BANKS, SHANKS AND THE DOC

 

30th December 2009

PORTSMOUTH v ARSENAL at Fratton Park: Crowd 20,000+

Referee-Alan Wiley

Neither side fielded an Englishman in their starting XIs.

There were 7 Frenchmen, and players from Iceland, Ghana, Cameroon, Russia, Bosnia, Belgium, South Africa, Israel, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. There were a few subs from England.

Arsenal won 1-4. Kaboul. Nasri, Ramsey and Song scored for the Gunners; Belhadj for Pompey. 

The 30th of December, this year, was Gordon Banks' birthday, he was 83. He was another member of the 1966 World Cup winning team and also well known for his save against Pele and Brazil in 1970.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvqwhDUhkPA

December 31st 1932 was the debut of Bill Shankly OBE, who as a 19 year old coalminer, played his first match for Carlisle at Brunton Park against Rochdale in the Third Division North- a 2-2 draw. Between this date 1932 and 1933 he made his way in the north west and was soon signed on by Preston North End, staying there until 1949, playing nearly 300 games (scoring 13 goals). His career was interrupted by "war duty". He played 5 times for Scotland.

Alexander Chapman Ferguson was born on this day in 1941, at his grandmother's house in Govan, the shipbuilding district of Glasgow.

and today (31st) Tommy Docherty died, aged 92.

 

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BOBADILLA EXPOSURE (I promise it's not as bad as it seems)

Raul Bobadilla (not to be confused with Bobadilla village, near Malaga, Spain) is a Paraguayan international, who has got himself into our/foreign "tabloids", during this quiet post-Christmas...pre-NewYear..... lockdown..... few days. The two videos, below, despite the suggestion, are PG (nothing too upsetting, unless you are concerned about your own body image following the over-indulgence of the past few days/weeks/months etc.) I do warn you, the videos may scare young children, frighten pets or disturb elderly relatives.

Raul, a beefy 33 year old, goalscorer for Paraguayan club, Guarani, (on loan from Argentinos Juniors), tucked one away into the onion bag,  late on, during a cup tie against Libertad creating a 3-2 aggregate victory in this Premier Division. Such was his excitement, he stripped off his team shirt and GPS vest and by all accounts flashed the "how's yer father" stuff, though there is no evidence in these two snippets. I have looked carefully. The ref didn't see anything untoward, social media picked up on the strip as far as you can see and once on the airwaves, Raul could only utter "It's all for her"...implying a present for his wife. He has scored 4 goals in 5 games this season.

Raul must expect a stiff punishment, probably from his wife (left), a ticking off from his club and a lengthy ban from the PFA. Bobadilla was first exposed to Global football when he played for Basel, helping the Swiss club to a League title in 2013. He has also been associated to Borussia Monchengladbach and Augsburg as well as a dozen other clubs in Europe and South America over the past 14 years. He's a bit of journeyman and has played 10 times for his home country, Paraguay.

A coincidence, Aldo Bobadilla (no relation) played goalkeeper in club football in Paraguay 1997-2011  395 apps. From 2012-19 he managed 14 clubs, most recently in Medellin. Much travelled, he played for his country,  Paraguay, between 1999-2010, including in goal v England in the 2006 World Cup. He won 19 caps overall.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAXY-OtAsw0

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/13597147/bobadilla-goal-celebration-paraguay-penis-flash/ 

https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/football-star-facing-lengthy-ban-after-flashing-manhood-in-goal-celebration/news-story/17652c62165305f920bfeea55ec50023

NEW YEAR'S HONOURS

Congratulations to Jimmy Greaves (below), who at 80 years old, has been awarded an MBE, following various years of campaigning by his friends and supporters. As a player (1966 England squad player, not selected by Alf Ramsey), Chelsea, Spurs, TV broadcaster and recovered addict, he has publicly promoted the dangers of alcohol; this recognition was promoted by a 32,000 strong "Sportsmail" petition in the national press. Having experienced "illness" since his retirement from football, he was very good at commentating, bringing a whole new style to Saturday morning football shows with Isan Saint John. Later Jimmy had a stroke in May 2015 and has recovered, just. 

Ron Flowers of Wolves, who was in the 1966 World Cup squad, is also awarded an MBE at 86 years old.  The entire World Cup "team" were, earlier presented with MBEs and of course Alf Ramsey, the architect of England's success was knighted at that time. Bobby Charlton (1994) and Geoff Hurst (1998) were later knighted. 

Kenny Dalglish (2018) and Alex Ferguson (1999) have also been knighted. Then there are: Sir Stanley Rous, Tom Finney, Matt Busby, Bert Millichip to name a few.

Harry Kane has an MBE and so does Marcus Rashford for their services to football and charity, especially COVID. Loren Dykes of Cardiff City Ladies, Jill Scott and Steph Houghton of Manchester City Ladies have MBEs, as does Fara Williams of Reading Ladies FC.

Knighthoods have been awarded to Charles Clegg, in 1927, who was a player, FA Chairman/President. A Sheffield man who did much to promote the game in its early years. 

READ!! He was more broad-minded than people expected. He understood that players sometimes had to 'rough it'. He also had a sharp wit. During a disciplinary meeting, where a young player had been brought before him for ungentlemanly remarks to a referee, Clegg asked what had been said. The player responded, "Well, I said 'I've shit better referees'". "I see," said Clegg. "All right, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll give you a week to prove you can do just that. But if you can't, I'm afraid you'll have to pay a £1 fine"

Sir Stanley Matthews, probably our best known footballer, with Stoke City, Blackpool and England, took the game to foreign countries after the Second World War. Don't forget, Sir Trevor Brooking, Walter Winterbottom and Bobby Robson.

Other footballers with various Honorary Awards (OBE/CBE) given in the past include: Aaron Hughes, Ian Wright, Gareth McAuley, Casey Stoney, Alex Scott, Kelly Smith, Stephen Gerrard, Beckham, Lampard, Shearer, Yankey, Bert Millichip, Dave Richards (Football Foundation-Premier League). Of course there are overseas awards of which Pele, with an Honorary KBE, would be the most prestigious. There are also Ryan Giggs, Henrick Larrson, Niall Quinn, Gianfranco Zola, Peter Schmeichel to name a number.

TERRA, GULLS AND DAFT

 

It's a marine club, must be.....seafaring? fishing, ship building, naval, holidays!

This is the Weymouth FC badge, a club  that I have been to with a teaching friend, when we used to take our sixth formers to the coast for an "Exeat" weekend...the students sacrificed their weekend slumming it at home, for a few days with their sixth form mates, boys and girls, and generous teachers at the seaside! Well, it was two us with 15 teenagers....what better than offering a footy match on the Saturday afternoon. Not everyone came, it wasn 't compulsory; the non-footy lovers were probably making mischief in the town. 

If only I could remember who The Terras played that afternoon...we had several visits over the years. Other visits included to the local HM Youth Offenders establishment, where we played a game of footy against some of the better behaved inmates! For the rest of the weekend it was coastal walks, fossils at Lyme Regis andB beautiful pebbles on Chesil Beach, eating ice creams....fish and chips......what fun!

I'm getting excited about Weymouth FC because they have just played a Conference League game  at home, against local rivals Torquay United, The Gulls. Torquay was a Football League club until 2007 and are fresh from thumping Conference rivals, Yeovil Town, 6-1 on Boxing Day. Today's game went 0-2 to Torquay, 1-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4. The Gulls were top and Terras 22nd as play started today, a good "local rivals" game. The next time they meet will be April 10th 2021.

Weymouth FC, founded in 1890, is nick-named the Terras due to their terracotta team colours. The club was a founder member of the Dorset League (how many of you knew Weymouth was located in Dorset?). The club worked its way through the Western League, Southern League in the 1920s and then went "bust", reforming and losing their ground, the local recreation ground, to the Second World War effort. One way and another, the club got sorted and has made good progress in the National League. Their next fixture is home against "The Spitfires", Eastleigh FC, from Hampshire. They last drew 0-0 with Eastleigh away on the 28th December. Torquay play their return to Yeovil next.

Weymouth's first FA Cup run was in 1893-4 when they beat Cowes (Isle of Wight) 0-2 away in the QRd1, then in QRd2 beat Chesham after a 1-1 away, 4-3 at home in the replay. In QRd3 they were beaten by Swindon Town 0-4. 

Swindon then lost to Reading in the QRd4 0-2, Reading JUST lost to Preston NE 18-0 away in R1, Preston lost to Liverpool 3-2 in R2, Liverpool lost to Bolton W 2-0 in Rd3, Bolton W beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in the Semi-final and then met Notts County and were well beaten 4-1 by the first Second Division club to win the Cup at Goodison Park. 

County of course, is the oldest league club 1862 and this remains their one major triumph.

This is Harry Butler Daft, educated at Trent College, he played for Notts County and helped them win the Cup that day. He played over a 100 games for Notts County as a winger and was influential in their Cup victory. With 5 caps for England at football and 3 goals, he also played cricket for England and lacrosse for the North. In his first class debut for Nottinghamshire v The MCC, he was bowled by W.G. Grace for 23. 

His father also played county cricket and Harry played 190 times for the county.

A MENAGERIE

If only the game was at Barking FC, then this might have been a better story. It was  actually at Leicester Nirvana FC, a club that might consider having been RUFFly treated over the weekend. 

The Leicester Nirvana club, on Saturday, was playing in the United Counties Premier League, Step 5, for their first game since October. It was abandoned eventually, because a large Alsation (dog) repeatedly ran onto their pitch. 

Nirvana were leading GNG Oadby Town (nickname the Poachers, by the way) 2-1 with 12 minutes left on the clock. The dog could not be controlled and the ref had no option but to stop the game as the pooche's owner, a home fan, did nothing to help! The dog made its last stand in front of the opposition's dug out, with its owner, dragging it off the pitch and out of the ground. The ref had already dismissed a player from each team following a fiery encounter, during normal time, but he couldn't shift the dog quickly enough. Perhaps Nirvana should employ a club mascot, fitting their badge? 

The club formed as a merger in 2008 between Thurnby Rangers (originally a Sunday league team) and FC Nirvana formed in the mid 1980s.

"GNG" Oadby is an amalgamation of Oadby Imperial FC (founded in 1937 approx) which then became Oadby Town in 1951 and in 2020, Guru Nanak Gurdwara was added (GNG) to the club name, in recognition of the contribution made by the local residents to save the club from financial disaster in 2018.

The club ground is sited at Wigston Road, near the Leicester Tigers' rugby club training ground and play at Step 6. Of course, Leicester City FC and the County Cricket Club are both fondly known as the Foxes after the county "hunting" tradition. 

It could be worse.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDR2RG7Zsb8  this on Guernsey when 180 rampant (well nearly) cows escaped. To add insult to pitch damage, the cows weren't even Guernseys!

ps. Nirvana: (Buddhism/Hinduism) the state/place of great happiness or peace. It does have other meanings.....

A 100 YEARS SINCE DICK, KERR-YOU CAN SEE THEIR KNEES!

 https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/1052809114633956877

Above is a previous Blog based on Dick, Kerr Ladies. On Boxing Day 1920 (a Centenary), 53,000 spectators crowded into Goodison Park to witness a "spectacle" and as many as 15,000 were locked out of the ground. Crowds flocked across Stanley Park, Liverpool, to see the Ladies beat St Helen's Ladies 4-0. 

Dick, Kerr and Co, was a munitions' factory in Preston and the Ladies were female footballers, who worked in the factory. They played football to raise money for the War effort. Their first game was played on Christmas Day 1917, at Deepdale, Preston. The photograph shows their black and white shirts, light blue shorts (very saucy at the time), black and white socks and the hats to contain their long hair. They had toured France, boosting their publicity and hence attracting bigger crowds.

Gail Newsham, the author of "In a League of their Own", tells of the  growth of ladies' football at this time with mens' football suspended due to the war effort. Of course, women worked in munitions' factories, hospitals and in other services. These ladies' games collected money initially for Preston's Moor Park Military Hospital, so Newsham was a two time Women's FA Cup semi-finalist with her club Preston Rangers, now known as AFC Fylde Women. Her interest has led to various money raising efforts and an awareness that the money raised by the original team was worth in excess of £10 million today. The ladies were not a "fashion item" but seriously good footballers, with Lily Parr. a star! See the link and also go to the National Football Museum in the Spring to see a gallery devoted to her career and life. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXi8-js9Y4Q  and this is very good, too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-ETBTtnlX4

By 1937, the Ladies' manager, Alfred Frankland, the team's manager, recorded 437 matches, winning 424 and scoring 2863 goals. What the opposition was like is debatable, but you have to beat what is put in front of you!

When you read the link, you will realise that the FA, considered women playing football to be unsuitable, with potential impacts on fertility, should they be injured! (presumably affected the war effort?) If people were going to watch women's matches then men's match attendances would suffer. However the pioneering women defied the FA and played on despite being banned from pitches owned by members of the FA (i.e. virtually, any club of any note!) For 50 years women's football was in the wilderness. 

The team folded in 1965 completing 833 games, winning 759 and drawing 46.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbydyjfFeFw This starts with a bit of Dick, Kerr and then moves on to George Best!!

LAWS OF THE GAME

Just in case I don't get a few minutes spare today to investigate another mind boggling blog, here is an historic copy of rules of foot-ball, with some variations, drawings and other fascinating facts :

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t6g16v411

There's a lot to read, so don't leave it too late in the day! Charles Alcock is part of it!

CHRISTMAS FOOTBALL: ENGLAND v GERMANY

 

As we creep hour by hour nearer to Christmas, I know there are plenty of stories to be told about the "unprecedented" conditions that we have found ourselves in during 2020 and particularly over this special period.

There have been other times when Christmas has not quite been what we would have wished for. I have written about the "1914 Truce" before and others. To put our present modern crisis into perspective, it might be worth reading a bit about the conflict in Europe in 1914 and onwards.

5 months into the First World War, during the week leading up to Christmas, there was a stalemate between the warring nations, in what was known  as the "Race to the Sea (English Channel, of course) and particularly in the inconclusive state of the First  Battle of Ypres.

Soldier Bruce Bairnsfather wrote: "I wouldn't have missed that unique and weird Christmas Day for anything.... I spotted a German officer, some sort of lieutenant I should think, and being a bit of a collector, I intimated to him that I had taken a fancy to some of his buttons.... I brought out my wire clippers and, with a few deft snips, removed a couple of his buttons and put them in my pocket. I then gave him two of mine in exchange.... The last I saw was one of my machine gunners, who was a bit of an amateur hairdresser in civil life, cutting the unnaturally long hair of a docile Boche, who was patiently kneeling on the ground whilst the automatic clippers crept up the back of his neck....."

During the ceasefire bodies were recovered or buried, prisoners were swopped, carols were sung together by the opposing troops and there was the famous game of football....the result only declared at the end of the war!! Candles were lit, trees decorated and carols sung, in some places the friendship lasted through to New Year's Day.

At Christmas 1915 there was no truce and in 1916 the losses on both sides were to too great to even give it a thought.

A doctor attached to the Rifle Brigade published in The Times on 1 January 1915, reporting "a football match... played between them and us in front of the trench". Some accounts of the game bring in elements of fiction by Robert Graves, an Old Carthusian and the famous British poet and writer (an officer on the front at the time). He recorded the score as 3–2 to the Germans. In his final year at Charterhouse, he won a classical exhibition to St John's College, Oxford but did not take his place there until after the war. Below is a match in 1917.

The truth of these varied accounts has been disputed by some historians. In 1984, Malcolm Brown and Shirley Seaton concluded that there were probably attempts to play organised matches which failed due to the state of the ground, but that the contemporary reports were either hearsay or refer to "kick-about" matches with "made-up footballs" such as a bully-beef tin. 

Chris Baker, former chairman of The Western Front Association, and author of The Truce: The Day the War Stopped," wrote that there are two references to a game being played on the British side, but nothing from the Germans. 

Lieutenant Kurt Zehmisch, of the 134th Saxon Infantry Regiment, said that the English "brought a soccer ball from their trenches, and pretty soon a lively game ensued. How marvellously wonderful, yet how strange it was".

In 2011 Mike Dash concluded in his historic account, that "there is plenty of evidence that football was played that Christmas Day—mostly by men of the same nationality but in at least three or four places between troops from the opposing armies".

Many units were reported in contemporary accounts to have taken part in games: Dash listed the 133rd Royal Saxon Regiment pitched against "Scottish troops"; the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders against unidentified Germans (with the Scots reported to have won 4–1); the Royal Field Artillery against "Prussians and Hanovers" near Ypres and the Lancashire Fusiliers near Le Touquet, with the detail of a bully beef ration tin as the "ball". There have been 29 reports of football being played, though substantive details are not conclusive. Colonel J. E. B. Seely recorded in his diary for Christmas Day that he had been "Invited to football match between Saxons and English on New Year's Day".

"The Goodbyeee", the final episode of the BBC television series "Blackadder Goes Forth" notes the Christmas truce, with the main character Edmund Blackadder having played in a football match. He is still annoyed at having had a goal disallowed for offside.

A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER ON UNI CHALLENGE-surely not?

Last night, a quiet evening in, the telly and what better than University Challenge, "The Christmas Special" with Alumni representing their old colleges. I enjoy the weekly watch of teams from the country's universities lock horns. They usually know a lot of the answers to some obscure (to me) subjects, thrown at them by Jeremy Paxman (an old Malvernian), someone whom I brushed shoulders with queuing for an evening meal at St Catharine's College, many years ago. Despite Malvern College's prestige as a footballing school, Paxman didn't feature in Malvern team colours! Too busy reading books I suppose.

While I write this, Steve Leonard Palmer, who was one of the Christ's College Alumni team last night, will shortly be the subject of a Talksport interview, with Hawksbee and Jacob, no doubt the result of his quiz programme debut. 

Steve is a Sussex boy and he went to a Brighton state school, Dorothy Stringer HS. He won a place at Christ's College, Cambridge and read "Software Engineering", as well as winning his Blue playing soccer for the university, significantly, in the Varsity Match against Oxford University AFC. He also played one First Class cricket match for the university team against Lancashire CCC, playing with Uni captain, Mike Atherton, who of course is a Lancastrian. Palmer and Atherton also may have met on a school football pitch when Malvern College played their annual fixture against Manchester GS. 

Palmer is the only Cambridge Blue, in the "modern" era, to gain a future in professional football.

Born in Brighton, a Sussex lad, he graced Sussex Schools' football and was at Brighton HA from 12, and the Reserves. He was encouraged to stay at school by manager Alan Mullery and then was associated with Cambrdge United when at Uni. Steve joined Ipswich, when he graduated, in 1989 until 1995 with 110 apps and scoring 2 goals! Then it was Watford FC, playing 234 games (2001) with 8 goals. He then played at QPR until 2004 (127/9) and then finally, had two years at MK Dons (34/1).

Playing for Watford, at the end of the 1997-8 season, I presume with no pressure on the result, Steve pulled on the keeper's top at the start of the game, so he wore the "No 1" shirt. He then quickly swapped to his normal number and in this, the final game of the season v Fulham, wore the No 9 shirt, becoming the only player to wear every team number, 1-14, in one season. Watford won the Division 2 title that season, hence the frivolity? Maybe something to do with Graham Taylor's clever stategy. In the following season Palmer was voted "Player of the Year", by the Watford fans, as the club was promoted back to back.

In his retirement, Palmer became a football analyst and was the Academy Performance Manager at Spurs, was Watford's Recruitment Manager and worked with the Premier League, tracking individuals in a "Performance Elite Player Performance Plan", EPPP.  Here's Steve with his Uni chums, at the start!

Won't show you then end, let's say it was a bit one sided.

FROM 12 TO 92

 AND the answer (from yesterday) is Sam Allardyce, of course: Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, BURNLEY (thanks to a local fan), Everton, Notts County, Preston NE, West Bromich Albion. (the other six are; Accrington Stanley, Aston Villa, Derby County, Stoke City, Wolverhampton.) 

I made a point of visiting all 12 clubs to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Football League in 1888-9 season. Champs: Preston NE. The league remained with one division and twelve clubs until 1891. 

Two clubs were added for one season in 1891to the end of 1892. 

1892-3 two divisions were formed with 16 in Division One and 12 in Division Two. 

1893-4  there were 16 and 15 clubs and in the next season from 1894 to' 98, Div 2 gained another club (16 + 16)

From 1898-1905 they expanded to 18 each. From 1905-1915 there were two divisions of 20 clubs. 

Post First World War (1919-20) this grew to 22 in the First and Second Divisions with  three divisions by 1920-1, adding Div 3, mainly southern clubs (Northampton furthest north) added, each containing 22 clubs. Some clubs folded and others joined.

Division 3 North was added in 1921-3 with 20 clubs; 86 in total. By 1923-4 each division  had 22 clubs.

By 1950-1 until 1987 there were four divisions containing the well known 92 Football League Clubs (22 +22+24+24) and by.....

1958-9 the two lower divisions became Division 3 and 4 with no geographical limitation. (still 92 clubs)

1987-88 the divisions contained 21 First Division clubs, then 23 Second, 24 Third and 24 Fourth. 

In 1988-9 this changed to (in order) 20, 24, 24 and 24.

The English Premier League was formed in 1992 with 20 clubs. The renamed English Football League consists of three divisions including the Championship, League One, League Two, totalling 72 clubs.

Marbles for decoration; Anniversary programmes, tickets in top condition. 

LONG SERVING MANAGERS

Well, thanks to Chris Hardstaff who presented me with an Advent question: Name the current Premier League manager who has managed six of the twelve original member clubs of the Football League (i.e. first season 1888/89) ? A clue – he’s not Portuguese!! So look up the original 12 clubs forming the Football League, find out who they are and go from there.

After that fun, here are longest serving managers in the Football League and P.L. as of today:

Simon Weaver, below, at Harrogate Town in League 2 has been in charge since May 2009 (11 years and 213 days) with 11 years in the National League. 

    

Gareth Ainsworth Wycombe Wanderers since Sept 2012 Championship from Sept 2012 the longest tenure in the Football League. 8 yrs/87                                                                              

Sean Dyche at Burnley 8 years 51 years Premier League                                                              

John Coleman at Accrington Stanley League One   6 years 93 days                                                 

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool in PL   5 years 73 days                                                                                        

Mark Cooper Forest Green Rovers League 2    4 years 225 days                                                

Chris Wilder Sheffield Utd PL   4 years 222 days                                                                              

Pep Guardiola Man City PL    4 years 172 days   and the most recent........                                

Paul Warne Rotherham Championship 4 years 22 days and at the other end are Watford's 

Xisco Munoz (Spain) below in the Championship from TODAY, once of Dinamo Tblisi.

Sam Allardyce at WBA 4 days and Rob Kelly at Barrow L2 7 days with Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars at Bradford City L2.                                                                                                 

BRIGHT LIGHTS AND WHITE TIGHTS

I told you yesterday United v United had history, but you probably knew that. Today, there were more remarkable events from this trans Pennine "derby"to add to the collection, Also, Leicester beat Spurs this afternoon, SO to show you that I don't have any hard feelings, remember Keith Weller? Do you know about the reference to "white tights"? January 1979 FA Cup 3rd Rd 3-0 home v Norwich City, a chilly day but 19,000 or more turned up. Weller in tights scored, quietening the crowd.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7VVqWEA_Y check out Norwich goalie's tracky bottoms.

Well..er.....on December 20th 1974, he decided at half time during a match playing for Leicester City v Ipswich, that he would have a bath. He was an England international and wanted a transfer to a "bigger" club. Leicester had lost their previous seven matches and the City crowd was getting on his back and he was falling out with his team mates. He had stuff on his mind, so he refused to return to the pitch, basically Keith went on strike. It cost him a club fine and he was put on the transfer list. Later he was forgiven by the club and he forgave the club, staying at Filbert Street for another few years. Long enough to wear white tights.

Born in Islington in 1946, in 1964 he started his career at Arsenal but was snapped up by Spurs and he played 21 games with 1 goal. Then Millwall came calling until 1970 (121 apps/40 goals).

Chelsea next 1970-1 with a UEFA Cup Winners Cup win (38/14), then Leicester 1971-9 262 apps/37 goals after of course, because it was what retiring players did at that time, off he went to the USA, playing from 1979 until 1984 and then management, including Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Dallas, Santiago etc etc until it got too chilly outdoors and he went indoors looking after the Tacoma Stars and Sacramento Knights through to 1997. 

In retirement, Keith ran a coffee shop and served as a news station broadcast van driver; he died in November 2004 aged 58, from cancer, despite having special treatment in the US paid for by his former English clubs. It is never too late for a Christmas present, so here is his book.

WAR OF THE UNITED ROSES

It is 16 years since Leeds United last visited Old Trafford. The War of the Roses has always pitched Lancashire v Yorkshire (red rose v white rose) and in  football the two "senior" teams (apparently) epitomise the rivalry over the Pennines.

In 1950, Leeds were playing an FA Cup quarter-final at Highbury and Man Utd were at Stamford Bridge. The two groups of fans met in anger at Trafalgar Square during their morning sight-seeing trip to the capital. Thousands of fans arrived by train, coach and car, invaded the capital and had their fun.

In 1964 the newly promoted Leeds were in third place in the division and met Manchester Utd at Old Trafford who were leaders. Leeds won  1-0. George Best claims that he was kicked in the calf in the tunnel, by Bobby Collins. The Scot said "and that's for starters Bestie". The protector in chief, Nobby Stiles, came to Best's defence and put Collins into the perimeter wall with  a forceful tackle. BUT the Leeds captain got up to score the only goal of the game.

The Reds were relegated in 1974, on the day that the Whites were crowned champions; trouble between supports intensified. Later Joe Jordan and Gordon McQueen crossed the Pennines westwards, within weeks of each other in 1978 and McQueen claimed that anybody would want to play for Manchester United given the chance-well 99% would and the rest are liars. Cantona, Ferdinand and Alan Smith did the same and they were known as Judas' in the Elland Road "Hall of Fame". 

Sir Alex knew what was in store any time his team visited Elland Road making the same pre-match statement: " Get in there, get a result and get out as quickly as we can!"

The present circumstances, of no crowds, will probably tone down the venom in the stadium, but remember the historic duels;the Charlton brothers, Don Revie seeking advice from Sir Matt in 1961 when Revie took the tiller at Leeds, the relationship between the Stiles and the Giles' families. 

Their first meeting was on January 20th 1920 a 0-0 draw..(remember there had been a Leeds City prior 1904-1919)...see link below. Two games were played v Man U who lost the first 0-3 in Div 1 on January 15th 1906. On April 21 1906 Utd won 1-3.

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/6669210713426017758?hl=en-GB

Leeds have won 26 meetings, Manchester 46 and drawn 35. There were meetings in 1925-31 in League Div 1, then briefly in Div 2 and back to Div 1 until the Premier League in 1992

In the FA Cup Manchester has won 4, Leeds 3. Drawn 4...including the notorious 1970 semi-finals....two 0-0s and a Leeds win eventually through the carnage.

League Cup meetings involve 5 with 5 wins for Manchester.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IePqkYSh5oo

"END OF TERM PRIZES"

 

The FIFA Men's Team of the Year 2020

This team includes: Alisson , Alex-Arnold, Van Dijk, Thiago-all LIverpool

and Alfonso Davies, Ramos, de Bruyne, Kimmich, Ronaldo, Lewandowski, Messi. 

The first ever Ballon d'Or, for the European Footballer of the Year was the "brainchild" of Gabriel Hanot, a Frenchman, player and journalist (editor of L'Equipe). It was first held in 1956. He and Jaques Ferran were responsible for getting the European Cup established. 

41 year old Stanley Matthews of Blackpool and England was the first winner of the Ballon d'Or (below). Not sure what the lady on his left is up to?? Runners up was Alfredo Stefano, from the European Champions, Real Madrid. He was a free scoring centre forward named the "Blond Arrow". Third was Raymond Kopa of France. 

Until 1994 only players from a European country birth was considered, but by1995 any player from a European club was in the frame, voted by European journalists.

The Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year merged as the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

English winners have been Denis Law 1964, Bobby Charlton 1966, George Best 1968, Kevin Keegan 1978 and '79, Michael Owen 2001.

Multiple winners are Alfredo di Stefano 1957 and 59 (Real Madrid),  Platini (Juve) 3 times in 1980s, Rummenige 1980-1 (Real M), Cruyff 1971, 73-74 (Barca). Marco Van Basten 3 times 1998-9 and 92. 

In 1991, the award became the FIFA Best Men's Players' Award, voted by coaches and captains of member nations. Multiple winners are Messi 6x, C.Ronaldo 5x

In 2010, the award merged with the European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or) voted for by journalists, coaches and captains. In 2016 the Ballon d'Or was "dropped" to become the Best FIFA Mens' Player. The latest winner, 2020, is Robert Lewandovski. The Womens' 2020 winner was Lucy Bronze of Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester City. Ronaldo has appeared in the top three, in every year, winning in 2016 and 17.

The Ferenc Puskas Award is for the "most beautiful" (aesthetically significant) goal of the calendar year. Puskas was a famed Real Madrid and Hungarian goalscorer from the post war period. Here is the 1954 World Cup Final film v West Germany..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNu61VEPdfU. The referee for the 1954 World Cup Final was Bill Ling from England.

This season Son Heung-Min won for his solo goal Tottenham H v Burnley.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SATljljXCY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRAI0Rmhxks

Other awards include the Fan Award, Fair Play, Goalkeeper Male (Neuer) and Female (Sari van Veenendaal Arsenal and Athletico Madrid).

Have a look at the Fair Play Awards list:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Fair_Play_Award

DON'T PANIC SAM'S HERE!

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/2838007019338459905?hl=en-GB 

Sam Allardyce!!!!; we have been there before. 

With 20+ years (1969-92) playing in the Football League; can you imagine which position he played? Uncompromising! and from 1991 in management, no one can doubt his experience-uncompromising. 

So Sam has been called to West Bromwich Albion, in an emergency rescue bid. It would be good to have details of how much money he has made through his basic earnings (wages) and special payments enticing Sam to save clubs from relegation. 

There has also had an accusation of corruption and in 2013 Sam won damages against Steve Kean, a former Blackburn Rovers manager, who claimed, in a bar in Hong Kong, that Sam had been a "crook" when he was at Rovers. 

Do not mention Sam's  67 days in charge of the England national squad and the accused "malpractice", following a "Daily Telegraph" investigation and some covert camera work, which caused Sam to resign the job, after 67 days in 2016-17. He had a 100% record, managing one game against Slovakia, which his team won 1-0 with a last minute goal by Lallana.

Prior to 1968 he had played for Dudley Town FC, as a youth and was snapped up by Bolton W in 1971. Then Sunderland for a couple of years, Millwall (couple of years +), Tampa Bay, Coventry, Huddersfield, Bolton, Preston NE, WBA, Limerick, Preston again, totalling around 570 apps and 42 goals. Guess which position he played?

Management started at Limerick in 1991-2 and went to PNE care-taker, Blackpool (1994-6), Notts County (1997-9), Bolton (1997-07, Newcastle (07-08), West Ham (2011-15), Sunderland (2015-16), (England 2016), Crystal P (2016-17), Everton (2017-18), WBA in 2020?? = 1034  games (39.4%). 

Sam was accused of being a bit POMO, a long ball merchant, BUT he has more to his coaching than that including a great knowledge of Sport Science, use of technology, and yes, he did employ the long ball BUT with a background of science, it was more technical than many would believe. He has an Honorary Doctorate at the Univ of Bolton! July 2010. He is piblished, an autobiography, "Big Sam", Oct 2015. He also runs a motor spares' business, a fast food business, a social club, a pub and a piano bar.

Bear in mind West Brom's latest managers' record: Roy 2011-12, Tony Pulis 2015-17, Gary Megson 2 games, Pardew 2017-18 (5 months), Darren Moore from April 2018-March 2019, James Shan-who he? March 2019-June 2019, Bilic June 2019-December 2020...........SAM.......??

Longevity; Fred Everiss (to the left) was manager from August/1902-May/1948, 1520 games @ 43.16% success.

There have also been: Nobby Stiles, Brian Talbot, Stuart Pearson, Bobby Gould, Osvaldo Ardiles....the list goes on with 23 managers since 2000....including Jose Mel Perez. Remember him Bob? 3 wins from 17.

CAMPEONATO de ESPANA-COPA de SU MAJESTAD del RAY

 

Sant Llorenc des Cardassar is on Mallorca, Balearic Islands, SPAIN... Population of the town 8400, it lies on the East coast of Mallorca and presently is best known for the beach and its settlement as a back drop ITV2's Love Island series. It is the home of Magarita Fullana, a Bronze medal winner in the 2000 Olympic female Mountain Bike competition in Sydney.

Like Gloucester (recent blog), this is another flood story, as Cardassar suffered devastating flash floods from the River Begura de Salma on October 9th 2018. It caused at least 13 deaths and much destruction in the town and of course, inundated their football ground, Es Moleter, at Sant Llorenc des Card. Hundreds were made homeless, so fund raising has included donations and Rafa Nadal, who lives locally, will attend the cup tie. Kit, boots and so on has been donated from various clubs including a "similar" coloured 1st team kit from Osasuna.

This weekend the local town* team  (*village??) takes part in its greatest match when the local lads meet the professionals Atletico Madrid in the First Round proper of the Spanish FA Cup (The Copa del Rey). The privilege is made available following Cardassar's recent victory in the previous round of the cup, by beating Epila 4-3 on pens, after a 0-0 full time score. 

The cup was first played for in 1902 and this is the 119th playing of the Spanish Cup (see title above), which began with 126 teams drawn from the Spanish "pyramid". Clubs compete from the top division, La Liga, through the Primera, Segunda, Copa Federecion into the Regional Leagues. There is often a David v Goliath outcome in the Cup draw. 

Last year's Copa final between Athetico Bilbao and Real Sociedad was postponed due to COVID and will be played on April 4th 2021.  

The top two clubs in the cup will go on to play in the Supercopa de Espana and the winners go on to the Europa League. Current champions are Barcelona and of course Real Madrid have won it most with 30 titles.

AN ADVENT CALENDAR

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=07a9a4c8a7048a38247b2602ec0568f1 

Agreed, Advent has begun and a few days ago Phil had sent me this wonderful Advent Calendar which he has put together. I know he wants to pass it on to as many football fans as possible. So here it is and all you have to do is click on the link and you may find that you cannot get "future" snippets, only the day you are experiencing or days just gone. Here's Day 1 as an example to look for........

GLOUCESTER CITY AFC RISES FROM THE FLOODS

"Ever forward" says Gloucester City FC's badge of honour. The badge speaks for itself, with a strong reference to the City's maritime activity. I fancied Gloucester City as my subject today, because the club returns to its own ground, Meadow Park, (now New Meadow Park), having been "playing away" for its home games since the 2007 floods when the River Severn and Gloucester Docks caused the local water table to rise above the club's goalposts; the whole stadium became unusable and since then the club has had issues with flood damage insurance, planning, raising the pitch 4' and bringing the stadum back into safe use. 

The club has been ground sharing for all that time at local clubs such as Forest Green Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Cirencester Town and Evesham. Inevitably, issues with financing are foremost, as is a "case of identity". It has been a 13 and a half years' wait to return home, only to be irritated when there was light at the end of the tunnel, by COVID-19!

The "Tigers" play Needham Market in an FA Trophy Second Round tie tonight with around 700+ spectators allowed in. Thankfully for The Tigers it is a home tie. 

You might also know where Gateshead is. The Robins, who are presently top of their division, have to travel to the "Head" for their National League (North) game, a geographically confusing fixture considering where Gloucester is; the most southerly of the clubs in that division. Then there is Blyth, York, Southport, Darlington, Spennymoor and the bus goes on! Have a look at the divisions and see where the Tigers have to travel to every other week....a five hour coach journey or worse. Hereford might be a local derby. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_League_North The club was transfered (not promoted or relegated) from the Southern section to the Northern in 2019-20, by the FA. Can't explain why!

Founded in March 1883, just as Gloucester FC, the club adopted the appendage "City" in 1902. The club was then briefly known as Gloucester YMCA in the period 1910-25. You will know that there is considerable competition for support in the city from Rugby, so the club does well to maintain its place.

With a sturdy management team and a head coach, Paul Groves, who has been at Grimsby (+ other clubs in England) and Maccabi Haifa most recently, The Tigers are hoping to finish the season on a positive note.

OVERCROWDING

 

On December 14th 2019, Derby lost at Pride Park to Millwall 0-1 in an uninspiring game which was a pity, considering the huge crowd that was attracted. The Sunday Times printed this score line which was watched by around 62,218 more people that the Maracana record for Brazil's appearance in the 1950 World Cup Final (199,854). Yes, it was a misprint, and should have been 26,272, though the scoreline was correct. Note Leeds United's "collapse", 60 minutes into their game v Cardiff. 34,552 saw this excitement from the 52nd minute.

Large attendances: Highest in England? 

Spurs v Bayern Leverkusen at Wembley 85,512:  2/11/2016 UEFA group

Manchester City v Stoke City at Maine Road 84,569:  3/3/1934 FA Cup 6th Round 

Chelsea v Arsenal at Stamford Bridge 82,905:  12/10/1935  1st Division

Man Utd v Arsenal at Maine Road (yes) United played there on 17/Jan/1948 following War damage at Old Trafford and kindly ground sharing.

                                                                        This lot, 109,318, watched Real Madrid lose 1-3 to Manchester United in an "International Champions Cup" match at the Michigan Stadium, USA, August 2nd 2014

THE MANCUNIAN DERBY

It won't be a very nice day in Manchester today unless you happen to be a United or City supporter, in which case you may be feeling relieved about gaining another point, rather than losing 3 in yesterday's Premier League, Mancunian Derby. These two clubs have won 92 top flight honours; United 66, City 26.

Yesterday's clash, was the 183rd "Derby" of which United has won 76, City 54 and Drawn 53. The first Derby was played in 1881, when the two clubs, only 4 miles apart, met at West Gorton, the home of St Marks (City) FC. City hosted Newton  Heath (Utd), a game won by United 0-3. St Mark's was a "church side", formed by the vicar's daughter Anna Connell for "social association". A cricket team was the origin attraction for a gathering of these young men.

Big Derby scores include Utd 1-6 City 1926, Utd 0-5 City 1955, Utd 5-0 City 1994 and Utd 1-6 City 2011.

The teams met in the Football Alliance, a league formed in 1889-90, but it only lasted three seasons. In 1891, Newton Heath (below) was in the Football Alliance First Division (pre Football League) and Ardwick in Division Two. They eventually met in 1894-5 in the Football League with Newton Heath winning 5-2 at Hyde Road.

The first floodlit game was held in 1926-7 at Belle Vue Athletic Ground, with 10,000 attending to see this spectacle and Newton Heath won 3-2. This match raised money for the Hyde Coal Mine disaster. The first competitive top level match was as late as 1956 when United as League Champions played City as Cup Winners in the FA Charity Shield.

In 1894 there was a financial scandal involving the City club, which caused 17 players to be suspended or banned. The club reformed as Manchester City and adopted the Cambridge Blue kit. In 1904 City won the FA Cup and came second in the First Division.  In 1907, four City players transferred to United, including Bill Meredith (see below), Jimmy Bannister, Herbert Burgess and Sandy Turnbull, the first player to be sent off in the derby, however, United won the League title the following season.

Other notable "Derby" incidents include: Dec 12th 1970 George Best broke Glyn Pardoe's leg and medical complications meant that the leg could not be saved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g39fuJzNUEo This is worth a look especially for the REF late on on thre game!

In a 3-3 draw in November 6th 1971, Francis Lee mimmicked George Best's "dive" during the 3-3 draw. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_KgV5f55Qg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W49Ljx3VMc

In 1973-4 Mike Doyle and Lou Macari refused to leave the pitch having both been sent off. It was 0-0 at Maine Road and the referee abandoned the match. 

At the end of that season, Denis Law backheeled a winning goal past Aex Stepney, a goal that caused a pitch invasion. Law retired from football, on the strength of that and United were relegated (but would have been without this "drama"). The next Derby will be on March 6th 2021. all being well.

0-0 seems a gentle coming together.

SPURS V THE 'GERS

 

Tottenham Hotspur met Glasgow Rangers at White Hart Lane and won the 1st leg of this European Cup Winners Cup 1st Rd tie 5-2. It was described as "The Battle of Britain" and played in front of a 60,000 crowd. Goalscorers for the Spurs were: Johnny White 2, Les Allen, an OG and Maurice Norman.

This programme comes from the 5th December 1962 when Glasgow Rangers club was due to host Tottenham Hotspur in the Second Leg but due to fog it was re-scheduled to the 11th Dec (i.e. yesterday 1962!).

On that day, 80,000 turned up at Ibrox to see Spurs win 3-2 (goalscorers: Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Smith 2) making it an 8-4 aggregate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9gD5ILweVk This will show the goals and note the classic kick off with the three "middle attackers" numbers 8,9,10 standing at the centre spot.  Spurs went on to WIN the ECWC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMrrSt4m3lA yet another Pathe News! reel...

Previously Rangers had beaten Sevilla 4-2 on aggregate.  Spurs had no tie. They then met Rangers and

Spurs then Slovan Bratislava 6-2 winning on agg having lost 0-2 away in the q-f.

Then v OFK Belgrade 4-3 on agg in the semi-final and Athletico Madrid 5-1 in the final (Spurs above). Christmas Quiz-name the players!

UP THE ARSENAL EVENTUALLY

Workers at Britain's main armaments depot founded Arsenal Football Club, hence "The Gunners". Two workers, David Danskin (from Kirkcaldy, Scotland-a worker in the Ravenscraig Ship yard) and Jack Humble (from Durham-he had walked from his home area to London  to secure a job). Danskin was very much the central figure in the origins of the Dial Square Club-soon to become Royal Arsenal.

After playing their first fixture on December 11th 1886 as "Dial Square" against Eastern Wanderers, the team that became Arsenal, met on Christmas Day at a pub known as the Royal Oak in Woolwich, New Road (number 27). The pub has since been demolished, in 2007to make way for the Dockland's Light Railway extension. 

The meeting was to discuss "how to proceed?". One of the items on the agenda was the club's name, for not all the players worked in thr Dial Square section of the Royal Arsenal Factory. R.B.Thompson, who had scored Dial Square's first goal in the club's first game and who was the only player not to work at the arsenal (you all know what the arsenal is, of course?) asked "Who outside Woolwich has ever heard of Dial Square?" "Who has not heard of Arsenal?". This persuaded those present to change the name to Royal Arsenal. There was a works' team called "Royal Arsenal Gymnasium FC already and they were not very happy about Dial Square appearing as a works' team. 

The players decided that they wanted to wear red as some of them had payed for Nottingham Forest before moving south for work at the armaments factory. Buying your own kit wasn't cheap and the arsenal workers might have shelled out a full week's wage to buy the club kit. Fred Beardsley, a club member, asked his old club Nottingham Forest to help out and they duly sent a set of kit and a football to the him.  For many years the club was known as the "Woolwich Reds", just as Forest were known at the time as the "Nottingham Reds". 

Their second game needed a new venue away from the Isle of Dogs and on the Woolwich side of the River Thames. This was at Plumstead Common. (You need to know your London map). Ironically Woolwich Arsenal never played in Woolwich.

When Royal Arsenal turned professional in 1891, a new company team Royal Ordnance Factories FC, was founded and it played in an all-blue kit at the Invicta Ground, Plumstead, the ground that Royal Srsenal had vacated. Royal Ordnance founded and played in the Southern League from 1894, but sadly did not survive long, folding in 1897. By 1893-4, Royal Arsenal became established in the new Football League Second Division as Woolwich Arsenal, topped that season by Liverpool. By 1904, the club came second in the division behind Preston and was promoted to the First. By 1912-13 however, the club came bottom of the Division and was relegated. The following season the club renamed itself as Arsenal and played in the Second Division until war struck. After the war the club was reassigned to the First Division in 1991-20, just as Tottenham was promoted from Division Two......the North London Derby!!

FROM LADIES TO WILDCATS

If you have been a loyal reader of this outstanding and modest blog, you will have read about Dick, Kerr Ladies before (the comma is meant to be there). Women's football exploded during during World War One, a trend that showed no signs of lessening aftet the War finished. A spectacle of Dick, Kerr's Ladies and St Helens FC attracted 55,000 to Goodison Park on Boxing Day 1920, nearly one hundred years ago.

So there was an international against the French attracting 25,000 and in 1921, the Ladies attracted nearly a million spectators, a genuine mixture of male and female, young and old, during their next 67 matches. The men became rather jealous of this success and club committee men all over the country were concerned that the Ladies would overtake the Men in popularity.  

In 1921, Newcastle Utd refused to let the women play a match at St James' Park, despite previously hosting one for the War Charity, attracting 35,000 and raising over a quarter of a million pounds. The FA was cocerned that previous Dick, Kerr matches had been played raising money for striking miners who were locled uot of their pits when privatsation took over in March 1921. Clearly Women's football could attract a lot of attention and money, something the FA were "jealous" of.

The FA by all accounts produced a "smear campaign" accusing the Ladies of fidlling expenses and cheating charities. Doctors apparently were producing evidence that women who played such physical sports would not be able to have children safely. Even the Guardian wrote that "Football is much less suitable to women as an exrecise than lacrosse or hockey". 

On December 5th 1921, The FA used these pieces as evidence to ban women from playing the game and banned them from using men's pitches and facilities. They said "The game is unsuitable for women and outht not to be encouraged".

Five days later 25 ladies from Blackburn founded the English Ladies FA, despite the game taking decades to recover and the FA did not apologise for their "slight" until 2008. This is what was said......

On 5th December 1921, the Football Association issued the following statement: Complaints having been made as to football being played by women, the Council feel impelled to express their strong opinion that the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged. Complaints have been made as to the conditions under which some of these matches have been arranged and played, and the appropriation of the receipts to other than Charitable objects.

The Council are further of the opinion that an excessive proportion of the receipts are absorbed in expenses and an inadequate percentage devoted to Charitable objects. For these reasons the Council requests the clubs belonging to the Association refuse the use of their grounds for such matches.

This measure removed the ability of women to raise significant sums of money for charity as they were now barred from playing at all the major venues. The Football Association also announced that members were not allowed to referee or act as linesman at any women's football match.

Some supporters of women's football welcomed the decision of the FA. "Football Girl" wrote a weekly column in the Football Special Magazine. She wrote: "Women's footballers have at last been roused to the necessity of organisation if they are to carry on, and the F.A. ban, having made us independent of outside bodies, has given us the additional impetus that will probably make us organise ourselves far more thoroughly than we should have done if we had been in a half-and-half situation, neither definitely sure of having F.A.'s assistance and yet to a large extent relying on it."

The first meeting of the English Ladies Football Association (ELFA) took place at Blackburn on 10th December 1921. At this time there were approximately 150 ladies' football clubs in England. The representatives of 25 clubs attended the initial meeting. This rose to 60 at the next meeting held in Grimsby. The ELFA issued a statement that argued: "The Association is most concerned with the management of the game, and intend to insist that all clubs in the Association are run on a perfectly straightforward manner, so that there will be no exploiting of the teams in the interest of the man or firm who manages them." The ELFA introduced its own set of rules and regulations. This included reducing the size of the pitch. It was also decided to use a lighter football, a change that was eventually adopted by the Football Association. Referees of women's matches were also given "greater powers concerning the use of ball skills rather than brawn".

ELFA also made a rule that any club that became affiliated to the ELFA would not be allowed to play against a team that was not a member. It was believed that the best way of making ELFA strong was to make it difficult for non-members to find matches. ELFA also took measures to stop a club like Dick Kerr Ladies from developing again in the future. Alfred Frankland had obtained the best players by persuading them to play for his team. ELFA therefore decreed that no woman was to play for a club that was more than twenty miles from her home. The measure did a great deal to encourage clubs to develop local talent. Look at it now......

https://www.thefa.com/womens-girls-football and check out the Hepworth United FC Ladies section and Wildcats on the club website.