WHY YELTZ?

POSSIBLE DERIVATIONS OF THE HALESOWEN NICKNAME - No. 1

It's a little known fact that immediately after World War II, Halesowen were one of the first clubs to field a foreign international - legendary Hungarian centre-forward Pungus Catfich.

Catfich, of course, played in the 30's for the mighty Banci-Hanso team as well as the national side, for whom he scored may goals feeding off the wingers Detrtius and Invertebratech before the outbreak of war.

In 1946 he moved to England to play in the B'ham Combination which many people judged stronger than the Football League, and Halesowen were lucky enough to secure his services (mainly because they found him work - the league was amateur - at the world-famous Halesowen Button factory).

Over the next few years, Pungus became one of the most popular players ever to wear the Blue and White (those were the days - ed) - yes, even more popular than "Sir" Johnny Woodhouse. In 1949 a local brewery followed their instinct and immortalised him as No. 1 in a series of dripmats.

Catfich returned to hungary in the early 50's and apparently lived happily until his peaceful passing on in 1983, just weeks after seeing his beloved Yeltz at Wembley. YELTZ!?! - I KNEW there was something I had to mention.

Although Pungus' English was good he often reverted to his native tounge on the pitch. Thus older Grove fans may remember his plaintive cry of "Yeltz, Albert, Yeltz" which roughly translated from the Magyar means "over here, son, on my head"

Argus Ada

A more sensible(?) suggestion can be found on the main HTFC page