LaticsPete

Burton win with clean sheet. Hamer left out.

Snapshot Daniel Gray & Alan McCredie Nutmeg 2020 Softback 200pp £14.99 The Scottish periodical Nutmeg is highly regarded for its coverage of the game north of the border. Encompassing every facet, whether in parks football or the goings on at Ibrox and Parkhead, it brings opinion, investigation, and celebration of what’s happening, has happened, or should happen. Little wonder that this book reflects all this, and is replete with, as it claims, “scenes and stories from the heartlands of Scottish football”. If there is one word that does reflect its essence it is “heartlands”. Not in a geographical sense but in the manner in which football is regarded in communities across the nation. It matters not whether it’s the programme seller, kit washer, supporter, raffle organiser, or player, each holds the game close to them, a key part of their lives. Written as Covid was taking its toll with cancellation and suspension, there is a telling phrase near the end : “missing football is an important, valid emotion”. The hold that it has on most of us is amply described, both directly and also in the narrative of events, locations, and themes. With super photographs the book could stand alone on these. However, they are surrounded by excellent and insightful prose. It’s difficult to say which is dominant, they complement each other so well. Each chapter has a unique focus. The book starts, as does the season , with the first day , its preparation, the anticipation , the hope. Opening up the turnstiles at Cowdenbeath, Alloa, Hearts, and Dunfermline , beginning the process where “the week will have an anchor”. across the season the words and pictures take the reader to both Lowland and Highland Leagues, grounds that are no longer used, the special nights of floodlit games, park football, away matches, the joy of visiting a new ground, and the special atmosphere of social clubs. There is a paean to the demise of the Meadowbank stadium, where a pitch used to have the impressions made by shot putters when it hosted athletics and was the home to Edinburgh City, as well as the eponymous Meadowbank Thistle. Ultimately the season did, of course, come to an end. Covid brought the “Silent Saturday”. Whilst matches have restarted , the game, with its culture, eccentricity, and community passion is still on pause. I am sorry to say that I have seen only one match in Scotland (Queen of the South v St Johnstone, 1978). This book makes me want to rectify that, whether at Arthurlie Juniors or Easter Road. It is a powerful, enjoyable, and fascinating mix of words and pictures. The latter could make it into what’s called a coffee-table book. The former transform it into a coffee-table book with soul.

Having seen the highlights of the Bradford City match yesterday, Danny Rowe’s celebrations at his or teammates’ goals are as understated as they were here. Surely that means he is desperate to get away?

MilnrowLatics may need help with all this. Please be patient with him. Lockdown and his inevitable (bottom and getting cut adrift) going down havent been easy on him.

I had a conversation with Garth Dykes about 18 months ago regarding change strips . The first I can remember was tangerine but one or two away programmes in the 50s had us down in red shirts. Unfortunately he didn’t have records of what we wore as change further back. Having said all that , the need for change strips doesn’t seem to have been that strong in earlier times. I’ve got images of us away at Chelsea and Man City in the late 1910s/ early 1920s of both teams playing in blue! Always grateful for some hard information about this topic.

The tangerine were change colours from that time -and we sometimes used them for floodlit matches e.g. the replay against Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup in 61/2. The OFK match was probably also influenced by the unlikelihood of them travelling with two strips in those days!

Thanks Summerdeep. The Groningen comment is spot on of course - it was clumsy writing by my. The reference was really to the programme sequence I was covering. I wouldn’t count Scots teams as foreign- although certainly would include Republic of Ireland and made a mention of the Festival of Britain matches ( v Cork and Bohemians) in the early thread. Still haven’t got my hands of either of those progs though! Piece about matches v Scots teams appearing shortly, and v Wales teams next month. Best wishes

Some great memories here , thanks. Last August I wrote a piece fof "Programme Monthly" , part of a series I've done on Latics' programmes, entitled "Over the sea to Oldham". It looked at four of our matches against international opposition . In tne magazine it was replete with photos of the programmes but here's the , longish, text. Hope it's of interest. Over the Sea to Oldham Often called “Ice Station Zebra”, Oldham’s Boundary Park ground is probably not on the “must play at” venues of most overseas clubs. So, the list of foreign visitors to this part of south Lancashire is not a long one and didn’t commence until after many other teams had played against international opposition. Ironically, Latics had been a pioneer in venturing abroad, with a series of matches in Vienna and Budapest in 1911 including a draw with Ferencvaros and victory over MTK. The lack of floodlights at Boundary Park was a prime reason for not hosting touring sides but, in 1961, that was finally rectified. In November, just a month after the lights were officially switched on, OFK Belgrade were welcomed. That season saw OFK win the Yugoslav Cup, providing them a path to the semi final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup the following year. The regular pocket-sized Oldham programme, priced 6d, was issued, with the match date on the cover but no opposition listed. A “rousing welcome” was encouraged in the anonymous editorial, very brief pen pictures of the Belgrade team were provided (surnames only) with most having represented the country at “A” or” B” team level. Teams were shown in the 2-3-5 formation, Oldham playing in change colours of tangerine shirts with the visitors in blue and white stripes. The Match Ball had been given by “The Manchester Greyhound Bookmakers’ Protection Association”, which has a sinister ring to it. Oldham ran out 3-1 winners in front of a crowd of 10,230. Five years later it was the turn of a Swiss side to visit. FC Thun , although part time, were top of the Swiss Second Division and supporters were urged to give them a “Thun-dering Big Welcome”. The programme in 1966/7 was a very distinct quarto sized 12-page affair, with a cover price of 1/- (5p) but which was given away free at the turnstiles. The Chairman (Ken Bates in his first venture into club ownership) hoped that more international matches would follow but repeated his disgust at recent away performances by his team. There are nearly two pages on the town of Thun, “the gateway to the Bernese Oberland” and the growing strength of Swiss football. A photo of the opposition team but no pen pictures other than a list of the other jobs that the players had. A stonemason, watchmaker (of course), precision mechanic, and bookbinder all lined up. No cotton spinners however, which was a shame as there were adverts from both the Elk Mill and Courtaulds with vacancies for those. It turned out to be an easy night for Latics, 9-2 winners before 5,577 spectators. A step up in status with the next match played in 1971. Oldham fans can brag that they have an unbeaten record against Borussia Dortmund as a result of the 0-0 draw on Oct 5th that year. Even way back then they were impressive opposition, winners of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1966 and semi finalists in the European Cup. The programme editorial recognised that it was “a feather in the cap” to be recognised “worthy of meeting such high-class opposition”. A step down in the quality of the programme, however. The A5 16pp,has little written content and several pages of small local adverts: John Wood Chemist can supply all your patent medicines , Horsman Butchers suggest you get a meat pie or two from the snack bars, and the Grapes Hotel is a town centre pub with a country inn feel. Teams are lined up 1-11 in a list wit brief notes by each player, home and away. Branco Rasovic lines up at no 4 for Dortmund, with ten caps for Yugoslavia, and Jurgen Schutz is the star player, many caps for West Germany and spells with Torino and Roma. Just under 7,000 spectators witnessed the draw. Lastly, probably the biggest coup for Latics in terms of opposition, when on 25 February 1975, Internacional from Brazil arrived. In the year they won the Brazilian championship, they arrived at Boundary Park with seven of the Brazilian World Cup squad of the previous year. The programme is the standard “Boundary News” of the season, a cover proudly displaying the Div. Three Championship Trophy won the season before and action pictures spelling out he word “Latics”. Match details are clearly displayed, and the cover price is 10p. There is a feature on Brazilian football, another on Pele, and pictures of some of the Internacional stars including Paulo Cezar and Lula. Fixtures and appearances for the home club are well laid out, a pen picture of the referee, Ted Jolly, says he is an insurance agent and has two children. Lees Lager has a full-page advert on the back cover and job opportunities are this time available at Ferranti, the engineering company. The unbeaten run against foreign opposition came to and for Oldham with a crowd of 9.495 seeing the Brazilians chalk up a 1-0 victory.

Like some on here.

1312: Among The Ultras James Montague Ebury Press 2020 Hardback 378pp £20 Who or what are ultras? Supporters, political activists, welfare workers, criminals, businessmen, and philanthropists are all terms that could be applied to various manifestations of these groups aligned with football across the globe. The misconception that ultras are merely flamboyant and extreme bands of terrace hooligans, mainly operating in a handful of countries is laid bare in this encompassing and riveting journey through their culture and participants. The choreography and spectacle on the terraces or in the stands are, it is true, something that most ultra groups pride themselves on. And there are other significant similarities and histories that ultras from Argentina to Indonesia share. Some emanate from mimicry but others from a cross-fertilization from visits to each other. There is not only a common origin but a unifying anti-authority set of beliefs that go some way to explain the “1312” title of the book. The numbers correspond to letters of the alphabet, ACAB which in turn stand for “All Coppers Are xxxxxxxs”. It would be wrong to think that ultras were utterly negative and James Montgomery illustrates that many of the groups could be seen as leading, or at least participating in, movements that want more fan control of clubs, democracy in political systems, and a recognition that football clubs are not the preserve of wealth, often transient, owners. The ultra movement is well removed from British hooliganism of earlier years or from most of the fan culture that is in this country presently. Our supporters’ groups do not wield the same influence within local communities, are usually disregarded by politicians, and extravagant displays inside or outside stadia are nowhere near as common as overseas. It was in the 1920s in Argentina that “barras bravas” , the first ultras, passionate and organised groups, emerged, creating a South American atmosphere that eventually spread to other Latin countries and across Europe and Asia. The 1950 World Cup in Brazil created a global spotlight and eventually TV and then the internet gave an even bigger boost to the idea and practice. The author has produced something that is not an external observational study. Embedded amongst ultra groups, and with some unnerving encounters as he seeks to meet leading individuals, he demonstrates a real understanding of specific scenarios and environments as well as a keen eye for detail. The distinctive emblems, rituals, chants and songs are part of the narrative, the traditions of clubs seemingly accurately noted, and particular matches described precisely. This book can be challenging to absorb. The alliances and rivalries, the allegiances and oppositions to political factions or credos, can be complex to take in. An excellent example is the former Yugoslavia.Its breakup has left confusion, considerable bitterness, and a complex set of relationships. Put that on top of pre-existing football antagonisms between clubs, then describing the supporter scene takes all the talent and analysis of the author. Little wonder that Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Macedonia , and the influence that ultras have on politics as well as sport, take up many pages of riveting description. So Hajduk Split, and their “Torcida” ultras, shifted their main rivalry from Red Star Belgrade (now in Serbia) to Croatian Dinamo Zagreb and their “Bad Blue Boys”. There are certainly sections of the book where close attention is needed! A fascinating and authoritative book, told with insight and from a perspective that marries a real understanding of football, its fans, and the wider context in which they exist.

And Jack Byrne linked with move from there to Nottm Forest...

Didn’t realise Nepomuceno was at Halifax.

Fourth club in 2020.,,,

Jonny Smith sent off for Swindon Two first half yellows

The Farther Corner Harry Pearson Simon & Schuster , 2020 Hardback, 330pp, £16.99 The coal mines and other heavy industry of the North East are part of the past yet their impact on landscape, society, and attitudes is still evident throughout the region. So it as well with football. Ignoring the “big three” of Newcastle Sunderland and Middlesbrough, the area is redolent with teams that were either major names in what was once amateur football, or key focal points of communities, and in many cases, both. Up until 1974 clubs had to be identified as either amateur or professional and the FA Amateur Cup final was often played in front of capacity crowds at Wembley. Prominent in that competition were clubs such as Blyth Spartans, Bishop Auckland, Crook Town, Stockton, South Bank, and North Shields. The so-called first World Cup, the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, was famously won by West Auckland in 1909 and 1911. The Northern League which many of these teams competed in was one of the most prestigious competitions in the country, its southern equivalent being the Isthmian League. What was once probably regarded as just outside the Football League in terms of quality is now on the ninth tier of the pyramid and the four figure crowds that were common are a thing of the past. Local football is , however, still vibrant and this book is a wonderful journey through the supporters, players, grounds and stories of many of the famous and not-so-famous clubs of the North East. Subtitled “a sentimental return”, the book reeks of affection and is a wry journal of 23 matches in the 2018-19 season. The characters on and off the pitch will resonate with ground-hoppers and followers of lower league football everywhere even if you tend to read the quotes in a Geordie/Teesside/Wearside accent. There’s the spectator (sitting alone) at the Ryton & Crawbrook Albion v Washington game who gave a running commentary to himself, or the old chap at Dunston v Irlam with forecast at every opposition free kick “if this goes in it’s curtains” even though they were 0-3 down. Match officials are the butt of a stream of antique jokes and insults , “if you’re not sure ref ask your guide dog” and players’ masculinity is either revered or questioned . There’s no doubt that the hard labour of work in former years meant that physicality was appreciated on the pitch and that is still the case. South Bank FC were founded in 1868, originating in a part of Middlesbrough so tough that former Boro and N Ireland winger Terry Cochrane thought that if a man had two ears he was called a cissy. Every chapter of Harry Pearson’s book has a story that will bring a smile of recognition to those who have watched this level of the game. Even more so if you can look with nostalgia at the histories of teams and towns that have fallen on harder times but which still generate a pride and passion in those who know them It’s a great read, funny, informative and so relevant when the billionaire clubs are mooting Super Leagues and the like. It’s an excellent reality check.

If anyone wants to get geeky about Indian football ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020–21_Indian_Super_League_season#Foreign_players ....Adam Le Fondre on loan to Mumbai City

Of course hoi hoi hoi

Another one who made no great impact here https://fanbanter.co.uk/ex-oxford-pompey-charlton-plymouth-and-bristol-rovers-defender-retires-aged-just-24/?fbclid=IwAR36rSjlUkRadFV5ZSSXGhssZ-PB05tjEbzuCjdFcDWsd8gDxqMPU7y8d3I

Bobby Robson – The Ultimate Patriot Bob Harris deCoubertin Books 2020 Hardback 354pp, £20 Books about Robson aren’t uncommon. There have been at least five previous biographies as well as two autobiographies and a “World Cup Diary”. Bob Harris, the author of this one, has been involved in a minimum of three of them. So the challenges for the publication of yet another have to be whether there is much more to say about Bobby, who passed away in 2009, or whether there is a new way of telling the story of one of the most respected men in European football. There are no great claims that the writer has new insights or material. That’s not surprising given the publishing history but there’s little doubt that Robson’s story is diligently told, from the archetypal “no money to spare” working class childhood background through an excellent playing career and on to being one of the most successful managers in European football. Robson ended up as an iconic figure in football. The glorious failure of Italia’90, an outstanding record of success in Spain, Holland, and Portugal, early over achievement at Ipswich and the final chapter of homecoming to Newcastle, each contributed to that. He wasn’t always held in such esteem and the vitriol and abuse that he received, certainly during earlier days as England boss, hurt him. One of the recurring themes of the book is how elements of the press were apparently determined to undermine him. Ironically it is, of course, the relationship with journalist Bob Harris that produced this (and earlier) books. At times it seems as though some old animosities between Harris and former colleagues are in the background but that probably adds some piquancy to the stories. Robson was, given the uncertainty of careers in football, a loyal man. There are several examples of where he operated without a contract or where a verbal agreement was good enough for him. It may not always have been wise as at Porto where the owner apparently denied he had given Robson the opportunity to leave if an English club came in for him. That denied him the opportunity to manage Arsenal with whom he had had very advanced talks. The London club weren't the only British club to have had contact with Robson over the years and, whilst loyal to any employer, he wasn’t averse to considering offers from Sunderland, Celtic, Everton (on several occasions) and, of course, Newcastle. The Robson story is one that spreads across some of the great clubs and players of European football. His impact is still felt, whether through the achievements of his protege Jose Mourinho, the sense of pride in the England team of 1990, or the esteem in which he is held in many nations. For those who have forgotten some of that story or for those who may not have been around at the time, then this is a worthwhile book. It’s entertaining, well documented and obviously written with affection. It may not be wholly objective due to the strong relationship between author and subject, but still a good addition to the Bobby Robson library.

“We’ll win, we’re Oldham” Thoughtful piece on Earl Barrett from the Everton programme. https://www.evertonfc.com/news/1725420/earl-barrett-on-dealing-with-racism-his-everton-years-and-stateside-life

The A-Z of Weird & Wonderful Football Shirts Richard Johnson Conker Editions, 2020 Paperback, 206pp, £15 Those of us who primarily collect programmes or other printed memorabilia are often challenged by issues of storage. The boxes and shelves that accumulate in lofts, bedrooms and studies can take over the very space that we seek to live or work in. That’s before the issues of complaints from partners. Admiration then for those who pursue the collectables that are football shirts. Wardrobes full, suitcases bursting, and with an ever-increasing frequency in the issue of new strips, the logistics must be a struggle. I’ve got a few myself but, as this book wonderfully illustrates the potential for growth both in terms of the number of collectors and what is to be collected, is immense. We are all used to clubs producing two, maybe three, new shirts each season. It seems only recently that home and away strips were alternate years but that’s gone by the wayside as clubs and manufacturers have their eyes on the financial prize of replica sales. Add in special commemorative shirts ( e.g. anniversaries, cup matches, overseas tours) and there’s been an explosion that has driven the creation of ever more unique designs, some tweaks on existing ones, others with a keen eye on the outlandish or fashionable. Drawn together here is a fascinating gamut of shirts from the 1980s to the present, some classics, others one-offs, and many that could make you open-mouthed with either admiration or despair. This is a world-wide collection of examples. It seems that nowhere is without a claim to having produced a notable piece of kit. Neither has any aspect of modern life apparently been overlooked from design. So, we have, naturally, alcohol, gambling and food well represented, not only in terms of sponsors logos but as the main element of the shirt. La Hoya Lorca of the Spanish third tier set a few balls rolling in 2013 with their shirt completely emblazoned with broccoli florets and have been followed by many others. CD Pinzon have been adorned with strawberries whilst Bedale United of the North Riding League (sponsored by Heck Sausages) currently are dressed as hot dogs. Argentinians Ferro de General Pico decided to pay homage to TV with its Homer Simpson shirt in 2018, and Mexican Xolos de Tijuana, in the season just gone, were utterly Star Wars based. Events and celebrations are great opportunities to produce something special. Unsurprisingly 1860 Munich bring out Oktoberfest shirts, always related to the local tradition including, in 2015, shorts that replicated lederhosen. Australian Newcastle Jets have marked RAAF Day with an all-over print of fighter planes from the nearby base and Gamba Osaka showcased Expo 2017 on theirs. On a more sombre note, Dundee commemorated the Battle of Loos when eight of their players were killed in 1915 by a centenary shirt based on the Black Watch. The author gives due tribute to “classic” designs too. Denmark’s shirt, by Hummel, from the 1986 World Cup has been imitated by Wrexham and Spall (as away kit in 1989), the German manufacturer Saller and the Spanish Meyba. The famous Dutch national shirt from the 1988 World Cup was apparently a standard Adidas design catalogued “Ipswich”, but the template was widely used by national associations (USSR and USA) and many club sides. The book is an excellent production, that sheds light on club stories as well as shirts, and one that stimulates ideas for collectors. As with programmes there are many different themes that can be concentrated on and there’s little doubt that shirts will be a growth area in collecting for quite a while. Now, where’s my 89/90 Oldham shirt with Bovis as sponsors?

Good for you. The club is, I hope, beginning its next 125 years and maybe, just maybe, this season will start a climb upwards. That would be one of the best commemorations of the historical landmark we have. Not sure when we’ll be back with the mill owners and cotton magnates that inhabit the Main Stand but let’s have that meet up. Could be a while - I’ve just learnedly that my six month delay for a new hip is at an end . The op delayed from March is on in just over two weeks. Chuffed and at least to begin with I won’t be missing any matches!

I’ve bought a ST and, you’re right, it is an act of faith. It’s also one that I feel gives the club a better chance of survival than boycotting. Personal choice and belief. The lack of sales shows the 600 are a minority and, as you say, that doesn’t need explaining. I would be pleased if AL left soon and if the boycott helped bring that about then fair play. I presume that everyone who is following that line of action is also refusing to buy ifollow passés as money from these also goes to the club. So only non boycott boys ( and girls) will be able to watch the performances...

You are joking?

Jack Byrne not in Irish squad