LaticsPete

Tarky set to earn big money? https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-everton-offer-120000-a-week-deal-to-james-tarkowski-amid-newcastle-update/

The Beautiful History Martyn Routledge & Elspeth Wills Pitch Publishing 2021 Hardback 192pp £16.99 The badges of football clubs are emblems of the past. Whether marking a particular event in local or national history, or the predominant local industry, local landmarks, or the topography of the area, they are symbols of what has taken place. Each of these has to have a significance sufficient for the club to believe that a visual representation has a meaningful impact to anyone seeing the badge.They are a shorthand and quick link to the occurrence or object that has had an impact on the club or its locality.Often overlooked, they deserve more appreciation as being at the heart of a club’s origins and identity. This superbly illustrated book examines the badges of 100 clubs , at many levels of the game. It links each to the development of British history and how that has become represented in the badge. A massive time span is embraced, from the ammonite fossils on Whitby Town’s badge , representing the 200 million year-old fossils found on the local coast, to more modern times. There are six stripes on Stevenage’s badge , each representing one of the six neighborhoods that became part of the “Stevenage New Town”. The reincarnation of Gretna FC in 2008 by its supporters’ trust displays a blacksmith’s forge , explained by a piece on the 1753 Marriage Act. That forbade it illegal in England for anyone under 21 to marry without parental permission. Thousands crossed the border to the Scottish village of Gretna Green where the blacksmith (thought to be a lucky talisman) conducted the wedding. Each page tells a different story, and there are footnotes suggesting a place to visit and something to do. So, for the year 832, when an army of Picts and Scots were in trouble in Northumbria, prayers resulted in the cross of St Andrew , the saltire, appearing in the sky and saving the troops. It became the flag of Scotland and appears on the badge of Ayr United. The “Why Not” suggests finding out how many other Scottish clubs use it , and “Visit” suggests going to the National Flag Heritage Centre in East Lothian. This might give the impression that the book is aimed at a younger reader(and there are activities at the end that reinforce this) and for anyone from ten to fifteen years old this would be a great gift. However, us seniors will also find it immensely readable and informative, fun and intelligently put together.

Fit And Proper People Martin Calladine & James Cave Pitch Publishing 2022 Softback 352pp £12.99 Who wouldn’t want to own , at least in part, a football club? The opportunity to help decide transfers, select the squad, or even plan training sessions? These were some of the carrots dangled by Stuart Harvey when he launched OwnaFC in 2018 , offering, for £99 (later £49) part ownership of a professional club. Which club wasn’t mentioned, mainly because nothing had been agreed with one, but it seemed an accessible path to playing Football Manager for real. The scheme failed and the authors untangle the reasons why; the concept, the delivery , and the overblown promises. In a personal saga there is the story of intimidation, legal action over harassment, and financial loss. In the wider narrative, the fragility of safeguards against dubious ownership of clubs and the precipice over which some have fallen as a result, with many more teetering on the edge, are put under the spotlight. Whether as long-term supporters of Bury, Derby, Oldham and many other clubs, or investors in this scheme, it is fans who are on the receiving end of vanity, incompetence, ineptitude or, in some cases, illegality. Is it possible for supporters to be safeguarded, can clubs with proud histories be safeguarded against the unscrupulous ?The authors argue that it s now that action has to be taken. The abortive launch of a Super League may be a temporary victory for fans at the pinnacle of the game but that has to be translated down through the pyramid and it has to be by involving the people who love football, the fans. The story of OwnaFc is intriguing and told clearly and, with hindsight, the warning signs were in pace early one. Launched as a different concept from the Ebbsfleet MyFootbalClub scheme, Stuart Harvey’s product was thrown into the limelight following an uncritical BBC feature. More media piggybacked this and the coverage gave it credibility. Hundreds of thousands of pounds flooded in but, despite publicised talks with Hednesford FC, no club was ever bought. Guarantees of refunds proved flimsy and Harvey himself appeared as a businessman who flitted between ideas and appears in this book as unpleasant ;a restraining order was placed on him in regard to one of the authors. In regards to OwnaFC itself, 15% of police forces in the UK received complaints in relation to it. Fans want their clubs to be safe . To have a future that is not at risk from those who have little interest in its heritage, or in the community, yet those charged with protecting this legacy seem to have neither the will nor the power to do so. This book illustrates some small-scale initiatives that are supporter-led and , it hopes, demonstrates that there are “fit and proper people” out there that can provide a healthier future for the clubs that make up our game.

Danny Rowe https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/danny-rowe-willl-bring-new-dimension-to-chesterfield-after-almost-seven-months-out-3674424

Decent bloke

I give you …..Bobby Collins

Ron Greenwood Mike Miles Pitch Publishing 2021 Hardback 320pp £19.99 Who was Ron Greenwood? In factual terms he was an ex-player who turned coach, managed West Ham United from 1960 to 1975, as well as England u-23s for nearly three years, and had a 60%-win record as England boss in his 55 matches between 1977 and 1982. To give that some colour, during this career he won the FA Cup and European Cup-Winners’ Cup with the Hammers, coached Peters, Hurst, and Moore to be players who have iconic status in the English game, and had to reinvigorate a national side left floundering after Don Revie’s departure for the money of the Middle East. Just on that basis there is reason to ask, as the author does, why is Greenwood “Football’s Forgotten Manager”? Is, however, that record one of under-achievement, where missed opportunities and personal principles denied both him and others greater success? There’s evidence both that he delivered against the odds and that he perhaps created some of those odds himself. Like a man he admired greatly, and worked with in many roles, the first England Manager Walter Winterbottom, Greenwood had been born in Lancashire. Often identified with London, he was ten before his dad’ s work took him to London where, eventually, Mr Greenwood senior became painting maintenance manager at Wembley Stadium. A playing career started in the war, taking him to Chelsea, Bradford Park Avenue, Brentford, Chelsea again, and Fulham, and then coaching in non-league found him involved with the England Youth team, and then Arsenal. Again, like Winterbottom, he was amazed and excited by the Mighty Magyars and their 6-3 demolition of England in 1953, and his determination to succeed led him to learn and implement as much as possible about coaching. When, in the late 50s, Arsenal made it clear that, despite being head coach, there was no managerial role for him there, the opportunity to take over at West Ham was accepted – even if his Highbury connections didn’t go down well with some Hammers’ supporters. It's here that the evaluation of success really begins. There’s no questioning Greenwood’s achievements in establishing the club as a constant presence in the top-flight, and cup victories against English and Continental teams deserves all the plaudits. Whilst West Ham may not have won the 1966 World Cup, tactics developed by Greenwood certainly helped. The quick freekick and cross to the near post’ leading to England’s equaliser in the final, was worked on as part of club training. His development of young players brought through many notables, and he helped pioneer the presence of black players, despite the notoriously racist elements in the Boleyn Ground crowd. The author suggests factors that indicate that even more could have been delivered. One was Greenwood’s weakness in not building on any success the team had. A reliance on those who had been there, whilst demonstrating loyalty, didn’t let the club “kick on”. Another was the admirable principles he had. He was offered Gordon Banks from Leicester City for £50000 but, as he had already agreed with Kilmarnock to sign Bobby Ferguson for £65000, turned down England’s No 1 for Scotland’s No 2. There was also his perceived weakness in some matters of discipline. Greenwood liked to believe that if he respected and trusted players, they wouldn’t let him down. Unfortunately, a drinking culture at the club showed otherwise and weakened performances. Ron Greenwood, and his tactical nous, his coaching passion and his integrity did, however, help England out. Revie had departed ignominiously, and a steady but talented replacement was needed. Initially for three matches Greenwood took over but, by the end of 55 games, he had got the team back into the World Cup Finals, a quarter-final finish something that a few years earlier would have been longed for. For over twenty years Ron Greenwood had managed with a determination that there was a “right” way of going about things. Without the charisma of Clough, or the ruthlessness of Revie, he still carved out a presence that has to be admired, regardless of any “if only” provisos.

And West Midlands.

Note to Latics fans. As well as an interview with Rick Holden in the book it's worth noting that Wibble Books is run by Dave Moore and Rick. Dave is a massive Latics supporter in Canada. Before the Premier League Paul Whittle Wibble Publishing 2021 Softback 216pp £9.99 From the abolition of the maximum wage, the end of regionalised lower divisions, through the impact of television and sponsorship right up to the Premier League in 1992, the Football League went through a transformational thirty years. Whilst it tried to innovate and adapt, it ended up as a junior partner in the football pyramid hierarchy. Was the new reality brought about by external forces that the League had no way of controlling, and what were the experiences of clubs and players in that period? With hindsight, the thirty years saw massive changes, not only in football but in society generally, changes that seem vast in such a short time. It had taken a while to emerge from the effects of war, but there then came an explosion of consumerism, a shrinking sense of deference, challenges to the existing order, and the beginnings of globalisation. Victorian structures and hierarchies were always going to be at risk, and the Football League was one of those. It’s probably both true and sad that the author is correct in concluding that the incremental decline of the League will continue as less and less of the game’s assets are passed on to it from the financial elite. Paul Whittle has taken on his task of producing “A History of the Football League’s Last Decades” in a manner that attempts to satisfy different perspectives. There are some hard facts and figures from the full story of the League – everything from Most Goals Conceded in a season, to Most Career Appearances, Longest Run of Defeats, and the like. There’s also narrative in the form of chapters looking at aspects such as Attendances, the Transfer market, Sponsorship, or Television, and, in an engaging way, interviews with a range of players, fans and historians that occupy half the book. It's an eclectic mix: Rick Holden, Ron Futcher and Nigel Gleghorn are some of those there along with Everton’s official statistician Gavin Buckland. Maybe there’s not a great analytical theme to the interviews but the stories they tell and the perceptions the individuals have of “being there” in those immediate pre-Premier days do capture the reader’s attention. It’s an enjoyable book, partly because of this three-pronged look at the League in this period, but also because the style is readable and obviously that of someone who cares about his subject. It’s not a massive tome but a definitely useful one for anyone that wants to get a feel and understanding of how things were pre-1992.

Interest in Tom Hamer https://the72.co.uk/263556/nottingham-forest-and-hull-city-vying-to-sign-burton-albions-tom-hamer/

Natalie to FCUM http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/news-story/fc-united-strengthens-senior-leadership-team

Chris Taylor to FCUM

Scottish Football: Souvenirs from the Golden Years Robert Marshall & David Stuart Pitch Publishing 2021 Hardback 320pp £20 For the authors, the Golden Years were 1946 to 1986. Between the latter and the present day, a Rangers/Celtic duopoly had won the Scottish championship for 36 consecutive seasons. Yet, in the 40 previous years, there had been eight teams as champions. Nine had won the Scottish Cup, and 10 the League Cup. Fifteen different clubs had picked up at least one of the trophies. In two seasons the big two Glasgow clubs won nothing. However, as well as glorying in the broad spread of clubs jockeying at the top, that period generally witnessed a time when Scottish football punched strongly. There were victories in both the European Cup and the Cup-Winners Cup, and the national team appeared in six World Cup Finals. The game was booming, and it was recognised in the activity levels off the pitch. A thriving print media generated Football Scot, Scottish Football, and Scottish Football Weekly. Post-war crowds boomed everywhere but the appetite north of the border seemed immense: on one day in 1948, two Scottish Cup semi-finals were played in Glasgow with a combined attendance of 212,000. Programmes too developed and both Clyde and Aberdeen won regular awards in “the well-respected” Programme Monthly. Motherwell even featured on the cover of “Soccer Star”! The 1950s began with Hibs dominating and ended with Hearts at the top, further evidence of a club network that was still a meritocracy. Every season in the forty years is covered, not only with narrative but with pictures of programmes, magazines, cards, tickets and the like so it’s a book that’s rich with the “souvenirs” of its title. It would have been helpful to identify them as not every reader will know for example, which series of cards the illustration relates to, but the visual impact and array is strong. The programme element of these illustrations is, of course, easy to follow through match details on the cover and there are some wonderful examples of the breadth of design across the period. The Partick Thistle programme of 1979/80 looking both in style of illustration and the player’s kit like a “Roy of the Rovers” publication, compares with a neat, restrained DTP issue from Threave Rovers v Keith. Club names in Scotland often seem romantic and, to an Englishman, hard to locate. Rothes, Chirnside United, and Vale of Athol, or Duns all made (and in some cases) still make Cup appearances. As mentioned, European forays were frequent and rich. Six times in finals, and 14 clubs beaten in European semi-finals. Celtic were actually the sixth Scottish team in the European Cup, winning at their first attempt. In 1983 a ticket for Rangers v Inter Milan could be had for £3, but to see The Stranglers at Glasgow Apollo was £4.50. Quasi-international was the Texaco Cup (later the Anglo-Scottish) which saw 25 Scottish teams participate. It was pre-dated by the 1953 Coronation Cup, four from each country involved and Celtic winning. There’s a wonderful final section to the book: a “Gallimaufry”. Bringing together more strands of the Caledonian football tapestry like the Home Championship, 5 & 6-a-side competitions and lost or revamped grounds. A book that a tribute to the breath and depth of Scottish football, compellingly written, very well illustrated, and one that can be enjoyed by any football supporter or collector anywhere.

They are real pieces of local history, descriptive of the local economy, how people travelled, the cost of living, and the local social stratum. The number of Aldermen and JPs on boards of directors ....! The artwork is great isn't it? I look at the covers of Latics programms in 61-63 (the leaping players against a tangerine background) or in 65 with a firece looking player in Latics strip dominating, and always feel it's a shame that the designers aren't credited. The same with many other clubs - maybe there's a book to be witten about the missing football artists ! Thanks for all the work you're doing to help save the club. I have to admit that I'm probably not helping insofar as I write for the programme which might be said to be supporting the regime but I was chuffed to little mintballs to be asked !! I keep some of the books I review and pass on others to people who would appreciae them. If you don't mind letting me have an address, I'll send the Programmes! Programmes! to uou. Best wishes

Programmes! Programmes! Cliff Hague Pitch Publishing 2021 Hardback 384pp £16.99 The eternal cry of the programme seller (I know, I was one) is fitting for this journey over 60 plus years. It’s a personal narrative, one that uses programmes as an aide memoire to matches seen, but also as illustrative of changes in the game, in society, and in the world. Like many of us, the author has a collection that not only follows a specific interest but has gathered items both randomly or with a purpose that seemed important at the time. In fact, it’s not just his collection but that of his son too, someone obviously brought up in the right manner. Born in Manchester in the 1940s, the author’s Uncle Arthur convinced him that United was the better of the local clubs, and off he went to his first game in 1952. His first programme, however, was from a match he and his father were locked out of, United v Blackpool Boxing Day 1952, bought, he thinks, as a compensation for missing out. This was the start of a collection, albeit stuck in a scrapbook with Sellotape, before graduating to a shoebox under the bed, and accumulating through swaps, from adverts in “Football Monthly”, and writing to clubs asking for a copy. Many of us have been down a similar route, and that accounts for some of the “oddities” in our collections dating from years ago. The personal story of university, employment, and holidays allows the author to perceptively describe not only the differences in programmes across the years but across nations too. His description of early Communist-era issues from central Europe, whether local league matches or their prestige clashes with Capitalist nation teams is done with recognition of the origin of many of the clubs there and the environment in which they operated. So too were early MLS publications, large, sponsor advertising, and with an expectation that spectators might not know much about “soccer”. DC United had a “buzz word” column in their programme: for the match against LA Galaxy in 1996 it was “nut-megged”, and against, New England Revolution, “magic sponge”. The bulk of this entertaining book is a look at British programmes. The evolution from primarily local advertising, again an example of setting the game in the economy and society of the time, to national companies dominating the programme, is set against the move from football being described as a “slum sport watched by slum people” in the Sunday Times to the corporate, media domination that emerged in the late 80s and early 90s. Matchday magazines replete with ads from banks, IT companies, and property companies , replaced the “programme” with ads for the local Co-op and pubs. The FA Cup Final programme for 1999, between the Uniteds of Newcastle and Manchester, was for a match “brought” to us by AXA. In 1982 the match was played at “Wembley Stadium”, by 1990 it was described on the cover as “Wembley – Venue of Legends”, and the game was the “Cup Final” rather than “Final Tie”. It is the football programme that is the historical document that evidences the explosion of branding and marketing that the game has undergone. There are 63 programmes from a collection of 2000, that are given a highlighted status each with a photograph and separate description. The combination creates a read that, whilst possibly not unveiling new truths, articulates with a warmth and understanding the fascination of programmes, and their reflection of football itself. One to get hold of.

Harry Clarke signs for Hibs on loan from Arsenal

The Collection: Leeds United Robert Endeacott & Ben Hunt Pitch Publishing 2021 Hardback 272pp £25 This is a lavishly illustrated documentation of the kits of Leeds United from the club’s origins but with especial emphasis from 1960. Given that, since then, Leeds have been associated with all-white, the variety of shirts is surprising, enhanced by the number of away kits that have been used. The book, however, looks at earlier times, from the founding of the club in 1919, after the demise of Leeds City, and, although, actual shirts from those days do not exist, there is significant evidence of the light blue and white shirts that lasted until 1934. It was then that the nickname of “The Peacocks” began to be earned, blue and gold halved shirts being introduced, a colour combination that was to last for nearly thirty years. The legend is that Don Revie decided to bring in the all-white strip to get the players to think in terms of Real Madrid. There is evidence of it being used as early as 1957, albeit with a blue & yellow trim, and as a change kit, and a suggestion it was first worn at Elland Road against Middlesbrough on 17th September 1960. In club programmes it was 1961/2 when the description became “all white” but the season after when the colours were first officially registered as the home strip. It’s from this time, the mid-60s, that the major thrust and style of the book takes off. For each incarnation of the shirt there’s a full-page photo, with one player who wore it highlighted and often with comments from him, plus a smaller photo of the back of the shirt. In 1980/1, for example, the Admiral home shirt is exemplified through Eddie Gray. By 1982, sponsors’ names were allowed (although not in televised matches) and so shirt designs may remain for two years, but the sponsor changed. Of course, the opposite would happen, “Top Man” was sponsor for 1989 through to 1991 but alterations in collar and trim meant two different shirts. As well as designs, the book traces and explains the movement in manufacturers. At the very beginning it was probably Bukta, but by 1960 Umbro had become involved, and on the 1968 League Cup Final shirt their logo appears, although at the bottom where it would be hidden by shorts. The iconic Admiral shirt, replete with “Smiley” came in 1973, an association with that company that lasted until 1981, before returning in 1992. The merry-go-round of suppliers has continued apace since then; Asics, Puma, Nike, Macron, Kappa, and Adidas being introduced. Many away kits are featured too, along with goalkeeper shirts, tracksuits, and the “Leeds special”, sock tags. For a Leeds fan, this is must-have book, but its interest must appeal to anyone interested in the history of club kits, from the colour to the fabric to the manufacturer. An excellently researched and put-together publication.

Goal Along With The Cherries Neil Vacher AFC Bournemouth 2021 Softback 252pp £15 Back in 1971, when Boscombe and Athletic were still parts of the club’s name, and it played at Dean Court, Bournemouth started the long climb from Div. 4 – its first ever promotion in the Football League. Most of the club’s present-day supporters will have no memory of that season, and it wasn’t even one that brought silverware, runners-up slot securing a return to Div. 3. It could, therefore, be seen as a brave move to publish such a comprehensive and well-presented book as this, well into the Premier League period. With a design style that is similar to a scrapbook, there’s lots of scope for the generous inclusion of programme covers, tickets, and newspaper cuttings that will warm the heart of PM readers. That’s on top of a match report, line-ups and attendance figures. There’s the additional bonus of illustrations of football ephemera that isn’t Bournemouth centred. To take a random example, the double-page spread for the match at Darlington has the game report and associated details, the programme, a Darlington lapel badge, a picture of the Subbuteo Continental Club Edition box, a Bovril jar, cover of the International Football Book no 13, and two newspaper photos of Cherries’ players. Plus, there are “Soccer Shorts”, taking a quick look at that week’s European action and a report from the Bournemouth FA Jubilee Dinner. That’s replicated for 51 league and cup matches, a truly impressive piece of research and presentation from Neil Vacher, the club historian. To add to the comprehensive nature of the book there are profiles not only of the players and managerial/coaching staff but also of the backroom team, from physio to pools promoter. It’s worth recalling some of the characters who played a big part in the promotion season. Manager John Bond started that phase of his football life at Dean Court in June 1970 and, along with Coach Ken Brown, the duo had success at Norwich and Manchester City. Their development of Ted McDougall into 49 goals a season player, alongside the signing of Phil Boyer, created one of the most lethal strike forces in the Football League. “Super Mac” went on to play for Scotland, had an unhappy time at Manchester United, but teamed up again with Bond and Boyer at Norwich to earn another promotion in 1974/5, this time from Div. 2, becoming top goal scorer in Div. 1 the following season. Alongside the Cherries in the promoted top four were Notts County (Champions), Oldham Athletic, and York City. Ironically two of those are now non-league with Oldham hovering close, both the latter and Notts having enjoyed topflight status along the way. The vagaries of footballing existence are many and maybe this fine book isn’t just a celebration of Bournemouth’s success in 1971 but also of what the club has achieved in the fifty years since.

Pioneer Gordon Jago & Wayne Barton Pitch Publishing, 2021 Hardback, 318pp, £19.99 I have to admit on receiving this book my reaction was “Gordon Jago, whatever happened to him?”. My recall was that he’d been quite a successful manager, albeit with southern clubs so without the local impact to make him very familiar to me. He seemed to be someone whose playing roots were there and he travelled the circuit of London clubs, always being spoken of with respect but maybe not regarded as “good copy” for the media. In some ways this book reflects his personality and style. It starts in a standard way, early childhood in East London during the war, schoolboy football honours, signing for Charlton at 17 (not able to make the trials day at Tottenham because of a bus strike) , National Service, and getting married. He describes himself as “a good, honest professional” and talks about how he was constantly trying to learn from other players and coaches. He would be regarded now as “old school” , being appalled at the swearing of an assistant manager, and somewhat a stickler for process and good administration: upon hearing he was to be fired from one job his first action was to see the Club Secretary and make sure the records were in order for his end-of-year tax return.. Regardless, he developed talents and personalities like Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles, getting QPR to a point of the League Championship, after getting them promoted, took Millwall up from the third to the second division, and was a massive influence on football in the USA. It’s probably this latter role that has defined both him and his impact on football history of the last 50 years. At a time when US “soccer” was generally disdained over here, Jago was influential in creating at least two waves of development that have led to the MSL and the USA as a decent team at international level. His first foray was as head coach of the Baltimore Bays in the then NASL in the late 60s before that league git into financial problems but he took on board lots of expertise in how traditional American sports marketed and organised themselves. Almost ten years later, after being sacked by millwall, he was offered the job of coach ti the Tampa Bay Rowdies an had four years of success, including an indoor final appearance. It was in this form of the game that his career then flourished again, coaching and becoming President of the Dallas Sidekicks. In 1998 he stopped coaching and then really focused on youth football in the USA., developing tournaments and consulting on its progress. There’s no getting away from the importance this has for him, there’s even a chapter on how he would sort out US youth soccer now, which he believes is in a mess, and another on how it the USA are suffering internationally because of this. Jago is probably more revered across the Atlantic than here and, at 89 years of age, it’s a good time for him to write his story, reminding us of the status he had over here, how he was considered for the England job, and how this reserved Englishman helped the establishment of the great game in brash USA.

Thanks Matt, nice to get feedback (especially when positive!) . I must admit that, since I started doing this for Programme Monthly I've learned a good deal about football. Lots of books I wouldn't have picked up , most of which have been good in one or more ways. All the best.

Very young, seems to have left school three years ago. Going to have a big challenge in a weird environment but good luck and no judging him before he has a chance.

A really good player but Bates thought he would turn a quick profit on him .

Seems Lancs must have “relationship” problems too

Heck of an assumption. Physios move on . Career progression etc When Jimmy McGregor left from being Latics’ physio to go to Old Trafford was that down to “relationships “? It is a key role , but I’d want to know for certain why it’s becoming vacant rather than jump to your conclusion.