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Touchline Dad

Touchline Dad

TOUCHLINE Dad is written by Peter Harvey, a newspaper editor with Trinity Mirror Merseyside. Father-of-three Peter, 39, worked as a writer for the Liverpool Echo during the 1990s and is the former editor of the Crosby Herald and Bootle Times newspapers (2001-2006). He is currently editor of the Advertiser Series in West Lancashire. Touchline Dad is a lifelong Liverpool fan.

Our Jack...

Jack with his first Man of the Match award

JACK Harvey is seven, going on seventy-seven. He's a dependable, no-nonsense defender for Marine FC's U7s playing in the Bootle and Netherton Junior Football League in north Liverpool. Jack played for Crosby Stuart U7s in 2006/7, helping them win every league game. He is being encouraged to appreciate both Liverpool AND Everton...for now at least.

The Gaffer

The Gaffer

THE Gaffer is a true Blue. Although she's now swapped her Gwladys Street season ticket for looking after three children on a Saturday afternoon, she still gets steamed up thinking about Graeme Sharp in his skimpy shorts.

Not forgeting...

Emily

EMILY is five and has no interest in football. Her kicks come from Barbie girls and make-up, bangles and beads. Oh, and shoes. She changes them at least five times a day. Dabbles with ballet and swimming. Cross her at your peril.

And finally...

Paddy

PADDY inherited a mini Everton kit from Sam down the road. No doubt 'Pads' will also get Jack's pass-me-downs, so that will narrow his allegiance to Real Madrid, Juventus, Republic of Ireland, England, Everton and Liverpool. Loves pirates, yoghurts and Josie Jump. He's got the second worst temper in the North West...

Marine AFC

FORMED in 1894 and based in Crosby, north Mersyside. The first team plays in the Northern Premier League and were champions in 1994 and 1995. 220.jpgThey 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."

Snapshots

Jack and his Marine U7 teammates
Jack, Carra, Emily, Touchline Dad and the European Cup
Jack, Emily and Paddy
Jack at Goodison Park, 2007
Jack at Anfield, 2007
Jack (stripes) in action for Crosby Stuart
Jack's former team Crosby Stuart U7s

Crosby Stuart

THIS was Jack's first club. It was formed in the early 1970s in north Liverpool and is now one of the biggest and most successful junior football clubs in the North West. Crosby StuartFormer players include Michael Ball (Everton and Rangers) and Stephen Wright (Liverpool and Sunderland). The club motto is 'To Enjoy, Not Destroy.'

Football Crazy

"JACK stood before me in his Buzz Lightyear pyjamas, hands on hips. I kicked him hard in the shins. Instead of falling to the carpet and rolling in agony, he laughed. 'Do it again, Dad. Do it again. We’ll trick Mum.' I didn’t fancy chancing our comedy double act with The Gaffer, so instead Jack clambered into bed still wearing his new 'shinnies.' 'Maybe tomorrow, eh dad?' he asked as he closed his eyes to see his Premier League heroes greet him."

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All Aboard The Mighty Mariners

Posted by Peter Harvey on September 17, 2007 9:42 AM | 

Marine FC under-7s


220.jpgJACK and some of his team-mates have signed up for one of the UK's best-loved non-league clubs, Marine.


The Crosby club, who's senior team plays in the Unibond Northern Premier League, were keen to launch their own under-7s and Jack and boys were happy to climb aboard.


He's very grateful to his former coach Mark at Crosby Stuart.


Here's the first photo of the new team with Jack bottom left on the front row. The others are Kieron Thornton, Max Smith, Andrew Begbie, Callum Duncan, James Field, Peter Silcock, Paul Williams and Liam Bromilow.


PHOTO COURTESY OF RON SILCOCK (ok, Ron?)


Here's the official report of their first match...


Marine U7s 1, Croxteth Park Reds U7s 2

It was the toughest possible start for Marine’s first game against a strong Croxteth Park team littered with academy players but they showed great spirit and despite the loss, the boys came out of the game with great credit.


Playing their first game for two months, Marine came out of the blocks rather slowly and struggled to contain a skilful Croxteth team for the majority of the first half and two well taken goals gave Croxteth Park a comfortable and deserved lead.


A great display from keeper Paul Williams kept Marine in the game and as the game progressed Marine began to show glimpses of what they can do.


Following a little pressure on the Croxteth Park goal, James Field pulled one back for Marine after a well taken corner giving a half time score of 2-1.


The second half was a tight affair with both defences coming out on top. A great defensive display from Andrew Begbie and Jack Harvey ensured chances were at a premium and despite some great work in midfield from man-of-the-match Callum Duncan and Max Smith, Marine failed to trouble the Croxteth keeper too much.


The final score of 2-1 was a fair reflection with two good teams playing their part in an excellent advert for junior football.


The boys should improve for this game and will look forward to the league campaign with great confidence. A great start boys, keep up the good work. Colin Begbie


Post a comment - no need for an email address or even your real name. Pseudonyms are fine by me.

Comments (5)

Ron Silcock wrote...

I soppose, Mr Harvey.

Posted by: Ron Silcock  | September 15, 2007 11:05 PM

David St Hubbins wrote...

I am astounded to see someone whom I believe was promoted from the Crosby Herald to the esteemed position of editor of the Ormskirk Advertiser does not know the difference between the word "whose", which denotes possession, and the contraction "who's", which replaces "who is". Most disappointing. Touchline Dad? Touchline Dud, more like.

Posted by: David St Hubbins  | September 18, 2007 12:04 PM

Touchline Dad wrote...

David (perhaps I should say Mr St Hubbins), you're absolutely right.

I could blame the pressure and pace of family life and/or the relentless onslaught of newsroom deadlines. But I won't.

I'll take the criticism like a man and hopefully learn from it. However, my Christian Brothers' education requires me to be punished.

Shall I stand outside the staffroom and wait for Mr Piotr or Brother Carey to finish their breaktime fag and invite them to strap me or shall I walk around Williamson Square this Saturday carrying a placard proclaiming 'Touchline Dad? Touchline Dud.'

Posted by: Touchline Dad  | September 18, 2007 1:00 PM

Byasen wrote...

It's not like me to split hairs...because I haven't got any... but James's goal came as a result of a well taken free kick, rather than a well taken corner. And I also noted Mr Harvey's deliberate mistake, and that was with a Comprehensive education.

Posted by: Byasen  | September 21, 2007 8:27 PM

csb wrote...

I hope you are not having a go at Touchline Dad over the match report Ron. It was my good self who wrote it and I obviously wasn't paying much attention (I am new to the job!) I have slept since then and don't recall the details exactly but I am still convinced it was a corner. In the interest Glasnost and Perestroika, I will change the wording to 'dead ball' for the official report. If you find any spelling, grammatical or factual mistakes in the reports just remember, I went to an approved school!!

Posted by: csb  | September 24, 2007 8:59 AM

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