The Sentinel my Artical by Alan Colclough have a read -

MADAM, – Well, where do I begin? After reading about the sad loss of Vince Everett and the article about Mavis Collis, I just had to tell you my story.

My name is Alan Colclough and I was in the band with Mavis. I also spent many a time with Vince Everett, the popular singer. My father, Tony Colclough, was a well- known agent in Stoke-on-Trent and booked many acts in clubs. He was also well-known for booking comedy duo Cannon and Ball into Stoke for the first time at Pittshill Victory Club, and as entertainment manager for Burslem Suburban Club. I went on to join many other bands and ended up in the Midlands top show group and won the artist of the year at the Michelin club – good old days.

My dad was very good mates with Pete Conway, dad of Robbie Williams – a little lad from Stoke-on-Trent you may have heard of.

I think his dad still owes my dad £10 commission for a booking at one of the clubs he used to book him in – most of the time he was at the Port Vale club with Pete as he was compere! If only my dad was here to see how his son has got on.

I still have the photo of Mavis in the group, and on the same shot is my brother's group. We had a special party night at Cobridge Coronation Club. It was the silver wedding for mum and dad and my engagement to my wife Phillis – both bands played and we had a great night. It's a good group shot of the two bands and mum and dad in the middle.

When dad was the entertainment manager of Burslem Suburban (sadly it's for sale now) we used to have top acts from all over the UK. When he passed away, I started an entertainment agency – I couldn't let all his good work go to waste – so I got all the cards and photos and one by one rang the acts and started Yes Entertainments agency. It was well- known at the time and booked many of the clubs in Stoke. My brothers worked with me and we became a top agency for the area, booking lots of local talent.

We had a group called Dark Horse who won artiste of the year at Jollees night club and went on to appear on Opportunity Knocks on the TV.

So my dad was in entertainment and so were his sons. You would expect my sons to do the same and yes, both have. Adam and Chris, my boys, are both excellent musicians and songwriters/producers. Music is our world and I have two wishes for the future:

My lads get signed up;

Their children keep music in their blood for families to come.

As an afterthought, when dad died I had a very large trophy that had shields all around it for the Burslem Suburban Artist of the year awards – we left it at the club as part of his life and love. It was called the Tony Colclough Memorial Awards Trophy.

I would love to know where it is now due to the club being closed.

This was given once a year to the top act voted by the members, who gave their services free .

I can't tell you everything as I would be on here all day, but I have loads of stories about the entertainment at that time in Stoke and the working men's clubs.

I hope you have found this interesting – I've enjoyed reliving some of the past.

ALAN COLCLOUGH

Goldenhill