RAMS, SANDGROUND TO DUST?

The first weekend in January heralds the 3rd Round Proper of the FA Cup. Notable non-leaguers (all from the Conference) surviving this far are Southport, Gateshead (see past blog), Wrexham and over Athletic. Southport FC, 20th in the Conference Premier have drawn an away tie at Derby and hope to spring a surprise. It is unlikely, but the Sandgrounders, as Southport are affectionately known, would love to get the Rams back to the Merseyrail Community Stadium, where a capacity of 6000 fans would enjoy the dehorning of the beast.

Southport FC formed originally when local private schoolboys and rugby players got together in the late 1870s. By 1881 the club played its first proper football, including a match against Bootle FC and in October 1882 against the, even now strictly amateur, Liverpool Ramblers from Crosby, they played their first FA Cup tie, drawing 1-1 and then losing the replay 0-4. By 1921 the club was able to join the newly formed Football League Third Division North, but when they were forced to apply for re-election (having come last in the division too often) they were replaced by Wigan Athletic in 1978. They were the last club to leave the FL by vote. These days it is done purely by position. 

Famous FA Cup matches for Southport are few and far between but a trouncing by Everton 1-9 in a quarter-final might rate as one their greatest moments! I know all about Bill Perry (a South African) and Stanley Mortensen (Cup Final hat trick man), who both played for Blackpool in the 1953 Cup Final but they started their time at Southport. So did John Bishop the comedian, Billy Bingham (famed for N Ireland), Alex Parker (Scotland and Everton), Luther Blissett (famously Watford, England and AC Milan )and Jimmy Melia (Liverpool FC): unfamiliar names to many of you but well known to us older ones. Best of luck you Sandgrounders!

THE CONTENTS OF THE CLARET JUG

Ron Henry, a first class right back in Tottenham's historic “Double” winning side, died at the ripe old age of 80. Ron Henry helped Spurs do the League and Cup double, for the first time by any club, in the 20^th Century, in 1960-1, The legendary Preston North End had held that achievement alone from the 19^th Century. Spurs then went on to win the FA Cup in 1962 and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1963. Ron only played one game for England, competing with the likes of the favoured Jimmy Armfield, from Blackpool. Jimmy, a radio pundit, would be saddened to witness the present plight of his old club.

Mentioning old men, I saw Emile Heskey come on as sub for Bolton Wanderers yesterday, at the John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield. At 35 he has been rescued from the Australian Football leagues by Neil Lennon and given a chance to play in Bolton's drive for a play off place. This may prove a shrewd move, but yesterday Emile contributed little to his team's defeat and was booked. There will be more to come from this long serving centre forward, who played 62 times for England and gained another host of caps at youth level and U21.

At the other end of the age scale, what about the success of Ashley Barnes who has been snatched by Burnley's scouts from the lesser realms of Plymouth Argyle, Salisbury, Eastbourne Borough and Brighton and been given an opportunity to make his name in the Premiership? Burnley won't have a lot of money to thrown around, so Sean Dyche has invested his money in local products and this strategy may help him keep the Clarets in the top division. Barnes has qualified as an Austrian international, having a grandparents with Austrian nationality. Danny Ings is another success story, who is making his team difficult to beat ( see previous blog) and if you look at the club's list of players, there are a lot of home grown youngsters and a number from Australia and New Zealand.

By the way when Spurs did their double in 1960-61, I saw Burnley play at White Hart Lane; the Lancashire club had been the First Division champions in 1959-60 and were top drawer, so it was some game. In the following season, Burnley were beaten in the Cup Final 3-1 by Spurs. What goes around, comes around?

SEASONAL PRESENTS?

The first ever Boxing Day fixture was in 1860 between Sheffield FC and Hallam FC, which incidentally was the first ever association fixture. The home team won at the Sadnygate ground, 2-0. The last fixtures played on Christmas Day were in 1959, between Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool (1-0) in the old First Division and Coventry and Wrexham, in the old 3rd division, which ended 5-3.

The Scots last played on December 25th in 1976. Only two English clubs out of 22 anchored  at the bottom of the Premier League on Christmas Day have survived relegation, although Norwich placed 7th on December 25th in 1994 free fell to be relegated, so perhaps clubs thinking they are safe mid-table might lay off the celebrations and invest in the their future. Have a look at this 1963 table; clearly too many seasonal sherries down the hatch?

PRINCE'S TEAM WIN EVELY

The annual footy match between the Queen's Sandringham estate workers and neighbouring village, Castle Rising, took place today, on Christmas Eve, in Norfolk. Prince Harry has much to with the Football Association, was in Brazil for the World Cup and supports national charities especially those involving disabilities. The Prince preferred rugby at Eton but would have played house football, so he is no slouch, as he proved by his enthusiasm in today's game. He has been a regular performer in this fixture between the Queen's entourage and the local lads and this year he had James Middleton along side him in his team's 7-2 victory. 

CARLISLE'S BRUSH WITH LORRY

I read Clarke Carlisle's autobiography recently, a piece of work created by an intelligent man, with much to say about the challenging life of English professional football. He has done his time in a range of clubs, revealing in his book the trials of keeping his enthusiasm going on cold wet nights in the lower leagues. Last night he was hit by a lorry, at breakfast time, on the A64 and he is in Leeds General hospital, apparently with serious but non-life threatening injuries. We don't know the circumstances but having been airlifted from the scene, he will not be just "grazed". Carlisle was a bright schoolboy, got good GCSEs, appeared on Question Time, was crowned Britain's brainiest footballer and also won on Countdown. Having been through depression in his playing days, a suicide attempt and alcoholism, he has come out the other side and become an ambassador for the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out and chairs the PFA management committee. He also worked with ITV in the World Cup, commented on the Europa League and he sees pundrity as a job he would like to do more of. Married with three children, we hope he gets home for Christmas.

ERECTED FOR EVER

Christiano Ronaldo sat for, paid for, and unveiled his own statue at his own museum in his home town, Funchal on Madeira, yesterday. The life size statue graces the local town and his family were there to see it in full display. He stands poised to take a free kick with his feet characteristically hip width or more apart, tall and ready to strike-visualising. The unfortunate thing is that his head looks more like Joe Hart or Gareth Bale and he appears to be sporting a codpiece. Apart from that it's jolly nice and joins a number of statues erected to remember great players like Fred Keenor at Cardiff City, Johnny King at Tranmere and Roy Sproson at Port Vale. OK, you may not have heard of them, but you will know who William McGregor is? No? he founded the Football League for goodness sake; and Arthur Wharton-surely to god you know that he was the first "black" professional footballer in England? What about Joe Shaw at Bramall Lane, the one legged Dereck Dooley? (he even has a road named after him in Sheffield). Well,let's try Jimmy Johnstone at Celtic, famed for his part in that brilliant European Cup win, decades ago. He has two statues in Scotland, he was so famous and so do the following: Bobby Moore, Ted Bates, Stanley Matthews, Bobby Robson, Geoff Hurst, Jackie Milburn and ol'big head, Brian Clough, has three! The trio of Hurst, Jimmy Armfield and Simone Perrotta (an Italian) are remembered in a statue in Tameside, Manchester because all three were born there and went on to play parts in World Cup winning squads. Must be the water?
Go on, find out why Fred deserved his.

What's going on here between Zidane and Materazzi? See previous blogs for other statues.

FILL MY STOCKING

If my parents had asked me, when I was a nipper, what would I like for Christmas, top of the list would be the Charles Buchan Football Annual. Gentlemen of my age will remember this and our grandparents would remember Buchan as a player. Buchan was born in Plumstead, London and joined Woolwich Arsenal as they were then known, in 1909. Two years later he went to Sunderland but the war seriously affected his career, only playing 6 times for England. While he was in the north-east, he played Minor County cricket for Durham. Sunderland was one of the major teams in the First Division in 1913 and judging by recent performances, this may have been their best side ever. They reached the Cup Final losing to Aston Villa, who were runners in the league that year. A record 120,081 crowd squeezed into the original Crystal Palace ground to watch this game.

Charles Buchan, a boney, angular man, was one of the league's best inside forwards, scoring 27 goals that season. Buchan was well respected as a gentleman and natural leader, who moved to Arsenal late in his career to join up with the legendry Herbert Chapman, which began a remarkable decade of league success for the London club. It was here that the famous WM formation of play was established, designed to take advantage of the relaxed offside law, which changed in the 1920s from having 3 to 2 players between an attacking player and the goal line. In the year before Sunderland's title win, 1912, Buchan had taken a boat trip to Canada, sailing on the boat which followed the Titanic. Buchan turned to journalism and commented on the BBC, publishing his Football Monthly in 1951 and inevitably, his Annual, until he died in 1960 in Monte Carlo.

NOW YOU SEE THEM, NOW YOU DON'T

Alright, alright; this is the last of the "Truce" Blogs, but it was such a momentous occasion in a horrible war, that it has to be celebrated. In Aldershot last night, at the Town Football Club, set on the edge of the dying garrison town in Hampshire, The Royal band of the Royal Logistics Corps marched on the pitch, playing "Thriller". Greg Dyke, on behalf of the FA, turned up along with Bobby Charlton (who did National Service) and Army Chief General Sir Nicholas Carter, the ceremonial party met with both teams, British Army and the German Bundeswehr. Silent Night was sung with alternate verses in English and German, midst a crowd of just over 2500.

The British Army took the lead after three minutes when Lance Corporal Calum Wilkinson pounced on a rebound from the German goalie and that was how the score ended up. The Brits should have won by more but the German goalkeeper, Corporal Andreas Forster (sounds very British to me?), had a very decent game (apart from the early mishandling). Despite the early set back, the German team had some moments, including hitting the bar in the 90th minute. The team sheet included name, rank and number and the crowd chanting "red army" really meant it. Behind one goal, a crowd of British soldiers were in camouflage dress and couldn't be seen in the darkness of the stand-eery.

So the game happened, the moment was savoured by all those there and like the real thing the British won, just.

IT'S A PENALTY TO MISS

Non-league Worcester City bowed out the FA Cup in their second round replay at home against Scunthorpe. 0-1 down after 45 minutes, the home team drew level but could not snatch a late winner so the game went to penalties. Miguela Llera scored the 32nd penalty to be taken, to make it 14-13. 16 consecutive penalties were taken successfully until Wayne Thomas' effort was saved. It's a tough way to leave the Cup. In 2013 Andover Town and Brockenhurst played out a draw in their Hampshire Senior Cup match and it took 30 penalties to decide the winner, Brockenhurst 15-14. This beat Dagenham and Redbridge v Leyton Orient in 2011 when their Johnstone's Paint trophy game went to 28 penalties with the Daggers triumphant. Tunbridge Wells and Littlehampton Town in a preliminary FA Cup game went to 40 penalties with misses and the Wells won 16-15. The longest shoot out in a first class match was 48 penalties in the 2009 Greek Cup Final when Olympiakos Piraeus beat AEK Athens 15-14. After 44 penalties Argeninos Juniors beat Racing Club 20-19 in the 1988 Argentinian Championship. 

SEALS HAVE THEIR CAKES AND EAT THEM

Chester City played Barnsley at the Deva Stadium in the FA Cup second round replay last night and during the game, as the non-leaguers were tiring, their coach threw on a packet of Jaffa Cakes to help with the players' energy levels. Seals' boss Steve Burr thought it would be a good idea to revitalise his fading troops as they were 0-3 down and losing their will to live. Rain fell in torrents and Jaffa Cakes were hurled onto the pitch, some bot finding their target.

Gareth Roberts, Chester's number 3, picked up the packet and handed them round to players on both sides. Even the ref was offered one but he refused, obviously an FA instruction, and asked him to get rid of the packet. Jaffa Cakes are very good for sport nutrition, being low in fat and containing 48 calories per biscuit. They are easily absorbed and burn off quickly, being a quick release of energy, ideal for consumption before activity. There are also in one Jaffa Cake, only 8.4 grams of carbohydrates, 0.5 grams of protein and 2 grams of fibre, all good for the sporty body. Other favourites include the slow burn banana just before game and Haribo or Jelly Babies, wine gums or such, as a boost before a game. Don't forget water!

http://balls.ie/football/video-chester-player-eats-jaffa-cakes-during-fa-cup-game/

NEYMAR NEEDS A STUD BUT SAKO HAS THE CRYSTALS

Neymar, the Brazilian, Barca forward will face Manchester City, in England soon, as his team has drawn City, in the Champions League, at the Etihad, on February 16^th . He nearly signed for City two years ago but was demanding, in his contract, special boots to cope with the English mud and pitches, bloody cheek. The City executive were amazed when he made his demand and withdrew from the queue of clubs chasing Neymar's signature.The last time he played against City for Barca was last season, when he came on with 16 minutes to go replacing Sanchez. The playing surface in Manchester was pristine and unlikely to have spoiled his footwear. But if he wants attention to detail, then he has certainly made his mark.

On the other hand, Bakary Sako, the 26 year old Mali international, was so excited about his 100^th appearance that he had made Swarovski Crystal embedded boots, in Wolves colours with his name and 100 inscribed on the side. How's that for class? He played at Griffin Park at Brentford, on a pretty good surface, lost 0-4 and didn't trouble the score board and by all accounts, has not exactly been regarded as a regular in the side since. The jewel in the Wolves' crown? I think not.

Apparently the Brentford groundstaff were seen attending the pitch late into the evening after the game, heads down, sifting through the grass cuttings.

TOP BLOOMS IN THE VASE

The draw for the Fourth Round of the FA Vase included this year Dunston UTS who in the last round beat fellow Northern league side Whitley Bay, four times winners of the final.The 16 ties will be played on 17 January 2015, with the winners each collecting £2,000 from The FA’s prize fund. Northern League clubs do very well in this competition but one of North Shields or Consett will bow out in their next ti to be played at the Daren Persson stadium.

In the south, Colliers Wood Utd 5 goal hero Mario Embalo helped his Combined Counties side thrash Lingfield on Saturday, and will face fancied Ascot United next. AFC St Austell travel to Greenwich Borough and Phoenix Sports have to go to Bodmin Town. 

Barnsley based Shaw Lane (also one of county's top cricket venues) Aquaforce have to beat Shildon in a rearranged tie, having been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, to earn a trip to Walsall Wood. Other delightful named teams are Thurnby Nirvana who entertain Holbeach United, Chadderton play AFC Mansfield and a localish derby includes Workshop Town v Glossop North End. Glossop NE were once a league side, founded in 1886, the club stayed in the league, including a short period in the First Division, until the 1914-18 war halted their progress. They even dropped North End from their name to avoid confusion with Preston North End. Wiltshire based Bradford Town founded in 1996 play Melksham Town in a west country clash. Melksham have been playing football since 1876 and this is the best they have done in the FA Vase to date. 

FRANK MIGHT HAVE MADE THE DIFFERENCE

In the shadow of the school chapel at Charterhouse, where a 1,000 or so Carthusians who fell fighting for our country in both wars and more recently, are remembered, the Old Carthusians and the Old Brentwoods met in the Arthur Dunn Cup, a knockout cup for teams from Independent Schools played for since 1903. Charterhouse had lost to the OBs earlier in the season but this time, with the team in full flow, typically Carthusian style, the home team scored seven (7), yes seven, before the OBs could reply. On a perfect pitch, on a classic winter's sunny afternoon, the two teams played out a tie that deserved a 7-6 result rather than the apparent drubbing. The Brent's were lively for most of the game and never gave up, but four goals in the first half, two Ogs and two brilliant strikes on the break, left the opposition from Essex and Frank Lampard's old school, facing an uphill challenge. Will Young did well in goal for the Carthusians, to keep his sheet clean until the end and Ant Beddows was a monster in the heart of the defence. But it was the brilliant wide play that undid the OBs, with both flanks, mastered by Jack Ryder-Smith, Julian Hornby and the overlapping full backs James Rogers and Hugo Rubinstein prominent. It was then up to Alex Fenton to inflict the early damage.

On to the next round and maybe another Cup Final.#FootballRemembers.

FROM 2D TO 3D ON TRUCE DAY

10 year old Spencer Turner won a competition to create the best design for a First World War monument to be sited at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. The Newcastle primary schoolboy's design was chosen from 30,000 entries and the news was broken to him by Newcastle United footballers, Steven Taylor and Adam Armstrong. Once the design had been turned into a 3-D sculpture, it was erected at its permanent site and unveiled by HRH Duke of Cambridge, along with Roy Hodgson, some of his present England squad including Theo Walcott and FA representative Greg Dyke.

This occasion marks another important event based on the Christmas Truce which has been celebrated by the FA on their website this week. Look at the FA.com or my previous blogs for more news.

NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE

If you have not yet heard, the story of the World War One Christmas Truce football match in 1914 is being broadcast on Radio 5 tomorrow (Dec 11th) at 8pm. Mike Ingham looks at the footballers who fought on the front line and were part of one of the greatest moments in games against "the Enemy". See previous BLOGS for more snippets on this important moment in history.

THE CRAZY GANG LOOK TO REPEAT HISTORY

The FA Cup draw did not disappoint me last night, as I watched the minnows in football find their fate as the balls drawn from the velvet bag revealed their opposition. Dover got a plum tie, at home to Neil Warnock's tottering Palace. Blyth have Birmingham, who hope to be on a recovery now that they have a manager and who knows what will become of Accrington or Yeovil as they plan their replay, now they have a double incentive with Manchester United due a visit. After last night's performance against Southampton, I would probably put a few bob on the home team.
But it is AFC Wimbledon, the reincarnated Crazy Gang, who have a belter against Brendan Rodger's unsure Liverpool. Another defeat against lower opposition would surely ring his death bell? I was at Wembley to see Lawrie Sanchez flick on that free kick across and into Bruce Grobellar's goal and Dave Beasant to save John Aldridge's penalty (the first penalty save in a cup final and for the cup final to be won by a goalkeeper captain for the first time), as Wimbledon dispatched the red hot favourites 1-0. It is AFC Wimbledon's first appearance in the 3rd Round since they reformed 12 years ago:their ground holds 4850 crowd! In 1988, the Crazy Gang went to Wembley in a minibus, I wonder if Liverpool might do the same for their challenging cup tie.
Hull City had drawn Arsenal at home in the rehearsal for the Cup draw held at The Deep in their home town and low and behold they got the Arse again, but this time away; shame for Steve Bruce. Gateshead are at the Hawthorns, Sunderland meet Leeds in a re-run of the 1973 Montgomery Final, Southport are at Derby and if Worcester City can sneak a win over Scunny, then they have the chance to twist Chesterfield's spire. Games are being played in the first weekend of January. Happy New year, you big clubs.

BLYTH SPIRITS, PSYCHICS AND A SIXTY YEAR WAIT FOR THE HEED

There are few better moments in the English football season than witnessing the FA Cup 3rd Round draw, when the minnows might just be paired up with big fish. The draw is being held tonight at 7pm, at The Deep, the large aquarium in Hull, as the ceremony has, quite rightly, been taken to the regions. In past years it was read out over the wireless from Lancaster Gate, at lunchtime on a Monday when we were having school lunch. On such occasions it had to be recorded, then revealed after the dining room had been cleared!

Tom Wade, manager of Blyth Spartans, who beat league side Hartlepool in the FA Cup 2nd round on Friday night, said: "An old woman came up to me in the Blyth car park and told us the cup results would be 2-1, 4-3, 4-1 and 2-1 and then we would draw Chelsea. "She has been right on four results in a row before had even been played! I thought I might have dreamt it as I had a couple of beers that night. "My assistant Ian Evans will back me up as I told him months ago about the old lady in the car park. That lady has got to be psychic."

 Conference club Gateshead have reached the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in nearly 60 seasons. Club Chairman Graham Wood, who watched Gateshead's defeat by Tottenham in the cup, as a schoolboy in January 1955, can now dream of facing another big-name team next month. Gateshead manager Gary Mills is planning to extend his team's run. Mills said: "Sixty years is a hell of a long time and I'm so so pleased for my chairman. He's a massive Gateshead fan and was there last time as a kid. "He's going to love me for saying this - but now he's an OAP who will see his side in the third round again." OK the picture below has artistic licence....are they really going to do the draw underwater? ps BlythSpartans is the only league club with 7 consecutive consonants in their name

FOOTBALLREMEMBERS AT PUDSEY FC

A long journey to Pudsey for our Hepworth Under 11s this morning, resulted in a brave fight back to earn a 2-2 draw. 2-0 down with only 15 minutes to go, the ever industrious Henry took advantage of some scrambling in the penalty area and tapped home twice. Luke at right back kept their "exceptional player" under raps, as did Matthew at left back and Joe in the heart of the defence. Myles made several excellent saves too.

It was memorable that both teams and officials joined together at the start to add to the FA portfolio of teams coming together in the last days of the Football Remembers initiative; go to theFA.com for further information. We travelled home in snow!

FOOTBALL REMEMBERS CHRISTMAS TRUCE

If you have not yet heard of the request from the FA to help us commemorate the famous Christmas Truce Football Match, why not look up the FA website and get your club to join in the week long occasion to remember the many footballers who perished in the First World War. Have a look at the Sainsburys' advert including the "Christmas Truce" between our troops and the Germans which is a bit soppy but a reflection of what happened (see post 26/11/14). The FA is staging a variety of events this week running up to December 15th. Before your match tomorrow or this week, take a photograph of your two teams joining together with officials and coaches (and parents, why not?). Using #FootballRemembers post your photograph on Twitter or Instagram.
www.thefa.com/news/2014/oct/football-remembers-world-war-1

SPARTANS HOPE TO MAKE A MONKEY OUT OF POOL

League Two side Hartlepool United will be lodged in many oldies memories as a club that survives relegation out of the Football League annually. Along with clubs like Accrington Stanley, Gateshead and Workington Town,  Hartlepool may be considered a bit of a soft touch. Sponsored by an oil company the team should be on the way up but at the moment with an FA Cup Second Round match looming against locals Blyth Spartans, the Pool will be getting nervous. Playing at Victoria Park, the club was founded in 1908, another great north-eastern side formed on coal, iron and resources from the sea. Brian Clough, Cyril Knowles and Len Ashurst are among famous names to have been associated with the team. Clough, of course, cut his managerial teeth here. H'Angus the Monkey, the club mascot was famously voted in as mayor at the town elections in 2002, and three years later the club had its greatest moment, missing promotion to the Championship just! Having joined the new Third Division North in 1921, the club has had many scrapes with re-election and since it is now set bottom of the Football League with only 12 points from 57 and a goal difference of 20,life at the top looks threatened.

Blyth must fancy their chances. Blyth Spartans were founded in 1899 and play in the 7th Tier, the Northern Premier League, Premier Division. The best progress they have made in the FA Cup was when they lost to Wrexham in Round 5 in 1977-8 at St James' Park when over 42,000 turned out. If Newcastle had won the previous round against Wrexham, it would have been the Magpies playing the Spartans, a ground filler. Blyth tried to be semi-professional in 1913 but gave way and set up as an amateur club in 1964. John Burridge, the ever green goalie may be their most famous manager.

UPS AND DOWNS ALONG THE COAST ROAD

A road trip this week to the North-east took me through Scarborough where football has had a complicated  history, the town having had a proper league side until 2007, boasting Neil Warnock as an ex-manager. The Scarborough FC, founded in 1879, collapsed financially, despite gaining considerable accolades for appearances in FL division 4 and 3 play offs. The town footy fraternity after 2007, had two further stabs at club formation with Scarborough Town FC forming in 2008 but it failed to register any genuine support despite some success and there is a team called Scarborough Athletic ground sharing with Bridlington FC.
I found more stability at Whitby where the road north took me to the Seasiders' ground and what a beauty of a day it was. The Northern premier side have a compact stadium that holds around 3,000 and I watched the groundsman carefully white lining his sacred pitch in preparation for the weekend game against Kings Lynn. There's a lot of travelling to do in this 7th tier division.
Further down the road, I had lunch at Staithes, where the lady in the cafe on the harbour assured me that their local club ran lots of teams and her daughter played for Sunderland Ladies. That was a coincidence because that is where I ended up, at the Stadium of Light and what a delight.
But Man City showed no mercy, despite a three-quarter waxing moon overlooking the pitch, the Blue Mooners and Aguero especially took the piss. I use that word constructively because en route along the Northumberland coast, at Sandsend Bay, I witnessed the remnants of the Alum industry. If you don't know the chemistry then look it up, but safe to say the soil gives up advantageous elements that when saturated with urine (once brought in boat loads from the industrial cities of London and Newcastle-no not coals) to create a compound used in the textile and leather industries. It was booming a business which no longer gets the  "squeeze" and never fear other massively polluting chimneys poke out of the ground on the edge of the National Park to bring a pink haze to the horizon.

GIVING IS INGS, EMOTIONS ARE OUT

Phillip Hughes' sad death has encouraged a global demonstration of sympathy from all corners of the world. In the opulent world of football, especially in England, Burnley footballer Danny Ings, the hero of a young boy called Joe Skinner, who is disabled, gave the young lad his football boots and gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead which promoted a smile of complete joy from the youngster and inspired Danny to launch a self funded charitable foundation to help raise money for schools working with children needing special-education. He has also overseen the foundation of the first adult disability football team at his club and recently gave a large wedge of cash to a cancer charity collector in his local superstore.
Guy Butters, a former Brighton footballer, slept on the streets to highlight the needs of homeless people and the work done by shelter groups and QPR players clubbed together recently to donate £30,000 to the Ebola Crisis. All clubs have a policy to support those less fortunate than their staff and run community events too. It is not all bad in the world of football, you know. Does anyone know how much David Beckham or Wayne has given both financially and socially over his career?

CROSS IT OFF

Real Madrid has agreed a long term strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi's International petroleum Company which will give the Spanish a huge financial advantage and help overhaul their ageing stadium. This investment includes museums, global football schools and the development of the Barnabeu. The amount is regarded to be as high as $630m and the deal is due to run until 2017. Planning permission has yet to be agreed but should it be granted, naming rites to the stadium may be bought by IPIC.

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi has asked Real Madrid to remove the small cross on it club badge so that its does not appear on the Bank's officially licensed credit cards. The logo is a replica of the famous Spanish club's 83 year old trademark, only with the slight adjustment so as not to offend its Muslim clients. The cross is significant of the club's link with the Spanish Royal family and was introduced in the 1920s when the club was given the title Royal (Real) by King Alfonso XIII. The cross had disappeared from the badge when the Spanish Civil war was running, but by 1941 it returned.

Recently, arguably the richest club in the world is valued at $3.5 billion and has entered into a strategic alliance with the banking giant. President of the Spanish club, Florentino Perez, stated that the removal of the cross would conquer the hearts of those followers in the UAE. Previously, in 2012, the club had links with the oil-rich Emirates financing a project involving the building of a sports' resort on Marjan Island in the UAE.

This latest decision does not hold well with those Christians observing the violations of international standards on religious freedom in the UAE.

Last year there was a 5 year shirt deal with the Dubai based Emirates airline worth $30million per season. Recently FC Barcelona broke a 113 year long tradition of having no corporate sponsors names or logos on the shirts, when they agreed terms with Qatar Airlines. Previously the club had the UNICEF charity on their playing kit. Etihad, of course, sponsor Manchester City and PSG and Arsenal have a deal with Fly Emirates.

SAINSBURY'S CHRISTMAS SHARES

If you have seen the John Lewis penguin and its great take off by a little known Welsh company, then Sainsbury's Christmas advert may not be as amusing. I found it charming, especially since it draws on historic football, the  well documented "match" played between enemy lines in no man's land on Christmas Eve.
I had just watched the film "Warhorse" which was moving and saw the Sainsbury's advert prior to the main entertainment. Later  I heard a radio interview with Andy Ansah who set up his film company
www.sportsonscreen.com in 2007. This is a globally recognised company dealing in sports choreography, casting and consultancy. Andy has captured a market and looking at his website, there is much to admire. Have a look at what he has achieved with his team of ex sportsmen and women, people who have continued careers for themselves, having finished with their major employment in sport. This company has an impressive portfolio and Andy, an ex-professional footballer, a clever job spot! Their next job is with Neymar.
The film is set during the informal Christmas truce of 1914 when troops met on neutral ground to clean up.
After days of filming at a purpose built "museum" where the landowner has created his own war zone, the 400 or so soldiers in the cast found the work tough. They are wearing authentic uniforms, there is much attention to 1914 detail and even the dry biscuit, was baked to an original recipe. The film has been met with much approval although there are some who deem it inappropriate; the theme being "sharing at Christmas".  Original interviews with war veterans are used to ensure historic accuracy.

PUTTING IT BACK; ITS GRIMSBY TOMORROW

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is putting it back into lowly Burton Albion, bringing his intensity for the game to training sessions and it appears he is getting success. Two division toppers, Wycombe Wanderers and Luton, have felt his fury and bitten the dust. It is good news that some high profile players are prepared to get their hands dirty in the lower leagues (for starters) and put back into the game their gained knowledge.

Paul Ince started at Macclesfield in 2006 and led them to safety, whilst Paulo Di Canio, ignoring his tantrums, did much for his early reputation and for Swindon Town's as he led them a League 2 title. Edgar Davids had a go at Barnet and rescued them from the basement, only to see all his efforts come to nought, as they dropped out of the league on goal difference.

Abroad, Dennis Bergkamp was sent to the Ajax Under 11s at the Dutch club's De Toekomst complex where the word is spread to young Dutch hopefuls. Learning from the master, can't be bad.

And so the Grimsby, well actually Cleethorpes, where I shall be sharing an evening with a couple of friends, as the Mariners take on Woking in a Conference duel that pits second v third in the division.

Founded in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham, the club later became known as Town and they still play at Blundell Park, their home ground since 1898.

Bill Shankly managed the club, as did Lawrie McMenemy but it was 2010 when the club was relegated from the league making them the fourth club to play in all five divisions of the Football League-Carlisle Utd, Oxford Utd and Luton Town are the others.
So if you are asked which clubs do not play at their named town or area, do you know which they are?

Why Grimsby? Well, Carl Magnay is a close friend of a friend and we are going to support the 25 year old from Gateshead. Having played a short while at Woking (only in their reserves I might add), I might have divided loyalties.

Folklore has it that when teams visited Grimsby in the old days of the league, they would find a nice box of fish left for them as a welcome gift in their changing room. What a load of codswallop!

CARTHUSIAN MONKS CHOP DOWN FORESTERS

The Arthurian League is a non pyramid football league played for by boys of independent schools (once known as the Public Schools) such as Eton and Harrow. the Old Carthusians from Charterhouse in Godalming, Surrey have dominated the premier division since 2006 winning the league title 9 times in 11 seasons. This season things have not gone all their way and it is only in the last few weeks that they have begun their assault on regaining the league title. Today the OCs played the old boys of Forest School in Snaresbrook, E17, who were leading the title chase. Playing at Charterhouse, the OCs were 2-0 up at half time and comfortable made their mark by winning 3-1.

This evening the three old boys' teams head for the Old Charterhouse, in Smithfield, to attend their annual Ball and to enjoy dining and dancing at the place of the school's founding.No doubt the victory today will have livened the evening. The Old Carthusians, FA Cup winners in 1881 and Amateur Cup winners twice in the 1890s, having played in three finals between 1893-95, have a long and successful history in the glory of Association Football.

Forest School old boys (the Old Foresters) also have given richly to the history of the national game. The Old Foresters, like the Carthusians, is one of the oldest adult clubs in the country and therefore in the world. The club dates back to 1876, as do the OCs, and Forest is the only school to have played in the FA Cup. Donington School, from Lincolnshire, did get drawn in an early cup round but could not play. The land in front of the school, known as the Common, maybe regarded as the "cradle of football".

HOWE DOES HE DO IT?

Eddie Howe is 36 and is just about to experience his 300^th game as Bournemouth manager with his club experiencing the heady heights in the Championship. Bournemouth sat 92nd in the league in 2008 and are second in the division. A place in the quarter finals of the Capital Cup brings Liverpool to their 12,000 capacity ground and they will be surrounded by Howe's ingenious attention to detail. Life size pictures of past and present players in Bournemouth strip and quotes from the great philosophers and players engulf anyone who walks the corridors of the Goldsands Stadium. Howe intends to get at everyone's psychology both positively for his players and in an attempt to unhinge his opponents. He has drawn on the knowledge of all the great coaches he has met. Tony Pulis' pre-season intensity, Redknapp's team building and Brendon Rodgers' style of play help mould his approach to football. At 31 years old, he was given the task of re-building a club that was on its knees. Russian business man Maxim Demin backs the club and Howe, a life long supporter of the club, is steering it towards the Premier League. Howe is one of the longest serving managers in the league now and he has a fascinating few weeks ahead of him.

3G PITCH MAY SWING THE BALANCE TO THE STONES

The original Maidstone United FC was founded in 1897 and survived until 1992. The club played in the Fourth division of the Football League from 1989 until the demise of the club in 1992. The current club was forced to leave the league due to bankruptcy and like so many other clubs, the new one rose from its youth team known as Maidstone Invicta. This band of brothers joined the Kent County league Division Four in 1993 and rapidly progressed through the pyramid.They changed their name back to Maidstone United and now play in the Isthmian Premier, sited at the new Gallagher stadium. This is a 3G pitch built by 2012 and the club is allowed to play FA Cup matches on it. The stadium has a record attendance of 2305 reached in a game against Horsham in April 2013.

Stevenage FC is in League Two the fourth tier. Known as Stevenage Borough FC until 2010, the club plays Maidstone tonight in the FA Cup 1st round replay. Founded in 1976 the club joined the United Counties league in 1980 and finally won the Conference having improved ground facilities in 2009-10. With back to back promotions after beating Torquay in the 2010-11 play off final, the club also enjoyed success in the FA Trophy in 2007, the first competitive final at the new Wembley. The club won that trophy again in 2009.

So both clubs have had worse times and arguably better, tonight will help up cheer one set of supporters.

ARMY v NAVY IN CUP WAR

Tonight there is a mouth watering FA Cup replay between Aldershot Town and Portsmouth, two Hampshire rivals who have seen better days. After a recent 2-2 draw at Fratton Park, Aldershot must fancy their chances as Pompey have a poor away record. The town, the "Home to the British army" will be rocking tonight as a capacity crowd of 7,000 invade the Recreation ground, Aldershot's home ground, reputedly one of the biggest playing surfaces in the country. Aldershot Town FC was founded in 1992 and plays in the Conference Premier, the fifth tier. The last stay in the Football League was between 2008-13 and prior to that the club was in the league up until 1992, when the club had to leave the big time, the first time this has happened since Accrington Stanley were ousted in 1962. In 1992, the club entered the Isthmian League division three and having sported out its money issues won promotion back to the main league as well as doing well in the FA Vase, Trophy and Hampshire County Cups.
Portsmouth FC was founded in 1898 and became a founder member of the Third Division in 1920. we all know the achievements of this great club with league titles and cup finals, most recently at Wembley in 2008 beating Cardiff City and then going into the UEFA Cup where Pompey met the likes of AC Milan. But with three relegations in four seasons, Pompey found itself in the fourth tier and with financial problems by 2013-14, the supporters bought the club and so the Pompey Supporters Trust became the largest club owner in England. Since then there have been ups and downs but Fratton Park hosts league football and they hope continued success. I saw my first professional games here in the late 1950s with the likes of West Ham and Birmingham City visiting the naval town. The Royal Marines brought the pre-match entertainment with the and leader throwing his baton higher and higher the louder the crowd roared.My aunt knitted mybrother and I royal blue  pom-pom hats for Christmas and we had rattles to cheer on Jimmy Dickinson's Pompey

OLDEST INTERNATIONAL MAY CAUSE A RIOT

Today is huge day for both English and Scottish footballers. To fill in the international “break” week, the FAs of both countries have decided to re-establish the contest between the two nations which was first played in March 1870 at the Kennington Oval and watched by a few hundred people. This was the first of five “unofficial” internationals that got the ball rolling, so to speak. The original game was set for February but a severe frost, that froze the Thames, caused the match to be postponed. Players who were “duly qualified and desirous of assisting either party” were encouraged to contact representatives from each side, such was the selection process. The score was 1-1 and in the team, players who happened to be in the vicinity and friends of friends, were thrown into kit and there began the tale. In November, a second unofficial match was held again at the Oval and England won by a solitary goal. Two more unofficial games were set in February and November 1871, both won by England. There was a fifth unofficial match won again by England on 30^th November 1872, Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow hosted the first official international which resulted in no score. In total the teams have played 111 times, England has won 46, Scotland 41. The last time the two played each other was in 2013 in a friendly at Wembley which England won 3-2. Prior to that the two nations met as long ago as November 1999 in a two legged UEFA qualifying tie, which clearly had to be played. The irregularity of the fixture may be the result of unpleasant crowd scenes in both countries, which both FAs decided were too highly charged to allow the touch paper to be lit-UNTIL TODAY.

WHISTLE BLOWER PULLS THE PUNCHES

It should be a pleasure but refereeing is now regarded as a hazard and by many to be avoided. Local Sheffield FA Cup games used to have three neutral officials for every tie but these days a club representative has to carry the flag and often that is all he does. The ref likes to make offside decisions, allowing the second and third official a wave when the ball appears to leave the pitch.

I am coming across a few young officials on my junior league travels in West Yorkshire, and Hepworth have a young lady who does a very impressive job for our juniors, so all credit to our up and coming middle people.

However, be aware of an incident that happened in an East Sussex league Premier match on Saturday between St Leonards Social and local rivals Hollington United. The 61 year old referee was allegedly head butted by a Hollington player in front a crowd of 40 including young children and wives. The player has been bailed. At Banbury three weeks ago, the game against Slough in the Southern League was abandoned when the ref was attacked by a teenage spectator as he came off the pitch at half time. In Birmingham recently an U18 Cup tie between Stourbridge and Black Country Rangers ended in violence as punches were thrown between players and a metal stake brandished.

BUT CONGRATULATE BRIAN STEVENS who took charge of his 3000^th game in the Stroud League on Sunday at the age of 75. He will have seen it all before, having reffed since 1963 and on the Football League list from 1970, when his first game was Preston NE v Halifax Town. Brian came off the League list at 52 but continues to have his way at weekends in his local area.

A WARM WELCOME AT GREETLANDS

This morning, we took drive out of the Pennine fog into the towns of Brighouse and Halifax to play our latest Under 11 league match against Greetlands Stars. They were languishing where Hepworth used to be, that is in the lower third of Huddersfield District Junior U11 Division 6. Our recent run of wins has made Hepworth a top half team and after this morning's 7-0 win the boys and girls are now 4^th in the division. Such has been our run of success. Three goals from right footed James, all with his left foot was impressive. Imogen hit a thunderous left foot to open our scoring, Roland hit two and Louis two also, but it was a fearless and energetic midfield performance by Jack and some great team work by the rest of the squad especially Patrick and Tom, that brought about our victory.

Well done to Hepworth for maintaining the revival, but also well done to Greetlands who played as well as they could, they didn't grumble or sulk, nor did their coaches get fed up, always being positive to their squad in a game played in the correct spirit.

Howden Clough C next-a game we should win and I think the teams above us are probably there on merit, so we would be chuffed with a fourth place-a Europa U11 competition next??

Ps the big bloke in the middle didn't get on the pitch

JAMIE IS DYED IN THE WOOL

As Wayne Rooney heads for his 100^th international cap, an ex-England Youth international, with 3 caps under his belt, plays his 767th game, assuming he is fit and picked! Jamie Cureton has played professional football all his working life and he was 39 in August. He had totalled 258 goals scored in all four divisions, by the time he reached his 40^th year. Playing now for Dagenham and Redbridge, he has recently set his family down in Essex, but his life has been on the move ever since he began his remarkable career.

He has been a classic journeyman footballer, appearing 766 times and scoring 265 goals to date.

Born in Bristol, his first club was Norwich (for a derby with Ipswich he dyed his hair yellow and green), he has been to Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers (with whom he played most times out of his many clubs), Reading in 2000 (where the supporters trust had a star in the Perseus constellation named after him), Busan IPark in South Korea, Queen's Park Rangers, Swindon, Colchester, Norwich again, Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Exeter twice, Leyton Orient, Cheltenham and lastly to Dagenham where he has scored 6 goals in 18 games this season.

Jamie Cureton is a footballer who enjoys playing-surprisingly not all do- and he is maintaining his fitness and has not planned for retirement. At 5' 8” he is small in stature, but big in enthusiasm.

BULLARD'S RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE

What ever you think about “I'm a celebrity...Get me out of here!”, the latest series must be worth a look. It's not the attraction of Carl Fogarty, Michael Buerk or Nadia Forde (another lingerie model to distract a famous sportsman) but Jimmy Bullard who must be regarded as one of the funniest footballers to grace our pitches and screens since Steve Claridge.

Bullard is known for his hilarious photo-shoot set up by Sky for their annual pre-match team presentations. Players in kit were asked to step towards the camera and then raise their head and shoulders to look into the lens with a neutral face. Bullard could not control his mirth and it was several takes before the production team could get him to behave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_2wTLtHlRE
He has also won fame after scoring a goal at the Etihad in 2009, by re-enacting Hull's Phil Brown's managerial ticking off of his players on the pitch at half time, after a woeful first half performance. Bullard has written a book called “Bend it like Bullard” detailing his scrapes and japes as a professional footballer and he has recently set up a management company (Extra Time Management) to look after retiring sports' people who need a focus during their twilight years.

Bullard has been also known for trashing hotel rooms and paying for the damage, rock band style and for setting off so many fire extinguishers at Fulham, that the costs were taken directly out of his monthly salary. Having lost a pile of money recently in a “bad investment”, the £100,000 fee for humiliating himself in Australia's rain forest, will go a small way to settling the balance. Crocodile steaks, kangaroo testicles, cockroaches and witchity grubs await his cheery self. I wonder if the Ozzie's know what they are in for?  

CORINTHIAN SPIRITS RETURN TO SAO PAULO

The Corinthian Casuals, the famous amateur football club, based at Tolworth, Surrey, dominated football in its early days. The historic club is due to visit the great Corinthians Paulista from São Paulo, in Brazil next year. The Casuals play in the Rymans Isthmians league, eighth tier in the pyramid, and will play the Brazilian super stars on January 25th. Money raised from the gate will go towards the tour costs and to help the Casuals make a documentary about the club's history.

The Brazilians respect the the historic link between the two clubs and the match will be played in the 48,000 brand new Arena, originally built for the World Cup. 

The amateurs visited Brazil in 1910 and inspired local workers to form a football club. The Casuals meet the World Club Cup champions as part of a tour designed to remember a second tour made by the Corinthian Casuals as the First World War broke out in 1914. That tour was abandoned without a ball being kicked, on hearing that the war had started. On their return to Europe, some of the greatest names of football at that time died in battle. They include Thomas Rowlandson, a Charterhouse old boy and Sunderland goalkeeper who played for England. Max Woosnam, captained Manchester City scored a century at Lord's won a Wimbledon doubles title and was known to have scored a maximum 147 in snooker, also died. He was one of the great all-rounders ever.

The Centenary tour would have taken place last year, but the World Cup got in the way.

Chris Watney from the club, interviewed on Talksport today, appreciates the gap between the two teams, but he revealed that a vote by the Brazilian supporters gave the English amateurs a 61% majority over Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea, so it is going to be a popular event. The Casuals have just lost 4-1 to Folkestone in their latest league game; the gulf between the two teams will be immense.

Commemorative kit from the Corinthian Casuals tour is being sold in the Paulista club shop and if you want to, you can buy a shirt from the Casuals shop or its website. www.casuals39.com

The game takes place on the anniversary of the foundation of São Paulo City and the tour begins on January 19th.

MATTHEWS WIN IS NATION'S LOSS

As I was skimming through the daily papers this morning, considering who deserved to be considered the greatest footballers of their generation, I took delivery this morning of  David Goldblatt's superb volume on football history, "The Ball is Round". Pele and Bobby Moore adorn the front cover exchanging shirts after their World Cup game in 1970. Then I read the stuff about Rooney being near his 100th cap and almost top scorer for England, really?? Does he deserves to be lobbed into the same pot as these histroic figures?
In a corner of the Telegraph's sport section was the headline "Matthews medal sold for £200k." Shame. My first memories of the great man were in the 1950s when I supported Blackpool purely because of the legendry right winger. My parents bought for me in July 1960, his first autobiography and over the years I have acquired his 1952 life story "Feet First Again" and then gathered more books telling of his progress towards being a 53 year old professional back with his home town club Stoke City. I then met him three times in a short space of time when he visited Charterhouse with family friends who knew the school and Matthews "managed" a school XI at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in one of annual matches. I then met him when Alf Galustian ran one of his impressive skills sessions on the lawn by the House of Commons in London. Various global stars were helping Galustian promote his coaching programme in central London and Matthews was one of them. I then met Sir Stanley for a third time at Pontins, Heysham when he made an appearance at the English Schools Football Festival, hosted at Morecambe. Luxurious stuff!
Nick Hancock, an Old Salopian and Stoke City supporter, bought the famed 1953 FA Cup Final medal for £20K in 2001. He loaned the medal to the club for five years but decided to sell it recently. At the same auction Jimmy Greaves' 1966 World Cup winners medal went for £44k. Greaves never received a medal as he was not picked for the final but a campaign by his fan club managed to persuade the powers that be to award him a medal in 2009. Where have these medals gone? Lost to the nation.

HAVANT A CHANCE, PRESTON THINK

Havant and Waterlooville, The Hawks, founded in 1998 when two clubs merged, play Preston NE tonight in the First Round of the FACup at West Leigh Park. In 2007-8 the Hampshire side led Liverpool twice at Anfield in the FACup, when the Reds needs a Yossi Benayoun hat trick to ensure a 5-2 victory to save their embarrassment. Preston have Kevin Davies in their side, who played with Chesterfield in an FACup semi-final 18 seasons ago. Preston North End hope not to trip up in a cup competition that they have made significant contributions to. Preston have two players unavailable for selection because of international duties.

The draw for the next round happens at 7pm on the BBC and both teams will be finding out their future just before their kick off.