Dickie Down

I'd go for David Shaw and Tommy Bryceland along with those. The forward line of Heath, Shaw, Fryatt, Bryceland and Bebbington generally provided something to talk about.

He was absolute box office for a couple of seasons before he got bored and fed up. A tremendous individual player, yet if I were picking my all time Latics team I would have Rick Holden for his all round contribution. Both interesting characters.

Indeed. We're in a difficult position in regards to failing players. I assume we pay top dollar for this league. Can't get rid of them upwards.Downwards and sideways mostly can't afford their wages. We need to show very good judgement in who we sign.

As I recall the description of a Tranmere fan was of someone who is pragmatic. On the Nuttall business, we are more vulnerable to this sort of scenario because we have changed managers so frequently over the years. The new man always has players he doesn't fancy. In this case one on a long and lucrative contract. I get the impression that Nuttall doesn't much like being a footballer anymore and we're his last big wage.

Probably playing hardball for a contract termination and a deal coming closely behind.

I too feel that after a generation of snakes, we are finally on the lower rungs of a decent ladder.

Best home performance for a long while. The only downside of the night was the Boundary Bulletin feature on the great Maurice Whittle, which was illustrated with a picture of George Jones. Conlon's late free kick was almost an homage to Maurice.

I wonder if Scott Quigley would be the more likely signing from Eastleigh? For the avoidance of doubt, this is uninformed speculation.

It may be that John Hurst played a significant role in bringing Joe Royle to the club in 1982. Certainly he would have been able to provide both parties with a view on the other.

A tremendous player for Latics and part of my composite team of the best players I have seen play for Latics. He was part of a real upgrade in personnel that saw us move away from the stalwarts who had gained us two promotions to players with more obvious pedigree. I am not sure if it was on the same day, but we signed Vic Halom, a recent FA Cup winner, to join John Hurst, a recent Division 1 league winner. Great signings both. Later, he combined very effectively with Kenny Clements, who was very quick and good in the air. In style, he certainly had the time of Jobson, but played off the centre half, rather than being dominant in the air. Maybe Sean Gregan in style, if not quality, would be a decent comparison?

Just been to the central library in Oldham this afternoon. They have Lowry's Going To The Match on loan. As part of the exhibition there is a film of Latics in the 1966-7 season. I think it is the 2-2 draw vs Wolves in the cup and features a goal by, I think, Keith Bebbington. Also good film of crowds making their way to the ground. Looks like cine film, but decent quality. Located in Gallery 1. Well worth a visit.

The journalist concerned, Kevin Garside, is a born and bred Oldhamer, from Hathershaw.

Didn't John Lowe notify Frizzell that he was sacking him and then died overnight before he could carry it through? Was The Lady Chatterley one about it not being a book that one's servants should read?

How splendid. Rather reminds me of the High Court judge presiding over a case involving football. He stopped proceedings and enquired bemusedly , ' What is a Gazza?' On other matters, I am very interested in the boardroom schisms you mention from another age and look forward to reading about them when you have the time.

I much enjoy your recollections of these times, They were formative for me as, I suspect, they were for you. Notwithstanding Jimmy Frizzell's huge stroke of luck in Frank Lord rejecting our blandishments, I do, though, think you underplay somewhat his own role in determining his , and subsequently Latics' fate, for the next twenty five years or so. It isn't fanciful to suggest that all our success stemmed from decisions taken in the period from January 1970 to the end of the season. I think Jimmy's sense of motivation came from knowing he had nothing to lose and that he could act bravely. Certainly there is evidence that he was contemplating emigration to South Africa himself and he would have certainly known that he was far from first choice. He certainly changed the mood about the place. His programme notes were upbeat and in firm contrast to the careworn and tired reflections of Jack Rowley, who tended to criticise the aptitudes of his players. He may have had a point but it is worth noting that in Wood, Whittle, Mc Neill, Bowie, Shaw and Bebbington, he had six players on the books who would be stalwarts of the 1970-1 promotion side. Frizzell managed quickly to get Keith Bebbington off the transfer list and playing to somewhere near his full ability and then made a huge call in dropping Ray Wilson, 1966 World Cup winner, and replacing him with a failed midfield player, also currently available for transfer, at left back in the shape of Maurice Whittle. With building blocks in place , results started to improve and in February Notts County were beaten 5-0 on the snow and he was really on his way. whilst there were up and downs, the board had seen enough to back the purchase by a caretaker manager of Jim Fryatt. He was transformational and remains the single most significant and far reaching transfer acquisition in our history. Like Frizzell, he was a complete game changer and transformed mood and expectation of the whole club. Frizzell also signed Tommy Bryceland during these months from what must have been a youthful personal contact and, although he arrived crocked and unable to play, his influence was vast in 1970-1. He was also able to get a tune out of three players Reg Blore, Alan Lawson and Johnny Colquhoun, who became stalwarts for him and then whom he culled at the end of the season in another ruthless show of strength. None played league football again. In short he was a great judge of a player, brilliant at backing his hunches and making players better and ruthless when he had to be. Let's hope we can get another like him

His replacement was even better! Odd though, he had scored 10 goals in 20 games by the time we ditched him to Great Harwood. These days would have probably sold him in January to a Championship side with sell on clauses!

Back left is Bill Ashurst, one of the best rugby league forwards of his generation. Wigan and Great Britain and a stint in Australia

A good guide to what goes on in scouting and recruitment is Michael Colvin's book The Nowhere Men. Interestingly for Latics fans it has a whole chapter, The Secret Room, written about Everton's methodology under David Moyes. Wonder how much we are borrowing from that?

I asked a Sheffield United supporting friend about Zak Brunt, who was Boreham Wood's stand out player and is on loan from Sheffield. His information was that he had fallen down the pecking order at Bramall Lane and that he used to get in the League Cup team but hadn't yet managed a loan to a league club. He is a Chesterfield lad, so relatively local to us

Doesn't Sydie Peck's loan finish today?

Remember Latics beating Chester 5-0 in 1970 with four goals from the wondrous Fryatt. Dark, wet afternoon. Driving rain in the floodlights. Kicking downhill to the Chaddy End in the second half. Just marvellous. About the start of the best, consecutive twenty five years in Latics' history.

For whatever reason, the people who stood round us nicknamed him Ken. ' Sandbag him, Ken!' would come the call as an opposition forward broke through. He very often obliged. Very much a ball and all man, Bill. Must have been a respected man as Sir Jimmy made him captain of a team full of strong characters.

The death of former Latics player Bill Cranston has been announced. Captain of the 70-71 promotion team. Those who saw him will remember a very combative player! RIP Bill.

My Honourable Friend will no doubt recall Jim Fryatt ' hovering above the ground like a giant orange spaceship'.....

An odd one this. Ronnie Blair mentioned by name in today's parliamentary debate on Randox contracts. Don't worry our erstwhile hero has done nothing wrong. His printing firm was mentioned by the Rochdale MP as an example of an enterprise which struggled to get an answer on contracts for the NHS during Covid. Wonder if he is the only Latics player to be named in parliamentary debate?