ALCOCK'S LAST BLAST

Sadly, Paul Alcock has died at the age of 64 after a long battle with cancer. Paul lived in Maidstone and ran the Mall Chequers Centre for many years, raising a lot of money from there. He first joined the top ranks of refereeing in 1988 and complete 94 Premier League matches between 1995-2000. At 47 years old he retired from the top ranks and assessed and mentored budding refs.

The PGMOL chairman, Mike Riley, spoke of Paul's distinguished career, whilst others mentioned his bravery while battling against cancer for two years.
Here is Paul's record in top refereeing
http://www.worldfootball.net/referee_summary/paul-alcock/

Paul Alcock is famous for his "comedy" coming to together with Paolo di Canio on September 26th 1998. Paul was reffing the Sheffield Wednesday and Arsenal match when Paolo (for ever theatrical) and Nigel Winterburn had a coming together, which ended up with Paul showing Paolo a red card. Paolo got upset and pushed Paul in the chest causing him to fall over with a major stagger! They met later in the year and "had a good laugh about it". I wonder how many reds and yellows should have been shown during that incident??
http://int.search.mywebsearch.com/search/video.jhtml?id=XNxdm019YYgb&n=77edc526&pg=video&pn=1&ptb=308DCB58-2A13-42C4-993A-77A59B6C34C6&ptnrS=XNxdm019YYgb&qs=&searchfor=Paul+Alcock+referee&si=CJeTnrb1k7ECFZMctAodh14dkA&ss=sub&st=sb&tpr=sbt
Oh yes, Wednesday won 1-0 and Nigel looked like he was expecting another left hook!
In case you didn't know it is the anniversary of Bert (The Cat) Williams' birth today, one of our famous goalkeepers who played for Wolves and England 30 times. He was born in 1920 and died in 2014. More on Bert tomorrow.

DOES HE CROUCH TO GIVE HER A KISS

Peter Crouch at 6'7", is celebrating his birthday today, born 30/1/1981. He has won 42 caps for England and scored 22 goals between 2005-10, playing in two World Cups. He is married to Abbey Clancy, a Liverpudlian 5'9" tall. He is one of the 26 players to have scored 100+ Premier League goals and has scored the most headed goals in PL history.

Cumulatively, he is the 5th most expensive PL footballer.
Born in Macclesfield, his family moved to Singapore for business reasons and then settled in Harrow. He was a trainee at Spurs, played at Dulwich Hamlet and went to IFK Hassleholm in 2000. His list of joining clubs is as follows: QPR 2001, Pompey 2001, Villa 2002, Norwich 2003, Southampton 2004 with 85 apps and 22 goals.
Then Liverpool 2005, Portsmouth 2008, Spurs 2009 and Stoke 2011 (190/43). He is famed for:-
his Plan B usage, Abbey Clancy, his two daughters and Robotic Dancing. Overall he has turned out 691 times and scored 201 goals.
Any way, he is a good lad and well, bats above his average? Punches above his weight?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUmgNkj75M4
but there are many different lists!
https://sporteology.com/top-10-tallest-soccer-players-world/

OWAH BAH'T THAT, THEN?

Jordan Coduri of Penistone Church FC made footballing history yesterday when he scored the first goal for his newly formed international team, Yorkshire. Playing in the "country's" first ever match against the Isle of Man, Coduri, a 25 year old midfielder, notched his first international goal, following on a through ball from his captain Pat McGuire. Earlier Sean Ripley missed a first half penalty to put the Tykes ahead.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/jordan-coduri-scores-yorkshires-first-international-goal-in-draw-with-isle-of-man-36539190.html

200 match programmes, collectors' items, sold rapidly as 500 attended the match at Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC. The local Brass Band was double booked so the occasion was not graced with the Yorkshire anthem, "Ilkley Moor bah't Tat". There were plenty of pies and peas, the raffle was offered with a pack of Stella, 4 can of John Smiths and  a Box of Yorkshire tea.

The IOM, known as Ellan Vannin, are founder members of CONIFA, the FA that supports smaller nations and independent states. They went ahead in the second half only to be pegged back by the White Rose team.

The Yorkshire International FA intends to host a six team tournament in, May hoping to attract teams such as Tibet and the Chagos Islands.
Here's one I did earlier.
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3994718670252035536#editor/target=post;postID=8293466645073538699;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=1;src=postname

England hopes to host the CONIFA World Tournament this year;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_ConIFA_World_Football_Cup
Phil Hegarty, Chairman of YIFA...his brain wave.

NEWPORT EXILES SHOW THEIR IRONSIDE

Newport County AFC have kept their dreams alive following their courageous 1-1 draw with the mighty Spurs on Saturday. The club website has been able to gather this link celebrating their cup run so far.
https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2018/january/fa-cup-video/

The replay at Wembley on 7th February at 8pm (assuming TV says OK) has an allocation of 7,701 tickets for the Welsh fans. The capacity is capped at 50,000.
 The club, nicknamed the Ironsides due to the proximity of the local steel works, was founded in 1912, naming itself the Newport and Monmouthshire County Association FC, joining the Southern League. Needless to say the War got in the way and the club reformed in 1919.
The club played in the newly formed Third Division in 1920 and continued in the Football League, having many ups and downs in the Football League. Eventually they organised playing at Rodney Parade (the city's rugby ground) in 2013 and local Euro Millions winner, Les Scadding, helped secure the lease on the ground.
Having won the Welsh Cup in 1980, the Ironsides played in the UEFA Cup tournament beating Crusaders of N.Ireland, then Haugar of Norway eventually losing out to Carl Zeiss Jena following a 2-2 away draw. They tlost the home 0-1.
In 1987 the club was relegated from Division 3, then from Division 4 and left the FL, going out of business a year later with £330,000 debts. in February 1989, dropping out of the Conference.
In June 1989 the club reformed with 400 loyal supporters and is owned by the NCAFC Supporters' Trust. In 1999 the club's name reverted to Newport County AFC and the club was "Exiled" from Wales, because they couldn't pay the rent owed at their home ground Somerton Park. The club was then playing their home matches at Moreton-in-the-Marsh across the border!
Ironically, the Ironsides found themselves in the Southern League again, part of the pyramid, continuing to ground share with Gloucester City in 1992-4 until they were able to return to Newport and play at the newly built Newport Stadium. In May 2012 they took residence in Rodney Parade (see above) now owned  by the Welsh Rugby Union. (I think you may have gathered that the pitch was a bit "warn" after yesterday's match v Spurs.)
From then it has been onwards and upwards.
In 2013 the club earned its place back in the Football League following the Conference play off final at Wembley against Wrexham winning 2-0.

TIGERS TO GET THEIR TEETH INTO FOREST'S BARK

I've been to Hull today, the City of Culture 2017. I didn't have time to take in the sights as the Hull City Tigers Stadium, KCOM, beckons for an FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest. Why? Well Geoffrey (Forest fan) wanted to go, so I (an old mate looking for any excuse) joined him on his way to the Minerva Pub. This hostelry was recommended by Mike and Mo, who are Hull season tickets holders and who generally get across for home matches all the way from Kirklees, but not today.
The Minerva is a place of refreshment in the Docks, so I hoped to get a view of the wind turbine blade or similar eccentricities at the county's largest port-not obvious! Culture over?

Hull are nestled fourth from bottom in the Championship, on goal difference, and it is manager Nigel Adkins' job to keep them up. He is the fourth manager employed by the owners in 19 months. Other managers recently include, Steve Bruce, Mike Phelan, Marco Silva and Leonid Slutsky. Mind you Adkins has done the circuit, Scunthorpe (across the water), Southampton (more water), Reading and Sheffield United. Any port in a storm!

The Tigers' club was relegated last season from the Premier League and played in the 2014 Cup Final. The club is in serious decline, a long way from the heady days of Steve Bruce, who took the club to two promotions from the Championship and Wembley three times in three years. How the Tigers roared.

This has come about "possibly" due to ownership issues, where the "Allam family" are no longer wanted. Mike told me that attendances would be poor because supporters have lost faith, he was correct. I spoke to several locals en route and they all said the same.
There was the name change "issue" (now Hull City Tigers) which did not appeal to the locals, 16 players have left the club and 11 brought in to replace them in an attempt to raise money. There were plenty of empty seats, there were the politically correct male and female "tiger" mascots all in a very efficient stadium; we had an interesting match.

Forest have beaten Arsenal already on their cup run, so the Tigers needed to dig their claws in, hoping that a cup run will raise the roar.
Forest were shedding leaves and the Tigers did dig their claws in. We left just before the end, missing Forest's goal, though they were already two adrift. Final score was 2-1 to Hull.

YOU HAVE TO HAND IT TO THE GLOVERS.

Huish Park is the venue and Manchester United the opponents. Yeovil Town (The Glovers-guess why?) from League Two, are ready for Jose and his boys, at a ground where there have been some memorable Cup moments.

I saw Yeovil Town in a Third Rd Cup tie in 1971 at their "original" ground Huish, which had an 8 feet gradient from side to side. The Glovers lost 0-3 to Arsenal on January 6th 1971. 14,500 packed in to the stadium to witness a proper Arsenal side take Yeovil apart gently. Radford scored 2 and Kennedy 1, Wilson was in goal and so on. NO PRISONERS!
The sloping pitch, the collapsing stand roof, as lads climbed on to it to get a view, didn't detract from the enjoyment of the game.
The FA Cup throws up many great occasions and indeed, Arsenal went on to win the final beating Liverpool 2-1 aet.

Yeovil joined the competition in the 4th Qualifying Round and beat Poole Town away (regional!) 1-2 , Aveley at home 1-0, Bournemouth 0-1 (away).

Arsenal went to the "new" Huish Park again (capacity about 10,000), this time built on an old army camp, in 1993 (Jan 2nd) where they beat Yeovil 3-1. And guess what?? the Gunners won the Cup Final again, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 aet after a 1-1 draw also with extra time. I took my daughter to the first game at Wembley but didn't make the replay.

In 1993 Yeovil joined in the 4th Qual Rd again beating Crawley away 1-2. They then beat Torquay in Rd One 5-2 at theirs, Hereford Utd 1-2 away after a 0-0 draw at Huish Park.

Yeovil was founded in 1890 as Yeovil Casuals and worked through the pyramid, joining the Football League in 2003.

In 1948-9 the club had a great cup run, beating Romford, Weymouth and Bury, Sunderland 2-1 aet in Rd 4 in front of 17,000 at their home ground. They then met Manchester United in Round 5 at Maine Road (Old Trafford was being repaired after a War time bomb). 81,000 watched the game, won by United of course, 8-0. United lost to Wolves, the eventual cup winners, in the semi-final.

JOGOS DAS LAGRIMAS

Late afternoon and talkSPORT again but as you know there is usually something that grabs my attention. This afternoon the presenters are asking punters to phone in with their football memorabilia.
Matt Holland was playing against Ruud van Nistelrooy. At the end of the game Rudd came up to him and asked him for his shirt. Matt was knocked back and suddenly realised that "he had arrived"; playing against a top team with their "top man asking him for his shirt!"
As he left the pitch with Ruud's shirt, it dawned on him that his name was on the back of the shirt HOLLAND! here are his best goals-Ruud's for Man Utd-not Matt's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRcOvw5sKsg

My favourite memorabilia may include the 1966 World Cup programme, something that in the end did not include Eusebio, Portugal's talisman. Remember him?
Well it is his birthday today (b. 1942), sadly Eusebio da Silva Ferreira died on 5th January 2014 aged 71. He helped Portugal to third place in the tournament, with England seeing them off in a brilliant semi-final at Wembley, when Eusebio scored a goal from a penalty, though England won 2-1 (B. Charlton 2). This goal broke a record that the English defence held of 7 consecutive international games without conceding-Banks of course was in goal. As Eusebio left the field..........it became-
Jogos das Lagrimas- the Game of Tears-Eusebio was unconsolable.

Born in Portuguese Mozambique, he played for local teams and then moved to  Portugal when he was 18 years old, winning international caps 64 times between 1961-73, scoring 41 goals.
He spent over 300 games (317 goals) playing for Benfica, when they were a force in Europe (EC final 1963/65/68) of course,  you may remember the 1968 European Cup Final at Wembley v Matt Busby's boys?

Eusebio was a true gent and if you ever are able to view the 1966 World Cup or the 1968 E.C. Final then you will get the drift, especially when you see his remarkable reaction to Nobby Stiles, detailed to man mark him on both occasions!
He was sportsmanlike enough to congratulate the United keeper on a save!

On another note, have a look at the story of the Portuguese quarter-final in the WC v North Korea (who?). I was playing in an U15 county cricket schools' tournament at Hove County ground, when the news of this game flooded onto the pitch. It was steamingly hot day in Sussex and NK were 3-0 UP! Eusebio produced a hat trick+1 either side of half time and the Portuguese recovered and won 5-3. They then met England.

I could list Eusebio's adornments but I have to get my tea!

BADGERED CLUBS

Leeds United FC claim to have asked over 6 months, 10,000 people for their opinion of the club's new badge. This change is to mark the club's centenary, next year. I am surprised we have never heard of this during its progress.
talkSPORT needless to say, with Goughie at the helm, is giving it large. Scrap IT! They say and so do all their "listeners" and "phoners".

Leeds claim to have put their fans at the heart of the club. The figure is a white "Caucasian" ...not representative of the multi-ethnic Leeds city. No White Rose, no reference to football.

The club says "We are delighted and proud to reveal a new crest that represents the passion and unique identity that runs though the club." This is the Leeds Salute -how long have Leeds supporters  done this?;
Jonny Bairstow said "shocking". It's like the Gaviscon advert.

The club says "Updating the crest is not a decision we have not taken lightly".....
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/909386/Leeds-United-badge-logo-salute-LUFC

and here are the club's badges since 1908.
http://www.wafll.com/leeds-united-badges.html

I was going to do something on the new "Nations League" arrangements, but it floored me.
So to cheer me up here are some of the best club badges in the WORLD
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/21-best-club-badges-world-football

and finally, have you understood this?
https://www.sporcle.com/games/MonsterLeopard/can-you-name-the-english-football-club-badge  BEST OF LUCK!

THE DARKEST HOUR

Given that the first live TV broadcast of the FA Cup Final happened in 1938, it is appropriate that I mention that Mrs B and I went to watch the "Darkest Hour" in Sheffield this afternoon. Yes, in retirement one can watch movies in the afternoon, before tea time, Pointless, The Archers and bed.

The audience was mainly older that me, there was quite a lot of shouting going on as one of a pair watching this World War Two movie, explained to the other what was going on it the film. Actually I should have shouted at the elderly lady sitting behind who spent a lot of the film rustling through a bag of sweets and munching noisily. Hey ho!

The 1938/9 Cup Final on 29th April was won by Portsmouth (17th in Div 1) who beat Wolves 4-1 (2nd in League) at Wembley (99,370 watched this).
Grimsby (10th) lost to Pompey in the semis when Huddersfield Town (19th) lost to Wolves.
Everton were League Champions. The FL ceased at the end of this season.

By 1939/40 the FA Cup started with an Extra Preliminary Round with clubs such as Chopwell Colliery, Norwich Electricity Works and Leyland Motors (Kingston) taking part. The cup was "abandoned" after this.

International football continued through the 1940s boosting morale. In April 1940, when war was on, England played Wales at Wembley losing 0-1 and later, on May 11th, met Scotland at Hampden, with a draw 1-1. This match was played and watched by 75,000 despite the threat of bombing by the Luftwaffe.

In February 1941, when England played a return match against Scotland at St James' Park, Newcastle, Wilf Mannion, a soldier who had been rescued from Dunkirk a year earlier made his debut for England.
In 1942, on a snowy day in January, Clementine Churchill met the teams at Wembley and all proceeds went to the "Aid to Russia" fund.

At this time international players had to make their own arrangements including travel. In April 1942, the return fixture saw Tommy Lawton publicly complain that "we only got 30 bob for a match (91,000 watched it at Hampden)" and "it was a case of third class travel and our own sandwiches". Lawton scored a hat trick and England lost 4-5 that day!

Matches against Wales and Scotland continued right through the war, to the Victory Internationals in 1945-6. Many players also played for their service teams and maintained fitness and teamwork as a result.

By 1946 Belgium, France (in Paris) and Switzerland joined in the fun playing England to celebrate the end of the conflict, as did Holland. Northern Ireland played England in 1945 at Windsor Park and the Republic played a friendly at Dalymount Park, Dublin.

THE PASSING OF JIMMY ARMFIELD

When Jimmy Armfield was called in the Blackpool manager's office to hear the news that his recent performances had warranted an international call up, he responded in modest terms by saying that it was the industry of the man who played in front of him (that is at right wing) Stanley Matthews, who made him look so good, Matthews by that time was in his 50s!

I have written a very nice blog about Jimmy who was part of the 1966 World Cup squad but could not overtake George Cohen of Fulham, who kept his place right through the tournament, as did the whole of the defensive half of the team. The other full back was Ray Wilson of Huddersfield, of course. Jimmy was voted the best right back in Europe in the early 1960s and captained the country 10 times.
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/jimmy-should-be-very-good-knight.html

Today, news of Jimmy death from cancer associated illnesses has been published. He was 82 and had suffered from various set backs since 2007. To cheer us up here are some of his great quotes, chirped when he was doing what he did rather well-commentate and comment.
http://www.azquotes.com/author/31568-Jimmy_Armfield

Jimmy played over 625 times for one club and made 43 international appearances. He went on to manage Bolton from 1971-4 and then took over from Clough at Leeds in 1974 for four years leading them to a European Cup Final which the Tangerines lost to Bayern Munich.
After this he went into the media successfully, was appointed High Sheriff of Lancashire and was awarded the CBE.  He has a stand at Bloomfield Road named after him and of course has a statue.

ALL RIGHT FOR AN HOUR

Rod Stewart CBE, 71, has sold 100 million records during his 50 year career in music, however he cannot sell his home in Epping. His 25 acre mansion in Essex was put on the market in 2016 for £7.5m. By the end of the year he had knocked £550,000 off the price and recently chopped another £1m so he is hoping to attract buyers for £5.95m.

The six bed Grade II listed manor house has grounds that boasts a boating lake (Sailing), a tennis court (It takes Two), stable block (The Wild Horse), floodlit manege (Moonglow), pool (Sailor) and more importantly a full size football pitch (The Balltrap).

We all know he is a keen Celtic fan (mentioned in his song "You're in my heart") and his favourite club, as well as Newcastle and Liverpool trained at Wood House, preparing for matches locally.

I don't suppose many of the chaps will have noticed the topiaries, borders, statues and fountains, all of which should make this a perfect buy.

I have given Rod a mention before and of course his house got a mention, probably because it is more plush than "Marm's".
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/happy-birthday-marm-and-arise-sir-rod.html

Indoors there is a flamboyant decor, oak paneling, friezes and elaborate plaster work. Two of Rod's albums were written here in the cream-coloured drawing room. Below is where Rod has laid his head......
 So don't worry, he is not homeless, with Mrs Stewart, the 45 year old, Penny Lancaster, they are now living amongst 46 acres at Durrington House, Harlow, just up the road, having up graded! Well he paid £4.65m for the 10 bedroom 18th Century mansion.

He wants a huge greenhouse added so he can indulge his gardening hobby which has probably taken over much of his spare time now he cannot play footy much, since his knees have given way following years of abuse! He has however been given planning permission for a five-a-side pitch, so he hopes to be able to play for short time.......

Above is Durrington House with a nice frontage and above that Rod and Penny with some roses. His eight children with five different mothers were not on show.
ps he also owns a pile in Beverly Hills.

GIVE ME AN "L"!! BUT "X" MARKS THE SPOT

The attraction of a Brazilian footballer signing on for  called Malcom grabbed my attention today, mainly because the name is spelt wrongly! Well I should know because I get Malcome, Malcom, Malcomb, Malcombe sent to me on letters and cards-it goes on.

There are also Malcolm Allen (mad dog?), Malcolm Allison (spiv but brilliant coach) and Bob Malcolm of Rangers (and other clubs) who was fined £5000 for signing a young fan's adoring photo with his name and the initials FTP, which upset the Catholics, if you know what I mean.

Malcolm Clarke (1944-59), a Scot, is less well known and he played nearly 100 games for Leicester, Cardiff, Bristol City, Hartlepool Utd and in Australia.

AND here is what all the fuss is about...Malcom, aged 20, named by his father as a tribute to Malcolm X, apparently. You should watch this lot.
https://www.unibet.co.uk/blog/football/ligue-1/malcom-bordeauxs-brilliant-brazilian-is-giving-neymar-a-run-for-his-money-in-france-1.970415
Malcom (known fully as Malcom Philipe Silva de Oliveira) had his origins in Sao Paulo and played for the famous Corinthians before his move to Bordeaux. Where will he end up?

Malcolm MacDonald, whom I saw at Wembley playing for England and in FA Cup Finals, had a health scare recently and when he consider the sad deaths of some players whom he had played with and some who are even younger than he, at 67, he decided that he would gather some finances together to support his later life and his family's future.

So what to footballers do? They auction off their memorabilia. Malcolm who thought he had sepsis and maybe his days were numbered. He put his kit and medals up for sale, an idea he got from Geoff Hurst, who had to sell off some of his kit to help his finances.

Super Mac won 40 caps, which gathered considerable interest. The centre-forward shirt that he wore when he scored all 5 for England against Cyprus at Wembley in a European qualifier in 1975 sold for £6,000. His Cypriot marker that day, Koureas, sold his shirt for £200!
The vest Super Mac wore in BBC TV's SuperStars...remember that? went for £300 and he even was able to sell off a pair of 1940s football boots. Goodness knows what that was all about.
A Newcastle United Number 9 shirt of his was "lent" to AC/DC band member Brian Johnson to wear on the BBC TV "Top of the Pops". The BBC objected to the sponsor's logo on the front so Brian tore the bottom part off and wore the "shirt" as a tie.

Malcolm played for Tonbridge Angels, Fulham, Luton Town, Newcastle Utd and Arsenal before slowing down in Sweden. He managed Fulham and Huddersfield Town. (488 apps 260 goals).
Now President of North Shields FC and a father to SEVEN children

GO TO GAYFIELD; WAVE TO BRYAN

Do I have a theme today.....not really! I could write about snow and possibly today's games but NO It's Bryan Prunty who sets the scene. WHO??
It all began with the 1980-1 Arbroath FC club, who won only 3 league games at home but ten away from home. Their stadium is Gayfield (capacity 6,000), in Angus, and is the nearest "senior" stadium to the sea in Britain. One stand is a matter of 30 yards from the beach.

With a match tomorrow against Ayr United, Bryan is moving on to East Kilbride in the Lowland league, having signed for the Litchies in May 2016. Bryan has played for Dumbarton (99), Alloa Athletic, Stirling Albion, Ayr, Airdrie (85), Inverness CT, Aberdeen, Celtic and Scotland U20/21. In 46 appearances (yes 46) for the Litchies, he started 17 times, was sub 29 and scored 2 goals. Some contribution then, but note in his career he has turned out 469 times and scored 116.
He has itchy feet! The generosity of the Arbroath website, spilling positives all over Bryan has to be read to be believed. get on his "hat" celebration or his famous video on the "Gambler".
Founded in 1878, the club is nicknamed the Red Litchies, the red light that would guide the fishing boats into harbour after a night's work. The club in known for its World shattering Scottish Cup victory of 36-0 over Bon Accord (with one goal disallowed for offside) in September 1885 and Jocky Petrie scoring 13 goals in that game-another record. You could have a look at this!
http://www.arbroath-mad.co.uk/
Arbroath joined the Scottish Football League in 1921. Their first match against Johnstone, who dissolved in 1927.

FILL THE GOAL

You will probably guess what stimulated this subject but today in memory of Tommy Lawrence, I am investigating overweight goalkeepers.

At 14 stone, Tommy was surprisingly agile and according to tributes, was always able to get something in the way of a goal-bound shot. The "Flying Pig" died on January 9th aged 77. He was also an exponent of the "sweeper keeper", definitely approved of by Bill Shankly, who joined and transformed Liverpool in 1962. When Ray Clemence arrived at Anfield, Tommy maintained his place for a further three years and in 1968-9 conceded only 24 goals in 42 games, a record eventually beaten by Clemence. A year later though he went across the Mersey to Tranmere, linking up with Ron Yeats.
In 2015, a BBC reporter was interviewing workers at the Rylands Wire Factory in Warrington where Lawrence once worked, asked an elderly passer-by if he remembered the Liverpool-Everton Cup tie in 1967. "I do, I played in it-I was the goalkeeper for Liverpool!"

My list of chubby keepers continues with that scallywag Wayne Shaw who made his name and some money eating a pie in the dug out, during the game, as reserve goalkeeper for Sutton United, in a betting scam in last season's FA Cup tie.

Kevin Pressman, a chunky guardian, made 404 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday.

Mark Bosnich was late for training on his first session with Alex Ferguson, who put him straight onto a special fitness regime at Manchester United in 1999, not a good move and Brian Jensen who had two seasons in the Premier League with Burnley, is now helping out at Mansfield.

Paddy Kenny gets a vote, having been described as a "Michelin Man" by Neil Warnock when at Sheffield United.

Neville Southall of course, played over 600 times for Everton, won 92 caps for Wales, was Footballer of the Year in 1985 and won Best Gk in the World 4 times! He revitalised his career at 41 years old "helping out" at Bradford City in 2000. But then goalkeepers can, can't they?

I played with Paul "Doughy" J Baker of Collyer's School 1st XI (1967-8 vintage) and he was effective, somebody who made the best of his ability. he was also a good cricketer (keeper-batsman), later to become an umpire. You wouldn't argue with him!

And finally I have "done" Fatty Foulkes before.
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/who-ate-all-pies.html

STOKE CAUGHT OUT OF PLAICE

Not quite an anniversary but on January 4th 1902, Liverpool played Stoke City at Anfield and snagged them like fish out of water, with Liverpool's Andy McGuigan weighing in with 5 goals and Sam Raybould netted 2.

The Stoke players were given a sumptuous pre-match meal of plaice and by half time only 7 Stoke players were able to carry on-remember there were no subs in those days.

Even the club officials suffered and it was the famed Stoke goalkeeper, Leigh Richmond (Dick) Roose, who was in distress before the game started. Roose was a Welsh international who took advantage of  the flexibility of the goalkeeping law  which did not change until 1912. Prior to 1912 the goalkeeper could wander all over his half of the pitch with the ball in his possession, so long as he bounced the ball every four steps. Roose was usually a slippery fish in this case and was able to set up attacks a long way into the field.

But on this day Roose could only wander off the field into the lavs. After 10 minutes Stoke were a goal behind. The stand in goalie Meredith was very unhappy and let in three more.

At half time the busiest man was the Stoke director, Dr Moody, who treating his players, recognised signs of lead poisoning. He had not eaten the meal and was fit and healthy. Moody described his team's dressing room at half time, as a cabin on a cross-channel steamer in bad weather.

Stoke, honestly, resumed the second half with only 7 men- in these days a game has to be abandoned if a team cannot field 7 or more men? Stoke then had two gallant players return against Doctor's orders but this did not stop the Liverpudlians over running them.

Roose studied at Aberystwyth University and in London where he was known as a Doctor of Bacteriology, strangely enough.

The final score was 7-0, there were only 7 fit men on Stoke's team and Stoke went on to lose their next 7 matches. Nothing new there then?

Stoke Ramblers were formed by Old Carthusians (old boys of Charterhouse School) in 1863 when they were working locally on the North Staffordshire Railway. In 1868 Henry Almond, an OC, was mentioned in The Field, mentioning matches that the club, Stoke City, was playing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigh_Richmond_Roose

WORCESTER SAUCE WELCOMES SHANKLY ERA.

I watched Liverpool spank Manchester City yesterday; well they won fairly convincingly, but it was a cracking game of Premier League football. The Manchester City unbeaten record fell on the anniversary when Liverpool experienced one of the lowest lows in their history.

First Division champions in the first post war season, Liverpool took the title from Everton, who won it in 1939, on the last season before the Second World War.
Liverpool won it in 1947, pipping Manchester United and the Wolves during a competition that went to the last day.
Following on from that the club went into decline, despite getting to the FA Cup Final, losing to Arsenal 2-0 in 1950, their league form was below average.

In 1954, after some mediocre seasons, they were relegated (along with Middlesbrough) to the Second Division. Their places were filled by Leicester City and Everton, who won promotion from Division Two.
Wolves won the First Division title and WBA came second-Liverpool must have been poor! Huddersfield came third.

By 1959 things had not got much better and for manager Phil Taylor, it got worse when his team lost to Worcester City, away at St George's Park (not the modern one!), in the third round of the FA Cup.
The Southern League side scored first, courtesy of their teenager Tommy Skuse. Liverpool's Dick White lobbed in an own goal. Liverpool replied with a disputed penalty, but the home team captained by Roy Paul, who had been captain of Manchester City, the FA Cup Winners in 1956, were not short of quality.
Taylor was soon sacked and Bill Shankly stepped up. Beginning on an era. Sheffield United beat Worcester City in the 4th round 2-0.
Step Inside Love!

REFEREE "SENDS HIMSELF OFF".

In the early days of football games were refereed by two "umpires", one in each half of the pitch. They carried a stick to point direction that a free kick should be played and if a player was not deemed to be behaving like a gentleman, the umpire would "refer" the matter to his team mates, who would decide whether or not the player should stay on the field. Indeed, the umpire would carry a book of "laws" to help decision making.
This alerts you to the origins of the "referee" and "ungentlemanly conduct" (which as you know justifies an indirect free kick).

The first use of a whistle in football was in 1878 during a friendly between Nottingham Forest (Geoff!!) and Sheffield Norfolk. Prior to this referees used hand signals (something the crowd tends to use these days) . In 1879 the FA sanctioned the use of the Acme Whistle made by Joseph Hudson in London.

Prior to the whistle, the referee would hold up  and wave a yellow flag (as per American Football).
Perhaps this chap should have read the "History of Soccer Referees" volume...if there is one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjM827E4_k0
A league referee between 1951-7 was called Arthur Bookim and at the same time there was a Scottish League ref called Charlie Faultless. Until 1978 the FA Cup Final referee was given the choice between the match fee or a souvenir medal. In 1978 the rule changed to provide both thanks to the enormous generosity of the FA Cup committee.

GUNNERS SLIP OFF THE SADDLE

I was going through my list of  "Grounds I have been to" and discovered that I have a few more to make up the 92, BUT I was surprisingly quite a long way into the list and one stadium that I have not been to, is at Walsall, once known as the Walsall Town Swifts and founder members of the Second Division in 1892.

I could mention this alongside several other obscure venues; Southend, Newport County, Swindon and so it goes on.
I choose Walsall and the Bescot Stadium (their new stadium from 1980). I have driven past it on the M6 many times. I can see inside the ground from the road...does that COUNT, BOB (anorak)?

Well it's a coincidence that on January 14th 1933, Arsenal (who have just been humiliated at the Vitality Stadium by AFC Bournemouth with 2-1 defeat. Manager Arsene was stewing in the Directors' Box) lost to The Sadlers in an FA Cup tie. The Gunners were run by the legendary Herbert Chapman, so don't panic Arsene, all the great leaders have their moments in the trough. Chapman, of course, managed Huddersfield in the period before he joined Arsenal, another nice link with this weekend.

Arsenal were FA Cup winners in 1930, League Champions in 1931 and runners up in both in 1932. When they played Walsall at Fellows Park, they were top of the league and were free scoring.

Walsall were 10th in Division 3 North. Chapman selected a few reserves (what's new for FA Cup ties?) but Alex James and David Jack (Britain's first £10,000 footballer) were in the team. The Sadlers, Gilbert Alsop, scored  from a corner with half an hour to go, then Alsop was fouled by Tommy Black in the penalty area, Bill Sheppard converted.
Walsall then lost to Manchester City in the next round and City lost to Everton in the Final.

WINS IN JANUARY

I did watch West Ham hammer Huddersfield today (January 13th) in a Premier League game (4-1). I also caught Spurs thumping Everton at Wembley 4-0 and then I heard that both local teams at Hepworth United played today, with the First team winning and Reserves losing.

Everyone at the club seemed in good spirits though especially as the lads were having a drink in the new clubhouse, which is now up and running. It will change the club.

This date in 1923 saw the most famous amateur club, The Corinthians join the FA Cup in the 1922-3 tournament. The amateur (really amateur!!) club played its home cup ties at the Crystal Palace. Their first ever tie was against Brighton, a full time professional club, who were taken to a second replay. There was a 1-1 at Brighton, another 1-1 and then a 0-1 defeat at a neutral ground.

A year later the Corinthians beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 in Round One, losing to West Bromwich away 5-0. In 1924 on the 10 January they lost 0-5 to Sheffield United in Rd 1. 1925-6, their cup campaign saw them lose to Manchester City 0-4 (on January 13th) after a 3-3 draw. Over 70,000 saw these two games.

In 1927, they beat Walsall 4-0 in Round 3 and in Round 4 lost 1-3 in a home tie against Newcastle United, which attracted 56,000 and was the second ever match to be covered by BBC Radio.
In 1928 the Corinthians lost to New Brighton away in Rd 3 1-2.

By 1939 the club lost its spiritual home as the Crystal Palace burnt down and the club merged with The Casuals, another amateur club, to form what is now the Corinthian Casuals.
There were other FA Cup moments for the Corinthians, once the best of all amateur football. Today they play in the Pyramid, they claim not to pay any players, maintaining their "amateur" status.

LOADS OF RUBBER BALLS

I went to see La La Land a year ago. That has nothing to do with football but I just thought you would like to know.
In the centuries before football became organised, balls were kicked around at all ages and levels, but they were made from bundles of rags, sheep bladders and the like. Anything that could be rolled was kicked, including the decapitated heads of your enemies.
The oldest football in existence is on show in the Sterling Smith Museum in Scotland. It is 450 years old (approx!) and probably made from an outer casing of deer skin surrounding a pig's bladder. It is claimed it was owned by Mary Queen of Scots.
Leather was introduced in the 19th Century with a pig bladder inside and even with the forming of the FA in 1863, the ball was not legalised. so different sizes were used.
Rubber was invented of course and pig's bladders were exhausted. Below is the Charles Goodyear vulcanized football used in the USA in 1863 and on show in the Soccer hall of Fame, Oneonta New York State, a museum I have been to!

By 1872 the first playing of the FA Cup formalised matters, insisting on uniform dimensions, a leather outer and bladder for inflation and maintaining air. Size was stipulated to be 27-28 inches in circumference and the weight one pound or 16 ounces with an internal pressure of 0.6-1.1 atmospheres. Interesting innit?

Charles Buchan, of Boys' Football Annual fame, was presented with a signed match ball after his hat trick on 17th November 1923 when he scored three against Blackburn Rovers for Sunderland. This is the first reward recorded.
http://www.soccerballworld.com/History.htm

THERE'S A MONKEY ON POOLS' BACK

It could be Hartlepool United, who are they? attached as a punchline to an advert about drinking milk. You know which team was actually named don't you?
Turn on Radio 5 or Talksport today and probably tomorrow, to hear famous players such as Geoff Hurst asking the football community to support HUFC, a club in financial turmoil.

The present club owner wants his money back (£1.8 million) and the supporters are wishing for sustainability, with a backer who has the long term future of the club as his main interest. Think about Leyton Orient and a few other clubs that have "gone to the wall" recently, but bounced back.

On the club website there are a number of initiatives representing the community, a town well known for Andy Capp, Jeff Stelling and H'Angus the Monkey. Hartlepool United FC is no longer "united" and certainly has a monkey on its back.

Community ventures abound, with reduced price hospitality available for league games, a legends night at £10 per head, coming to meet Micky Barron and Ritchie Humphreys who together played 1000+ games for the Us.
There is a Junior Q and A with the manager, a Man's Mental Health group sparked off by a National Citizens' Service Programme following on from the tragic suicide of Luke Ambler's brother-in-law, Andy Roberts. There is a Nostalgia Night celebrating the promotion in 1990/1 and a Friends of HUFC 1908 Promotion Group. The club was founded in 1908 as Hartlepools United Football Athletic Company, having proved its worth by winning the FA Amateur Cup in 1904-5 as West Hartlepool.

Pam Duxbury, the club's Chief Executive, is calling the shots, trying hard to keep the club afloat.

Playing in the Vanarama National League, Pool lost their most recent game to Dagenham and Redbridge, another fallen Football League club, a lie 17th out of 24 in the division (with a game in hand), just below FC Halifax and above Gateshead and Orient. There are 13 past league teams in this next "Step" league.
So tight is money that the team travelled to London last weekend without the usual "luxury coach" (shame), overnight stay (pity) and with borrowed training kit. No wonder they lost?
Investor John Blackledge and Sage Investments cannot prop up the club anymore, as it loses money weekly following the recent relegation from the Football League, so there is little income to boost the coffers and pay the wages.
The club is desperately asking neighbours Middlesbrough FC to help them out, reminding the Teessiders that HUFC helped them out in 1986 when they loaned their Victoria Ground for a "crucial home fixture", when Ayresome Park was padlocked following Middlesbrough's liquidation. For the full story of the decline:
https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/timeline-of-decline-for-troubled-hartlepool-united-1-8950138

GULLS UNITED

Now that I am returned from the deep south, the journey back took me past Torquay and Exeter. Throw in Plymouth and there we have a nice little trio of football clubs, sited furthest away from the major footballing hotspots. Playing in the periphery, clubs find to hard keep standards high. Plymouth Argyle, the most southerly and westerly club in the Football League plays in League One.
Exeter City are 8th in League Two and Torquay United are slumming at the bottom of the conference; last year they scraped 17th place out of 24 teams.
Founded in 1899 by a bunch of "school leavers", United first played against Upton Cricket Club under the guidance of Sergeant-Major Tomney. The club joined the East Devon League and played at the local Recreation Ground. At the same time the local rugby club, Torquay Athletic, played at Plainmoor, a reversal of the present situation.
In 1904, the rugby club moved to the Recreation Ground and United found itself at Plainmoor. After much negotiation, Torquay Town FC was United with local rivals Ellacombe and Babbacombe. They merged playing in the Southern Football League against reserve sides from Bournemouth, Exeter and Plymouth.
Torquay's home ground is now Plainmoor, a ground they first used in 1921. As Torquay United, they won the Southern League West Division and applied for promotion to the Football League Division Three South in 1927, joining the Football League (at the expense of Aberdare Athletic).
Fittingly they played Exeter City in their first professional league fixture on August 27th.


http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/torquay-gulls-beached.html
Plainmoor today. There are plans to move away to a new complex in Torbay, subject to planning etc.

TRUST A RUSSIAN, NOT A MONK

Some years ago I took my U18 XI to play in a schools' friendly against a Roman Catholic school at Woolhampton, near Reading called Douai School. It was independent, run by the Douai Abbey Benedictine Monastery and monks. It is now closed! The school's motto from its first founding was "Dominus Mihi Ajutor"-The Lord is my Aid. It has been an educational establishment since 1615, In the 1880s "soccer" was introduced to the school to replace the old mob game of "football" that had a rule that there should be no kicking backwards. The Douai boys provided good opposition for us and eventually the fixture faded as Douai kept Wednesdays as their main sports' afternoon and Charterhouse used Tuesdays. Sad.
Louis Wharton from Trinidad was a Oxford soccer Blue in 1919 as well as a cricket Blue in 1920. A group of Douai ex-pupils were reputed to be responsible for the "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" song at England rugby matches.
One Wednesday afternoon I was chatting to the Headmaster (Main Monk Man) and a colleague pitch side, exchanging pleasantries on the touchline, when Douai attacked and shot, sending the ball through a hole in the side netting. Our goalkeeper picked the ball up and placed it down for a goal kick while the Douai boys turned and celebrated. The referee (one of the home team's teachers) peeled away awarding the goal. I politely made the point that this should not be a goal, as did most of our players. He had none of it. I turned to get support from the monks who had been on the touchline to see this event, only to find them scurrying away down the pitch towards the sanctity of the school buildings. We took the decision on the chin, I wandered round to the hole in the net and tied it up. We drew 1-1.

Igor Netto on January 9th 1930 was born and played for the USSR in 1952, earning his first cap, eventually becoming national team captain. In June 1962 he played in a qualifying tie against Uruguay in Chile. Both teams needed a win to go through to the knock out stage. In the 75 minute a goal similar to the Douai goal was scored by the Russian striker Chislenko. Knowing that this was not a goal, Netto explained to the  referee that the goal should not stand, showing great sportsmanship. In the end the Russians scored the winner in the 89th minute and went on to lose to the hosts in the quarter-finals. Netto went on to manage teams and died in 1999.

ARSENE-ALL AT SEA

Founded in 1863 the British Royal Navy College accepts naval recruits from the age of 18 until 32. Like universities, students will need 180 UCAS points to qualify for a place at the college, assuming they get through the interview procedure. The training course lasts around 49 weeks.
As well as educating young men and women into the ways of the Royal Navy, students will learn a variety of skills, many related to the sea (of course) but there are other activities on offer, especially sports. Applicants may be reminded that there are 187 steps from the college pitches overlooking the Dart estuary down to the Sandquay where the boats are moored. And there are 187 steps back up.
Football is a major occupier for the recruits, male and female, though from my short stay on the Dart Ria, rowing seemed to occupy a number of moments in the youngsters' daily schedule.

The College plays in the Devon Wednesday League and occasionally win competitions such as the George Lang Cup, which the squad won beating City Police in May 2017, see above. Having just toured Gibraltar and taken on fellow military teams, the College was prepared for a successful season. One issue to overcome is the constant change of clientele as recruits are often shifted off for naval training, sometimes at short notice.

By coincident, the Football Association was founded in 1863 and nine years later the decision to run a Cup competition (FA Cup) for the many clubs joining the association in 1872 was made. This is the oldest football competition.

This year, the 137th of the competition, saw 737 clubs join the competition, which was quickly whittled down to 124 in the main competition, from the First Round proper. The eventual winner will gain immediate access to the Europa League. Arsenal have no chance of progressing having been well beaten by Nottingham Forest. It is 22 years since Arsenal went out of the cup at the Third Round, the defeat in 1996 by Sheffield United. It is the first time the Gunners have retired early under Arsene. 
Forest earned £67,500 from their win.

The last time Arsenal conceded 4 goals in a cup tie was in January 1908 against Hull. The Gunners were then called Woolwich Arsenal and they lost 4-1 at Hull after a 0-0 draw. Other clubs in that round included The Wednesday, Gainsborough Trinity, Stockton, New Brompton and Glossop. Another non-league club, Rock-a-Nore, a club formed in 1893, which eventually became Hastings United FC, played Newcastle Utd and lost 0-1. By coincidence Newcastle had previously beaten Nottingham Forest in the First Round.

YORKSHIRE CAPS

Yes, Yorkshire is to have its own international football team. Home grown players (non-league especially) may apply for trials, so the hope is that the county (YIFA) will join CONIFA, the confederation of independent football associations that involves many minority states, isolated states and de facto nations.
Founded in 2013, the first gathering of minor states took place in Ostersund, Sweden in 2014, winners were County of Nice beat Ellan Vannin (IOM). In 2016 Abkhazia won beating Panjab.
https://www.yorkshireifa.com/

Players have to have strong roots or be born in the White Rose county. Home games will be played at Hemsworth FC, a ground probably hosting "international" football for the first time. Their first match will be against the Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin) on January 28th. Here is a promotional video.
https://youtu.be/cuhvzj1keG0
and the 2018 draw which does not yet include Yorkshire.....
http://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-sport/conifa-world-football-cup-draw-made/

The CONIFA World Cup takes place in London in May with teams from "remote" associations from countries like Tibet, Western Armenia and Abkhazia (hosts for 2016) taking part. The draw is soon....next time, Yorkshire versus WHO??
Ryan Farrell is the "national" head coach and lead coach at Bradford City. He is supported  by Micky Long from Ossett Town and Albion and Nick Wotowycz.
Buy your kit.sponsored by Bonusprint....see the website!

DARTMOUTH:much ado about football

It has been one of those days. With watching the FA Cup out of reach with no clubs in the South-west peninsular taking part in the Third round, I went to Dartmouth FC who play in the South Devon league.

In the clubhouse, which was very accommodating, I discovered the winner of the V.C. from the First World War. Theodore Veale was a goalkeeper and local hero, so he was well displayed on the clubhouse wall. There was much to be grateful for.

The game today was against Ashburton Athletic in the Premier division and it was a belter. Actually not, but it is always good news to catch up with non-league football. There was a sizeable crowd, the pitch was good, they had a clubhouse with local ale and plenty of photo on the walls.

I met Steven Hobson, who lives locally but comes from Bolton. I had much to chat to him about. 

Steve is a church warden at Turton, which was the final resting place of Nat Lofthouse, the Lion of Vienna. Nat was a hero who won the FA Cup Final in 1958 by flattening the Manchester United goalkeeper, Harry Gregg, with some positive centre-forward play. It would not have happened today.

So Steve was responsible for "interring" Nat's ashes in his local church yard. Steve also came from a part of Lancashire where football has origins on a piece of ground as old as Hallam FC or Sheffield.

He also reminded me of John J Bentley, a local Turton lad, who was part of the founding of the Football League. Bentley was secretary of Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United, the FA and vice-president of the FA.

Bentley.

COMMON GOAL FOR ONLY 1%

Thanks to John Hargreaves (I told you I would get your name plastered all over social media) for bringing to my attention the Guardian article on Juan Mata's "Common Goal" Charity which is raising money for "high impact football" charities by asking footballers to contribute 1% of their salaries.
https://www.facebook.com/CommonGoalOrg
At 5'7", Mata is diminutive, but he has big ideas.

JH and I saw this campaign promoted recently when we visited the National Football Museum in Manchester. Photographs from Mumbai, making a point about the power of football and its value to young children, provided an inspiring gallery opened by Mata and his girlfriend.

There are 35 footballers from 17 countries volunteering their salary % along with three from England; Alfie Mawson of Swansea, Charlie Daniels of Bournemouth and Duncan Whatmore from Sunderland have "signed up" to this initiative.
Kasper Schmeichel, Mats Hummels, Giorgio Chiellini and from the ladies game, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, are some of those committed to the cause. Dennis Aogo, from Stuttgart, has donated 2%! Mata at £140,000 a week will donate £72,000 pa.

Other football linked people include Julian Nagelsmann for 30 years the coach at Hoffenheim, along with other game administrators who can boost the numbers supporting the cause.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/11186604/jean-sseninde-interview-common-goals-first-african-player-to-sign-up

Jurgen Griesbeck, founder of Street Football World is backing Common Goal Initiative-he says this need not be "voluntary"; why not just take 1% from all our well paid super stars? Targets for the collected money include refugee integration in Germany and gender equality in India.

The aim eventually is to gather together other football charities under one umbrella; already hooked are Brighton and Hove-Albion in the Community and Fotbal pro Rozvoj helping youngsters in the Czech Republic.

Juan Mata realises how lucky he is to be earning the money that he does, doing what he likes to do! From a 10 year old with Oviedo, he was at the Real Madrid academy at 15 years old in 2003 and then Valencia, Chelsea in 2011 and Man Utd in 2014. His career with the Spanish national team started in 2009 with 41 caps and 10 goals. he has won the Champions League v Bayern at their home in 2012 (remember the penalties). It was Mata's cross that found Drogba who scored to level the final. Looking a round at the end of the game, Mata noted the many nationalities playing for foreign clubs in a Global final. He thought this needed to be exploited.

Winning the World Cup with Spain, in 2012, in South Africa, also made him think hard about footballers social responsibilities.

The Common Goal emblem.

ITS A LONG ONE

Having joined the Facebook group "Football Stadia and Grounds" my inbox has been inundated with photos and comments about pitches and stands from all over the world, sent by those anoraks out there who like to share their interests with others. I thought "that's fun, I'll join".
What is happening though, is the anoraks are sending out old photos of their favourite grounds, aerial pictures, satellite, stuff from books, maps, you name it! I think some of these fellows have never been anywhere  near these grounds.

But faith was restored yesterday when somebody posted photos taken of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Yes, you can have a go at saying this without a stutter. Know it? and will you check the spelling?

So which clubs can beat that?
Try this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llanfairpwll_F.C.
The "full name" clearly wont fit on Wiki.

There is Ballvereinborussiadortmundneunzehnhundertundneun (BVB09 Dortmund) in Germany.

The full name of NAC Breda of Holland is "Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorgaan Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nutting Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda".

Back in England the former Horwich Railway Mechanics Institute FC is now known as Leigh Railway Mechanics Institute FC; a long one.

Brighton and Hove Albion FC is one of the longest in the FL and Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic FC is the name registered by the club with the FA in 1923 probably the longest?? None of this AFC Bournemouth stuff which will not break any records!

Of course we could go with:-
IIIINNNNGGGG-UUUUURRRR-LLLAAANNNDDDDD

IT'S THE HONOURS LIST

I was hoping for an OBE this time, but once again the Queen has ignored me. She doesn't know what she is missing. Yesterday's Blog subject, Gordon Banks, of course, has one and so have the rest of the 1966 World Cup winners.

This New Year's List included football coach Eric Harrison MBE, the Manchester United Youth coach, has has nurtured many fine youngsters on behalf of the Red Devils. I have seen him work and he deserves this accolade.

Less well known, Charles Forgarty, at 21 years old, has an MBE for his services to Disability Football. He runs his own team called Solihull Moors FC Open Age Disability team. Hit by a car at 15 years old he suffered severe brain damage and was in a coma for 6 months. He took 10 months to rehabilitate and now runs and plays, also giving motivational speeches-"anything is possible".

Gordan Evans, a 75 year old from Stafford is given the BEM for his support of football in the local area for the past 41 years. He oversaw the foundation of Stafford FC in 1976, which now has 31 teams and entertains over 400 players.

Craig Graham MBE promotes football in Edinburgh at the Spartans' Community Football Academy.

No ladies this time, though in the past Rachel Yankey, Karen Carney, Sian Massey-Ellis referee, Casey Stoney and Debbie Brampton from Northern Ireland have either OBE or MBE.
Pele is a Knight of the British Empire.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BANKSY

Happy Birthday Gordon Banks, for the 30th, born 1937 in Sheffield. He played youth football for local Rawmarsh and he joined Chesterfield in 1953 as a youth player, eventually making over 550 appearances mainly for the Spireites (1958 first team debut in November-9), Leicester City (59-67), Stoke City (67-73) and then Fort Lauderdale, finishing his career in 1977 after a dreadful car accident when he lost the sight of one eye.
He started his career earning £3 per week, he carried coal sacks to toughen himself up and was a hod carrier on a local building site. By the end of his career after several financial mishaps he had to sell his World Cup Winners' Medal for £124,750 and his international cap for the final for £27,025. He turned out 73 times for his country.
Joining Leicester for £7,000 he played in the 1961 FA Cup Final losing against the Spurs and then he played in 1963 defeat to Manchester United.
There was a League Cup win 1964 and another loss in 1965. He was then sold to Stoke for £70,000 and made his memorable save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup. In this tournament he was prevented from playing in the quarter-final against West Germany through "illness". Some say he was sabotaged. Peter Bonetti took his place and England lost!
In May 1971 Banks played at Wembley against Malta and did not receive one ball from an opposition player during the 90 minutes. He fielded the ball only TWICE from back passes from colleagues.
In 1972 Stoke won the League Cup and he finished his career in 1973 after the car crash in October 1972. Banks then spent time in the USA retiring in 1978. There were some management attempts mainly at Telford United. This was not a great success, so he gracefully retired in 1980.
Here are his best saves.....stick with the jazz that will lead you to his save against Pele.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzcfppUKhb8
and next, a nice chat by Gordon describing the "save".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FjkJ_HoxL4