GOLDEN GOAL AND AUTOGLASS then pizza

In 1983-4, the Associate Members of the FA were given their own competition to keep clubs busy once they had been knocked out of the major trophies-especially the FA Cup. The clubs came from the 3rd and 4th Divisions and played out in small groups of three teams until "semi-finals" which were actually regional finals North-South. 

North winners (Hull City) then met South winners (Bournemouth), at Hull City's ground (it was going to be either Boothferry Park or Dean Court); decided by the toss of a coin. The competition was regarded as a success and soon, not only were lower Football League divisions involved but Non-League clubs too. 

In 1984-5, the competition was renamed when sponsors, Freight Rover, gave a trophy which was won by Wigan Athletic over Brentford. Sherpa Van got their name on the trophy in 1987/8, then Leyland Daf, Autoglass in 1991, then Auto Windscreens. The competition grew to involve Second Division clubs, the 3rd/4th Divs and the top end of the Non-League Pyramid.

On April 24th 1994, in what was known as the AutoGlass Windscreens Trophy Final, Huddersfield Town and Swansea City had to rely on a 1-3 penalty shoot out to decide their tie, which after 90 minutes had been drawn 1-1. 

The last time Huddersfield Town had been at Wembley was in April 1938, v Preston NE, losing to a George Mutch penalty 0-1. 93,000+ watched the last minute of extra time spot kick. This was the first full match broadcast on TV through the BBC, with estimated viewers of 10,000 and it was the first time an FA Cup final had been decided from the spot.

In 1922 Preston had lost to Huddersfield in what was described as "the worst Final of all time". The match was decided by a controversial penalty, when the "foul" was regarded by many as being outside the area, confirmed later by news reel! The Preston "amateur" goalkeeper, James Mitchell, (below) who wore glasses and a bandeau (forehead scarf), was dancing along his goal line, distracting the penalty taker by waving his arms. Despite this, Huddersfield Smith scored. NEXT, the FA decided on a new law that insisted that the goalkeeper should "keep still" before the penalty was taken. Thanks James.

On 23rd April 1995, Birmingham City beat Carlisle United 1-0 in the AGWT Final at Wembley, with a "Golden Goal" from Paul Tait after extra time (103 mins). This was the first time a final at Wembley was decided by "The Golden Goal". 

48 teams contested the trophy until 2016-17 when Premier League "B"/Academy teams were invited, totalling 64 (if all invitations were accepted).

By 2000, LDV Vans were sponsors until 2006-7 when Johnstone's Paint took charge and sponsored the competition through to 2016. Checkatrade then did 2017-19 with 64 teams taking part, first sponsored by Leasing.com and now:

Bristol City has won the EFL Trophy 3 times and Birmingham C, Carlisle Utd, 

Swansea C, Blackpool and Port Vale twice each.

THE OLD LADY IS FULL OF YOUTH

I am doing some research for Hepworth United FC and while thumbing through local Non-League football club websites, I came across this historical page on the Penistone Church site. Not one to miss passing on good historical football "stuff" and since this part of South Yorkshire is regarded as the site of the game's origin, I reckon this is worth recording for future benefits. Of course you could buy, borrow or be given (it is Christmas) Martin Westby's splendid book. The link is good and so is the book.

https://www.penistonechurchfc.com/news/12157 

MORE HISTORY and this time MADE RECENTLY by JUVE:

On November 24th in their UEFA Champions League tie, Andrew Pirlo (head coach of Juventus) destroyed a tradition of 123 years at Juventus. This was done during Juve's 2-1 victory v Ferencvarosi.

For the first time in 123 years, the club didn't have an Italian goalkeeper or defender in the starting line up.

The back and midfield line up was: Szczesny (Poland), Cuadrado (Colombia), Danilo (Brazil), de Ligt (Neths), Sandro (Brazil).

Might not sound like big news, but when you put it in perspective, it's a tradition that held up for 123 years! Juventus (iuventus) means "Youth", but the club is often referred to as "Vecchia Signora". "The Old Lady" was founded in 1897 by students in Turin and from 1903 has worn black and white stripes, inspired by a tour by Notts County from England. Ony Genoa 1893 has an older sports' club in Italy, than Juventus.

REVIE'S REVELATION

In 1978, on November 28th, David Miller, an Old Carthusian footballer, Cambridge University Blue and England Amateur International, wrote in his Daily Express sports' column about Viv Anderson's planned debut for England's international side, the first "black" player to represent England in a full international. With Liverpool's Phil Neal injured, Anderson stepped up at full back and helped England beat Czechoslovakia at Wembley 1-0 on the 29th. 92,000 witnessed this and Steve Coppell scored the only goal.

Team: Shilton, Anderson, Cherry, Thompson, Watson, Wilkins, Keegan, Coppell, Currie, Woodcock (sub Latchford), Barnes.

Viv Anderson MBE, was born in Nottingham in 1956 and played for Forest from the age of 18. Having won the First Division with Brian Clough, he became an England regular (30 caps, 2 goals). He also played for: Arsenal, Man Utd, Sheff Wed, Barnsley and Middlesbrough = 594 apps (38 goals). He has not been employed in football since retiring from being assistant manager at Middlesbrough.

Previously, Don Revie had been manager of the England side for 29 internationals and won 14 of them. His job was worth a massive £25,000 per annum. A secret meeting with the UAE FA about him taking over their national team for more money (surely that was the only attraction?), put Revie in the news along with his proposed salary of £340,000 tax free in six years. A letter of explanation in the Royal Mail, to the English FA, from the UAE, arrived on the FA's doorstep, after their offices had closed, so the first the FA heard about this exchange was the next day, when the "stiff shirts" read it in the national press. Revie was the main subject in the tabloids' back pages (and front).

Ron Greenwood, a safe bet, took on the job at short notice, from September 1977. In May 1979, Laurie Cunningham made his debut and became the first black player to play for England in a "competitive" tie against Wales in the Home Championship-a fascinating 0-0 draw at Wembley. Cunningham soon was on his way to Real Madrid.

In 1979 England played Northern Ireland in "back to back" matches in February 1979 and then in May. It was the first time that England had played a country twice in a row in completely different competitions. England won 4-0 at Wembley in the European Championships qualifications (1980) and then in Belfast in the Home Championship 2-0 win.

He handed over to Bobby Robson after July 1982. 

BRACKLEY TOWN FC WITH WITLESS BUFFONERY, COLOURED LACE RIBBONS AND GAUDY FINERY

It's an FA Cup Second Round weekend, which starts with a visit to Prenton Park and Tranmere Rovers who take on Brackley Town (19.55). We know all about Tranmere, don't we? Which Tier is it in? which country? Which Division?

Brackley is another matter. The club is from Northamptonshire, play in the National League North (Sixth Tier), at St James' Park. Sadly they are away today, but of course the club hopes for a fruitful replay soon. The town has a modest population of just over 13,000.

The Saints won the FA Trophy in 2018 and play in the National Conference North, having been promoted through the leagues from the North Bucks League in 1890, Hellenic League, United Counties League, Southern League and Conference North. UPwards. 

There are two other less prestigious clubs in Brackley, "Sports" along with a ladies section and "Athletic" a flourishing junior set up.

Historically the town gets its name from "Bracca's glade or clearing" (1086 Domesday Book)) and gets a mention in the Magna Carta (1215). It was a place chosen for an important meeting between the King John's representatives and the Barons. Maybe this was because it was easily reached both from the North and the South of the country. The castle "earthwork" is located between Hinton Road and Tesco! 

This location proved ideal for the local wool (loads of sheep) and lace, with easy access to large markets for a successful trade. Today, the town might be best known by the anoraks of motor racing with Silverstone and Mercedes AMG Petronas on their door step. Ironically the nearest stations a at least 6 miles away. Its original station closed in the 1960s. The local hand made soap factory, H Bronnley and Sons provides luxury soaps to the Queen and Charlie.

The  "Morris Men" of Brackley is one of only 7 traditional "Cotswold sides" left in the country, the only one in the county and date back to the 1600s. They apparently produce "witless buffonery", coloured ribbons and gaudy finery. Below is the Morris "side", not the Football team!

SUPER-STITION? LUCK? COINCIDENCE?

It was the "hand of God" that scored that goal against the English, of course, and no doubt the Almighty was looking down on Diago when he finally went to the big pitch in the sky. When the first international match was played on November 30th 1872 at the West of Scotland Cricket Club at Partick, between the Scots and the English FA, the Scots' team, was made up entirely from  members of the Queen's Park Club. Rather than wear their famous "spider" black and white hoops (spider meaning thin in this case) the Scottish team opted to play in dark blue shirts, white trousers with blue and white socks. They wore red "cowls" which you will know from a previous, recent reading, that a cowls was a sort of pointy hat. The nice kit didn't work and the score was 0-0 (actually the new kit may have been an inspired move, hence the lucky score??).On April 7 1900, against England, at Celtic Park, Glasgow, the Scots white sleeves and England white shirts were too close for comfort. So, in honour of Lord Rosebery, who had been Prime Minister four years before and President of the SFA, Scotland wore his "racing colours" of primrose and pink. Scotland won 4-1. Hence, the occasional showing of pink in the Scots' kit bag when there is a difficult colour clash.

Do you remember Southampton v Man U at The Dell on April 13 1996? United needed a positive result to win their third league title in four seasons. They chose to wear grey, as their ussual kit clashed with that of The Saints. At half time the Red Devils were 0-3 down to the Saints, so Alex changed his team's kit to Blue and the game ended 3-1! In five league games wearing the grey, United had only won one point from 15. Shirt suppliers contracts and the MU commercial department were severely tested.

Burnley, back in history, would take a lucky mascot, a china black cat, with them to all their away games, during the season. Everton had a "real" black cat, which had inspired the Toffees to the FA Cup Final in 1907. The cat fell ill just before the Final and Everton duly lost 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday with the winning goal coming in the final minutes. 

Fulham were presented with a goat as a mascot in the late 1920s. The Cottagers didn't win a game until they got rid of the beast several months later. Curry?

And just to involve the "luck" of royalty, King Edward VII, the Prince of Wales played football and also attended several major matches. On October 20th 1888, at the Kennington Oval, Edward went to watch the Old Carthusians (old boys of Charterhouse School, then located in Godalming) play against a touring Canadian side, the first team from beyond Europe to play in Britain. The OCs won 1-0. Below is their tour info. 1888 was when the Football League was founded.

http://www.canadiansoccerhistory.com/Canadiantoursabroad/Gt%20Britain%201888.html

Three days before the OC game, the tourists played Oxford University 1-1; the team photo is here:

Two days later they played Aston Villa-lost 2-4

BEST AND MARADONA ON THE SAME DAY

My wife has brought to my attention occasional bad spellings and grammar in recent blogs. Apologies and bear with!! My spell and grammar check is dyslexic.........

In March 2000 (yes, 20 years ago) George Best was admitted to the Cromwell Hospital, Cromwell Road, for the first time. Despite various efforts to change his way of life and to heal him, his body was a "bloated parody", he needed a liver transplant, became susceptible to infection and in October with a kidney problem, he had internal bleeding. Having taking an overdose of "immuno suppressive" drugs, prescribed post his kidney operation, on the 25th of November 2005, George died. His father had died in Northern Ireland aged 88 and his mother from an alcohol related illness, died aged 55.

He had, to all effects, "drunk himself to death", trying to escape his superstar status. Dealing with the press and his fame, life had become even more difficult for him, following his father's death in the late 1970s.

No fool, he was academically gifted and was educated at the local Belfast "grammar school" where rugby was the main game. He played truant until he joined the neighbouring secondary school, with his footballing mates. Bob Bishop, a United scout saw Best playing at 15 years old and alerted Busby to this potential star player. Becoming a trainee, away from home, at Old Trafford, was not easy and he suffered from homesickness. This was soon remedied when he was "adopted" by a United employed landlady, who kept an eye out for him and Best made his first class debut at 17 years old, on September 14th 1963. This was against West Bromwich Albion in a 1-0 win. 

Best then made a second first team appearance on December 28th v Burnley, scoring a goal in a 5-1 win. Busby then gave Best a regular berth in the first team. United failed to get into the 1964 FA Cup final when United lost to West Ham in the semi-final. The Hammers went on to meet Preston, for whom Howard Kendall played. Kendall became the youngest player to play in an FA Cup final having been born on May 22nd 1946. This was exactly the same birth date as Best!

Signed by Matt Busby, as a 19 year old, he was part of the rebuild of United following the Munich disaster, mind you this tradgedy ten years earlier. Despite Busby's father like attention, lessons were not learned and by Best's 27th birthday, he had turned his back on football and tried to live a "celebrity" life, without the complications. Not possible!!! as he was pursued relentlessly, by hangers on, prhess, women and so on. Mind you he didn't help himself!

Michael Parkinson interviewed Best on many occasions, even during Best's imprisonment. On better days, Best visited the journalist's home and always brought a ball with him to play with the family in the garden. Best employed 3 secretaries to deal with his 10,000 fan letters each week and Parkinson soon realised that George was intelligent, shy and exploited. Early on in his career, Best had been given no help on how to cope with all this fame. So Best was the first "super star" who couldn't handle the lifestyle sensibly. He was quoted as saying on the Parkinson show; " I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars, the rest I just squandered."

Parkinson offered Best the use of his personal house, so he could avoid the coachloads of "day trippers"  visiting Best's home, looking for a glimpse of the footballing "legend".

 

As a coincidence, at 4.30pm today, I have heard from the South American news' man Tim Vickery, that Diego Maradona has just died from a blood clot in the brain, having been in hospital after a heart attack. Vickery feels that the discipline of work at his club, was what kept him alive. The "LOCKDOWN" in Argentina, will not have helped Maradona deal with his demons. He was 60.

With a "low centre of gravity" Maradona was able to remake the history of football in South America (and indeed in the rest of the World). At this time, before the crack down by referees on the "physical tackles" had not occurred. Look at the World Cup when Maradona was trying his best to play his game without a lot of protection from the refs. Even the English tried to give him terrible stick, not that this stopped the little chap.

In Europe, he went to Napoli, to ply his trade, where he was "abused" in league games by shocking Italian physicality week in, week out. Refs not very helpful. Vickery sees the best side of Maradona, many English fans won't. Maradona took Napoli to places they had never been before!!

What are your feelings? 1986....the cheat or the hero? Argentina v England? Falklands? 

He took on the expectations of the whole country. 

SUPER MARKET CLUB SHIRTS and the rest

 If you have a few moments, then look for Joe Parton on www. who is "making" football shirts based on supermarkets, lables (and other stores). Good sponsorship deal? He wants to go into Non-League next; Hepworth?? maybe we could get him to  employ a design for United FC, based on Scholes Village Stores? It's all going to charity, so a good project. Choose your favourite supermarket/store and have a look at his designs. 

https://twitter.com/hashtag/SupermarketShirts?src=hashtag_click

or try a chocolate one!https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChocolateShirts?src=hashtag_click 

He was on TalkSport around 3pm this afternoon, so you could catch up. And here's one for our club chairman:

If you look back in this blog history, you might find a blog on sausages!

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/8505046114503391809

DALE VINCE-DIAMOND GEEZER

The owner of Ecotricity and Chairman of Forest Green Rovers is Dale Vince and I have written about him twice because his story is one you really must know or be reminded about. 

He lives in a mansion near Stroud, owns Forest Green Rovers FC and has banned his players from eating red meat, does not allow the sale of red meat at the ground and has installed the world's first organic pitch, cut by a solar powered lawn mower. After the removal of the red meat van at the club, his fans now gorge themselves on veggie burgers and he claims that people come up to him and tell him that he has "changed their lives". Hmmmm? Vincent claims some supporters come to the ground just for the food-well it can't be for the football can it? Each 1st team player has a new diet and an electric club car. "Red meat slows you down", say Vince and so do electric cars, I think! You have to admire him don't you? Bless.

The blog below covers the main items of his commitment to football (and the globe) BUT not his most recent scheme, presented in the news overnight and this morning:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/4813672134084210106 

Born in August 1961, he left school at 15 years of age, married and with three children to support, he has already broken a rule of "how many children should you have to save the world?"  He saw his first wind farm in 1991 and decided to make something of this and in 1995 founded the "Renewable Energy Company". In 1996 he launched his first windmill providing green electricity.

In 2010 Vince became a shareholder of Forest Green Rovers and by 2011 he was Chairman, setting  new standards in the way that football clubs should be run.

Described as a British "green energy" industrialist, he started out as a New Age Traveller...see link. 

His most recent involvement is creating artificial diamonds from "chemical vapour deposition", capturing the carbon from its abundance in rain water, in the atmosphere. He claims he will be able to produce diamonds from CO2, using his environmentally produced energy, which will be the same as diamonds mined from the earth. With all that potential finance at his beck and call, what about FGR to climb through the pyramid and grace the Premier League then? Add a "jewel" to the "crown".

BLUNDERS, BROMLEY, BROLLY, BRISBANE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhaW73uZdeU 

If you have ten minutes these goals ABOVE, are definitely worth seeing, avoiding adverts. Some you may have seen before, others are pure comedy. So click on and sit back!

It was on this day in 2016 that Simeon Akinola of Braintree Town was driving to Bromley FC for a Vanarama National League game. When he got to Hayes Lane he discovered nobody there and that the game was at his place. He turned round, drove 60 miles and got onto the pitch after half time. He helped set up an equalising goal in a 2-2 draw.

On this day in 2007, Steve, the England coach, got the sack soon after this show of "weakness" and so did his assistant, Terry Venables. Where did they go wrong? McClaren had been in charge for 18 matches and this was a 2-3 defeat in the Euro 2008 tournament at Wembley. The Daily Mail showed no mercy, nor did the FA.

Some years before, Wembley Stadium hosted a more prestigious match, when Clapton Orient (later Leyton Orient), then a league side, played their first home game in Division Three South against Brentford at the "local" Wembley Stadium. Their own ground at Millfields Road from 1900, which had held over 27,000 in a match v Newcastle United, was bought by the local council and a greyhound track put around the perimeter. Tension mounted as the footballers were not welcome to train there during the week and the boardroom not open for use during match days. 

So a move to Lea Bridge Road, a mile away, provided a good idea, though the pitch had an oval wooden fence around it, which separated the pitch from a speedway track. The first home match was held on the afternoon of September 4th 1930 against Newport County in Div 3 South. There were no floodlights, hence the early kick and therefore not much chance of a crowd, though over 5,500 turned up. 

Another league game,  a couple of months later, was against Torquay Utd, who having lost 4-0, complained about the closeness of the wooden fence to the pitch. This caused the League to ask Orient to do something about this and the ground was closed until alterations were complete. Following this, Orient played their next two home league games at Wembley, one on November 22nd 1930, a 3-0 beating of Brentford in the league (att:8319) and on December 6th, another league win 3-1 v Southend Utd (at:1916...the weather was foul).

In April 1937, Orient eventually moved to Brisbane Road, in 1938, a ground I played on, at least 30 years later, for Brighton HA U18s v Orient U18s in a mid-week floodlit South-East Counties League, used mainly for trialists. Not quite a high point in my illustrious career!! I had to get my own way there because the Brighton lads were on their own train into London on a different line. Our kit was carried by "volunteer" players and it was in a large "wicker" basket; not light. The kit was the famously halved shirts in blue and white, with collars and cuffs!baggy white shorts and stripey socks with the Brighton badge on the left breast....we lost! Crowd....small.

BYE BYE WALTER WINTERBOTTOM

The 21st November 1962 was the last day that Walter Winterbottom managed the England international team, having been responsible for the national team's performances since 28th September 1946. This was a match at Wembley, and a 4-0 win for England in the "Home Countries Championship". The teams was: Springett, Armstrong, Shaw, Moore, Labone, Flowers, Connelly, Hill, Peacock, Greaves and Tambling.    

This was Moore's 8th cap and in May 1963 he was made captain on a tour, in Czechoslovakia, a game England won 4-2. Moore was in charge because Jimmy Armfield did not play. By 1965 Moore was made the regular leader. Winterbottom was an academic, a qualified coach, of course and somebody who wanted to "run" the national side rather than rely on a "selection committee" that had gone before. A group of "officials from the FA" who didn't coach the team, just turned them out, expecting them to beat an opposition! Much was to change. Winterbottom introduced coaching badges and an academic approach to the game.

In Winterbottom's reign, England played 139 matches winning 78, drawing 33 and losing 28, scoring 385 goals and conceding 195. His win percentage was 56%. Winterbottom had managed the team in the post war period when England were beginning to realise that they were not the only team in the World that could play the game! 

His first game ended in a 7-2 win against Ireland at Windsor Park. Five victories later, England lost his first game, on a European tour to Switzerland, 0-1, in Zurich (May 18th 1947). In 1948 a return game ended in a 6-0 win for England at Highbury and then another defeat 1-3 against Scotland in April 1949.

Winterbottom took the England team to Chile for the 1962 World Cup Finals. Previously, England qualified beating Portugal and Luxembourg, scoring 15 goals against the "minnows", Luxembourg. Portugal did force a draw against England in Lisbon. 

England then met Hungary (lost 1-2), Argentina (won 3-1) and Bulgaria 0-0. In the "Finals" Quarter-finals, England lost to eventual winners, Brazil 1-3, with Garrincha, Didi, Vava, Amarildo and Zagalo proving too clever. The England team was: Springett, Armfield, Wilson, Moore, Norman, Flowers. Douglas, Greaves, Hitchens (goal), Haynes and Charlton. Gerry Hitchens was the first player playing for a non-British  club (Inter Milan) t earn an England cap. Centre forward, Gerry Hitchens, did score against Brazil but that was his only contribution!

The only excuse we could offer was: there was only one warm up game, earthquakes in the Andes, huge distances between games, no English crowd, costs! A miniature railway took our squad up to their mountainous base, a 50 mile railway designed to shift copper to the national ports! Who arranged that? There was no team doctor on site, also, which was a big issue for those suffering from tummy bugs and so on.

Alf Ramsey succeeded Walter and ran the side from May 1963 until May 1974. His 113 games presented 69 win 27 drawa 17 defeats at 61%.

Winterbottom retired to Cranleigh, Surrey and through a personal link we invited him to a dinner at Charterhouse (my school) and we were entertained by his modesty and knowledge of his international experience. Nice man.

August 1963-Ramsey declares that England will win the World Cup in 1966.

GOALSCORERS AND HISTORY

Another day "behind" I'm afraid, but I am not going to miss mentioning Jimmy Greaves, who on the 19th November 1960, became the youngest goalscorer in top flight English football to score 100 goals. That day he scored against Manchester City to reach his century at 20 years and 261 days old.

In English Premier League Football, in East Anglia, Jason Dozzell of Ipswich Town scored against Coventry City in February 1984 at 16 years and 57 days. The youngest goalscorer in the Football League is recorded as Ronnie Dix at 15 yrs 180 days for Bristol Rovers v Norwich City on March 3rd 1928.  

Brian Deane of Sheffield United, at 24.5 years old, scored the first ever Premier League goal, against Manchester United on the opening day of the brand new season, 15th August 1992.

The oldest PL goalscorer is Teddy Sheringham at 40 years and 268 days for West Ham v Portsmouth on Boxing Day 2006.

The fastest goal in the top flight, was scored after 10 seconds by Ledley King for Spurs v Bradford City (yes PL) on 9th December 2000.

Going further afield, Josef Bican mainly of Slavia Prague, (below a signed photo!) is recorded to have scored most goals ever, in league matches, first level championship matches, official matches etc etc. It goes on, so in the end I plumped for him being the most prolific goalscorer in the history of the game. 

His playing record included from 1925, clubs Hertha Vienna, Schustek, Rapid Vienna (49apps-52goals), Admira, Slavia Prague (217/395), FC Vitkovice (33/30), FCHradec Kralove(9/19), Dinamo Prague (406/536) and for internationals (1933-39) Austria 19 apps/14 goals and Czechoslovakia (14/12) and Bohemia/Moravia 1/3. Look up some of the country names-nice bit of European war history for you. 

After the war, he then managed a variety of clubs from 1954-77. Playing and managing in this period was controlled by the politics in Europe; Bican was juggling his loyalty, avoiding joining the Nazi party and the Communists. He had the opportunity to join Juventus but was aware that the Communists might control Italy. Even in his home city of Prague, the Communists took control in 1948, Bican had to avoid them! 

International allegiance was shared between playing for: Austria (1933-36), Czechoslovakia (1938-47) and Bohemia and and Moravia (1939) v Nazi Germany. 

His career total (playing 1931-55) from one source was matches 482, scored 733 (another 406/539). He was still playing at 42 years old.

AS FAST AS A HERD OF MINI-SKIRTS

I don't want to be too morbid, as we drift towards the weekend, but I read about the death of Ebbe Skovdahl, after a long fight against cancer today and his obit was interesting. I am afraid there are a lot of obituaries being brought to our attention at the moment and Ebbe, at the tender age of 75, made me sit up. Ever heard of him?

Ebbe was born in Copenhagen in 1945 and trained as a carpenter, playing local football for the local Vanlose club from childhood, moving to Brondby in 1971. His brother-in-law was Finn Laudrup, father of the famous Michael and Brian Ludrup brothers. Football was in his blood?

Ebbe coached the club's 3rd team, and had success there, as he did with his next club, Bronshoj (1982-5), where he won promotions and was head hunted back to the Brondby job in 1985-7. He took them to the European Cup quarter-finals and won the Danish league, but then left for Benfica (1988-9). This was too much for him so there was a one year spell at Vejle Boldklub before he returned to Brondby (1992-9), where Peter Schmeichel, Kim Vilfort and John Jensen helped the club win four league titles and 3 Danish cups during the following decade. 

Brondy was a club in trouble, statistically and financially, Ebbe balanced the books and Brondby made headlines when they beat a very powerful Liverpool side, filled with stars like Rush and Barnes, during their UEFA Cup tie at Anfield. It was 31st October (Halloween), a Second Round, two leg tie, 1-0 aggregate win by the Danes, holding Liverpool 0-0 in Denmark and beating them at Anfield, with a goal from the Norwegian central defender, Dan Eggen after 78 minutes. How much money on it being from a set piece?Eggen later became a manager of a rock band El Caco! 

Back to Ebbe, who will be remembered by Scottish fans too, as he had a successful spell at Aberdeen, post Ferguson. Between 1999 and 2003, he brought his "Brondby Model" to Aberdeen, a scheme that made a small club successful, self-sustaining and able to challenge the top clubs in the league. At this time of course, Rangers and Celtic were leaders.

Skovdahl's intelligence, wit and relaxed manner attracted the press and despite being suspicious of his "European" training methods, they enjoyed his warmth and amusing quotes. One that stands out was his reference to Aberdeen's Norwegian striker, Arild Stavrum whose shot to goal ratio was better than Celtic's famous forward Henrik Larsson; He reminded the press that used statistics were "like mini-skirts"........ "They give you good ideas but hide important things". His comments also were sometimes lost in translation, for example, when he described winger Peter Loverkrands as "as quick as a sack of cheetahs". 

He won over the Aberdeen fans, which was lucky as their team finished bottom in the Premier League in 2000, but were spared relegation when Falkirk's stadium didn't match up to PL standards. The Dons did however get to both Scottish domestic finals that season, with no success. In 2002, his team did come 4th, despite a 0-7 defeat by Celtic. Ebbe said about the game, "the operation was successful, but the patient died". Despite his best efforts, Skovdahl left the club the next season.

His last assignment was with Boldklubben Frem between 2003-5, when the club was relegated.

Nearly gave you Frem's badge but I thought this was more amusing. Don't get too close to that man smoking a fag, you Middlefart lot........

GEOFF HURST AND CHELSEA

With much news about dementia and other football related illnesses, I thought mentioning Geoff Hurst today might be appropriate. On November 17th in 1998, Geoff was given his Knighthood, the third member of the 1966 World Cup Squad to receive a "Royal Award". Sir Alf, of course, was the first  in 1967 and Bobby Charlton received his award in 1994. Hurst said the recognition was more important to him than his World Cup "hat trick" against West Germany.

Hurst did spend some time as manager (1979-80) at Chelsea, towards the end of his career and indeed visited my school, Charterhouse, with a mixture of senior players, coaches including the enthusiastic Bobby Gould and youngsters to train on our pitches and play a training game against a "School XI", boys, Old Boys and staff. 

Geoff is talking about Dementia on Talksport this afternoon. You might get it on "catch up".

Further back in history, Chelsea, founded March 9th 1905, on November 18th 1905, were playing their first season in the Football League.* The club, founded by the Mears' family, was sited in the borough of Fulham, could not have been called Fulham FC, because the club already existed. The club mulled over names such as London FC, Kensington FC, Stamford Bridge FC but settled on Chelsea. 

Since it was their first season, they had to play in the Qualifying Rounds of the FA Cup, causing fixture congestion. To catch up, Chelsea had to play two matches in a day. The "First Team" met Burnley at Stamford Bridge in a Second Division game and won 1-0. The First team's end of season was: P38 W22 D9 L7 F90 A37 Pts53 Pos:3rd.

The Chelsea Reserves, who played in the South Eastern League, were sent to Crystal Palace, a Southern League club at the time, for a Third Qualifying Rd tie in the FA Cup. They lost 1-7. It is still the worst defeat for a League side against a "Non-League club" in the cup.                                                                

Prior to this embarrassment, Chelsea (below) had beaten the First Grenadier Guards in the First Qualifying Rd 6-1, then beat Southend United 1-0 before meeting Crystal Palace. Palace were later knocked out in Rd One by Blackpool. They won the Second Division of the Southern League that season.   

 

In that division, Bristol City won it with 13 points more than Chelsea and Man Utd came runners up 9 pts ahead. 67,000 watched Chelsea play United at Stamford Brdige on March 13th. These three met teams in the league like Clapton Orient (who eventually came 20th/20), Glossop (16th), Gainsborough Trinity (15th), Leeds City (6th), Burselm Port Vale (17th) and Leicester Fosse (7th), You can work out which are still League clubs today.

* New teams to join Chelsea in the Football League that season were Leeds City, Clapton Orient and Hull City.

EBOR WILLIAMS TRAILERS

If you have been listening to the news (sports' news that is) you will have heard the following football related terms; AFC Wrexham, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in a sentence.  There is a club "take over" in the offing and one of the more well known Welsh football teams is making the headlines. Tonight Wrexham travel across country (Wales) and across country again (England) to Hartlepool where they will indulge in a Conference Premier game kicking off at 7pm. When and how they travel? where they stay? heavens knows. Its a long way to go for a footy match, especially during these days, and it's expensive. Where does the money come from?

Wrexham is the oldest football club in Wales and claims to be the third oldest professional club in the UK, or was it Britain (NO!! It claims to be "in the World"). Their first fixture was against The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade on 22nd October 1864. The two teams varied between 15 a side to 11 and there would have been "local rules". More recently Wrexham fell out of the Football League in 2007-8 and played in the Conference and the National League (lounging at the bottom at the moment) having been in the Play Offs last season.

Looking up "oldest football clubs" you might find Huddersfield on show, but almost certainly this would have been for an early version of  "rugby football" and of course it was "league rules" not "union". Wrexham began as many other clubs, as a cricket club, with the desire to play something in the winter to keep fit. Sheffield FC began that way in 1857, there is Cray, Hallam, Notts County and Nottingham Forest-the oldest known. In Edinburgh there is evidence of football in 1824, with 39 players in their club. The Brewers' Company of London was up to something in 1421, hiring out a "hall" for 20p for "football players". The Gymnastic Society of London in the 1750s pursued football and wrestling, meeting on Kennington Common from 1789. There are plenty of other references. In 1890 the club joined the "Combination League", a league formed from Northern and Midland clubs. There was a period in the Welsh Senior League and then the Birmingham and District League before joining the Football League Div 3 North in 1921.

Wrexham became "Supporter owned" in August 2011 and now the rescue package has been put in place with the investment from Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds and the Wrexham supporters' agreement. See above. The coming together has been done "virtually" and appears to be secured and the aim to produce a "GLOBAL FORCE",

Ryan Reynolds has been in action with a Canadian Soap "Hillside", they appeared in "Two Guys and a Girl" 1998-01, then Deadpool and Superhero stuff. His two wives have been Scarlett Johansson and lately Blake Lively.

Rob McElhenney, is of Irish descent, and married to Kaitlin Olson, actress, comedian and "producer"...they have two children. Rob's mother came out as lesbian when he was 8 and two of his brothers are gay. Sport has never been far away, as a cousin was a cox in the USA eight in the 2008 Olympics and his wife went into labour with their first son while watching a Philadelphia Phillies game! You must see this! Its a message from the chaps and sponsors-not the missus going into labour!

https://twitter.com/Wrexham_AFC/status/1328339177746927624?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

NEW KIM-A FLIGHT OF FANCY

 A two year old racing pigeon, New Kim, best young bird in Belgium, has been sold to a Chinese buyer for £1.4m, a record fee. The pigeon from Belgium, is, along with all his mates, highly prized, as are all racing pigeons from Belgium, the home of the racing pigeon sport. Whilst pigeon racing in Britain has been losing popularity over recent years, it has had a boost when it became the first sport to return to action following the coronavirus lockdown. No country has such a concentration of pigeon enthusiasts like Belgium, with over 20,000 fanciers competing at a "Champions' League" type competition. The pigeon will be put out to "stud", along with over 400 other birds from the same coop, raking in over £4.5m.

It is no wonder then that Belgium Football also has such a high profile. After all, with a population of 11.6 million, there must be a huge choice of...........errr, that doesn't make sense, England's population is around 56 million-where/when did it go so wrong?

It was the introduction in the 19th Century, of English teachers to schools in the Low Countries, following on from British seamen playing the game in and around the various docks in northern Europe. The Belgians raided Britain and brought teachers into their education system, the teachers, usually young and vigorous men prepared to take a risk, creating a hot bed of football. Actually many of these football "clubs" emerged from sporting clubs already existing, such as those involved in pigeon racing, cycling ("flat" land!!) and ironically shooting clubs (beware pigeons). In 1895 a Belgian League was started.

The first Belgian international was held in 1904 v France a 3-3 draw. Their 1909 match between England Amateur XI and a Belgium XI (below) ended 11-2!

England and Belgium have met 25 times in history, with England winning 16 times, draws 4 and Belgium's wins 5. 

The first match between the two Associations was in May 1921 with Charles Buchan, leading an English victory 0-2 away, on tour. There were then only nine meetings with 8 English wins and one draw until the next Belgian win on May 9th 1936, 3-2, away in Brussels. Journalist, Bernard Joy played in the English side.

The two countries met after the War, with the next English defeat in May 1998 when playing in a King Hassan II tournament in Casablanca. Following a 0-0 draw, Belgium won on penalties 4-3. 

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Belgium beat England 1-0 in a group game and then 2-0 in the Third Place play off. This was England's 100th game at a major tournament (69 in World Cup and 31 in European Champs).                 Belgium is currently ranked 1st by FIFA.

CAN HARRY STEAL THE MOMENT?

The might of Belgium tonight! Don't laugh they top our UEFA Nations League AG2 group. 

So far, England has beaten Iceland 0-1 away, drawn with Denmark 0-0 away, beaten Belgium at home 2-1, lost to Denmark at home 0-1 in their group league. 

Belgium top the league, Denmark 2nd and England 3rd. Iceland played 4 lost 4 are 4th. In the 2018 Russia World Cup England lost 2-0 to Belgium in a play off for third place. Earlier they lost 0-1 to Belgium in their Group Stage. The other two countries in the group? Tunisia (2-1: Kane 2) and Panama (6-1: Kane 3)...TOUGH!

The highlight today  is Harry Kane's 50th cap, an achievement described as "absolutely phenomenal" by Gareth. The game is being played at the King Power Stadium (Leuven) not Leicester. Kane has 32 goals in 49 appearances with only Jimmy Greaves better than him with 43 international goals.

(other England top goalscorers include Rooney 53, Charlton R 49, Lineker 48, Owen 44)

Greaves played 5130 minutes for England over 57 games = a goal every 117 minutes.                      Kane so far = 118.

Greaves' last cap was won at the age of 27 years and 3 months, a month older than Kane now. His injury affected his final period of international football and of course he missed out in the 1966 World Cup, his last game in that tournament First Round on 20th July v France-a 2-0 win, with both goals from Roger Hunt. Greaves had scored 4 in a World Cup warm up v Norway on June 29th in Oslo, Greaves played in the next 4 games before the French game scoring no goals. Hunt, Hurst and Charlton left no place for him as they combined through to the famous final v West Germany. 

In 1967/8 Greaves had scored 23 goals in 39 league games but as far as Ramsey was concerned, Greaves was history.

Kane is scoring at a better rate that Lineker, Rooney and Bobby Charlton. Kane has scored 200 goals for Spurs in 300 games (including 150 games  in PL), a remarkable return...he is also hoping for a remarkable return of his £100,000 Range Rover, stolen from his Chingford home recently.

Dele Alli and Vertonghen have both been targetted by "armed raiders" recently. Dangerous place Essex.

GEORGIA ON OUR MIND

Yes, its an opposition for our English rugby team today (should be an easy win ) but why not dip into the Geography of Europe and find out about their round ball team? Where is Georgia? It's here: 

so that's that. 

Their national football team started up in 1990, when the country was still part of the Soviet Union. The nation's initial match was a 2-2 draw played out against Lithuania. The first major footballing achievement was to play in the 1996 Euros with not a lot of success. But they have played Wales five times and have won 5-0 away and 1-0 at home in the 1994-5 UEFA tournament. In a friendly they beat Wales 1-2 in an away 2008 friendly. Then they drew 1-1 at home with Wales in 2016 and have since won 0-1 away against Wales in FIFA World Cup ties. 

In the UEFA Championship they have beaten Scotland 2-0 and 1-0 and lost 1-2 and 0-1. In 1996-7 England beat Georgia 2-0 twice in World Cup qualifying.

Northern Ireland have played them once in a friendly and 4-1 in 2008 in a friendly.

Best known player, Jaba Kankava is captain and has won 90 caps, playing from the Tobol Club in Kazakhstan. Gia Grigalava plays for Arsenal.... Tula in Russia. Their most historic past player will be Levan Kobiashvilli who won 100 caps and scored 12 goals-not a forward then? He later became the President of the Georgian Football Federation and became a Member of Parliament.

To celebrate their independence, the national team played local rivals, Moldova in April 1991 and then joined UEFA and FIFA in 1992. Their first official game was against Moldova again in September 1994 losing 0-1.

Past fixtures include 8/10 (Euros) v Belarus  1-0; 11/10 (Nations League) v Armenia 2-2; 14/10 (National League) v North Macedonia 1-1; 12/11 (Euros) v North Macedonia 0-1

Next fixtures for Georgia are matches against Armenia tomorrow and Estonia in the Nations League on the 18th.

Just heard about this goal on the wireless:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYD_L7qzRss

SIMONSEN AND QUIXALL

 

I wonder if anyone out there remembers Allan Simonsen, the Danish midfielder, who played at his best between 1972-83, although he proved a useful asset to his nation's club Vijle, from Jutland, during his initial season 1971-2 (42 apps/16 goals) and his final seasons 1983-9 (166 apps/70 goals). From 1972 till 1986 he won 55 caps for his country and scored 20 goals.

He also played in the 1972 Summer Olympics for Denmark and in 1984 the European Championships and in 1986 in the World Cup.

From Vijle he went to Borussia Monchengladbach (1972-9), then Barcelona 1979-82, was replaced by Maradona and then he turned down an approach from Spurs, joining Charlton Athletic during their top flight season (1982-3), a club where he wanted to guarantee being picked! He cost Charlton a lot in wages. Despite doubling the crowd, the 'Latics couldn't afford him and after 4 months, Allan was moved back to his "home" club.

He has been European Footballer of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or 1976-7 and was honoured by being placed in the Danish Hall of Fame.

Later he managed Vejle, The Faroe Islands for seven years (8 wins 7 draws 37 losses), Luxembourg for 4 draws and 23 defeats. 

On this day too, I also celebrate Albert Quixall, who died today, aged 87. He was one of those baby faced footballers who appeared on the pages of Charles Buchan Football Annuals, looking like a teenager who had the world at his feet. He was the "Golden Boy" of soccer for a short time!

He was born in Sheffield, played for Wednesday 1950-8 (241 apps/63goals), was transferred to Manchester United 1958-64 (165/50) where he should have made his fortune but then he drifted to Oldham (who signed him for £7,000), Stockport County, Altrincham and Radcliffe Borough. He played 450 games and scored 124 goals. He played for England 5 times in 1954-5. He ended his time owning a scrap metal firm.

Matt Busby signed him post Munich for a RECORD fee of £45,000 and the idea was that he would supply Bobby Charlton with opportunities to score goals. Quixall won an FA Cup medal in 1963.

UEFA EURO 2020 QUALIFYING PLAY OFFS

Its a big day for the Scottish FA as their senior team takes on the might of Serbia in the Red Star Stadium, Belgrade. It's a Euro 2020 qualifying FINAL through Path C, as the Scots hope to progress to more important fixtures if this dreadful Covid affected football tournament allows.

Serbia sneaked through their semi-final match against Norway 1-2 away aet. actually quite a good result, whilst the Scots overcame Israel 5-3 pens after a 0-0 draw at Hampden in their semi.

In Path B (another track of matches in this complex tournament), Northern Ireland continue their progress with a play off against Slovakia at Windsor Park, Belfast, tonight. Previously they had beaten Bosnia and Herz 1-1 (4-3 on pens), whilst neighbours, the Republic of Ireland had fallen to Slovakia 0-0 (2-4 on pens). Untimiely considering Jack Charlton's sad death.

In Path A, Hungary play Iceland in Budapest while in the Path D final, Georgia meet North Macedonia in the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Stadium, Tbilisi with England's Anthony Taylor blowing the whistle. Lucky chap!

Our brave boys under Gareth's wing will try their luck in the Nation's League game against Iceland and I believe it's going to be at Wembley, on Wednesday, after the Government exemption was given to the away side. England beat Iceland in Reykjavik 1-0 in September. The game is not entirely confirmed as yet.

Iceland play away in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sunday and will be looking for a safe "corridor" before meeting the English. Much depends on the health of the Denmark's mink farms where a new strain of the "virus" has been discovered! Previously Germany and Albania had offered venues to host the match. 

REMEMBRANCE

NOVEMBER 11th 2020. Remembrance Day; this morning I walked around a local reservoir and en route, at 11am, listened to the Last Post through my phone. On this day in 2016, in a World Cup Qualifier, England played Scotland at Wembley and as tradition expects, there was a full display of "Remembrance" on Armistice Day. There was a minute's silence, the Last Post, Poppies on the big screens, "Remembrance" T Shirts and what does FIFA do? Yep, fine the English FA £35,000, for displaying political and religious, patriotic emblems and symbols in front of over 87,000. England won 3-0, with goals from Sturridge, Lallana and Cahill. This was the first time the two rivals had met at the "new Wembley" and they had not been drawn together in a major tournament since 1954.

These links were blogs from the past:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/1921949639953327497?hl=en-GB

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/4342649740921989264 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/7128241564649487401

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/4827139296593463001

TONY WAITERS GOALKEEPER

If you asked me to name England's goalkeepers winning caps in the 1960s, I would start with Gordon Banks obviously. Ron Springett (Sheff W) and Peter Bonetti (Chelsea) would also get a mention having been in the 1966 World Cup squad. In 1962 they would be Alan Hodgkinson (Sheff Utd) and Ron Springett (QPR then Sheff Wed) again. 

Going one era back, in 1958 Colin MacDonald (Burnley) and Eddie Hopkinson (Bolton W) stood in net. But if you look at the playing record through the Sixties, 

Banks held the position mostly with 73 caps 1963-72; died February 2019.                                                Bonetti died in April this year; won 7 caps from 1966-70.                                                                          Springett died September 2015; 33 caps  1959-66                                                                                Hodgkinson died December 2015; 5 caps from 1957-60

In 1964 Tony Waiters played in goal only five times for England; he died today aged 83. 

Waiters was born in Southport in 1937 and I knew about Tony because he played for local Blackpool over 250 times and the Seasiders were my favourite team when I was in "single figures". Waiters was an England international ( a back up for Gordon Banks in 1966), played in NASL Championship when USA Soccer got started and he took his skills over the Atlantic and ended up as the National Coach for Canada, taking them to the 1986 World Cup.

His clubs started with Bishop Auckland in the North-east in 1957 and at this time he played for the England Amateur team when at Loughborough College. 

He then went to Macclesfield Town (very much in the news now, with their precarious place in the National League), Blackpool from 1959-67, as back up for the ageing George Farm. Blackpool were relegated from Division One in 1967 and Waiters "retired". He joined local Burnley, at the end of his English playing career in 1970 and was brought out of retirement to play in their goal in an emergency and he then managed Plymouth Argyle from 1972-7. 

As a coach he worked for the English FA and coached the England Youth squad in Italy in 1973. He helped Plymouth Argyle to promotion from the Third Division in 1975 and went abroad!

He was with Vancouver Whitecaps from 1977-9, topping the New York Cosmos in the NAS League and managed the Canadian National side from 1981 for ten years, taking them to the 1984 Olympics.  Although the Canadian World Cup side didn't score a goal in the qualification process his team only lost to France 0-1.

Waiters then ran the "World of Soccer" Company, introduced ACE Coaching Cards, headed Total Player Development, launched Byte Size Coaching and worked for NSCA America.

TINSLEY LINDLEY, TRUMPY, BREXITY, VARDY

Donald Trump was an important news item earlier today, but his presence is fading thankfully. On November 9th 2016, Donald was named President of the US of A, months after Europe and England separated through the Brexit Vote and earlier in 2016, Leicester City won the Premier League against all odds; underdogs were prepared to take a chance. Not many will put Trump, Brexit and Vardy in one sentence. Here are three links to previous blogs that involved November 9th......and Tinsley Lindley.....he was awarded the OBE for his services to the Nottinghamshire Special Constabulary and the Territorial Association. His story will be found below:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/6128433697893473647 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/5596806971745759768

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/6127592088920967899

LORD NINIAN RIP

 

It's Remembrance Sunday, so what better than to mark the day with the story of Ninian Park, Leckwith, Cardiff, once the home of Cardiff City FC and a stadium that has hoste many other events.

Riverside AFC, the original name for Cardiff City FC, led to the founding of the club in 1909, their pitch was sited at Sophia Gardens, on the banks of the River Taff, a green space, which still hosts Glamorgan CCC and MCC cricket. 

The photo left is Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Ninian Crichton-Stuart, whose father was the Third Marquess of Bute (don't even think about it). Ninian was an Harrovian and later was educated at Oxford (weren't they all). An MP, he was killed in the First World War at the Battle of Loos. He was one of 22 MPs to suffer at the hands of the enemy in that war. Ninian was a major "guarantor" for the ground's finances and so the stadium was named after him.

Cardiff City soon found that their ground's facilities were not suitable to join the newly formed Southern Football League in 1908. Local lithographic artist and Riverside AFC club founder, Bartley Wilson, with others, helped fund the move of the club to the site of "a Cardiff rubbish tip", where the new stadium was to be constructed from 1909. The opening friendly match was played there against the Football League Champions, Aston Villa, on September 1st 1910. Lord Ninian was invited to take a ceremonial kick off and soon Cardiff City FC was able to join the Southern League 2nd Division. 

The Welsh national team has played at Ninian Park 84 times, the first match v Scotland, a 2-2 draw on March 6th 1911. 17,000 watched the game in a stadium that was described as "primitive". From then locals were regularly paid 6d an hour to help clear the pitch and its surrounds of building debris and so on, left dangerously on the pitch after the construction. The famous Billy Meredith , who played many times for Wales, suffered a gashed knee at this time, as did others who "found" stone etc in the turf.

The ground was a good omen nevertheless, so in 1912-3 Cardiff were promoted to the Southern League First Division and in 1920-1 to the Football League Second Division, where 28,000 attended regular home games. Cardiff were division runners-up, by goal "average" in that season. In 1921-2 Spurs, FA Cup holders, visited and 55,000 saw the game. Spurs were eventually the division runners-up and Cardiff came 4th. 

In 1923-4 Cardiff were division runners-up again and of course, in 1927, they took the FA Cup out of England for the first time beating Arsenal at Wembley. In 1928-9, Cardiff came last in the First Division and were relegated. In 1930-1 they were relegated again to the Third Division South where in 1933-4 they were bottom of that division. A rapid decline.

Over 62,000 attended the Wales v England international at Ninian Park, on 17th October 1959.

Other events held at Ninian Park include The Commonwealth Games show jumping, Pope John Paul''s pilgrimage, both rugby codes, Bob Marley and so on. It was demolished in 2009.

Below is the old centre circle/spot, on Bartley Wilson Way, midst 142 homes, built by 2010. The ground's gates were erected at the estate entrance with the Cardiff FC Bluebird logo attached. One has been stolen.

SAINTS AND STAGS IN THE DALE

It's been an historic day as Southampton FC found themselves top of the Premier League for the first time since 1988, following a 2-0 win over Newcastle;..in those days, Alan Shearer was a Saint; 32 years waiting. Clubs that have been never at the top of the PL or a long time since being top;                            Brighton never....others.................

Wolves 58 years+ (5/10/62), Sheffield United 49+ years, Burnley 47+, West Brom 41+ and Crystal Palace 41+. There are others but not so spectacular.

On this day, in 2015, Bournemouth the most southerly PL club lost to the most northerly PL club, Newcastle Utd 0-1. And, as if it had been planned by a gegraphy teacher, Norwich City (the most easterly PL club) beat, yes you guessed it, Swansea City 1-0, the most westerly PL club. 

In 1987 (on this day) Division 2 club Huddersfield Town met rivals Manchester City at Maine Road and lost 10-1. 

On November 7th 1931, Rochdale, at home, beat New Brighton (a Lancashire coastal club) in a League Division 3 North match 3-2 and didn't win another game. They lost 26, including an FA Cup tie and drew with New Brighton 1-1 away in March.  On December 25th Rochdale lost to Tranmere Rovers away 1-9 and the next day, improved at home, losing just 3-6. They gathered 8 points by Oct 3rd, at the beginning of the campaign and managed 11 pts by the end of the season. 

Fellow Div 3 North club, Wigan Borough, resigned from the division and therefore the Football League on October 26th, due to financial issues. They had not played Rochdale, who were "re-elected" to the League. 

Two clubs were not elected to join the league; Rhyl and Wigan Athletic! At the end of this season Mansfield Town moved from Div 3 South to Div 3 North. The Stags' new manager, appointed this week, of course, is Nigel Clough.