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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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October 2007 Archives

Marine 8, Indanet 0

Posted by Peter Harvey on October 27, 2007 2:44 PM

Marine U7s 8, Indanet U7s 0

220.jpgTHE young Mariners maintained their good form with a comfortable victory against an inexperienced Indanet team.


From the first whistle Marine dominated proceedings but despite all of the possession they struggled to find a way past a resilient and compact Indanet defence.

Rugby: Who Gives a Toss?

Posted by Peter Harvey on October 14, 2007 11:48 AM

Jonny boy

THE euphoria that has greeted England's rugby union successes over the last few days beggars belief.


I've shown little interest in the Rugby World Cup so far, but by all accounts England are a hastily assembled, mediocre, resolute side whose last two results have outweighed their performance.

Match of the Season?

Posted by Peter Harvey on October 14, 2007 10:56 AM

220.jpgTWO teams boasting some stars of tomorrow gave spectators a thrilling display of junior football which would have had John Motson reaching for his book of superlatives.


It was a game which could have swung either way in the second half with Indanet scoring the crucial goal late on. The youngsters must be among the best under-7s in Merseyside, if not farther afield.

The Tooth is Out There...

Posted by Peter Harvey on October 12, 2007 10:02 PM

Jack before his falloutJack after his falloutEasy moneyJoe Jordan


JACK is skipper for Marine tomorrow, after his MOM performance last week.


Thankfully, his two front teeth which have been hanging by a thread for days have finally fallen out, making him look less like Ronaldinho. He now reminds me of Joe Jordan at his leg-biting best in the late 1970s.

Liverpool 7, Spurs 0

Posted by Peter Harvey on October 9, 2007 1:17 PM

Another bad hair day for TezzaMcDermott nods home number seven - PHOTO: LIVERPOOL ECHO


LFCIT was one of the greatest 'team' goals ever - Dalglish to Johnson, Heighway cross, McDermott far post, GOAL!


Liverpool only drew 2-2 against Tottenham at the weekend, but here's a chance for Reds to relive one of Anfield's most memorable league games thanks to YouTube...

Everton: UEFA Cup Draw

Posted by Peter Harvey on October 9, 2007 10:55 AM

EFCSOME tricky teams worth avoiding in this morning's UEFA Cup draw for Everton. Notably Bayern Munich, Villareal or the Moscow teams, especially after the performance in Ukraine.


Mind you, some relatively unheard clubs like Aalborg (Denmark), Brann (Norway) and Mlada Boleslav (Czechoslovakia) would do nicely. So, what teams will be entertaining our Jack on a Thursday night this winter? We'll find out in the next few minutes....

WARNING: Dads Are Dangerous

Posted by Peter Harvey on October 9, 2007 7:44 AM

OUR friends at Who Ate All the Pies say they are featuring this YouTube video as a warning to all dads tempted to turn their back garden into Wembley.


I suspect that a warning was the last thing on their minds, but I'll also hide behind the same pathetic argument to justify featuring it...

Big Bad Dad...Again!!!

Posted by Peter Harvey on October 8, 2007 2:01 PM

220.jpgYOU may remember I badly let down Jack on that not-so-glorious night in May when he was keen to watch the Champions League final with me. A dad and lad night.


His horrible dad was keen to get boozed up with his pals and cheer the mighty Reds to victory over AC Milan in the pub...again.


God made Liverpool lose that night as a punishment. Well, it's happened again.

When The Going Gets Tough...

Posted by Peter Harvey on October 1, 2007 7:58 AM

220.jpgJACK was a bit shell-shocked after coming up against Croxteth Park Reds a few weeks ago.


The Reds are a good side. An excellent side, in fact. Three or four of the lads are among the best Jack's played against, showing pace, good ball control and a real hunger to win the ball.


It was also a physical battle with some firm, fair tackling. One boy though was keen on shoving and pushing at set pieces which Jack was not used to. He'd obviously picked it up from watching TV.

This page contains an archive of all entries posted to Touchline Dad in the October 2007. They are listed from oldest to newest.

September 2007 is the previous archive.November 2007 is the next archive.

Many more can be found on the home page or by looking through the archives.