Lots of double letters!! Have you been to Buccleuch? The Scottish settlement, which is near the English border and one could easily be on Scottish soil; or one step south? Trapped between the local cricket ground and youngsters keen on kicking around on a small pitch, I enjoyed Scottish hospitality, a while back.
I noticed the local football club, Reeth FC, that was granted over £600,000 from the charitable Football Foundation, to build a clubhouse and an all weather pitch to serve the community. This blog is about the Scottish borders! BUT.....more importantly.....a local lad....
Jimmy Frizzell, living in Oldham, passed away, on the 3rd July 2016, at 79 years old.
Jimmy was born in Greenock, Scotland. He started his career at Greenock in 1957 and played 41 games before signing for Oldham Athletic. From 1960-82, he played 318 times scoring 56 goals. He then coached under the well known, Jack Rowley (a prolific goalscorer 504 apps 238 goals) between 1968-9, before taking over as manager between 1970-82. He was at Boundary Park for 22 years.
His club was lifted from almost dropping out of the League in 1970 to promotion the following year and rising to Division 2 in 1974.
In 1982 Jimmy was dismissed and was, at the time, the longest serving manager in the Football League. He briefly worked along side Joe Royle at the end of his career.
In 1984 he joined Manchester City but was sacked in 1987 as the Blues were relegated to Division 2. Hard to imagine!! He stayed at the club, as a scout from 1994-8 and was made a Patron of the Latics Trust in 2004.
The Manchester club announced their gratitude for Jimmy's support in the past. Salt of the Earth. Much has changed at City! I wonder if they still remember Jimmy?
Thinking of Jimmy's achievements at Boundary Park, they tend to be overshadowed by the Joe Royle Era. But, Jimmy worked miracles, dragging City from the depths of the 4th Division, to become a very established Championship side.
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