]

As the weeks go by I’m getting more and more info. Yet to speak to Pete Jayes but he’s on my ‘to do’ list. A load more stuff promised and on its way but more stories always welcome.

Today, of course, is the tenth anniversary of Ivan’s death so raise a glass to a legend.

[TF_paulnewell]

I only heard of the exploits he had Bream fishing . Never saw them first hand . The most memorable thing I witnessed was him winning on the Crown Meadow . Evesham . Around 29 lbs of chub on waggler , feeding groundbait and castor . throwing by hand . It went in with a quietness and clouded , Chub didn’t like groundbait we thought ?? A display of how it could be done , possibly never to be witnessed again . 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

[TF_david3]

I thought the Marks & Marlow tackle shop was on Tudor Road in Leicester?

[TF_Mark Wintle]

@david3 wrote:

I thought the Marks & Marlow tackle shop was on Tudor Road in Leicester?

Yes, but at first it was on King Richard’s Road.

[TF_Mark Wintle]

A week is a long time when you’re researching a book! More stories emerging daily but i welcome more.

My publisher is discounting the book of Ivan’s best 100 articles if anyone wants a cheap stocking filler –

http://www.calmproductions.com/acatalog/IvanMarks.html

[TF_NoCarpPlease]

At the discounted price the People’s Champion is an even better buy!

Did you manage to speak to John Castledine about the Oundle days? Nigel Baxter may be another good source …. I’m sure you could contact him through Bob Webster’s shop in Irthlingborough. A lot of the Oundle boys used to be there friday evenings in the 90’s.

[TF_Mark Wintle]

I have spoken to John Castledine and need to speak to him again at some time. At the moment finding out stuff so fast it’s hard to keep up but sorting out the info as I go. Still have a list of people I’ve yet to talk to and a few more who I will need to talk to again, and again! I’ve also got in excess of half a million written words of archive stuff to sift through and another 100,000 in the pipeline. If anyone has very early Match Fishing magazines (before say 1993) and finds any Ivan-related articles in them then please get in touch.

[TF_tedc]

Dave Rossi has some stuff to add i would think,,Omar from kobra feeders was his traveling partner and last time i spoke to Omar he was still in touch with Dave, mind that has been some time since though.

[TF_Mark Wintle]

@tedc wrote:

Dave Rossi has some stuff to add I would think, Omar from Kobra feeders was his travelling partner and last time I spoke to Omar he was still in touch with Dave, mind that has been some time since though.

I’ve spoken to Dave several times and he’s writing his story. Every time we speak I end up creased with laughter – unfortunately half the stories he tells me on the phone are unprintable!

[TF_paulnewell]

Kevin Ashurst would have something to say on Ivan ? I reckon . 🙂 🙂 🙂

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