NEPEAN GETS THE POINT AND SO WILL YOU TOMORROW.

Went to Geelong today. The Geelong Cats are one of the best AFL clubs in the country and therefore in the World! Yes you know, there are no AFL clubs of any note outside Australia, or indeed outside the State of Victoria. The "model" that I am posing with, stands along the Geelong promenade with 47 other statues as part of a wonderful art theme, following the port's history.
Our AFL model represents all the good things that AFL brings to the region and he is positioned in Transvaal Square, where the lads would practice the game in the early days. Football, remember, came from Britain in its earliest form and would have arrived at the port.

You know that the British took football to Australia, so therefore footy was first evolved in Victoria State.
One of the headlands guarding Port Phillip Bay, the entrance to Melbourne harbour, is called Point Nepean. Nepean also appears on a highway and a river. There are also Nepean names in New South Wales and South Africa, Canada and India.

So who was Nepean? He was the Right Honorable (Sir) Evan Nepean (below) who in 1802 had the point named after him, as a British politician and colonial administrator, Under Secretary of State to the Home Department.
Born in July 1752 in Saltash, Cornwall whose father was an innkeeper, Nicholas Nepean. He was one of three children. Evan rose through military ranks, the Admiralty and so on, to become a Baronet (an excuse by the king to take money off a wealthy land owner), Canon of Westminster and Chaplain in Ordinary (exactly what it says!) to Queen Victoria.

Two generations later, Charles Nepean, was recorded in the London 1861 census as being a pupil at Charterhouse School in London. This was before the school moved out of the grim city to the lush pastures of Godalming.

Charles was born in Mayfair in 1851, the youngest of 13 children and died in Kent in March 1903, only 52 years old.
After Charterhouse he went to University College, Oxford and then into the church in Lenham, Kent. Related to this string of Nepeans is HUGH GRANT-actor!
Tomorrow we get to the footbally bit.

CHOCOLATE BARS ON OFFER- A GUESSING GAME

 The Cadbury Chocolate Company of Birmingham was founded in 1824 following the idea of a local Quaker family. Quakers have much to do with sweetening our tooths in England. Cleverly the company was given a boost when it landed in Hobart, Tasmania in 1918. Here there was a huge supply of dairy products and HEP to power their factories.
The Claremont Industrial settlement was built on the plan of Cadbury's Company Town in England and Cadbury soon merged with Fry in 1919 and Pascall in Tasmania in 1922.
During the war Cadbury became the main supplier of chocolate to the Australian Armed Forces, devising a special chocolate that would not melt in the heat of battle (or the jungle)! or end up as a twirl, crunchie or flake when the soldiers took time out.

In 1967 the company took over the Australian confectioners, MacRoberstons, grabbing 60% of the national market.

Back in England, the company gave its name to a football club that was formed in 1994, starting in the Midland League Division 3. This provided an opportunity to give the workers and locals a boost with the opportunity to burn off a few calories at the weekend.

Over 20 years or so they have climbed to the Premier Division (resigned from it to go back to the 1st Div) and won the League's Challenge Vase in 2002. So not exactly a marathon existence but certainly no picnic.

The club now plays in the Midland League Division 1 along with clubs such as Coleshill Town and Ilkeston Town. Originally playing at Bournville, the club had to find a ground with floodlights and so they have "nestled" at the Triplex Sports' ground at King's Norton, ground sharing with Pilkington XXX FC (don't ask?!).

Players such as Demarai Gray and Daniel Sturridge (1995-6 as a nipper) have come through Cadbury's ranks. If this "game" is still on offer then you may have a chance to join a legend; it may be too late.
https://legends.cadburyfc.com/

The reason I have suddenly chosen the topic of sweets is that I have just visited The Chocolatier at
https://www.gorci.com.au/about-us/ To be recommended if you are near!

I would use photos taken today during my visit to the Chocolatier but it isn't Cadburys!!
 90 million Freddos are eaten in Australia per year.

IT'S THE ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP

I have missed the Carabao Cup Final. Manchester City swept aside the Arsenal, I believe with some comfort. That makes City 5 times winners with one other attendance in the final.
Manchester United have been there 9 times and won 5, Liverpool 8 wins and 12 appearances, Arsenal have had 2 wins and 6 losses.; perhaps Arsen isn't taking the competition seriously?
Chelsea have done 7 apps and 5 wins, Tottenham 4 and 4 and Aston Villa have had 5 wins and 3 as losing finalists.
The competition was part of a plan known as the "Pattern of Football" constructed by the then Secretary of the Football League, Alan Hardaker. Football was losing crowds and momentum prior to the World Cup revival in 1966. Hardaker planned to run the competition and expand the league to 100 clubs in five divisions. In the early years playing in the Football League Cup was not compulsory.

The original trophy was designed and paid for by Football League president Joe Richards. the development of the tournament was seen as a "stand" against the pomposity of the Football Association. This started in 1961.

"Strange" clubs that have got to the final or won it have been;
Norwich City 2 and 2, Birmingham City 2 and 1, Luton 1 and 1, Oxford United and Swindon Town (remember Don Rogers?) one win.
It was apparent in the early days that the smaller clubs had a chance to win a serious trophy. For example, teams like Rochdale were runners up in 1962 losing to Norwich in a two legged final.
The first Wembley Final was between Third Division QPR who beat WBA from the 1st Division in March 1967.

As an entry to European Football, winning the League Cup was  possible, but it took the ban on English clubs due to the Heysel Disaster to prevent Norwich City, Oxford United, Arsenal, Luton Town and Nottingham Forest from playing in Europe. Today winners are destined for the Europa League, though City, already likely to win the Premier League, may open the door for Arsenal if they don't get to the top four in the PL.

Swansea City in the club's centenary year won the trophy beating Bradford City in 2013, taking the trophy out of England for the first time.

John Terry and Ben Foster have won the Alan Hardaker Man of the Final award twice. Terry we know about, what about Foster? Any clues?

Sponsors have been: the Football League, The Milk Marketing Board, Littlewoods, Rumbelows, Coca Cola, Worthingtons, Molson Coors, Capital One, Carabao, the present investors.

AUSSIES RULES TOO

Back in Melbourne, I have to report that the first signs of "soccer" being played in Australia was in the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum in Walco, Brisbane, on August 7th 1875. The inmates and wards of the asylum took on the Brisbane Australian Rules Football Club, playing under "British Rules". There was no carrying or catching for example. bear in mind the FA was formulating the "laws" since 1863.

In Hobart, Tasmania on 10th May 1879, the local Cricket Club played a scratch game under English Association Rules.
On the 24th May they then played New Town FC under these rules.
On the 7th June the Cricket Club took on New Town FC again in a return fixture, played under Victorian Rules, to even out the advantage or disadvantage caused by the first encounter. The game was inspired by those rules played in the English Public Schools.

In Sydney, a team called the Wanderers played a game on August 3rd 1880 under the influence of John Walter Fletcher, an English emigre.

On the 14th the local school rugby team, King's School, played the Wanderers on Parramatta Common. The Wanderers are regarded as the first club to be formed in the country-not sure about the New Town FC lot?
In 1882 Fletcher founded the New South Wales English FA, later known as the South British Football Soccer Association, was the first established governing body in the country and the first outside the UK.

In 1883 the oldest existing team in the country, Balgownie Rangers were established and still play, in the Illawarra Regional league (Division One) New South Wales. This inspired other states to set up Associations:
1884-Victoria, Queensland,
1896-Western Australia, 1900-Tasmania, 1902-South Australia.
In 1911 a national organisation was formed, the Commonwealth Football Association, superseded in 1921 by the Australian Soccer Association.

AUSSIE RULES OK?

 If you want a paddle steamer then Echuca-Moana, in Northern Victoria, Australia, is the place to be. Either bank of the Murray River will do. there is local soccer here. Here is a shirt from the local club.

Whilst the first decade of the 19th century was an important period for nation-building in Australia, the autonomous states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland handed over power to central government ,which was looking to detach itself from the British Empire.

The 1882 defeat of England's cricket team by the Australians, at the Oval, cemented the relationship between sport and the new nation. This was not true for "football" or soccer, as the Aussies call it to distinguish the game from their AFL code.

There was already an idigenous game called Marngrook (game ball) seen by the "invaders", being played by the local aborigines.

As the country became developed, soccer came a distant third behind Australian Rules (in Victoria) and rugby (in NSW and Queensland). By 1906 Australian Rules was promoted by the Australasian Football Council as "one flag, one destiny, one football game". The game was played with balls made in Australia and beneath the nation's flag at every stadium. Why on earth did the Australians, most of whom were British, want to run their own game and not bring soccer into their new country?

It was a matter of timing, with the colonisation of the country in the 1850s, taking place before the FA rules were formed. Melbourne was a microcosm of urban Britain. where there were many working class males available with time on their hands to play games on vast tracts of land. Various games emerged as was happening in Britain with "mob" football adapted from various local idiosyncrasies in rural areas and of course there were games developed in the public schools from which colonists emerged with some authority.

In 1859 the first Melbourne Rules of football were established, 4 years before the English FA formulated the Laws of the Game. Handling and catching was allowed creating a remarkable game of speed and fluidity. Large crowds enjoyed the show on cricket "ovals" and any other open spaces available, of which there was quite a few. Offside was not a feature; if anything it was encouraged. What ever was happening in Britain had little effect on the rule makers 12,000 miles away.

Within a decade the game of football was adopted and accepted in Melbourne. Cricket clubs and city pubs saw it as a way of maintaining trade in the winter by having a local team. Churches thought the activity might keep the male drinkers out of the pubs! Whilst populated areas in towns established local identities and the armed forces and the new university followed suit.

A Challenge Cup was created in 1862 (in England 1872) and the handling of money in wages, entrance fees and betting was positively encouraged. The rules of the game seemed simpler that the English version which was suffering from the challenge between amateurism and professionalism.

English soccer did arrive in Australia until the late 1870s, with new migrants from the "motherland" but it never got to challenge the established game. The first club formed was the Wanderers in Sydney in August 1880; the club was the first to play under the "Laws of the Game".
Balgownie Rangers in Wollongong is the oldest club still playing from 1883. They play in the Illawarra regional League.

A professional league was set up in the 1880s in Melbourne, ahead of England and the popularity of the sport spread to neighbouring states.

 In 1882 there as an attempt to form a South British Football Soccer Association  but this failed. Indeed there was no support from touring British teams, the sort of thing that got Brazilian soccer going, for example the Corinthian Club.

As East European immigrants started to seep into the country, soccer had a bit of a revival, however  it was regarded by the indigenous population as "wogball" and so the minority status of the immigrants and the game was reinforced. "White Australia" has enabled a growth in populations with soccer in their blood and as the recent popularity of AFL seems to be diminishing, soccer may yet come to the fore.

FEBRUARY 22nd- HARRY'S WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

On this day in 1922 Billy Poyntz (below), a Welshman from Llanelli, scored a hat trick for Leeds United against Leicester City in a 3-0 win on his wedding day. Poyntz joined the club on its revival in 1919 having it disbanded as Leeds City FC in 1916. Poyntz only played 23 games for leeds and went on a tour of several other clubs in northern England until he rejoined the Leeds playing staff.

In 1928 Harry Johnson, a free scoring centre-forward for Sheffield United, became the first player to score 3 goals in a 5th Round FA Cup derby game against Wednesday in a 5-2 victory, the first hat trick since the derby started in1891.
His father, Harry, had won a Cup Final medal with United in 1902 beating Southampton, with the formidable Willie Foulke in the Sheffield goal.

Harry eventually won the FA Cup with United in 1925 and scored 288 goals in 208 appearances for the Blades.
He then went onto Mansfield Town for 5 years and for whom he scored 164 goals in 104 apps in Division 3.

A 7-0 win for Wolves against Everton was regarded as a bit of a freak because both teams were vying for the Championship title in Division 1.
Wolves had artificially watered their pitch after a long dry spell and it was soon to be Everton's downfall. As a result of this unusual behaviour, the FA banned artificial watering of pitches between November and February. When the two teams met again in the Cup Wolves won again 2-0 and went on to reach the final,losing 1-4 to an unfancied Portmouth in the last final before the war.

In 1956 Portsmouth hosted Newcastle United at Fratton Park and lost 0-2 to goals by Curry and Keeble. This was the first league match to be played under floodlights. This is a good link....shows one of the old Pompey programmes for starters;
http://footysphere.com/post/258586764/first-floodlit-league-fixture-england

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM

Just a quicky today and you may gather that I am struggling to find topical issues in Oz. But I can get away with another anniversary, the birth of Jimmy Greaves.
Born on the 20th February 1940, here is tribute to Jimmy Greaves, a man I have written about many times before. I met him when he was signing his autobiography in Guildford a few years ago. Lovely man-varied career! Much success in lots of ways...one or two disasters thrown in.
Here is previous blog.....
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/greavsie-was-spurs-saint.html

and some action in a "messy" video;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=docY5CRWqGc
Jimmy at his best in older age. Not quite so fit an healthy now.

OSGOOD WAS GOOD

February 20th 1947 was the day Peter Osgood was born. Today is the anniversary of his birth. He died on March 1st 2006, far too early for a man who had thrilled Chelsea and not enough England fans during his illustrious career. Cast your eyes over this tribute:
http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/02/peter-osgood--in-words--pictures-and-video.html
and here he is outside Stamford Bridge.

Ossie played only 4 times for England at a time when his type of centre forward player was not regarded as good enough at that level.
Born in Windsor, Osgood made his debut at 17 for Chelsea in the league Cup, scoring against AFC Workington. He played 279 times for the Blues between 1964 and 1974 and scored 103 goals. He was not needed in the England 1966 World Cup final squad despite making it into the original 40. His playboy lifestyle did not suit Alf.
A broken leg following a challenge by Emlyn Hughes in October 1966 put him out of the game so that he missed Chelsea's FA Cup Final in 1967.
His transfer to Southampton was for a Chelsea record fee of £725,00. This move was a bit of a shock but lifestyle choice was cited (however he continued to perform and won an FA Cup medal against Man Utd with the Saints in 1976). Between 1974-77 in 126 apps he  only managed 28 goals in a side that was known for entertainment!
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/scored-in-every-round.html
There was a loan spell at Norwich when he played just 3 matches and then in 1977 he went to Philadelphia Fury (22 apps 1 goal) and back to Chelsea in 1978-9 with 10 apps and 2 goals. Overall he played 440 times at the top level and scored 134 goals.
He played for England 4 times, remarkably during his pomp in the 1970s.

In retirement he ran a pub with Ian Hutchinson in Windsor (The Union) which was ill fated, he fell out with Ken Bates over criticism of the club in the 1990s and was re-instated by Abramovich later as he continued to work in hospitality! He suffered a heart attack but continued to work at the club and in media and after his tragic death his ashes were buried beneath the Shed End penalty spot.

KANE BACK TO ROOTS; ADSHEAD LOOKS TO FUTURE

With a fair breeze behind me, this blog will notch up 100,000 visits today. The latest count is 99,913. Yes, yes, I know this is not much to write home about but for me it is a major pleasure to bring some love and joy to the minds and hearts of a hundred or so loyal readers....thanks to you out there for your support.
And now, patronising over with, what about Rochdale? Those who braved my recent blog on The Dale will have enjoyed the eccentricities of the Lancashire club.
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/sally-sally-pride-of-our-alli.html
Rochdale snatched a 93+ minute equaliser to get a 2-2 draw with the great Tottenham Hotspur.
It's great for the little clubs isn't it? I doubt the Spurs lot will want yet another game, however there is an air of excitement in Keith Hill's team and town as they prepare to go to Wembley.
Apart from the Football League Cup Final in 1962, when they played a two leg final sharing venues, Dale have not had the opportunity to appear in a big final and certainly have never visited the big venue.

Harry Kane added to his tally from the spot, at Spotland, the place where he made his League debut for Leyton Orient, when on loan in 2011.
At the other end of the "fame scale", Manchester born Daniel Adshead was on yesterday's bench, at the age of 16, though he didn't get on the pitch. He made his debut in the EFL Cup against Bury in September, at 16 years and 17 days old. Being a "minor" means he couldn't  change in the adult changing room! He also does his homework on the team bus on away journeys. Probably doesn't get a lot of help from the chaps??!!
At the Wright Robinson College in Gorton, Daniel is the envy of his class mates. As deputy head boy in his GCSE year, he clearly destined for leadership at some big club in the future.

Next up for Harry and Spurs? Palace, Huddersfield, Juve and Bournemouth + a cup replay!
Next up for Daniel? Arsenal, Borussia D? Several clubs are sniffing....

ICE BLOCKS CUP TIES

So far, so good as the winter weather slowly fades away and spring is in the air. Well its February and we are no experiencing the shocking weather of 1963 when the FA Cup ties became so delayed the organising committee had to put the final back 3 weeks.
The Third Round tie between Lincoln City and Coventry City was postponed 14 times before it was played on March 6th, with Coventry managed by Jimmy Hill eventually winning 5-1, only to lose in the quarter-finals to Manchester United.
The Third Round took 66 days to complete after 261 postponements. A tar burner at Stamford Bridge, flame throwers at Blackpool, the Shay turned into a skating rink with an admission fee, were some attempts to keep the cup alive and salvage some lost income.
The pools panel was first used on January 26th; Ted Drake, Tom Finney, Tommy Lawton (all English internationals), George Young (a Scottish international) and Arthur Ellis (a senior referee) and of course another high flyer, Group Captain Douglas Bader (RAF hero)! decided who won and who drew. After some debilitating London Smogs, the snow fell in buckets and stayed for two months.
There was no rugby union, horse racing stopped between late December and early March, Bolton Wanderers did not play a competitive match between December 8-March 16th. Chaos.
 Jimmy Hill, always innovative, took Coventry to Ireland to play friendlies where the weather was better. The Lincoln match was helped by a pneumatic drill that broke up two feet of ice covering the pitch. Coventry were fitter as a result of their jaunt and won.
Jack Charlton doing the same at Leeds.

SALLY, SALLY PRIDE OF OUR ALLI

Rochdale AFC take on the mighty Spurs in the 5th Round of the FA Cup on Sunday in England (4pm ko) at Spotland, one of the iconic football grounds. Gracie Fields born nearby was famous for her song "Sally Sally, Pride of our Alley" which some may remember. Tomorrow the Spurs "Alli" will be GRACING Spotland this weekend. It can only get better.

The Spotland pitch has had its problems and this game is Rochdale's big chance to make history. Some hope!!! now that the pitch has been replaced! Here are the volunteer supporters making history.....that is creating a surface for Spurs' wizard, Dele Alli to weave his magic.

Newport County caused a stir against Spurs with their bobbly ground in the last round,  but Spurs negotiated it just and took them back to Wembley for a money spinning defeat. Rochdale will be looking for a surprise at home or a lucrative replay at the "home of football". Here are few thoughts from manager Keith Hill.
https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2018/february/watch-keithhill_prespurs_part1/

And if you happen to be in the Rochdale area with a child, why not take advantage of this little gem, set up by the club......good community spirit.
https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2018/february/junior-event-beach-party_spurs/


The Dale have beaten Bromley and Slough from the National League, Doncaster and then Millwall after a replay to get to this stage of the Emirates FA Cup.
Rochdale did get to the League Cup Final in 1962 losing to Norwich on aggregate 4-0 (matches played at home grounds). They hold the record of spending 36 consecutive seasons in the Football League bottom division (1974-2010), often called the Rochdale Division!!! and the longest time of not being in the top two divisions of the FL (Championship and PL) or being relegated to the National League....89 seasons.
I saw Rochdale many seasons ago when manager Keith Hill was running a decent side. The club was reputed to have the best PIES in the FL-agreed. Hill had much success at the club from around 2007 but then left for greater riches at Barnsley. That failed and he returned in 2013, immediately taking the Dale to promotion to Division One.
Founded in 1907, the Dale made their way to Spotland in 1920 and like many other northern sides, joined the FL in 1921. They share the ground, now called the Crown Oil Arena (sponsors from Bury), with Rochdale Hornets Rugby League Club.
Famous people from Rochdale include Gracie Fields, Colin Baker (Dr Who once), Bill Oddie, Liz Kershaw, Anna Friel and Steve Coogan.

A LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER-TO KEEPER YOU SAFE

On a trip to Akaroa, Banks Peninsular....where? The Banks Peninsular is an extinct volcanic cone, east of Christchurch (yes again) and one way or another the blasts of the volcano created a very nice harbour where the French landed on their quest for world domination. It is now a charming holiday resort, favoured by local Kiwis and in huge numbers, cruise ship passengers, oh and the occasional person who actually lives there.

I met one of them today, as I helped a charming Japanese lady take a photo of herself and some gladioli. The other person involved (his garden) was a Scot who has been living in Akaroa for 8 years and he must have been the owner of the B&B fronted by the flower bed.
After a bit of banter, I dragged the conversation with him (not her) to football and discovered that he supported Dunfermline FC, The Pars, from Fife in Scotland.
I never got to find out who the Japanese lady barracked for.....maybe Nagoya Grampus 8? Though I don't think our conversation would have gone much further than digital cameras.

To cut a long story short, Akaroa is of course an important ship destination and hence the need for buoys, beacons and lighthouses. Dunfermline club was once managed by George Farm between 1967-70. George as many will know was a very reliable Scottish goalkeeper who played 587 times for Hibernian, Blackpool and Queen of the South between 1947-1964 and managed QOS, Raith Rovers (twice) and Dunfermline. In 1968 he took The Pars to win the Scottish Cup Final and the semi-finals of the European Cup Winners Cup in 1969, losing to Slovan Bratislavia 0-1 on aggregate.

Farm kept 111 consecutive games for Blackpool and played in all Blackpool's 47 FA Cup ties between 1949-60, as a runner up in 1951 against Newcastle Utd and in 1953 beating rivals Bolton in the Matthews' Final-though he did concede 3 in a 4-3 victory, therefore not "Farm's Final"!

He is one of few gks to score a goal; after injuring a shoulder against Preston NE in October 1955, he played out field and nipped in with a header. Blackpool finished as runners up in the FL Division One (top div) to Manchester United, that season.
He played 10 games for Scotland.
After management in 1974, Farm was a commentator and journalist, and here is the LINK.....he then became a lighthouse keeper! (not in Akaroa).

FEBRUARY 15th

Funnily enough Bolton Wanderers FC was once known as Christ Church FC, playing in Lancashire from 1874. I am following this link for obvious reasons, that is if you have read yesterday's blog.

The club was renamed Bolton Wanderers in 1877. Wanderers made their first official performance in October 1881 in the FA Cup. In 1935 on this day, Jack Slater, a Bolton full back, died having lived only to 46 years old. He was a footballer with Bolton from 1906-19 making 99 appearances. He later became a millionaire and an MP!

Another "disaster" occurred on this day in 1995, when the friendly international match between the Republic of Ireland and England was abandoned after 27 minutes following a crowd riot at Lansdowne Road. The 47,000 crowd was clearly not happy to be sharing the space, so the FA and referee Dick Jol, had no choice but to pull the plug.
Jack Charlton's side were 1-0 up after 27 minutes-I was watching this from the safety of my front room. The England team looked as they might not recover; they were:
Seaman, Barton, Adams, Pallister, Le Saux, Anderton, Ince, Platt, Le Tissier, Beardsley and Shearer. This looked a good side but the Irish were just as well thought of. Name them?

Overall the two countries have met 16 times with England winning 5 times with 9 draws. The first game between the two was on 30th September 1946.

On this day in 1964 Oxford United became the first Fourth Division League side to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup by beating Blackburn Rovers 3-1. The Oxford side lost to Preston, future Cup finalists, in the next round.

FOOTBALL IN CHRISTCHURCH-NOT RUGGER, NOT DORSET

It was an emotional moment this morning when I visited Christchurch City centre to view the state of the city after its "recent" earthquakes. The city has suffered quite enough and it was fighting back; vibrant, busy, renovating. The house we lived in for a year is no more-now a car park, the school I worked in was carrying on with some buildings earthquake proofed.

Christchurch United AFC claims to be the most successful football team in Canterbury! Well, I should like to think so. Their history is not a long one, having been formed out of several local teams in 1970 and with investment, the club grew into the National League. When I was first in NZ, in 1984, the club was competing on a national level, with several good players attracted to a wonderful lifestyle and being paid a bit to do what you like doing!

Steve Woodin, was a former Tranmere Rovers player who made it to NZ and was nationalised, playing in the 1982 World Cup-he scored against Scotland in a 2-5 group defeat. Woodin played 24 times for NZ and scored 11 goals, which made it worthwhile "nationalising".
ChCh colleague, Steve Sumner, who started at Blackpool and Preston, scored the other goal, by the way.
A previous blog links ChCh to a Welsh club, Llanfair!
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/fair-dos-for-llanfair-utd.html
ChCh Utd apparently has an affiliation with Rhyl FC too. Is it the sheep?

Another players in that All Whites' side was Bobby Almond, a Londoner, who earned his early wages at Walthamstow Avenue in the Isthmian League. He was a Spurs and Orient Youth player who eventually made it BIG to the World Cup! He was a lad, very genuine and happy with his lot.

At other times, you may have heard of Ryan Nelson, in the past of Blackburn Rovers, Spurs and QPR; he played for ChCh and earned 49 international caps. Ceri Evans was at Oxford University and played for Oxford United FC, Phil Dando was a goalkeeper who "majored" for AFC Barrow! To name a few.

So what of ChCh Utd now? Well the Rams latest website suggests hope for growth and the development of a "new" club. Playing in the regional Premier League, they are attracting many youngsters, encouraged to join the club's very able coaching sessions, summer holiday camps and in time maybe their academy. Nice set up, opened by the NZ PM

Having been a TOP club between 1973 and 1991, and national champions 6 times, they want to get back to the big time.
Bit like Nelson United?? See a few days back!

THIS IS YOUR LIFE!

Just a quickie today, but it is anniversary of  Stanley Matthews being "exposed" on BBC TV by Eamonn Andrews on "This is Your Life" a TV programme from a few decades back. Not everyone went through with this programme's examination of a well known celebrity's life. Stanley coped rather well, I think! despite the terrible defending of Wally Barnes.
https://twitter.com/i/moments/edit/963343456700579841?lang=en

The statue devoted to SM at Stoke City's ground, showing Matthews' classic move.

IT'S A MEAN, GREEN, CLEAN, MACHINE; FOOTBALL THAT IS

Fiddling around the world of soccer this afternoon, I came across Soccer Box, a company website that deals with all colours. it was their blog that caught my eye. It may entertain you;
https://www.soccerbox.com/blog

Otherwise, since I am spending a day or two in the Kimi Ora Eco Resort, yes, this evening I am looking forward to eating in the vegetarian restaurant. I prepared the way yesterday in a "back packers' bar" in Kaiteriteri, with a large beef burger and adornments, mainly chups, as the Kiwis say, and two pints of their best ale. The walk today in the Abel Tasman NP worked off some of those calories.

So today's theme is Eco-Friendly and you will have read before on this blog about Forest Green Rovers, at the moment a Football League club with very high standards in environmental procedures.

BUT who else? Well surprisingly Manchester United hold all this is high esteem. I guess they have to, considering the amount of money and energy wasted on trying to regain glory. There is "United to switch off and save", a scheme aimed at conserving energy. AND "Reds Go Green" a recycling initiative. Go on have a read....
http://www.manutd.com/pix/Emails/Museum/2016/Sept/Environmental_Policy_Statement_2016.pdf
All rainwater is recycled and used on the pitch, no waste goes to landfill but to a waste to energy plant and food is composted. Stationery, signage, IT equipment is re-used and there is a partnership with Apollo Tyres to use old versions to "boost" the artificial training pitches. I wonder what Jose does with his unwanted players?

At the other end of the recycling pyramid is Dartford FC, from the National League South who finished their new Prince's Park Stadium  in 2006; purpose built to a cost of £6.5 million. It has a grass roof, low energy lighting, reclaimed rain water, solar panels, clean energy and a scheme to encourage their supporters to use public transport. How good is that?! There is more......
http://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/dartford-princes-park.html

NO APOLOGIES-IT'S HISTORIC

I am making no apologies for including this "BLOG" in my line of Blogs, even if just for an historical point of view.
David Bauckham is a prolific blogger of old boys football and others. This is self explanatory and covers some wonderful stuff relating to the old game. He takes wonderful photographs and finds out some very interesting facts and figures about the old game.
https://dbauckham.exposure.co/an-east-end-legacy

FULL, HALF OR NO NELSON AT ALL

Nelson, New Zealand is certainly named after Horatio and is a "city" on the northern end of the South Island, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. It has many serious claims to fame and inevitably, it is about football history that I stumbled across today.

The FULL Nelson FC must be reference to the Lancashire, England based club that has been part of the English Football League. Founded in 1881 and playing in the Lancashire League, Nelson became founder members of the Football League Division Three North in 1921, from which they were promoted to Division 2 in 1923-4. They then slipped back to Div 3 North, but by consolation had scored against the high flying Blackpool, beaten Leeds Utd and Manchester Utd in their relegation season. They then had financial issues, the Second World War and at one point had to withdraw from playing all together.
In 1946 they went to the Lancashire Combination, became more stable and were founder members of the North-West Counties League. The club is  now playing in Div 1 having recently been relegated from the NWCL Premier Division.
By the way Nelson was called Nelson to distinguish it from Marsden in Yorkshire!!?? What?? The town was originally known as Marsden but chose the "Hero's" name to avoid confusion. Believe me!!


The HALF Nelson FC is actually known as FC Nelson NZ, founded in 2011, following the demise of other local clubs, now playing in the regional senior and junior leagues with boys and girls, men and women, in the Marlborough District of South Island. Definitely at half cock.


The "LORD" Nelson FC, was once a National League side in NZ.
Nelson United FC played as Nelson Rangers from 1924 and had spells in the National League (1978-80, 1983-88 when I was in NZ for a year and 1991-92).  I fear has lost its finance and facilities and is unfortunately "no more". If you get my drift, rather like Horatio, who lost a few faculties.

On entering the town's museum this afternoon, avoiding the latest down pouring, I discovered that Nelson Football Club was founded on May 30th 1868. I did get excited but the only history I could find, with the help of the lad on the desk, was indeed that of the rugby football club, the oldest in New Zealand.

Robert Tennent, an immigrant with his widowed mother, brought the game from England in 1865 and in a proper game of "football" Nelson Rugby Club beat Nelson College (a school) 2-0. I don't have details of this score line although the match was a hybrid of Association Football and Melbourne Rules (the origins of Aussie Rules). It is thought that the aim for a team was get the ball across an end line. Having done that the successful player could have a "TRY" at kicking the ball over the goalposts. Hence the chance to score and the format that we see today in Australia Rules and rugby.
Read this to get the development of rugger in Nelson!
http://www.nelsonrugbyfootballclub.co.nz/history/the-beginning/

ALL WHITES MAKING HISTORY.

Today I am in the shadow of the Beehive. No? It's the New Zealand Parliamentary Building in Wellington. Been in a little Italian restaurant  nearby, ,run by a Kiwi and some orientals, all serving delicious Italian grub with associated brilliant New Zealand wines.

Sport? Well the owner, who is of an age, played for the All Blacks, we discovered, and if you don't engaged people, then you don't find out. This man played for the New Zealand international rugby side around about the time that I was on a teaching exchange in Christchurch, just after the 1982 World Cup (Soccer).

You may remember-of course you won't- that NZ got to the final stages on the WC'82 and were plonked in a remarkable group with Scotland, USSR and Brazil. The All Whites, very much in fourth slot.

To get to the finals in Spain, NZ had to play through Indonesia, Taiwan, Fiji and Australia and THEN qualify against China, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. No mean feat.

In Spain, it was very much what the bookies predicted with Scotland thumping the All Whites 5-2 with Strachan, Wark 2 goals and Dalglish in the mix. NZ got the game back to 3-2 at one point with goals from Sumner and Woodin.

Brazil won 4-0, as Zico ran a mock and theN USSR won 3-0. Getting a goal off Scotland was the major achievement, so the Kiwis went home with some pride. Soccer still plays second fiddle to rugby of course, but in every corner of every nation there is a glimmer of soccer success and hope for the next time, even with footballers from Miramar Rangers, Invercargill Thistle and Gisborne City!

IN MEMORIUM-UNITED

Keith Dewhurst, born in Oldham, went to Rydal independent school in North Wales and Peterhouse, Cambridge. With a degree in English from one of the top universities in the world he worked as a yarn tester in a local cotton mill. Between 1955 and 1959 he worked as the reporter on Manchester United on the Manchester Evening Chronicle.

He has also written a fine book called Underdogs in 2012, following the historic 1879 FA Cup run of Darwen FC, in those days a team with Football League qualifications and many plays. Dewhurst had Manchester United in his soul and at boarding school he would revel in the Football Pink paper, with all the results and comments of local games and reporter Alf Clarke brought this news to him at school on Saturday evenings, a man reputedly who turned out for United once when they were short at Grimsby!??

Today Dewhurst writes about the Munich Air Crash in which Clarke had perished, his last missive, telling of the delays to their flight home .Ten days later Dewhurst filled Clarke's shoes.

Dewhurst suddenly had access to the club's inner circle and it was there that he saw the marvellous post disaster work of Jimmy Murphy. Here was a coach who liked a drink, smoked, played piano and was a genius in inspiration. It wasn't tactics that he imparted but discipline. In 1958 after the dreadful disaster, he was employed by the Welsh national team to considerable success in the Swedish World Cup where his home nation, Wales reached the quarter-finals.

Dewhurst writes about the success that United remarkably achieved later in 1958, reaching the FA Cup Final, progress in the European Cup and beyond, as the Busby Babes re-emerged. There was Bill Foulkes, who had an Italian tailor in London, Mark Pearson a winner at three card brag, the laundry ladies at the ground, Omo and Daz, and many more personal observations. Busby and Charlton of course "reincarnated".

The memorial service is at Old Trafford today at 1.45pm, remembering the time when Manchester United was suddenly everybody's favourite team (well second favourite then).

http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/munich-remembered.html

NICK NACKS

This is nice website to play around with:
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/spurs/
OK, I have homed in on Spurs but you can try others.
In 1901 Spurs won the FA Cup from being a Southern league club and they beat Sheffield United 3-1, the first time that RIBBONS were hung on the trophy.
In 1908 on returning from tour, they club had been given a parrot which died when Arsenal overtook then in the division.
In 1963 Spurs became the first British team to win a European trophy when they beat Athletico Madrid 5-1 in the European Cup Winners Cup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilw0NXnIYbc  good game, shocking pitch at Feyenoord! Greaves 2, White 1, Dyson 2. Name the others?

In May1972 Spurs became the first club to win the UEFA Cup Final, beating Wolves 3-2 on aggregate (1-2 Chivers 2 at Molineux and 1-1 Mullery at WHL).
http://int.search.mywebsearch.com/search/video.jhtml?id=XNxdm019YYgb&n=77edc526&pg=video&pn=1&ptb=308DCB58-2A13-42C4-993A-77A59B6C34C6&ptnrS=XNxdm019YYgb&qs=&searchfor=Spurs+v+Wolves+1971&si=CJeTnrb1k7ECFZMctAodh14dkA&ss=sub&st=sb&tpr=sbt
December 2000 Les Ferdinand scored the 10,000th PL goal for Spurs at Fulham 4-0

FEBRUARY 4th COME BACK.

Is it a day for comebacks? Spurs were 0-1 down to Liverpool, so not really a big turn round, as the game ended 2-2. Much for the  pundits to consider and considering the controversy, a fair result.

On February 4th 2004 Spurs were 3-0 up over Manchester City in an FA Cup 4th Rd replay. Previously the two had drawn 1-1 in Manchester. King, Keane and Ziege had put Tottenham 3-0 and in the clear. Joey Barton, of course, had already been on a Yellow card but then argued with the ref and got sent off. City down to 10 men. Joey you are too intelligent-but you can't be right all the time.

In the second half, City manager's, Kevin Keegan's team talk (yep-Kevin), inspired Distin to score after 3 minutes, Bosvelt after 69', Wright-Phillips at 80' and Macken in the 90th, which brought about a remarkable come back.

There have been others..... In 1908-9 Newcastle were drawing 1-1 at home in the Tyne-Wear derby. Sunderland scored 8 in the second half to win 9-1. Newcastle bounced back the next eleven league games to win them all and take the Championship (the then 1st Division)

On December 21st 1957, Charlton Athletic reduced to 10 men after 15 minutes were 5-1 down to Huddersfield Town. In the second half they battled back to 6-5 up, Town equalised and with the last kick of the game, John Ryan scored for the Latics 7-6!

Blackpool recovered from 3-1 down to Bolton in the 1953 FA Cup Final, now well known as the Matthews' Final. He mesmerized the injured Bolton full back, Eric Bell, (no subs in those days) to sculpture a 4-3 victory.

On March 19 1966 Spurs led Aston Villa at half time in a league game 5-1. Villa fought back to 5-5. I think I mentioned a similar "folding" between Spurs and Burnley in 1960! See recent blog!

THE CLARETS "JUG"

Today, I watched Burnley play Manchester City on the TV and know a coach from our junior club who would have been at Turf Moor watching the home team, maybe dreaming of the season that made Burnley famous. Not sure he is old enough to have a proper memory of that occasion?
The 1959-60 season saw the unfashionable Burnley steal the First Division Championship pipping the "fashionable" Wolves by one point totalling 55 points after losing 11 games and drawing 7. 

By coincidence, Burnley played Manchester City at Maine Road on the final Saturday of the season (2nd May 1960). Trevor Meredith and Jimmy Robson appeared on BBC TV this morning remembering the match. Meredith was a reserve who replaced the injured England international, John Connelly on the right wing, and scored the winner in front of nearly 66,000. Score 2-1. This was the first time that season that the Clarets had led the table.

Wolves were robbed of the historic achievement of winning three Championships in a row and an FA Cup and League Double. Never mind, Spurs did that the next season (1960-1) with 66 points, 8 ahead of Wolves with Burnley in 4th place.

Burnley bounced back in 1961-2 beating Tottenham into second place and coming runners up to the extremely unfashionable Ipswich town, managed by Alf Ramsey. Tottenham got their own back at Wembley beating Burnley in the FA Cup Final 3-1, missing a second Double.
In 1962-3 Everton won the Championship with Spurs 2nd and Burnley 3rd.

STAN'S THE BIRTHDAY MAN.

February 2nd, 2022 the day AFTER Stanley Matthews' birthday. I could have named my son Stanley, I went for Matthew. Stanley was my hero footballer when I was a lad. My brother went for Tom Finney, the other great "winger" in England's football and another "Lancastrian". Matthews of course was born and bred in Stoke, but transfered to Blackpool in his pomp and stayed there was a long time before finishing his professional career-OVER 50 years old at Stoke, completing the circle!
Sir Stanley would have been 107 today; here he is in Stoke's "colours", his first club, showing the feint and body swerve of a skilful right winger. 

I have included Sir Stanley previously, in several blogs, because he is one of the true heroes of British (World) football-here are a few:-
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/matthews-win-is-nations-loss.html
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/two-more-football-league-founders.html
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/tailored-made-for-football.html
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/black-man-white-face.html
and some action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54HRpvcRn0w
and something more for you to read, on a rainy day;
https://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/10/12/sir-stanley-matthews-and-the-story-of-englands-humble-wizard/

Somewhere above, I may have recorded that I met Sir Stanley a couple of times. The most exciting was when a teaching colleague of mine, whose family knew the Matthews' family well, persuaded Stanley to come and coach a Charterhouse XI made up from 1st XI schoolboys, Old Carthusians (Charterhouse old boys) and Staff, that played the Royal Military Academy XI at Sandhurst in Surrey! I played, Matthews coached, what a moment!

That afternoon, Sir Stanley was modest, intelligent and shared the occasion with us teachers, old boys, boys and military staff. I have no idea what the score was....probably a cleverly constructed draw with lots of goals. The Sandhurst Academy hospitality, as ever, provided a brlliant tea (cooked) and a bar  (even the lads supped a beer). What a perfect day!

David Miller, Old Carthusian, footballer (right winger) and noted author and journalist published Stans'  "authorised" biography. Matthews died 22/2/2000.

NOT SO TREMBLY AT WEMBLEY.

I was overwhelmed by the brilliant performance of the SPURS last night as they dismantled Manchester United, but sadly not at White Hart Lane. Still the Wembley hoodoo seems to have been brushed aside and there were records broken or nearly broken.
The attendance at the rented National Stadium was 81,978 a Premier League record.
Christian Eriksen scored his 50th goal for Spurs, (Harry Kane did not reach his "ton").
The first goal was scored in 10.48 seconds, beaten only by Alan Shearer (Newcastle v Man City 2-0 10.4 secs Jan 2003) and Ledley King (Spurs v Bradford City 3-3 9.9 secs Dec 2000).
SOON Spurs will be playing at their new stadium, fittingly the last game at WHL was between Spurs and United and here's the programme-

The first match between the two clubs was played on 28th January 1899 when Tottenham played NEWTON HEATH at Northumberland Park. 15,000 watched an FA Cup Rd 1 draw 1-1 which then allowed Spurs to win the replay 5-3 at Bank Street, Clayton on February 1st. 6,000 watched. Both Spurs' Scottish brothers, Henry and Fred Erentz, played in the first game.

The 11th September 1909 was the date of the next game when Spurs played their first match in the top flight (First Division). 32,275 watched a 2-2 draw with goals scored from Bobby Steele's two penalties. It was the first use of the new Archibald Leitch designed West Stand at the Lane (see programme above).

Most other matches between the two clubs have been in the old Division One or the Premier League (from 1992) apart from a number of FA Cup ties, a UEFA Cup Winners Cup tie in 1963 (work that out), the Charity Shield in 1967 (3-3) AND 8 matches in Division Two between Sept 1931 and Feb 1938.
Overall United have won 89 times, Spurs 51 and draws 48.

I saw the two play on September 3rd 1960 at The Lane, the season of the Double and a couple of other times too.