PETER THOMPSON RIP

Sadly another death to report, that of Peter Thompson who spent the major part of his career with the great Liverpool side, then Preston and then Bolton. He retired and ran a caravan site at Knott End on Sea, then hotels in the Lake District and Harrogate. he died at the age of 76.

Born in Carlisle, he played for nearest club Preston, for whom he played 121 times and scored 60 goals between 1960-3. That is quite a return but he was much more of a supplier than finisher. He made his name with Shankly 426 times and scored 54 goals (1963-73 missing only 10 games) and then Bolton 117 times with a minimal return of 2 goals (1973-8). Remarkable!

His 16 England appearances, with NO goals, included the World Cup of 1970 when Bobby Moore was involved in the Bogota bracelet scandal. Thompson was required as a witness, character reference etc. Alf Ramsey of course didn't use wingers so Thompson didn't fit the 433 plan, though it worked for Ramsey, but Thompson missed out in 1966 and 1970.

Born in Carlisle he went to Harraby GS and played for England schoolboys, becoming sought after by many clubs. His debut was against Arsenal on September 30th 1960. Preston got him and even fought off the attentions of Juventus.

Liverpool signed him after Preston were relegated that season, Shankly spending £37,000 for the right footed, left winger. He had watched Thompson play for Preston against Liverpool in a marathon 5th Round FA Cup tie in 1962, which Thompson eventually settled on the second replay. Many saw Shanky's "signing" as daylight robbery!! Thompson's work rate and dribbling ability was second to none.

My personal advisor suggested that like having two fast bowlers operating from each end of a test cricket match, Liverpool had two wingers, Thompson and Callaghan, who constantly worked the flanks and supplied central forwards with a constant supply of crosses for St John and Hunt.

Knee trouble haunted Thompson later in his career and he languished in the reserves until Jimmy Armfield signed him on loan for Bolton in 1973, retiring at the end of 1978 having helped the Wanderers to promotion.

Shankly said "He could run for ever and even more importantly he could run with the ball! The hardest thing to do."
If you are interested
https://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3315
TERRIBLE FILM TO WATCH! be thankful for present TV filming
https://bit.ly/2GPXsmN

PETER HILL-WOOD RIP

I read today, in the Non-League Paper, that recently deceased Arsenal Chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, was originally a Non-League man!

Hill-Wood, you will know by now, recently died following a heart attack, having been very much part of The Arsenal FC. His family had more modest beginnings in football having been part of the Glossop North End club's golden era in the Northern League.

The Derbyshire club is the smallest town to host a Football League club when they competed in the First Division having won the Second Division in 1898-1899. They then competed along with the likes of Aston Villa, Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle from 1899-1900 but were quickly relegated back to Division Two finding themselves in last place in 1914-15, six points adrift. They never recovered after the War.

The Chairman at Glossop was Samuel Hill-Wood who made a fortune in the family cotton mill that dominated the town.
Glossop having fallen out of the top flight of football, then got distracted during the First World War, resorted to being a semi-professional outfit.

In 1921, the UK cotton industry was falling into decline, competing rather poorly with foreign producers, so Samuel left the Derbyshire town and headed to London. He supported Arsenal and was eventually invited on to the club board.

Later he was voted to Chairman and he continued that job until he died in 1948.

This was a period in the 1930s when Herbert Chapman, "poached" from the very successful Huddersfield Town FC in the 1920s, managed an Arsenal team that won its first serious cups and league titles.
George Allison then took over management from Chapman who had died suddenly and continued gathering success. He had been a journalist and then programme editor at Woolwich Arsenal FC. He also oversaw the renaming of the club to The Arsenal.

Denis Hill-Wood took over the Chair in 1961 until 1982 and in 1982, grandson Peter became Chairman ruling until 2013.

Peter presided over the appointments of George Graham and Arsene Wengner which led to 5 FA Cups titles, 5 League wins, a league Cup and a European Cup Winners Cup. He stepped down as Chairman in 2013 through ill health.

Peter was educated at Eton College and his father, three uncles and his grandfather all played First Class cricket for Derbyshire.

Arsenal sent a team to play Glossop NE during their centenary year in 1986 and Hill-Wood invited North End to train at their facility at London Colney in Glossop's preparation before the FA Vase Final against Whitley Bay.

On Saturday 29th April 2006, an Arsenal XI managed by Steve Bould, visited Big Ground, Charterhouse to help our Old Boys' footballers celebrate 125 years since the Old Carthusians FC won the FA Cup (1881 v Old Etonians). The FA Cup was on show and Peter Hill-Wood enjoyed our hospitality including a celebratory lunch and the match at 3pm. Nice man.

OBE, MBE, BEM AND MORE MEDALS?

Well, there's always next year, but I am delighted to announce that Gareth (OBE) and Harry (MBE) have featured on the New Year's Honours List for 2019. We know what that is all about don't we?!

But what about Harry (Henry) Gregg OBE, who at 80 years old is recognised for his bravery during the Munich Air Crash, when his team, Manchester United (The Busby Babes) lost a number of their "fledglings" European Cup squad and for other services to football. Harry was a well known guardian of the goal.


Richard Scudamore CBE, Executive Chairman of the Premier League, for services to football.

Anthony Stewart OBE, for services as Chairman of Rotherham United FC, and the local community.

Andrew Gordon BEM, as Chairman of Longniddry Villa FC in East Lothian, for services to football.
Michael Richards, BEM, services to football in Devon.
Northern Ireland footballer, Stephen Baxter is made BEM for services to football and as Crusaders' manager.

Gareth McAuley MBE, of Rangers (once WBA), for services to football in Northern Ireland with 80 caps for his country.
Keith Hardy MBE, services to football in Staffordshire, Wyrley Juniors.
Jason Shela MBE, for youth football and children with disabilities and special needs in USA.
Raymond Smiles MBE, for services to youth football in Wales.
Leroy Rosenoir MBE for services to football and "Show Racism the Red Card" project.

Here is his story:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-46701825

David Barry Dein MBE, for services to football, The FA, Arsenal FC and for work in schools and prisons, especially "Twinning Project" with Ian Wright to prevent "re-offending".

TOM HUDDLESTONE FOR THE CUT

Yes, Hull have been "getting it" a bit this Christmas and here is another new's item involving one of their better players, Tom Huddlestone. 
Tom was playing for Hull on the 28th December 2013 against Fulham at the KC Stadium when the Tigers notched up a 6-0 victory, one goal scored by Tom thus ending a 32 month drought.
His previous goal against the Gunners in a 3-3 draw and "haircut" was back in April 2011, when he decided he would not have a barber's visit until he scored again.
He thought that he had scored against Liverpool a month earlier but the "Dubious goals" committee decided it had been deflected in by Martin Skrtel.
All money raised would go to charity, so when he scored, on his 27th birthday, he also sold on E-Bay, fetching £6,300, a lock snipped off by the club physio, Rob Price, immediately after the game, which boosted his charity fund.


The event was then followed by a very publicised haircut by London "hair designer" Lance Lowe who travelled north for the occasion. The Afro went Mohican!! Overall the Charity Cancer Research UK benefitted by more than £57,000.

It was a miracle that he raised any money at all, based on his past goal scoring record.
He played 88 times for Derby first up and scored NO goals;
he then went to Spurs 144 apps-8 goals,
Wolves 13-1
Hull 135-6
Derby 49-2
England (u16-u21) 53-5 goals!
and finally 4 full internationals and NIL GOALS.

BROWN TALK, COTON KEEPER

Some of you may remember Boxing Day 2008, when Phil Brown gave his players a talking to, on the Manchester City pitch, at half time, in front of their 5,500 travelling fans, following the Tigers awful first half display, which left them 4-0 down.
Phil likened them to a Sunday league team and well, this didn't win any points, though Hull did draw the second half 1-1. Mind you MCity may have taken their foot off the gas by then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08pyDzWHbHo  a comedy version??!!
In their following game v Aston Villa on Dec 30th, Hull only lost 0-1. Progress?

On the 27th December 1919, having lost four games on the trot, including a 4-2 defeat to Wolves on December 20th, Hull City bounced back to thump Wolves 10-3 in a Second Division game. The clubs have played each other since September 1906 (1-1) and Hull have won 27 Drawn 15 and lost 24 matches. At the end of the season Hull were 11th in Division Two and Wolves 19th, just avoiding relegation.

On the 27th December, 1980 Tony Coton made his goalkeeping debut at 17 years old, for Birmingham City v Sunderland at St Andrews and his first touch of the ball, after 54 seconds, was to save a penalty. brum won 3-2.
Tony went on to play over 500 matches in the Football League at Hereford Utd, Watford (233), Man City (164), Man Utd!, Sunderland!! for whom he broke his leg in FIVE places against Southampton and Hereford again in the Conference. He ended up coaching and scouting at Man U, Wigan, Bolton, Villa and back at Sunderland.

SHOE BOXING v HAT BOXING

Boxing Day 1999, Chelsea played Southampton away in a League game and won 2-1. The team was thus:-
de Goey, Ferrer, Babayaro, Thome, Leboeuf, Petrescu, Deschamps, di Matteo, Ambrosetti, Poyet, Flo: Manager Vialli. Spot the Briton.
They were on the subs bench!

The first Sheffield Derby in the THIRD division took place at Hillsborough on Boxing Day 1979. Wednesday won 4-0 in front of a record crowd of 49,309.

In 1927, on Boxing Day,  Syd Reid scored four goals in the first half for Luton Town in a Division 3 South League game and gave The Hatters a 4-1 lead, at the County Ground. By the end of the match Northampton had won 6-5. Just over 10,000 watched this game. The Hatters got their name from the straw-plaiters that were made in the town since the 17th Century-see badge and the founding date 1885.
 
The Cobblers came from the boot and shoe industry sited in Northampton since before the industrial revolution. The club was founded in 1897.
note the shoe on the central part of the badge.

There was a 1-0 win to Luton at home on Christmas Day 1929, a 4-1 win for the Cobblers the next day and 2-2 draw on Boxing Day at Luton in 1997.
Overall the Cobblers have won 21 matches between the two and drawn 7 with Luton edging them with 28 victories.

MERRY XMAS

The first Christmas Day match took place in 1889 when The Invincibles, Preston North End, beat Aston Villa, when Nick Ross scored 3 at Deepdale for the home team, and 10,000 or more watched.

In 1909 Partick Thistle beat Hibernian on this day in a league match, but Thistle lost defender James Main early doors, who was kicked in the stomach and suffered a ruptured bowel from which he never recovered and died.

On Christmas Day in 1917, Dick, Kerr's Ladies, The Munitionettes, played a charity game on Christmas Day at Deepdale (Preston NE) against the Arundel Coulthard's Factory. £488 was raised for charity and the Dick's Ladies won 4-0. See them below. On Boxing Day 1920 the Kerr Ladies beat St Helen's Ladies in front of 53,000, 4-0. Ladies football was here to stay.


In 1936 Hull hosted wrexham in a Third Division South match. Ambrose brown was sent off after 20 seconds. Some coach journey!

In 1954 Blackpool were drawn to play Portsmouth away in a league game on Christmas day which involved a 500 mile round trip. There was of course a return match in which Jimmy Armfield made his debut.

1957 was the last time that a full English Football League programme was held on Christmas Day. 38 matches were played and by 1959 public transport had been given the day off, so there was not a lot of movement in and out of stadia and league fixtures declined. People just couldn't travel.
Jimmy Greaves scored a hat trick and ONE in 1957 for Chelsea against Portsmouth in a league game which Chelsea won 7-4.

Some clubs kept their "Christmas" holiday fixture going and recorded bumper crowds but by December 26th 1959. Blackburn played Blackpool, winning 1-0 in Division 1 in a local derby and Coventry beat Wrexham in Division 3 3-0. One day later on Boxing Day Blackpool beat the Rovers 1-0, to even things up.

Some clubs were scheduled to play on Boxing Day as well, but matches were postponed due to frozen pitches.

December 25th 1965 saw a Lancastrian derby with Blackpool hosting Blackburn Rovers again and winning 4-2. This was the last Christmas Day match ever and over 20,000 watched this spectacle.

The Scottish League kept a full programme going until 1976 but there was a reduced programme after that.
Some Scot's clubs kept going with Clydebank drawing with St Mirren and Alloa beat Cowdenbeath.

In 1983 Brentford attempted to play Wimbledon in a Third Division game on Christmas Day but there was protest and the game was brought forward to the Eve. There was protest about this but over 6,600 turned out, the second highest attendance at Griffin Park that season. Wimbledon won 4-3.

CHRISTMAS TRUCE

On December 24th 1914, after 5 months of war, French, German and English troops decided, in some places along the Western Front, to have unofficial truces. Following various stalemates and the "Race to the Sea", trenches at places like Ypres were decorated with Christmas Fayre, soldiers met in No Man's Land and exchanged gifts, shared a drink and a ciggie, sung carols, buried the dead and played football.

The final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth shows Edmund playing in a football match at the Christmas Truce and getting distinctly annoyed at being given offside when he scored a goal!

I'm pleased to say that the memory of this First World War Event is being remembered at Penistone Church FC on Boxing Day, when the local town side play the local cricket club in the Christmas Truce Match ko 11am.

On Christmas Eve 1898, ten years after the founding of the Football League, Newcastle United met Sunderland at Roker Park, for the first derby and won 3-2. Sunderland had joined the league in 1890 replacing an ailing Stoke City thus becoming the first team to join the League since it's inception. Newcastle joined the Second Division in 1893-4 season.
The return match on 22nd April 1899 saw a Sunderland win 0-1 at St James' Park and 22,000 watched it. First World War Newcastle.........

GUNNERS SHOOT COCKERELS

Spurs were the receivers of a very fine Christmas present today when Everton handed out the "Toffees" as Son, Kane and co scored 6, winning by 4 goals. It looked a good game as Walcott (an old gunner) put the home team ahead. Then it went 1-4 as Tottenham got to grips and then 2-4 and 2-5 and 2-6.
Don't forget this match:
https://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com/2017/03/10-4-not-highway-patrol.html  Bill Nicholson's first as Spurs' manager!

On December 23rd 1978, Arsenal were the big scorers winning 5-0 at White Hart Lane, as the Spurs could not find anything to match Alan Sunderland's hat trick. 42,000 watched this First Division match and Sunderland became the first Gunner to score a hat trick against Spurs since Ted Drake (below) scored 3 on October 20th 1934.  70,000+ witnessed this 5-1 hammering.

On March 6th 1935 Arsenal repeated the beating with a 6-0 win at White Hart Lane. Drake managed a brace. They didn't play each again until 1949 in the FA Cup-the Gunners won that too.

On 23 December 1978 Arsenal recorded a winning 0-5 at White Hart Lane.
Later in the season on April 10th 1979, Arsenal won the return league match 1-0.....dull.

The first meeting between the clubs was on November 9th 1896 in the United League when Woolwich Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-1 at the Manor Ground, Plumstead. Crowd unknown!
Overall record between the North London clubs is:
Tottenham won 64 Drawn 51 Arsenal 82

TOMMY DOCHERTY 90 YEARS+

On December 22nd 1972 Manchester United parted with another manager, Tommy Docherty. On a salary of £15,000 pa and in charge of the "holy trinity", Charlton, Best and Law. Tommy was sacked as he shared a moment with the wife of the club's  physiotherapist and probably due to bad results! He was replaced (in the managerial job) by Dave Sexton, who had taken over from him earlier at Chelsea!

A Scottish international, Docherty made his name playing first with Celtic in 1947, Preston North End from 1949, 324 times. He then played for Arsenal 83 times from 1958 and briefly for Chelsea in 1961. He turned out 25 times for his country and he helped the Lilywhites (PNE) win the Second Division title in 1951 and played in the 1954 FA Cup Final with Preston, losing to West Bromwich Albion 2-3.

During his time managing, Tommy was with 14 clubs from 1961 through to 1988. At Manchester United between 1972-77, "his" club was recovering from the O'Farrell campaign and was relegated to Division Two but returned to the First Division the following season. In Tommy's career in management he led from 1961 the following clubs:
Chelsea for six years, Rotherham, QPR, Aston Villa, Porto, Scotland, Man U for 5 years, Derby, QPR, Sydney Olympic, PNE, South Melbourne, Sydney, Wolves and Altrincham finishing in 1988. The rest were just short stays.
Tommy was 90 years old in April.
He won the Second Division with PNE 1951, Football League Cup 1965 with Chelsea, Man Utd 2nd Division title 1975, FA Cup 1977
and inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame 2013.

CHARLTON-COMMON DENOMINATOR-LOADS OF GOALS

 It's been done before but on this day 21st December 1957, Huddersfield visited Charlton Athletic for a Second Division match and played out a 7-6 game with the home team snatching a remarkable result having been 1-5 down. At the old Valley and with half an hour to go, Charlton were losing with only ten men on the pitch.

Charlton centre half, Derek Ufton, left the field with a dislocated shoulder and there were no substitutes then. They were 0-2 down at half time and just after they scored to make it 1-2 but quickly it went to 1-5.
The home crowd of around 12,500 started to leave, but things turned round to 3-5 and three quick goals took them to 6-5, then 6-6 and with seconds to go it was 7-6 to Charlton, the only time a score of that kind had been played out in the Football League.
Getting your money's worth?? The crowd was!
On October 3rd 1959 Plymouth beat Charlton 6-4 at Home Park.
Charlton then lost 1-11 to Aston Villa on November 14th 1959.
On 20th February 1960 Charlton won 5-2 v Plymouth.
In the next season, on Boxing Day 1960, they won 6-4 at home against Plymouth and the next day (27th) lost 4-6 at Home Park in the return match.
Charlton beat Portsmouth 7-4 on October 1st 1960 and also managed a 6-6 draw v Middlesbrough at the Valley 21 days later.
And just to top it off on 27th October 1962 Plymouth beat Charlton 6-1 and on 16th March 1963 Charlton returned the favour with a 6-3 win.

TEESSIDE v SEASIDE

Brian Clough, you may remember, played for Middlesbrough in his pomp and scored a hat trick against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Goldstone Ground on December 20th 1958 in a Division Two match. This helped 'Brough win 6-4, with Alan Peacock scoring twice to help.

Previously on 23rd August 1958 (the opening day of the season) Clough had helped himself to 5 goals, as his team thumped the Albion 9-0. Peacock contributed with 2 and Bill Harris scored 2 penalties.

The first meeting between the two clubs occurred in 1906 in an FA Cup Round 2 tie which went through two 1-1 draws and then a 3-1 win for Middlesbrough.
After that Middlesbrough met Southampton away in Round 3 and lost 1-6.
Brighton joined in the FA Cup that season in the 4th Qualifying Round and beat Glossop 0-1. They then beat Swindon in Round One 3-0.

Middlesbrough, the more "senior" club, having joined the Football League in 1899, began their cup run at the First Round stage, beating Bolton Wanderers, also a Second Division club, 3-0.

Brighton joined the Football League newly formed Third Division in 1920, after the War.

Overall Middlesbrough have won 24 times, lost 10 and drawn13 games. Their last meeting was on January 27th 2018 in an FA Cup win for Brighton, away at the Riverside, 0-1 with Glen Murray scoring in the 90th minute.

FRANK AND JOSE

On a day in 2018, when one Manchester United manager exits, it is a curious coincidence that another United manager, Frank O'Farrell, was sacked in 1972.
Born in Blackpool, Cork, Ireland, Frank, after working on the railways, had a decent playing career, starting with Cork. He went on to West Ham (nearly 200 apps), Preston NE (118 apps) and Weymouth until he retired to management at Weymouth, Torquay (several times), Leicester City (1968-71), Man U (1971-2), Cardiff (1973-4), Iran National team and Al-Shaab in UAE, retiring in 1982. He played for the R.O.Ireland 9 times and scored 2.
The Manchester United managerial career runs parallel to a certain extent with Jose's. In July 1971 Frank was selected by and replaced Matt Busby, taking over from a dynasty. Jock Stein had been in the frame but he declined the offer!
He managed Charlton, Law and co but also inherited George Best at his "worst", but  was in charge of a club that had recently won the European Cup and were well place in the division. Wilf McGuinness, the reserve manager, was second in command but had developed a relaxed attitude with his players.
He was voted Manager of the Month in September and his team was top of the division in October. Frank did not have a very good relationship with his players who had to make appointments to talk to him. Best continued to go AWOL and results went down hill. Signings included Storey-Moore, Buchan, Wyn Davies and Ted MacDougall.
On 16th December 1972, United were thumped by Crystal Palace 5-0 and United found themselves third from bottom in the league. O'Farrell was sacked, Tommy Docherty took over and O'Farrell, the first Irishman to manage United, sued the club for "loss of earnings" and was paid about £17,000, out of court. he record was P81 W30 L27. This is link is great.
https://wearethebusbyboys.com/2018/09/17/football-taught-by-frank-ofarrell/
He finished his footballing career as a scout for Everton and Bolton, was active in his local Catholic Church and ran a nursing home. In 2018, at 91 years old, he was the oldest living West Ham player alive.

OWN GOALS AND GONGS

December 18th:
1937 George Francis Moutrey Hardwick, born in Saltburn, made his Football League debut playing for Middlesbrough against Bolton at the old Ayresome Park in the old First Division. He scored an own goal with his first touch. But in the end he was a hero playing over 330 times for the Borough (143/5goals) and Oldham Athletic (190/14).
He appeared 13 times for England between 1946-8 and eventually managed Oldham, the Netherlands, PSV Eindhoven, Sunderland and Gateshead.

In 1954, Chelsea played Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. Jack Froggatt and Stan Milburn, with the visitors, kicked the ball at the same time into their own goal, contributing to a 1-3 defeat by the home team; the first ever shared own goal in top grade football.
In 1956, on this day, the first ever Ballon d'Or was awarded to Stanley Matthews, as he became European Footballer of the Year. Alfredo di Stefano came 2nd (a hero centre-forward with Real Madrid) and team colleague, Frenchman, Raymond Kopa was put in 3rd place. The instigator of this award, Gabriel Hanot, presented the trophy to the English right winger. Ferenc Puskas was 4th and Lev Yashin 5th. Do you know who these people are?

Billy Wright came 9th in the voting and Duncan Edwards came 11th.
Duncan in Dudley, his home town. He died, aged 21, as a results of injuries from the Munich air crash. Stanley Matthews described him as "a rock in a raging sea".

WELL IT STARTED WITH THE HONEST ENGLISH

December 16th 1899, Herbert Kilpin (from Nottingham) and Alfred Edwards (below) from Bridgnorth.......

formed the Milan Cricket and Football Club which became known as AC Milan and is remarkable for not being known as Milano, the Italian way of addressing the city.

Herbert Kilpin oversaw the beginning of the club's success and he maintained the name of Milan rather than Milano, which hinted of the Fascist regime. Known as Associazione Calcio Milan, they won their first title in 1901 and again in 1906 and 1907. In 1908 the club split when there was a disagreement over foreign signings and another Milan club was founded-FC Internazionale Milano. This led to a lull in AC's success until 1950-1 when ironically they benefited from three swedish signings, Gunnar Gren, Gunnar Nordahl and Nils Liedholm.
This led to a period of further success for AC Milan including winning the Scudetto, the Italian name for winning the championship in the top flight. Titles came along in 1951,1955, 57, 59, 62 and this led to the European Cup win in 1963 beating the rising club of Benfica. Milan won the ECup again in 1969 beating Ajax.
In 1980 the club was named in the infamous Totonero match fixing scandal (money on results) and was relegated to Serie B for the first time. They won promotion back to Serie A immediately. They were then relegated in 1982 and won promotion again a year later.
In stepped Berlusconi with a bunch of lira and the club hasn't looked back since! In came Gullit, Van Basten and Rijkaard who complemented locals Baresi, Maldini, Donadoni and Costacurta.....that was just 7 of the side!

YORKSHIRE DERBY

I went to Knaresborough yesterday, risking some very inclement weather, snow, wind, freezing rain and more. I met an old colleague for lunch, no mean footballer himself, and then went onto his local club, Harrogate Town, who were playing in a seriously local derby in the FA Trophy, York City.
The pitch was always going to be playable since it was a very good 4G and although I suppose it could have frozen into an ice rink, technology managed to keep the pitch safe.
There was an issue with a floodlight which came and went and came again, I was surprised that the referee didn't seem to notice a darkened corner but he played on as did the lads.
The York Minstermen went ahead after 21 minutes but the home team equalised and then snatched a scrambled winner two thirds through the game. 1336 turned up, made a lot of noise, got cold, some wet but it was a lively game and the level of skill impressive on a very fast surface.

Harrogate play in the Vanarama National League with the likes of Aldershot, Wrexham, Halifax and Hartlepool, whereas York, seemingly from history a more senior club, are slumming it in the lower division the National League North. They would meet Southport, Bradford PA, Darlington and Chester at that level.

York City was founded in 1908 as an amateur club and knocked around local leagues until disbanding in 1917. They reformed in 1922 playing in the Midland League, eventually playing in the Football League until 2004 when they were relegated to the Conference.

One great moment for the club was an appearance in the 1954-5 FA Cup semi-final replay having drawn with eventual winners Newcastle Utd at Hillsborough and then losing the replay 0-2 at Roker Park. they had beaten Blackpool (then a top cup team) and Spurs en route.
In 1983-4 York City won the 4th Division with 101 points the first time a team had achieved over a century of points in history.
The club has won the FA Trophy twice, 2012, 2017 and were runners up in 2009.

Harrogate Town, once known as the Harrogate Hotspurs were founded in 1914 and on September 4th were due to play Bishop Auckland, a match abandoned as all the lads had joined up. The club disbanded until there was peace! and reformed in 1919.
Eventually the club was called Harrogate "Town" in 1945, playing in the West Yorkshire League. In 1957 they joined the Yorkshire League, moving in to the North Counties East in 1982 and were founder members of the National Premier in 1987-8. They went fully professional in 2016-17 and play in the National League now.
In 1982 they opened their floodlights with a game against local heroes Leeds United, eddie Gray switched them on. Their first competitive game under lights was an FA Cup game against Accrington Stanley, when 2,000 watched, with the lights working.

GET YOUR CHRISTMAS JUMPER

Of course, these are all the rage and here are a few examples of what you can wear to church on Christmas morning. They are self explanatory. COYS!

Merry Kloppmas!!




This will be a best seller.

https://notjust.shop/products/gareth-southgate-christmas-jumpers-coming-home-for-christmas
is worth a search for a Jeremy Corbyn or even a David Attenborough theme!

There is a Ronaldo, Merry Cr7smas and this Pogba one might "turn up" on the day.......

LOOKING FOR ERIC

December 13th 1998 proved to be an unlucky day for Nigel Rogoff who was due to attend the Aston Villa v Arsenal match at Villa Park. Nigel was an RAF parachutist who planned to drop on to the pitch dressed as Santa as part of a Seasonal gesture.
Well, the wind provided a gust which carried poor Santa astray into the Trinity Road stand and then down 80 feet on to the side of the pitch. The fall caused Nigel to break both legs and luckily he was quickly taken off to hospital where two surgeons who were at the match operated on him. After 177 pints of blood over 3 months, Nigel's issues had not be solved and he had to have a leg amputation. In February 2016, he became one of the amputee crew to row over 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.

If you happen to visit Morecambe, which has to be recommended, you will undoubtedly see the famous "dancing" statue of Eric Morecambe, once known as Eric Bartholomew, born in Morecambe 1926. Eric moved to Luton later in life and adopted the town, becoming a Director of the Luton Town club.

After Eric had died, a statue was unveiled by the Queen in 1999 but over the years it had been vandalised.

It was restored on December 11th 2014 and "unveiled" again. A miniature trophy was made of it and presented to the winners of the next fixture between Morecambe and Luton which was due to take place two days later at the seaside club's Globe Arena with a crowd of just over 2,000. So on December 13th, Morecambe, as 3-0 victors, kept the trophy in their clubhouse by the seaside.

The first fixture between the two on 20th December 2008 was drawn 1-1. Overall there have been six wins for Luton and two draws with two losses.

QUIZ-SNOWSTORM

Name five Premier League managers who have won 80+ (at least) PL games with ONE PL club.

On this day in 1891, Burnley played Blackburn Rovers in Division One and were 3-0 up at half time. The game was played in a snowstorm to start with and within four minutes of the second half a fight started and the players involved were dismissed. Annoyed with the decision, the entire Blackburn team left the field except for goalkeeper H.J Arthur, the England goalkeeper.
The referee gave Burnley a freekick, who took it and Arthur claimed offside. He was then given the free kick and took such a long time over the restart (nobody to pass to!) that the ref, bewildered by now, abandoned the game.
The first official league game between these two local clubs took place in November 1888 and their last encounter was in the League Cup on 23rd August 2017 which Burnley won away 0-2.
Overall Burnley have Won 42 Drawn 19 and Lost 41 times.

The referee was J.C.Clegg, later known as Sir John Charles Clegg, who became President of the Football Association. Charles Clegg was a proponent of the amateur game and when a young footballer came before him in a hearing over his dismissal for making ungentlemanly remarks to the ref, Clegg asked him to repeat what he had said.
The lad said "I have shit better referees". Clegg responded with this judgement:
"All right, I'll give you a week to prove that you can do that, but if you can't, I'm afraid I shall have to fine you £1."
William and Charles (below) Clegg were very important in the development of football in the Sheffield area and ultimately in the world!

Answer to above: AW, AF, BR, RE, RM...work out the initials and clubs.

SPURS ON THE MARCH

With a night of European ahead, and Tottenham taking on Barcelona, the Spurs might take courage from their inspirational two legged victory over Glasgow Rangers on this day.
On October 31st 1962 Spurs were 5-2 winners at White Hart Lane in front of a 60,000 crowd.
The clip shows the 5-2 win and is worth watching just for the crowd shots,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kprA6xANFnk
Did you spot the Spurs goalscorers?
John White 2, Les Allen, Maurice Norman and an o.g. by Bobby Shearer.
The rest of the team:
Brown, MacKay, Baker, Henry, Blanchflower, Greaves, Medwin, Jones.

The 1st Round 2nd leg tie had been scheduled for the 10th December but was postponed due to fog!

On December 11th, the away leg, Spurs sneaked a 3-2 win at Ibrox where the Scots made up the majority of a 80,000 crowd. Bobby Smith 2 and Jimmy Greaves did the business in an unchanged team.
Tottenham went on to win the final. It was Spurs' fourth tie, having played in the First Round v Rangers, Quarter-Final v Slovan Bratislava 6-2 and Semi v OFK Belgrade 5-2. They met Athletico Madrid and won the final 5-1.

There have only been two "serious" games between the two clubs, but plenty of friendlies.

MOST SCORERS IN A GAME

10th December 1892 saw Sheffield United crush Burslem PV (Port Vale) 10-0 away in a Division 2 game; the only double figures score AWAY in the history of the Football League. In the return game it was 4-0 only. United came second in the division whilst Burslem were relegated.

On the same day in 1955, Derby County played in Division 3 for the first time and met Boston Utd from the Midland League in an FA Cup 2nd Round tie at home. Six of the Boston side were old Derby players-Roy Harrison who won an FA Cup medal in the 1946 Cup Final with the Rams. Others were Geoff and Don Hazledene, Ray Wilkins (no!), Dave Miller and Ray Middleton. The heart of the Boston United side was good enough to beat Derby 6-0.
They then met Tottenham and were beaten 4-0 on January 7th 1956. The Spurs eventually lost to Manchester City in the semi-final, who won the cup beating Birmingham City.
In 1973-4 the two clubs met again in the cup and Derby won 6-1 away after a Baseball Ground 0-0 draw.


In 1960 on this day, Newcastle and West Ham drew 5-5 with 9 different goal scorers contributing. Newcastle were relegated that season having scored 86 goals but conceding 109. In 1989, Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 9-0 with 8 different scorers. Steve Nicol scored 2. In 1984, 9 Liverpool players managed 11 goals when the beat Stromsgodet from Norway in an 11-0 European Cup Winners Cup win.

When Arbroath beat Bon Accord 36-0 in a Scottish Cup tie, Archie Thompson and Jocky Petrie scored 13 each.

NOPS AND WASHERS

As the original Middlesbrough FC formed, it did not embrace professionalism, so the club played in the FA Amateur Cup and could also play in the FA Cup. They tried professionalism in 1889, reverted to amateurism in 1892 and then became professional fully in 1899.

Middlesbrough Ironopolis FC formed as a club representing the heavy industry based in town and became professional.

Known as "the Nops" and also known as the "Scabs and Washers", the club was formed in 1889 and dissolved in 1894.
On this day in 1893, they beat Rotherham Town 6-1 in their first season in Football League Division Two. The Nops ended up 11th out of 15 in the division whilst Rotherham Town stayed in the division having been 14th, possibly because Ironopolis dropped out of the league.

Prior to their unsuccessful visit to the Football League, the Nops had been Northern League winners, had won 2 cups and reached the FA Cup Quarter-Final. They played at the Paradise Ground in Middlesbrough which held 14,000, but they rarely proved that popular. On the 18th February 1893, they met Preston North End in an FA Cup replay and lost 0-7 having drawn away 2-2; they did fill the ground though.
In September 1893 they met Liverpool and only 2,000 went through the turnstiles. Liverpool eventually became Division title winners.

Other teams in that division with unfamiliar names were: Small Heath, Burton Swifts, Burslem PV, Lincoln, Woolwich Arsenal, Ardwick, Northwich Victoria.
READ THIS TO FIND OUT MORE AND SEE THEIR KIT.
http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Middlesbrough_Ironopolis/Middlesbrough_Ironopolis.htm

Middlesbrough FC, when they played as amateurs, played in the FA Amateur Cup. The Old Carthusians met them in the Final on 27 April 1895 at Headingly, losing 1-2.

The next year Middlesbrough lost to the Royal Artillery (Portsmouth) in the FA Amateur Cup Round 2, who went on to the Final. Middlesbrough won the Amateur Cup again in 1898.
In 1899 they turned professional permanently.

SIGNED PROGRAMMES

My son, no mean footballer, has a job that takes him to the inner sanctum of most European football clubs. His latest venture was into Old Trafford for the UEFA Champions League Group H match between United and Juventus. Cunningly he gets a programme, one of many I guess provided for his job, and finds a celebrity who politely obliges to sign the programme. So today I acquired the 23rd October 2018 UEFA Champions League programme signed by Denis Law.

Couldn't ask for more, could I? The tie played on October 23rd 2018 resulted in a 1-0 loss for United at home (74,000) and a 2-1 win away (42,000).


Son knows that he is contributing to a considerable collection of programmes, dating to the early 1960s, some in terrific conditions, some signed, so a bit scruffy. But if treated seriously, they will fetch a "small fortune" in the future. I'm leaving the pile to him in my will!!

Back to United and Juve, the two massive clubs have played each other 14 times in similar ties with results even at P14 W6 D2 L6.
The first combat was a 2nd Round tie played on the 20th October 1976 at Old Trafford with a 1-0 win for United. 59,000 attended.
The return was a 0-3 defeat away on 3rd November 1976. Over 66,000 saw this.
The United squad included: Stepney, Houston, Nicholl, Greenhoff, Albiston, Coppell, Daly, McIlroy, Macari, Pearson, Hill, McCreery and Paterson (born Elgin, played for Nairn County!).

Since then they have met in 1984 Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final (loss 2-3), 1996 (1-3) , 1997 (3-3), 1999 (4-3) and 2003 (5-1).
The other 1984 semi-final included Aberdeen versus Porto, who won 0-2 during the Ferguson era. Sir Alex, of course, joined United in 1986.

POSH PIZZA

Peter Boizot died recently aged 89 and his obituary may be read in several national papers today. Who, why? Peter Boizot was a self made man who invested money in his local Football League Club, Peterborough United.

He was born into a modest family, near the city and during his early years he enjoyed singing in the Cathedral choir and worked hard in the class room, gaining a place at St Catharine's College, Cambridge to read History. He loved the Mediterranean life style, travel, jazz and sports especially hockey and soccer. Having introduced pizza to an English "audience" that didn't really appreciate the Italian dish, he gradually made money through Pizza Express, with cute selling techniques, jazz entertainment and other novel additions to the dining experience. Anybody keen on making a fortune should read about his life and simple ideas for a few tips.

I am interested in Peter Boizot because I met him occasionally at college reunions and watched jealously, as his kind donations to "our" college sports' fund usually gave hockey a financial boost, a sport he continued to play into later life. He didn't need to improve the soccer pitches at Cambridge colleges, which of course were set on the land where the FA Laws were seriously modified, as early as the 1850s and of course were flat as pancakes, on very fertile Fenland soil.

This weekend the crowd at the ABAX Stadium, Peterborough United, from League One, will pay tribute to a man who gave the Posh a push. His investment during the 1990s led them to promotion in 2000 as his left Pizza Express to find its own way, whilst he indulged in his favourite sports with a joy for life.

In 1921 local coach, Pat Tirrell, announced that was looking for Posh Players to play in a Posh Football team, when he founded Fletton United. In 1923 he added Peterborough to the club name, hoping to attract local businesses to finance his campaign as they joined the Southern League. At that time the club was fondly known as the Brickies, linked to the local industry.
In 1932 the club went bankrupt and it reformed in 1934 as Peterborough United, playing in the Midland League. Posh joined the Football League in 1960 and immediately won the Division 4 title. They also has quite a reputation as FA and other Cup giant killers and for winning the Football League Trophy in 2013-14. Centre-forward Terry Bly holds a record that still stands, for scoring 52 goals in the 1960-1 league season.
In 2002, Victoria Beckham filed a complaint to the UK Patent office over the use of the name Posh. Her claim was unsuccessful.

WOMEN AND BEER

I was travelling through the "borderlands yesterday", yes that bit between the West Midlands and Wales, so I never had time to write last night (I was at the Old Charterhouse in London where the Carthusians first played their "mob" game of football).

On December 5th 1921, the FA thought about women and football and decided that they should not play the game; after all it was the invention of the FA, which at the time most certainly would have been an all male affair. So NA na nya na.
The stiff shirted FA gentlemen actually couldn't stop women from running around with a football, but they could ban any FA member club from hosting a women's match. So they did and that ban was not lifted until 1971. All those wasted years.

If you more on women and soccer then have a look at this lot:
https://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com/2017/07/dickladies-and-co.html

On this same day in 2005 Paul Gascoigne was relieved of his managerial duties at Northern Conference side Kettering Town. He has overseen two wins, two draws and two losses in the first six games of his reign, but it wasn't the points that upset the committee, it was the PINTS! Yes they sacked him for drinking too much. No duty of care there then? It was worth a book though.