LaticsPete

Did her family ever pay the ransom?

The legend that is David Dunn has left B Rovers https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/june/dunny-leaves-rovers-role/

He was. And had a head that could move the ball faster than most players could (or can) kick it. Only player I can recall who physically bossed him was Alan Lawson our centre half when Big Jim played for Stockport. Last I heard Fryatt was a greenkeeper near. Las Vegas

Hardly “ever” though .

Other than Forest Green and Morecambe in the league I can’t see any ....

Doom and gloom merchant. Up by Easter ?????

I thought all ST holders were members

And Bunn’s six goal feat ...

N/t

World In Motion Simon Hart deCoubertin Books, 2018 Hardback, 382pp, £18.99 The eyes of Schillachi, tears of Gazza, celebration of Milla, and voice of Pavarotti. The 1990 World Cup was replete with iconic incidents, personalities, and matches. A tournament that coincided with the final manifestation of some nations, and with the most extensive tv coverage to date, it was possibly one of the least attractive in terms of pure football but captured the imagination of spectators and viewers across the world. The author has delivered an outstanding series of stories about some of the most significant elements of Italia 90. Context, personalities involved, and consequences are all dealt with through a range of illuminating interviews with key protagonists as well from his own thoughtful analysis. The result is a book that not only celebrates and commemorates a remarkable few weeks of football but allows the reader to reflect on their legacy for football today. Hart rejects a match-by-match narrative and provides a tapestry that ranges from the big nations to the smaller ones and their consequent expectations and experiences. Football was still pretty much governed by its history, so for an African nation, Cameroun, to reach the last eight for the first time is as crucial as was the final between West Germany (making their last appearance) and Argentina (who lived up to stereotype with two players sent off). For the United Arab Emirates, it was a nation only 19 years old that made its bow and saw their impact not so much on the field but in the exposure and credibility that was gained, helping doors open in business and politics in the months afterwards. Less than 30 years on it is the UAE that wields power in the Premier League and elsewhere. Each chapter is excellently constructed around research that has tracked down those involved on and off the field at the time. Whether it’s Dragan Stojkovic of the soon to be extinct Yugoslavia team, Argentine keeper Goycochea, Schillachi himself, or referee George Courtney, Hart has extracted illuminating and articulate insights and memories. The qualifying journey to Italy, the matches at the tournament, the financial and political back ground in many of the countries, and the ensuing careers of participants are all excellently conveyed. For us in the British Isles it has varying degrees of fondness. For England it is still regarded as a glorious failure, a so near tournament whilst Scotland a few weeks that ended in ignominy when its domestic product was seemingly strong (Rangers had more players in the England squad, four, than any other club). The Republic of Ireland saw a collection from the Irish diaspora and from home create a pride and enjoyment that gave a new momentum to the country’s status internationally, s sporting manifestation of the Celtic Dragon. Why has Italia 90 achieved such a strong recollection rating? After all there have been six other World Cups since. Undoubtedly, as the author chronicles, it was partly due to tv. In the season before the tournament there were just 12 live broadcasts of English league fixtures. The explosion of coverage in that summer was still somewhat a novelty. Time zones were sympathetic, the BBC had a masterpiece of a musical theme, and football somehow began to be fashionable again. The best World Cup (other than 1966)? Possibly, and Paul Hart marks it superbly well with this book.

Spencer and Philliskirk both went for over £200k though it was 11/12 years ago....

Nazon goes Belgian “Wolves outcast and former Coventry loanee has agreed a deal with Belgium side Sint-Truidense VV on a 3-year deal. The Haiti international is in his last year at the Molineux and appears to not be in Nuno's plans. #Wolves #SkyBlues #TransferTalk”

Phil Brown would be a terrifying scream of despair.

With respect Smiler, Hardwick left in May 1956. Ted Goodier was boss from then till 1958.

Annoyed at the sacking. Have only just learned the words to “Richie Wellens’ blue and white army”

Paul Ince

Positive discrimination in favour of minorities ?

nt

May 1st 1971

Agreed. And one for Ardiles too.

5p. An A5 size publication. The large free issue had ended in 1969.

The team from our last match in Div 4. It's not just nostalgia that makes me believe that at least half of those would stroll into our first choice team today. Edit : No let's say 8 or 9 would!

On The Brink: A journey through English football’s North West Simon Hughes DeCoubertin Books, 2017 Hardback, 290pp, £18.99 The professional game that we follow and love was massively shaped by clubs from the North West. Six of the original twelve Football League teams were from Lancashire, so were eight of the first ten non-amateur winners of the FA Cup. Despite all the changes since, the region, regarded in the book as stretching from Carlisle down to Northwich in Cheshire, remains a major force at all levels of the pyramid. Whilst some teams have fallen from grace and out of the League (E.g. Barrow, Stockport, Southport) others have replaced them (Fleetwood, Macclesfield, Morecambe), have bounced back (Tranmere, Accrington), or are not far from knocking on the door (Salford, Fylde). And five of the Premier League’s top eight hail from here too. Simon Hughes takes the rich raw material that results from this and paints not only pictures of individual clubs and communities but also of trends and shared issues. Themes emerge of which some are encouraging, and some portray a history of poor decision-making allied to external factors that have led to hard times. Whether it’s the classic wealthy benefactor owning and running a club or decline of local economies and consequent impact on the local team, he describes them with an understanding and analysis that’s praiseworthy. Not every club is looked at but there’s enough breadth of coverage to ensure interest at many levels and sets of circumstances. Each case study is well illustrated through interviews with key players in the club, perhaps not always giving every side of a story but certainly enough to make a point that’s worth discussion. Along the way there is a continuous series of stories, anecdotes and insights. John Coleman and Jimmy Bell (“thick as thieves”) were pleased when bad weather meant they had to train on astroturf. It meant they didn’t have to tell some new loanees that Accrington didn’t have a training pitch. Joe Royle tells of the weather at Oldham’s Boundary Park where all four corner flags would blow in different directions. David Haythornthwaite, owner of AFC Fylde with League status an ambition by 2022, adorns the boardroom with pictures of Churchill and Thatcher, supports fracking and opposes new housing near his own home and appears as a modern-day Bob Lord, the patriarch of Burnley. The re-emergence of Tranmere and its juxtaposition across the Mersey to the probable site of Everton’s new ground is revealingly dealt with by, from the former, Chief Executive Mark Palios and, from Everton, local supporters groups. That’s neatly linked to similar movements amongst Liverpool fans and their impact on recent history at Anfield. The link between club and community is highlighted in nearly every chapter, whether it’s the importance a thriving team can make, or the reverse, what a difference a community in economic or social decline has on football. So, from rural Cheshire through the former industrial giants of towns in Lancashire right up to the Scottish border, there’s a rich story of connections, hopes, ambitions, and backs to the wall struggles. The past, present, and future of North West football is probably that of English football too.

Meanwhile...two players in this national squad (even if one is actually on loan)

Interesting picture of Kean Bryan training or similar on Little Wembley. On Twitter