Perfect symmetry, but how times have
changed
What
would today’s managers have had to say if they had managed in the sixties? Sunday
sport was banned in Great Britain but in Southern Ireland, the national
football team played their internationals on the “Sabbath”. As the cutting from
the Irish Press indicates below, Ireland played Poland in Dublin on Sunday
October 25th, just 24 hours after a full fixture list in England. Today’s
Sports Scientists would have a field day, producing bucket loads of statistics about
“warm down days”, but were the stars of the sixties particularly affected? Andy
McEvoy, for two seasons the best striker in English football, played at
Goodison Park for Blackburn Rovers on October 24th 1964. The blue
and white halves came from behind and won the game 3-2, the Irishman scoring
twice. On the following day at Dalymount Park, the Republic came from 2-1 down
to beat Poland 3-2 and you’ve guessed it, McEvoy notched another double. Did
playing the day before affect his fitness….…apparently not? You can call modern
professionals “pampered softies” or you can make the case that it is lunacy to
expect highly tuned footballers to put their bodies through such rigours. The
modern game is certainly higher octane than 50 years ago, but the ball was
heavier then and the pitches far more energy sapping. The carefully planned 21st
century international programme prevents such fixture congestion, but did
McEvoy and others suffer unduly because of a lack of duty of care by the
footballing bodies? I am sure they did and sadly the genial Irishman died aged 55
although there are others of his generation thankfully still going strong. It
is a fascinating story but it reflects badly on football administrators of yore.
The best Bolton Wanderers XI I have had the privilege to watch.
The team has been chosen by Dave
Price, a Wanderers fan for 50 plus years even though he now works for
Manchester United
League appearances for Bolton
Wanderers in brackets
Jussi Jaaskelainen (476)
Roy Hartle (447) Fernando Hierro (29) Paul
Jones (445) Gugni Bergsson (270)
Ivan Campo (172)
Jay Jay Okocha (124) Peter Reid (225) Yuri
Djorkaeff (75)
Nat Lofthouse (452) Frank Worthington (84)
Manager: Sam Allardyce Captain:
Gudni Bergsson
Combined total of International Caps: - 438
Dave’s
comment was “It’s not easy this, is it”? He went on to say that the Wanderers
had encountered lots of ups and downs over the years and inevitably, the best
players move on from yo-yo sides when they are relegated; hence the relatively
low appearance totals.
Frank Worthington; 70s Hollywood looks but a goal scorer full of flair
and skill
Such a sensational United XI from Dave and Tony last week, but it provoked many different
comments bemoaning the absences of Keane, Ronaldo, Cantona, Van Nistelroy, Van
der Saar, de Gea, Rooney, Robson, Stiles, Evra, Byrne, Moran, Hughes, Cole,
Stam and Beckham (I think my wife mentioned him)”. What it does show is the
extraordinary depth of talent that has performed in a Manchester United shirt,
so calm down people, these are only personal opinions and there are only eleven
slots in the team.
The Quadruple
The quadruple (Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Football League Cup) has never been won by one club in the same season, United coming closest in 1999. No side will win it this year either and only 5 English clubs have won all four in their entire histories; United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Notts Forest and Aston Villa. What is interesting is to look at the players who have won all four …… with the same club. This has been achieved by 23 players (see below), no-one contributing from the two Midland clubs. To be in such exalted company has demanded skill, endeavour and perseverance as well as a desire to pull up your roots and move to the best clubs in the world. It has also needed luck; luck to be playing for the right club at the right time or in avoiding suspension which robbed both Roy Keane and John Terry of career defining moments. Are the 23 the finest that English football has seen? The list contains several legends of the game and a number of great players, but this is far from the definitive list of the all-time best players to have graced England’s grounds.
Liverpool (Trophies won for Liverpool in Brackets)
Ray Clemence (10), Steve Heighway (8),
Alan Hansen (17), Phil Thompson (13), Kenny Dalglish (14), Bruce Grobbelaar
(13), Mark Lawrenson (10), Ronnie Whelan (13), Ian Rush (15), Craig Johnston
(9).
Liverpool FC; Champions of Europe 1983-84
Manchester United (Trophies won for Manchester United in
Brackets)
Peter Schmeichel (10), Gary Neville
(15), Denis Irwin (12), Ryan Giggs (23), Wes Brown (12), Cristiano Ronaldo (7),
Wayne Rooney (9).
Chelsea (Trophies won for Chelsea in Brackets)
Peter Cech (12), Frank Lampard (10),
Didier Drogba (11), John Obi Mikel (9), Salomon Kalou (7), Ashley Cole (7).
Red
Rose Top 100 Order of Merit (as of 25th December, 2016)
Pos.
|
Team
|
Current league Position
|
Tier
|
League
|
Years in league
|
1
|
Liverpool
|
2
|
1
|
Premier League
|
55
|
2
|
Manchester City
|
3
|
1
|
Premier League
|
15
|
3
|
Manchester United
|
6
|
1
|
Premier League
|
42
|
4
|
Everton
|
9
|
1
|
Premier League
|
63
|
5
|
Burnley
|
16
|
1
|
Premier League
|
1
|
6
|
Preston North End
|
11
|
2
|
EFL Championship
|
2
|
7
|
Blackburn Rovers
|
22
|
2
|
EFL Championship
|
5
|
8
|
Wigan Athletic
|
23
|
2
|
EFL Championship
|
1
|
9
|
Bolton Wanderers
|
3
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
2
|
10
|
Rochdale
|
5
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
3
|
11
|
Fleetwood
|
8
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
3
|
12
|
Bury
|
22
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
2
|
13
|
Oldham Athletic
|
24
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
20
|
14
|
Blackpool
|
8
|
4
|
EFL Division 2
|
1
|
15
|
Morecambe
|
19
|
4
|
EFL Division 2
|
10
|
16
|
Accrington Stanley
|
22
|
4
|
EFL Division 2
|
11
|
17
|
Barrow
|
5
|
5
|
National League
|
2
|
18
|
Southport
|
21
|
5
|
National League
|
7
|
19
|
AFC Fylde
|
1
|
6
|
National League 1 North
|
3
|
20
|
Chorley
|
3
|
6
|
National League 1 North
|
4
|
21
|
Salford
City
|
7
|
6
|
National League 1 North
|
1
|
22
|
FC
United of Manchester
|
12
|
6
|
National League 1 North
|
2
|
23
|
Curzon Ashton
|
15
|
6
|
National League 1 North
|
2
|
24
|
Warrington Town
|
10
|
7
|
Northern Premier League
|
1
|
25
|
Ashton United
|
16
|
7
|
Northern Premier League
|
12
|
26
|
Marine
|
17
|
7
|
Northern Premier League
|
38
|
27
|
Skelmersdale United
|
23
|
7
|
Northern Premier League
|
11
|
28
|
Lancaster
City
|
1
|
8
|
Northern Premier League 1 North
|
10
|
29
|
Trafford
|
3
|
8
|
Northern Premier League 1 North
|
2
|
30
|
Clitheroe
|
4
|
8
|
Northern Premier League 1 North
|
13
|
31
|
Bamber
Bridge
|
10
|
8
|
Northern Premier League 1 North
|
12
|
32
|
Colne
|
11
|
8
|
Northern Premier League 1 North
|
1
|
33
|
Ramsbottom
United
|
14
|
8
|
Northern Premier League 1 North
|
1
|
34
|
Droylsden
|
15
|
8
|
Northern Premier League Division 1
|
3
|
35
|
Mossley
|
16
|
8
|
Northern Premier League Division 1
|
10
|
36
|
Radcliffe
Borough
|
17
|
8
|
Northern Premier League 1 North
|
3
|
37
|
Prescot
Cables
|
21
|
8
|
Northern Premier League 1 North
|
8
|
38
|
Burscough
|
22
|
8
|
Northern Premier League 1 North
|
5
|
39
|
Bootle
|
3
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
8
|
40
|
Atherton
Collieries
|
4
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
2
|
41
|
Padiham
|
6
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
2
|
42
|
W.
Didsbury & Chorlton
|
7
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
4
|
43
|
AFC
Liverpool
|
8
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
6
|
44
|
Irlam
|
10
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
1
|
45
|
Abbey
Hey
|
11
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
7
|
46
|
Maine
Road
|
12
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
9
|
47
|
Ashton
Athletic
|
13
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
3
|
48
|
Squires
Gate
|
15
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
15
|
49
|
Barnoldswick
Town
|
16
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
7
|
50
|
AFC
Darwen
|
19
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
2
|
51
|
Nelson
|
21
|
9
|
North West Counties Premier League
|
3
|
52
|
Charnock
Richard
|
2
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
1
|
53
|
City
of Liverpool
|
3
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
1
|
54
|
Litherland
REMYCA
|
4
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
3
|
55
|
Widnes
|
7
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
4
|
56
|
Prestwich
Heys
|
10
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
1
|
57
|
St
Helen’s Town
|
11
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
2
|
58
|
Daisy
Hill
|
13
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
39
|
59
|
Chadderton
|
14
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
19
|
60
|
Holker
Old Boys
|
16
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
9
|
61
|
Bacup
Borough
|
18
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
2
|
62
|
Atherton
Laburnum Rovers
|
19
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
5
|
63
|
AFC
Blackpool
|
20
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
1
|
64
|
Ashton
Town
|
22
|
10
|
North West Counties League 1
|
31
|
65
|
Longridge Town
|
1
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
5
|
66
|
Wythenshawe Amateurs
|
1
|
11
|
Manchester
League
|
30
|
67
|
Rainhill Town
|
1
|
11
|
West
Cheshire League 1
|
2
|
68
|
Aigburth People’s Hall
|
1
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
9
|
69
|
Wythenshawe Town
|
2
|
11
|
Cheshire
Premier League
|
1
|
70
|
Blackpool Wren Rovers
|
2
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
16
|
71
|
Royton Town
|
2
|
11
|
Manchester
League
|
15
|
72
|
Lower Breck
|
2
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
3
|
73
|
Mossley Hill Athletic
|
2
|
11
|
West
Cheshire League 1
|
6
|
74
|
Fulwood Amateurs
|
3
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
2
|
75
|
Waterloo Dock
|
3
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
11
|
76
|
Maghull
|
3
|
11
|
West
Cheshire League 1
|
18
|
77
|
Rochdale Sacred Heart
|
3
|
11
|
Manchester
League
|
4
|
78
|
Euxton Villa
|
4
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
13
|
79
|
Liverpool NALGO
|
4
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
2
|
80
|
East Manchester
|
4
|
11
|
Manchester
League
|
1
|
81
|
Garstang
|
5
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
3
|
82
|
East Villa
|
5
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
11
|
83
|
Springhead
|
5
|
11
|
Manchester
League
|
9
|
84
|
Page Celtic
|
6
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
9
|
85
|
Tempest United
|
6
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
1
|
86
|
Old Xaverians
|
7
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
11
|
87
|
AFC Monton
|
7
|
11
|
Manchester
League
|
6
|
88
|
Turton
|
7
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
1
|
89
|
Warbreck
|
8
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
3
|
90
|
Thornton Cleveleys
|
8
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
7
|
91
|
Manchester Gregorians
|
8
|
11
|
Manchester
League
|
11
|
92
|
Richmond Raith Rovers
|
8
|
11
|
West
Cheshire League 1
|
1
|
93
|
Byrom
|
9
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
2
|
94
|
Slyne with Hest
|
9
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
6
|
95
|
Hindsford
|
9
|
11
|
Manchester
League
|
12
|
96
|
Denton
|
9
|
11
|
Cheshire
Premier League
|
6
|
97
|
Coppull United
|
10
|
11
|
West
Lancashire Premier League
|
14
|
98
|
Avro
|
10
|
11
|
Manchester
League
|
9
|
99
|
South Sefton Borough
|
10
|
11
|
Liverpool
County Premier League
|
11
|
100
|
Redgate Rovers
|
10
|
11
|
West
Cheshire League 1
|
1
|
Performances
from Boxing Day
Leicester City 0 Everton 2 (Premier League)
The
Champions have disappointed in the Premier League this season but Everton have
struggled to match the early season “Top 4” predictions. Leicester’s home form
had generally held up however and this looked like a home win but the Toffees
showed a resilience previously lacking to secure the points through goals by
Mirallas and Lukaku.
Mansfield Town 0 Morecambe 1 (League
2)
This
clash between 2 sides locked in lower mid-table was never going to be a classic
so no-one was disappointed. However, with the mid-winter wind howling in the
shadow of Sherwood Forest, only the result counted and the “Shrimps” were
grateful to Andrew Fleming prodding home the rebound after Peter Murphy’s
rocket shot had been well saved.
Fylde 0 Chorley 2 (National League 1
North)
It
was potentially the game of the day in the Red Rose County in front of 3858
spectators, but the result was eye-opening because a draw would have been a
good result for Chorley. The experienced Jason Walker may have been a day late in
his role of Santa Claus but he delivered the Christmas cheer to the Magpies
with goals either side of half time, moving him into double figures for the
season. Roll on January 1st for the return fixture at Victory Park.
Jason Walker; Chorley’s much travelled striker
Bamber Bridge 1 Prescot Cables 5 (Northern
Premier League 1 North)
The
relegation threatened Merseyside outfit ought to have caused few problems to a
still handily placed “Brig” but occasionally
the form book flies out of the window. A good sized crowd was shocked when after
19 minutes, “Cables” led 3-1 and two further second-half goals ensured that
they start the New Year outside of the relegation places…..just.
Charnock Richard 1 AFC Blackpool 2
(North West Counties League 1)
The
shock of the day; the highflying Charnock Richard against an “AFC” side
nestling close to the Division’s dead men. After the underdogs led 3-0 at the interval,
the one-way second-half traffic was insufficient as Blackpool hung on for three
extremely unexpected points.
Games
to look forward to in the last few days of 2016
Liverpool v Manchester City (Premier
League) 17.30
The
ever sensation seeking Robbie Savage (whether it has been wild tackles, wild
hair styles or wild predictions) suggested over the weekend that Chelsea ought
to be given the Premier League Trophy now. It is of course yet more banter from
the Welshman, but unless the chasing pack can show more consistency, he will
have been proved to be correct. This is why this fixture could have massive
consequences for the trophy’s end of season resting place. Neither side can
afford to drop any points in front of what will be an alcohol fuelled New
Year’s Eve Anfield crowd and I for one find it too difficult to predict the
winner.
Bolton
Wanderers v Scunthorpe United (EFL Division 1) 15.00
The stakes may be lower, but this is an
equally vital game as these two sides battle it out with Sheffield United for
the two automatic promotion places to the Championship. Traditionally, one
would expect the Wanderers to climb back at the first time of asking. However
the Scunthorpe manger Graham Alexander, well known in these parts for his links
with Preston and Burnley as well as a decent stint as manager of Fleetwood, has
gone back to where his career began, working wonders in north Lincolnshire. The
game deserves a large crowd at the Macron Stadium and 3 points will be massive
to either side.
Trafford v
Glossop North End (Northern Premier 1 League North) December 29 17.45
First mention to Trafford in my Blogs and yet
another big game. Glossop are third in the league with Trafford one place and
one point behind. Both sides have a game in hand on the leaders (Ossett Town)
and a win on Saturday will take either one to the summit of the division.
Trafford have been in the Premier Division just 2 years ago and a return could
beckon from this highly competitive league.
Trafford FC Badge
Padiham v
Atherton Collieries (North West Counties Premier) December 30 17.45
Eleven points divide the third placed
“Collieries” from the sixth placed Lancashire side but it is a hugely
significant game. Both clubs have won their last 4 games, both have applied for
promotion to the Northern Prem next season and a win for Atherton will take
them level with Runcorn Town at the head of the table. I just hope that the
East Lancashire weather plays its part and this fascinating game can go ahead.
Quiz
of the Week (Answers at the foot of the
Blog)
Each question has a Red Rose
County connection
1
Which
player is Liverpool’s leading Premier League goal scorer so far this season?
2
Which
Red Rose County club has a stand named after Colin Bell?
3
Who
was the manager of Burnley FC prior to Sean Dyche?
4
Preston
North End’s Paul Gallagher has only been signed permanently by 3 clubs.
Blackburn Rovers, Preston and which other club for whom he made 118
Championship appearances?
Paul
Gallagher; North End’s dead-ball specialist
5
For
which Red Rose County club did “I‘m a Celebrity” star Jimmy Bullard make a
record 123 consecutive appearances between 2003 -2005?
Jimmy
Bullard; once a talented footballer, now a celebrity
6
The
supporters of which club are known as the Cod Army?
7
Which
Red Rose County club beat Exeter City 2-1 at Wembley in 2007 to gain promotion
from the Conference to the Football League?
8
Which
other Football League club has John Coleman managed other than Accrington
Stanley?
9
In
2005, which one of our clubs became the first in the country to reach 1,000
goals in all 4 divisions?
10
Who
scored two goals in each of the 1986 and 1989 FA Cup Finals?
Post Weekend
Musings
This is a statement made on December 21st
by the Board of Directors of Morecambe FC regarding their majority shareholder
who only took over the club in early September.
“The Board remains extremely
concerned at the current state of affairs, as the current majority shareholder,
Mr Diego Lemos, has failed to deliver on promised investment. Communication with
Mr Lemos continues to be difficult and he has now been out of the country since
Thursday 17th November.”
Why do the EFL continue to make vetting mistakes when accepting these
people as owners of a football club? It must be completely morale sapping for
manager Jim Bentley, his playing and coaching staff, the fellow directors and
supporters of this fine little club.
Jermaine Beckford, the experienced Preston
North End striker was of course sent off and banned for 3 games for fighting
with a team mate in the dying moments of a game at Hillsborough in early
December. One would hope that phrases such as “learning from my mistakes” or “I
will do better next time for the sake of my team mates” would have resonated
with him, but not so. On Saturday, he returned from suspension and was
introduced as a substitute at half time v Leeds United. He was sent off 3
minutes later for “clashing” with an opponent. North End went on to lose both
games and questions need asking about the future at the club concerning a player
who ought to have known better?
The national press and to be fair, many
thoughtful, sensible and well-meaning football fans were quietly gloating in
the first few weeks of the season when Manchester United was struggling to turn
draws into victories and its less than generally loved manager was kicking buckets
and being generally obnoxious. However, those of us who have gloated at the
club’s misfortune ought also to give credit when it is due and so let us
acknowledge that the Portuguese has turned the club around. Should Chelsea
falter and others stumble, there is every possibility that the Old Trafford
reds could force their way into the top 4 and beyond, challenge for the Europa
Cup and win the EFL and FA Cups. A quadruple of sorts?
I love Rochdale’s journey this
season. The second worst support in the league plus the close proximity of
larger clubs such as the 2 Manchester sides, Oldham, Bury, Bolton and Blackburn
has forever meant that struggling is in their DNA. Keith Hill however has put
together a side which has now to be taken seriously in the promotion chase.
Winning 5 out of the last 6 and with 9 consecutive home league victories is
form that cannot be ignored.
At the other end of the
spectrum, I am so concerned
at the results from Ewood Park, The DW Stadium, Boundary Park and at Accrington
Stanley. The 1400 travelling Rovers’ support at Barnsley on Boxing Day was
singing “Same old sh.., same old sh...” which I felt did little to encourage
the players but at the same time, it was easy to understand their frustrations.
Tier 11 Clubs of the Week
Wythenshawe, 2 successful clubs in 2
different but equivalent leagues.
Wythenshawe
is the southernmost suburb of Manchester and was once noted for having the
largest council estate in the country. Although only part of the city, it is
actually as big as towns such as Burnley, Accrington and Blackburn to the
north, each of which is famous for its football team. Wythenshawe actually has
two clubs, both of which play at Tier 11. Wythenshawe Amateurs is currently top
of the Manchester Premier League. It was founded in 1946 and has played in the
Manchester League since 1988, winning the title twice. For a while the club
played in the FA Vase, but its temporary ground at the Manchester Health Academy
in Baguley now neither meets national competition nor promotional criteria.
Wythenshawe
Town was also formed in 1946 and like the “Amateurs”, played for many years in
the Lancs & Cheshire and then Manchester leagues before joining the Cheshire
League in 2014. Since then it has won second and first division titles in
successive years and is currently second in the Premier Division. The club has
plans for promotion to the North West Counties League, something which may well
happen this summer if results stay positive. Wythenshawe could be celebrating a
double championship success this May.
Quiz Answers
1 Sadio Mane, 2 Manchester City, 3 Eddie
Howe, 4 Leicester
City, 5 Wigan
Athletic, 6 Fleetwood Town, 7 Morecambe, 8 Rochdale, 9 Bury, 10 Ian
Rush,
To all of you that read this blog, I would
like to thank you for your support during the last 10 weeks and wish you all a
