StipeTripe

Might I ask, where it turned up IM? As we're talking gormless like, chortle !

Whilst I'm here, with access to a disc of old files and all that, this is why Soooper Sean had such a fat aris, set this up before he finished playing and apparently he ate all the profits, profits in this instance spelt - p i e s ! Once used in a reserve team report when we played home games at Hurst Cross. 19th September 2001 to be exact McCarthys dial a cake, how good is that?

Well possibly, but it seems the FA and FL have worked at their usual speed and taken 7 years to pick up on it I promise never ever to involve meself in such dubious self aggrandisement ever again, definitely, maybe!

Aye my original Word doc is dated 23/6/2001 Time flies when your having fun being a big galoot from Midd,

Well you did ask Royton Blue Lad! Never pass up a chance to dust down and roll out any old bit of tat I say With apologies to click if you don't have a clue what this is about. Oh and thanks to the Ayr United fanzine from where I originally blagged it 7 years ago. Oldham Athletic fans are free to wear sunscreen, Wear sunscreen for the first match of the season. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it… The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own footballing experience. I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the pace and enthusiasm of your youth team.Never mind their naivety. They will not understand the power and beauty of youth until they graduate to the first team. But trust me,in 20 years you'll look back at team photos and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before your team, and how naff their hairstyles were. Phil Salt was not as fat as you imagined. Don't worry about relegation. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to win matches by wearing your lucky pants. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your mind, unpredictable results that blindside you at 4:50 on some idle Saturday afternoon. Do one thing every season thar scares you. Sing. Don't sing racist or who the f**kin'ell are you songs, don't put up with people who do. Floss. Don't waste your money on bookies, sometimes you're winning but mostly you're not. The season is long, its a marathon not a sprint. Remember great performances. Forget the insults of Wycombe and Rotherham.If you succeed in doing this tell me how. Keep your old programmes, don't throw away your old ticket stubs. Stretch. Don't feel guilty if you don't know what formation suits your squad. The most interesting people I know didn't know how to player a sweeper at 22. Some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't. Get a discounted season ticket in May. Go to as many games as you can. You'll miss them at the end of the season. Maybe you'll slip back into the relegation battle, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have a chance of making the play offs, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll get relegated two seasons on the trot Maybe you'll dance the funky chicken as you retain the FA Cup. Whatever you do don't congratulate your team too much, or berate them either. Your results depend on our strikers taking their half chances. So do everybody else's. Enjoy you're football. Be proud of your allegiance and don't be afraid of it or what others think of it. They ARE by far the greatest team the world has ever seen. Dance when your team score, even if your watching the match in your front room. Read the matchday programmes directions before setting off to away matches, even if like Barlows coaches you don't understand them. Do not read articles about the rugby messing up the pitch, it will only depress you. Go to the match with your Dad. You never know when he'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings, even if they want to watch manyounighted. They are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go, but you should keep in touch with those who used to go to the match with you. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get the more you need the people who knew you when you were young. Watch city once, but leave before it makes you hard. Watch bury once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths: Ticket prices WILL rise. Players WILL leave. You too, WILL get old. And when you do you'll fantasise that when you were young ticket prices were reasonable, players stayed at one club for life and kids grew up supporting their local team. Support you local team. Don't expect anybody to bankroll your team. Maybe they'll have a lot of money from television rights. Maybe they'll have a wealthy benefactor. But you never know when either one might run out. Don't buy every new strip or by the time you're 40 you'll have 85. Be careful who you talk to about football, but be patient with those who talk to you. Footballing anecdotes are a form of nostalgia. Telling them is a way of fishing the past from the waste disposal, wiping it down, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than its worth. But trust me on Keepin the faith.

There were probably 20 Green'uns around the UK, Saturday evening sports papers are due a revival I reckon.

I actually hadn't thought of that DS, I only put that in the original cos I also did words to Sunscreen by Baz Lurhmann so its was a "Latics Fans Free (To Wear Suncreen)" Maybe I'll reprise it, maybe I won't !

Used to go in his paper shop on Boarshaw everyday either on me way to or from school, not to buy owt you understand just to gaze at an old time Latics legend! Carl Valentine.

If anybody is interested (doubtful) I wrote this article for JK Latics, originally in 2001 but updated it after the summer of hell, I’ll paste it here as it was on 6/8/2003. “” It’s been the longest and most miserable close season ever for Latics fans and an experience that I’m sure none of us will want to go through again, ever. However although not out of intensive care yet we are still alive and kicking and the big kick off is upon us again. I’m sure that as the team take the field come ten to three on Saturday many of us will have a lump in the throat. The summer’s troubles will not be forgotten mind, merely pushed to the back of a collective mind. It’ll just be fantastic to be back at BP, watching OUR team. So with the season upon us I thought I’d look back to opening day games that in many way sum up the highs and lows of watching Latics, and just for good measure I’ve chucked in a few other bits and bobs about the following season. Let’s face it for fans everywhere the start of the season always gives you a buzz, unfortunately by quarter to five on the first day it can sometimes feel that the season might as well be over! It never is though and come May we’ll all still be there whatever has happened. The first season ticket I got was for the 77/78 campaign, I’d been to a number of games in 76/77, but to have a season ticket bloomin’ ‘eck I couldn’t wait. We ere away at Blackpool on the opening day and even with the best grovelling in the world could not persuade me Dad to go, had to make do with the radio as Latics escaped with a point. The following Tuesday night home game with Fulham more than made up for missing Blackpool, with Vic Halom's superb “bicycle kick” goal still sticking in the mind. Not a bad season followed, a brief flirt with the promotion pack and a splendid unbeaten run, finishing a creditable 8th. The following season had a terrible start away at Luton, no chance of going so me and me mate went off to BP to watch the reserves duff Stockport ‘A’, (K.O. 2 PM) as the stiffs game finished on a gloriously sunny day it was announced that we were 1-0 up at half time, a ripple of, well, apathy went around the old codgers in the main stand, we danced around like loonies. However by the time we were getting off the 412 in Middy the driver kindly informed us that we lost 6-1; we didn’t believe him though, as he was a red! So how devastated were we when we got home, 6-1, 6 blinkin’1, still went an’ bought a Green ‘un ** and a Pink, just to make sure like! The rest of the season followed on from that really, 6 wins in the last 9 games saving us from a relegation fight, remember the 5-0 stuffing of Blackburn? By 1980/81 there was some anticipation in the air 250K had been spent upgrading BP including under soil heating. The club had splashed another 150K on Paul Futcher, could we do something this time? The first game was at BP against QPR, and I don’t think the upgrading was finished because if memory serves the QPR fans were cordoned off in a corner of the Chaddy. A Kowenicki thunderbolt won us the match, although the QPR fans massed outside the Clayton at the end seemed none too pleased, even though it was a lovely sunny day, again. The rest of the season was a bit non-descript, we sold Mr. Simon Stainrod to QPR which hailed the arrival of Mr. Roger Palmer, not that popular a move at the time, I’m sure, but it worked out fine in the end didn’t it? Also this season provided us with the 1000th win in league football, against the buggers from Ewood, huraaahhhh! You nearly always start off with that feeling of anticipation and excitement but sometimes maybe not. 1983 -84 it didn’t look promising, we’d got rid of players and brought in three; from non-league Mark Ward, errmmmm Derrick (who he?) Parker from Barnsley and Martin Buchan who was probably in many eyes well past his sell by date We were favorites to drop as per usual, but on top of that to have your first game at home against Brighton one of the favorites for a tilt at promotion, and previous seasons FA Cup Finalists (remember it as the “and Smith must score” final, only the berk didn’t) it could only be a bad start. Except true to form Latics they didn’t read the script and that non league buy Mark Ward popped up to head the ball past the Brighton keeper on another gorgeous afternoon of sunshine, we won 1-0, the rest of the season however was true to the bookies prediction, total pants, staying up by the skin of our teeth Jumping a couple of years on we come to 1986/87, nearly a momentous one for Latics, but only nearly. The final third of the previous campaign had been good after a disaster in mid season, so hopes were high, especially as the carpet had just been laid at BP, with Ellis and Irwin arriving and Goram just back from the World Cup could we shock a few this time? A win at the Baseball Ground as it all kicked off looked good, didn’t get to Derby due to holibobs, we made sure that never happened again! So it was on to the first match on plastic, do you recall? Bank Holiday Monday, evening kick off and basically a Winter storm lashed BP, rain, gales and a pitch covered in sand gave the evening a surreal feel, but Baaaaaaarnsley were dispatched 2-0. The rest is history, we finish 3rd and don’t get promotion, like I’ve said before I really hated Keith Edwards. The sun was back for the big kick off the following season, and that day in ’87 at the Hawthorns was a significant one, as it marked the debut of a certain Mr. Ritchie, whom if I am right the faithful took to straight away, although he couldn’t prevent a dour 0-0 draw. Latics however were suffering a bad hangover from the previous campaign and its bitter disappointment. However the turn of the year saw greatly improved performances, and there were some highlights, winning at Maine Road with a brace from Tommy Wright, and beating Leeds in the League Cup, and it was on Sportsnight. Oh nearly forgot there was a downside, Glenn blinkin’ Keeley, I’ll say no more. Is it always sunny come the opening day? It was again in 89/90; Tommy Wright had buggered off, too good for us eh Tommy? Off to Leicester then? Considering the next few years a Latics what a bob on move that was then Mr. Wright! Mr. Adams had joined the ranks, already a firm favorite after his loan spell and on the eve of season Mr. Rick “who the bloody hell’s he then” Holden. We lost again at Ewood amongst fisticuffs with PC Plod, who would have guessed what was in store for us in the coming months. Certainly not me, indeed not many, because by the fourth home game the attendance was a quite pathetic 4940, and don’t even think it of course I was in it! Can you remember how you felt during the build up to the 90/91 season, after the exploits of the previous season’s cup campaigns nothing short of promotion would do, but could we do it? After all the when we blobbed in the play offs several seasons earlier the subsequent season was a disaster, but for the first and if I’m honest the only time whilst watching Latics I had a feeling we’d be fine and after that day in the warm August sun at Molineux I just KNEW we’d be fine. Can’t really say much else about that time, it’s already so well documented but from the sunshine at Wolves to that momentous day at Portman Road and indeed at BP on that fateful last day, the season was the best. How do you top that season, well you can’t and it therefore seems an appropriate place to end. Since “that” season we have had other good days on the opening day when it always seems to be a most excellent summer’s day. At Anfield, don’t think anybody cared about the result it was just a privilege to be there. Then at Stamford Bridge to watch and laugh at the Dave Beasant show, but by the time Ipswich strolled away from BP with a 0-3 win I think it’s fair to say that the end of the ride was looming on the horizon. In our fall from grace we have had some false dawns at the start of the marathon, Charlton 5-2, Huddersfield 3-0, York 3-1 and Port Vale 4-1. Let’s face it there have been some downright shockers too, in their own different ways, Notts County 1-3, Stoke 1-2, and Preston 0-1. That brings us to last season’s opener, which although ending in defeat didn’t really dampen the enthusiasm. Despite the result against Cardiff it wasn’t such a bad old season was it? On the pitch at least! So what does this coming season hold in store? Who knows, perhaps its time to allow ourselves to feel a little bit more optimistic about the future? ## Two things are certain the first result isn’t that important, and if history repeats itself it will be a crackin’ summers day. Keep the faith and don’t forget the sunscreen. “” ** As a footnote, yes I know it wasn’t the original Green ‘un, it was white and known as the Sport Final, I still have a few copies now. However in the paper shop I went to every Saturday night, Bush’s on Rochdale Road in Middleton, it was always still referred to as the “Green”, older blokes would buy a Pink and a Green. I guess in the same way as a wee boy me Dad would send me into the shop on a Sunday morning to ask for the Sunday Pictorial, and I’d be given its successor the Sunday Mirror, or was it People! I only add this footnote as I seriously can’t be arsed going through the whole debate of it not really being the Green with TGOBM again (or anybody else for that matter), or whatever his pseudonym on here is, that’s if he’s actually joined OWTB. ## Maybe that statement is true for 2008/09 too?

You might just need a gas mask as well ! Naked day, what a con

If get deep enough eh, I had thought of smut that could be applied there, but that'd have been for another message board in a forgotten galaxy far far away! Hang on a mo, "Naked for the Day" when? Where? Who? Will there be a viewing only area You hit nail firmly on the head there, "couldn't sit back and do nothing" no you can't, we initially got involved by being tested to see if we were perfect matches for bone :censored: transplanting for my cousin, we sadly weren't, but it caused a chain reaction just seeing what others were going through and needed and it goes from there.

Meant to reply earlier in the week. When I started going in '76 if I recall the shop was very small wide enough for a door, a counter and room for behind the counter for two. They always sold the previous weeks away programme and had a display of programmes on one of them displays, like they used to have for the newspapers in the library. There were always two old chaps in there, both of whom smoked a pipe, which meant any item purchased always had the aroma of Condor ready rubbed baccy or some such, in fact to this day I swear some of the programmes I bought still have the faint whiff of shag about them! I also bought my first silk scarf from there, that smelt of baccy too.

Hi G, will them thar gurls be helping one apply the self tanning, will it be an "all over" rub down, if so can I reserve the first 57 packs, that should just about cover me gut !! As regards the buckets I told the Inspector last week that I shall make a suitable deposit in his bucket, ahem! If anybody is still reading please make a donation however small, it all counts. I know how much work people like Gill have to put into these things. My family got involved and still are involved with a different charity about 15 years ago, because my cousin became ill with a terminal form of leukaemia, lots of hard work, lots of times seeming like a thankless task, but at the end of the day the rewards in doing it far outweigh anything else. Oh and what G hasn't mentioned is that Mr Gillian and the good Inspectormorose with others are doing the 3 peaks challenge and her Son a half marathon all for Factor 50, so donate or chuck summat in a bucket, :censored:it do both !! Like I say 5p or £50 it all counts

Alan Young highlight, the hat trick against Leicester, First Division (old money) Leicester ? Which set up a 5th round game against Ossie Ardiles and Spurs, and the possibility of a 6th round against manyouknightid, brilliant nights at BP which will be 30 years old next new year, gulp. Yeah I know he did the durty on us, but what the heck you can't take away what he did for Latics.

I can't recall if Rio was Ratted or not, I suspect not, who knew. Actually with regard to the other point which I assume is regards Guns of Navarone, I suggested it on JKL originally, in the dim distant mists of time. Hibernation? No Chance. Tempus fugit more like.

Bollocks In fact last night on the Gordon Burns show they featured a report about a little lad attacked by a dog. To start with Ranvir said in a pub in Rochdale, and then went errrrrr Middleton, ffs (obviously without the ffs) ! Then the whole report said Middleton, and worse it was posh JimiT Middleton too !!!!!

Yes I noticed this last night on Ceefax, its how all the media have reported it. I bet if old Ashley had saved a kiddie from a house fire, or performed something else of worth it would have been ""goalkeeper Ashley Timms (22), of Rochdale"". But heck no its a bad news story. and when its a bad news story its ok, nay imperative to use Middleton as the home town, same every time.

Just chucking out load of old tosh at work and found this in a storage box Anyways just thought I'd post it up. If memory serves (and it doesn't) they won 2-1 or 1-0 with a late undeserved goal after we'd battered them all game.

Got a text yesterday morning and although we knew Ernie’s passing was coming it still shook and saddened me to the core. Having been in this situation myself I can empathise with what his family are going through right now, but I cannot begin to imagine how his wife is feeling, it’s just sad beyond belief. Rest in peace Ernie. Can I just add one more thing? That night at Spotland when Ernie brought a smile back to the faces of so many of us in such dark times I seem to remember something else that summed him up. He'd been subbed and left the pitch to a tremendous ovation, done the warm down and was finally sat against the hoardings taking a well, really well deserved rest and a drink. Somebody got injured I think and due to our lack of players Ernie was summoned to be a sub, he came back on, all wobbly legged to another ovation and despite obviously being shot still gave his all. I don't know if it’s already been mentioned and I’m not sure if that’s how it happened, and after a couple of conversations with folks looking back at me blankly if it happened! I just thought I'd add it, maybe somebody else recalls it. Anyways remembering the good times is never a bad thing at times like this. Can I also say that I agree with Gillian, and others on the flowers etc, and I'm certain Ernie would agree. Make a donation to an organisation that is trying to make a difference. It’s too late for Ernie and G's friend Jon, but it’s never too late to keep looking and keep giving hope FACTOR 50.

Shocking, desperately sad news.

Ahhhh I knew it had happened sometime. Changing allegiance to Citeh from Latics, thats more than flamin' nutty, more like certifiable!

Just thinking was it that second leg where a Latics fan got a dart in the head for his trouble, or was that another game over there at the Clorets, or have I imagined that all these years? I do know that Celtic took Turf Moor apart in the semi final, using the fence railings as spears at one stage. I know this cos my mates Dad refused point blank to take us if we played Celtic in the final!

You're welcome

Hearts was the Texaco Cup, all sorts on this site, inc Anglo Scot and Anglo Italian games Anorak

Just to double confirm Stirling was on 3/8/96 or 96/8/3 here is a picture I took (note date bottom left) There was a gobby jock sat near us giving it plenty with the Gareth Southgate penalty thing, I know his mates were getting fed up with him too because when I'd finally had enough meself and shouted back " a bit like Gary McAllister then eh?" they all laughed and he shut up. It was if I recall a bobbins game which wasn't helped by the ref sending off Nick Henry(?) after about 2 seconds for a farcical handball. NH was on the goal line had the ball blasted at him, it hit his arm and went in. The ref didn't give the goal, sent NH off and awarded a penalty, a decision which got the ref abuse from everybody in the ground (well maybe not the linesmen, but I could tell they were thinking that ref was a nob). Anyways thats how I remember it, so probably totally wrong!