SIGNED PROGRAMMES

My son, no mean footballer, has a job that takes him to the inner sanctum of most European football clubs. His latest venture was into Old Trafford for the UEFA Champions League Group H match between United and Juventus. Cunningly he gets a programme, one of many I guess provided for his job, and finds a celebrity who politely obliges to sign the programme. So today I acquired the 23rd October 2018 UEFA Champions League programme signed by Denis Law.

Couldn't ask for more, could I? The tie played on October 23rd 2018 resulted in a 1-0 loss for United at home (74,000) and a 2-1 win away (42,000).


Son knows that he is contributing to a considerable collection of programmes, dating to the early 1960s, some in terrific conditions, some signed, so a bit scruffy. But if treated seriously, they will fetch a "small fortune" in the future. I'm leaving the pile to him in my will!!

Back to United and Juve, the two massive clubs have played each other 14 times in similar ties with results even at P14 W6 D2 L6.
The first combat was a 2nd Round tie played on the 20th October 1976 at Old Trafford with a 1-0 win for United. 59,000 attended.
The return was a 0-3 defeat away on 3rd November 1976. Over 66,000 saw this.
The United squad included: Stepney, Houston, Nicholl, Greenhoff, Albiston, Coppell, Daly, McIlroy, Macari, Pearson, Hill, McCreery and Paterson (born Elgin, played for Nairn County!).

Since then they have met in 1984 Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final (loss 2-3), 1996 (1-3) , 1997 (3-3), 1999 (4-3) and 2003 (5-1).
The other 1984 semi-final included Aberdeen versus Porto, who won 0-2 during the Ferguson era. Sir Alex, of course, joined United in 1986.

POSH PIZZA

Peter Boizot died recently aged 89 and his obituary may be read in several national papers today. Who, why? Peter Boizot was a self made man who invested money in his local Football League Club, Peterborough United.

He was born into a modest family, near the city and during his early years he enjoyed singing in the Cathedral choir and worked hard in the class room, gaining a place at St Catharine's College, Cambridge to read History. He loved the Mediterranean life style, travel, jazz and sports especially hockey and soccer. Having introduced pizza to an English "audience" that didn't really appreciate the Italian dish, he gradually made money through Pizza Express, with cute selling techniques, jazz entertainment and other novel additions to the dining experience. Anybody keen on making a fortune should read about his life and simple ideas for a few tips.

I am interested in Peter Boizot because I met him occasionally at college reunions and watched jealously, as his kind donations to "our" college sports' fund usually gave hockey a financial boost, a sport he continued to play into later life. He didn't need to improve the soccer pitches at Cambridge colleges, which of course were set on the land where the FA Laws were seriously modified, as early as the 1850s and of course were flat as pancakes, on very fertile Fenland soil.

This weekend the crowd at the ABAX Stadium, Peterborough United, from League One, will pay tribute to a man who gave the Posh a push. His investment during the 1990s led them to promotion in 2000 as his left Pizza Express to find its own way, whilst he indulged in his favourite sports with a joy for life.

In 1921 local coach, Pat Tirrell, announced that was looking for Posh Players to play in a Posh Football team, when he founded Fletton United. In 1923 he added Peterborough to the club name, hoping to attract local businesses to finance his campaign as they joined the Southern League. At that time the club was fondly known as the Brickies, linked to the local industry.
In 1932 the club went bankrupt and it reformed in 1934 as Peterborough United, playing in the Midland League. Posh joined the Football League in 1960 and immediately won the Division 4 title. They also has quite a reputation as FA and other Cup giant killers and for winning the Football League Trophy in 2013-14. Centre-forward Terry Bly holds a record that still stands, for scoring 52 goals in the 1960-1 league season.
In 2002, Victoria Beckham filed a complaint to the UK Patent office over the use of the name Posh. Her claim was unsuccessful.

WOMEN AND BEER

I was travelling through the "borderlands yesterday", yes that bit between the West Midlands and Wales, so I never had time to write last night (I was at the Old Charterhouse in London where the Carthusians first played their "mob" game of football).

On December 5th 1921, the FA thought about women and football and decided that they should not play the game; after all it was the invention of the FA, which at the time most certainly would have been an all male affair. So NA na nya na.
The stiff shirted FA gentlemen actually couldn't stop women from running around with a football, but they could ban any FA member club from hosting a women's match. So they did and that ban was not lifted until 1971. All those wasted years.

If you more on women and soccer then have a look at this lot:
https://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com/2017/07/dickladies-and-co.html

On this same day in 2005 Paul Gascoigne was relieved of his managerial duties at Northern Conference side Kettering Town. He has overseen two wins, two draws and two losses in the first six games of his reign, but it wasn't the points that upset the committee, it was the PINTS! Yes they sacked him for drinking too much. No duty of care there then? It was worth a book though.

CECIL POYNTON SENT OFF

Cecil Poynton won't cut a lot of mustard with many of you, but any Spurs' supporter will recognise the name, as a man who was "trainer" at White Hart Lane from 1945 through to 1972, a period when Tottenham won trophies!
Cecil joined Spurs as a player in August 1922 having started his football career with local club Ton Pentre- yes that's in Wales.
He made his debut against Birmingham City in December 1923 appearing 158 times at left back. He was sent off playing in a league game against Stoke City on October 27th 1928. He retired from playing in 1932 and took on the role as Spurs' "Trainer", a post he held until 1972. He died in 1983.

Spurs did not suffer many sendings off.

Frank Saul became the next Spurs' player to be sent off in a league game when he had his marching orders against Burnley at Turf Moor on 4th December 1965. Frank then went on to Southampton, QPR, Millwall and Dagenham, played 116 times for Spurs. He later became a builder in Essex.

Jimmy Greaves had his marching orders in a Cup Winners Cup semi-final against OFK Belgrade, when he retaliated to being targeted by the opposition. This was another "next" sending off, but not a league game.
Spurs, of course, became the first English club to win a European final.

JIM, PAT AND PELE

December 3rd 1960 saw Chelsea thump West Bromwich Albion 7-1 in the League and Jimmy Greaves scored 5 of them. They might be here??
Peter Brabrook and Ron Tindall finished it off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTtpd07cIA8
In 1986 Pat Jennings played his final organised game when he turned out for a British XI against an International XI at Windsor Park, Belfast. His last official appearance was for Northern Ireland in the 1986 World Cup v Brazil. Jennings won 119 caps overall. he made his 1000 appearance at WBA for Arsenal on 28th February 1983 in a 0-0 draw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8-5b8rZGI  Hold onto the video for a while, there is a spectacular save after 1 min and 8 secs! amonhst many others.

In 1997 Brazilian super star Pele was awarded the KBE, an Honorary knighthood, at Buckingham Palace. Don't think Pele has any link with WBA??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QEmnP48PEc

BIG DAY FOR FOOTBALL AND UNIONS

Wow! Just recovering from the big game; its 4.30 and I'm not sure I can take the Merseyside Derby as well. Yes Hepworth Junior FC Under 15s have just beaten, this morning, the league leaders (Div 6-last one in the year group) St Columba's FC 6-3. We are second.......

Ok, seriously, I was battered by the North London derby on TV. A heavy heart. What about the young Argentinian defender who keeps giving the ball to the opposition-no not in my U15s, the professional Spurs side??!!?

There was a big game on this day in 1948 with Southampton's Alf Ramsey making his debut in an England shirt at Highbury against Switzerland. England won 6-0 and Alf continued having a connection with the national side for a few more years on.
Ted Ditchburn made his goalkeeping debut too as did Jack Haines and Johnny Hancocks. Billy Wright was captain that day, having accumulated a huge number of 18 caps. Stanley Matthews was top man with 29 caps and in is prime.

Jack Haines came from Worcestershire, played mainly for Bradford Park Avenue, scored twice in this game and was never picked again!
Ted Ditchburn joined Spurs after the War and played over 400 games during the "push and run" episode attributed to Tottenham and manager Arthur Rowe in the 1950s. Ted was an expert at the "short throw" to start moves.

Johnny Hancocks, playing for Wrekin Schools as a junior, debuted for Wolves in 1946 and having made his international debut against Switzerland scoring 2 goals, he played twice more only for England.

On this day, in terms of more international football, England lost the chance to host either the 2018 and the 2022 World Cup Finals. England got 2 votes out of 22 votes in the first "round" of voting and so Russia got the 2018, Qatar the 2022. No controversy then.

Oh and today in 1907, The Association Football Players and Trainers Union (known as the PFA) was formed in the Manchester Imperial Hotel, which is the World's oldest Professional Sports' Trade Union. The first matter to deal with was the issue of the maximum wage at £4.

SPURS PARKED THE BUS BUT NOT AT THE BRIDGE

December 1st, I saw a man buying a Christmas tree this morning, surely too early? On this day in 1990 Tottenham were on their way to Chelsea for a league game, yes by coach to Stamford Bridge. Presumably from the training ground. On the way the coach stopped, with the entourage, at a Hotel restaurant, to allow them all a spot of lunch.
The driver parked the coach in the wrong place and it got a ticket and was clamped after a further amount of time! Where was the driver? Even worse, since nothing had been done to move the coach, presumably the team was still gorging itself on trifle and ice cream, it was towed away. with the kit in it.

Luckily one way and another the chaps got to the ground and rustled up some kit. Oh yes, they lost 2-3. Gascoigne and Lineker scored and at 3-1 down they missed a penalty.
Rest of Spurs team: Thorstvedt, Van den Hauwe, Thomas, Tuttle (who?), Mabbutt, Allen, Howells, Nayim and Stewart. Underground?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSa8uHmTDQk