I just had a dream where I was trying to explain to somebody about the guys that used to signal the odds to each other across the dogtrack. I’d even forgotten the name “tictac man”, I just remember being fascinated by these guys signalling each other with their secret hand signs… Thank you so much for posting this film. In these days of mobile phones, sadly the tictac man would never be needed, but what an amazingly colourful addition it made to the culture of the dogtrack. Watching this, I’m taken back to the 60s when our Mam used to work on the tote at Reading dogtrack when it was at the bottom of Norcot Hill. As a treat, our Dad used to take us down to watch the dog racing and all the fascinating craziness that went on down there.
My great granddad was a tic-tac man in the 50's to the 80's at my local dog tracks so my dad would take me there alot but by about 1995 there was only 1 man left but can't remember his name. All I remember is that most were jewish.
wimbledon stadium round the corner from me was the last to go in London - there was a huge turnout for the last races, all the bangers and stock cars came down. sad to see it go, but glad to see the dons coming back to plough lane
Never had tic tac's in Australia at least in the last 50 years of racing and betting rings. Bookies used runners to go from ring to ring for odds. All that is long gone, three/four rings of at least 100 bookies is now a row of five or six bookies twiddling their thumbs hoping for a bet. Yes Betfair cost them but for the punter like me it was (yes past tense) a Godsend!
Tictac (Dean) is a legend. But don't get on his bad side, unless you're tired of your old shoes and want to get some new ones... He'll know what I mean :-)
Not without Tictac's consent, sorry. I guess I posted this in the hope that he would see it, remember, and smile. I don't really care if other people don't get it.
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I just had a dream where I was trying to explain to somebody about the guys that used to signal the odds to each other across the dogtrack. I’d even forgotten the name “tictac man”, I just remember being fascinated by these guys signalling each other with their secret hand signs…
Thank you so much for posting this film. In these days of mobile phones, sadly the tictac man would never be needed, but what an amazingly colourful addition it made to the culture of the dogtrack.
Watching this, I’m taken back to the 60s when our Mam used to work on the tote at Reading dogtrack when it was at the bottom of Norcot Hill. As a treat, our Dad used to take us down to watch the dog racing and all the fascinating craziness that went on down there.
Excellent thanks for posting
Dean Valentine, probably the most down-to-earth and unique character in the betting industry, have huge respect for this guy.
Bloody disgrace they got rid of the Stow.Lots Of happy memories there,.
My great granddad was a tic-tac man in the 50's to the 80's at my local dog tracks so my dad would take me there alot but by about 1995 there was only 1 man left but can't remember his name. All I remember is that most were jewish.
Old fasthands Dean. Watched him many a night down Walthamstow around the time this was filmed. Absolutely amazing on an open race night.
Any idea what years he was there?
wimbledon stadium round the corner from me was the last to go in London - there was a huge turnout for the last races, all the bangers and stock cars came down. sad to see it go, but glad to see the dons coming back to plough lane
Walthamstow Stadium gone now sad.
I, found it very interesting the tiic-tac... 👌
Never had tic tac's in Australia at least in the last 50 years of racing and betting rings. Bookies used runners to go from ring to ring for odds. All that is long gone, three/four rings of at least 100 bookies is now a row of five or six bookies twiddling their thumbs hoping for a bet. Yes Betfair cost them but for the punter like me it was (yes past tense) a Godsend!
hes wrong about 'carpet. 3 year sentence would get you a carpet for your cell. not 3 months
Tick tack disappeared now destroyed by betfair............the ring a dull place now
Grange Hill
Spotted that aswell!! 😂😂👍 .. The gd old day's lol
My head does not look like a sodding Tic Tack
Ey-up!
@ 7 mins ish that is surely the girl from Grange Hill that played Fay Lucas ?
Bang on the money Lee, I was thinking the same myself
@@scott5319 aye, turns out it was indeed her .
Im thinking i went to school with her 😂 now i know why i know her 😂😂 thanks
Exactly what I just thought,it is her!
Wonder what she does now?
No one bets on course now . The ring is finished . The people who go are only interested in drink now .
Tictac (Dean) is a legend. But don't get on his bad side, unless you're tired of your old shoes and want to get some new ones...
He'll know what I mean :-)
Not without Tictac's consent, sorry. I guess I posted this in the hope that he would see it, remember, and smile. I don't really care if other people don't get it.
@@passengerplanetearth maybe get in touch, if you're such good mates?
Start at 1:25 watch and wait at 1:30 there’s Dean getting back from having a google time. XYZ.
how would the receiver of the hand signal message know which horse / dog the sender is referring to ?
They number the card in their own way 1,2,3,4 etc top of head is 1, 2 is nose 3 chin 4 no 4 drawn in air etc
Cool rather.
Those wonderful accents are now fading from our country.Very sad. I DESPISE the ‘jafaicank accent that is now prevalent in and around London.
Same.
Couldn't agree more m8, what's happening all across Britain & now Ireland is a disgrace!
03:30
wheres the skateboard?
Cook
Get back in ur box
wheres the skateboard?