Number 10                                                                                         December 27th 2016

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 25^th, 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 24^th 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 21^st 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 25^th 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 1^st 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 21^st 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

May it bring you all that you wish for but most of all, may it bring good health and good luck to you, your family and friends.