Well known local footballer Pat Degnan and his wife Jennifer celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Friday 21st March at their home in Henderson Road. The Mayor Barbara Clare called with a bouquet and congratulations from the Town Council.
Pat played as a Junior for Middlesbrough and Darlington Football clubs and then for local teams ENV Rovers and Bakelite when they had teams in the Amateur League. He is a Sunderland season ticket holder as a result of supporting his nephew, well known Aycliffe professional Brian Atkinson when he played for the Black Cats..
They both come from Darlington and first met at a Dance at the Majestic where they went to jive to 60’s rock n’ roll music. Pat served an apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner at Darlington Railway Shops and Jennifer was a wages clerk at Paton and Baldwins.
A job at Newton Aycliffe for Pat qualified the couple for a new rented house in Walcher Road. Like many young wives in the new town, Jennifer took a part time job working for GEC, Union Carbide and latterly as a Nurse at Aycliffe Hospital.
Pat and Jennifer have four daughters, but he did not suffer as the only man in the house until recently where as a football fanatic he is sent into the back kitchen to watch matches on TV. He shares this room with the family pet so he is literally “in the dog house” when the match is televised! Pat used to tell people: I have a wife, four daughters and even the dog’s a bitch!
The couple have 11 Grandchildren and two Great Grandchildren. Jennifer’s mother Irene Thompson (90 years old) lives with them and is a former “Aycliffe Angel”.
Pat told Newton News they have enjoyed a good life in the town and it is a great place to live. Jennifer and he love the Newton News and are pleased to have their 60th Anniversary featured in its columns. They have booked the Big Club for a Family Disco Party where 160 people will join in the celebrations.
