Most of my "dozens of readers" will remember Eric Morecambe, a comedian, in a pair with Ernie Wise, who graced our stages and TVs for decades. Eric was born, John Eric Batholomew in May 1926. He died on 28 May 1984 and coming soon is an FA Cup tie between Morecambe FC and Tottenham Hotspurs in the Third Round tie on January 9th 2022. This will be the first tie between the two clubs and one that would have got Eric's juices going.
Morecambe FC was promoted to the Football League 2 in 2007/8. Recently, they were promoted to League One for 2021/2, having finished fourth in League 2 in 2020/1.
Previously, this season, in the Cup, Morecambe had beaten Notts County 1-0 in Round One, then Buxton away 0-1 in R2 and now that the Third Round of the Cup has opened up to inlude the "elite", The Shrimps had the "luck of the draw" with a brlliant and lucrative tie at Spurs' new home.
Luton Town FC may be a long way from the North-west seaside resort of Morecambe but the two places are closely linked by Eric, who made it quite clear on telly and stage, that he was Luton Town fan. In October 2014, the famous and much visited statue of Eric was vandalised on Morecambe promenade. After Eric had died, a statue was unveiled by the Queen in 1999, but he was sawn off at the leg and in the end carted off in an undignified way, a sad site.
On Saturday December 13th 2014, The Hatters were aiming for more than just three points in their League 2 game at Morecambe at The Globe Area. A crowd of 2,263 came to watch the League Two match and to see the replaced statue.
Thankfully, there was good news to report because two days before the Hatters and Morecambe met at the Globe Arena, the restored statue of the beloved Eric was unveiled back in its rightful place. To mark the special occasion and following Football League approval, the League 2 fixture between the Hatters and Morecambe also saw the inaugural Eric Morecambe Trophy contested – a piece of unique silverware designed by the statue’s own sculptor Graham Ibbeson.
Both clubs urged their sets of supporters to embrace the day’s significance. Fancy dress was the order of the day, and to don a cap and black-rimmed glasses allowed taking part in the pre-match or half-time entertainment. It was what Eric would have wanted (well, apart from a Luton win of course!).
Town chief executive Gary Sweet told the Luton Town website at the time: “I was absolutely gobsmacked when I heard the news about the vandals attacking ‘our Eric’ and we’re delighted that not only will he be back on his feet, but we’re able to join Morecambe in celebrating Eric’s tie with both clubs. Eric did so much to raise the profile of Luton Town, he is our most famous supporter of all-time and we’re proud to have such an affinity with a man whose legacy still very much lives on at Kenilworth Road."
“The day of the Morecambe match promised to be a marvellous occasion for both clubs. Luton was his team and Morecambe was his town, and both clubs were looking forward to witnessing a League match with a little bit more riding on it…Eric was counting on the two clubs!”
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