They had a famous FA Cup run in the early 1990s, eventually being knocked out by Crewe 3-1 in the 3rd round. Roly Howard was manager for a record 33 years (1972-2005), although he will always be remembered by some fans as Kenny Dalglish's window cleaner. TV presenter Ray Stubbs once asked: "How's business, Roly?" to which Roly replied "Oh you know - ups and downs."
Former players include Michael Ball (Everton and Rangers) and Stephen Wright (Liverpool and Sunderland). The club motto is 'To Enjoy, Not Destroy.'
I WAS trying to work out how interested in football I was at Jack’s age.
He's certainly more 'into' the sport than I was at six. Perhaps it's a reflection of the dawn till dusk TV coverage and its all-round higher profile.
Memories of 1974 are sketchy and, disappointingly, I cannot remember anything of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Newcastle in the FA Cup final. Nothing. Perhaps I was shopping for fabric with my mum and sisters at George Henry Lee's or Waldman's that Saturday.
That's not strictly true. The cup final, I mean. I can recall each of the goals in great detail - but only from watching a DVD a few weeks ago.
One TV moment from 1974 I have absolute clarity over, however, is presenter Brian Moore rounding off ITV’s World Cup coverage.
It was July 7 (I looked up that bit). West Germany had just beaten the ‘total football’ of Holland with such memorable players as Johan Neeskens, Rudi Krol, Johnny Rep and, of course, Johan Cruyff.
I don’t think I saw any of the group matches, but I was engrossed by the knockout stage and watched the whole of the final. After years of devotion to Andy Pandy, Mary, Mungo and Midge, and Bill and Ben I was suddenly and completely smitten with football.
After the final, which Germany won 2-1 after trailing to an early penalty (see 56 seconds of rapid-fire highlights by clicking on the image below), the TV coverage swung back to Brian Moore sat behind a studio desk in London.
I remember there was a bit of chatter with guests (possibly involving Brian Clough??) before Moore said: "That's it from Germany 1974. We'll see you in Argentina in four years. Goodbye."
Four Years?? FOUR years!!
I'd just fallen in love big-time and I was being told I'd have to wait almost a lifetime before I'd see my sweetheart again. That's a lot to deal with when you're six. No wonder I was such a brat.
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Noodles wrote...
Peter, count yourself lucky - the first World Cup I remember is Italy 1990, which went down as the worst in history.
The final West Germany v Argentina summed up the whole tournament, drab and lifeless. Best thing about it was England's oh-so-close performance and the surprise team of the tournament, Cameroon. Columbian goalie Rene Higuita also provided a rare glimpse of fun when he cocked up bigtime in the 2nd round v Cameroon.
The Argies were bloody awful, as were Brazil.
Best match of that Italia 90 was England v Cameroom - a right nailbiter.
Posted by: Noodles | April 6, 2007 2:09 PM