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.'
KIDS change from cherubs into surly brats quicker than a light bulb blowing, said Radio Merseyside's resident dad Tony Snell the other morning.
"You cynical sod, Snelly," I muttered as I drove to work, thinking of my three lovely children who still mob me when I leave the house and who are still there in the hallway when I return.
I consider myself blessed. They think I'm eye-poppingly funny (sometimes). Meanwhile, The Gaffer, is regarded as the straight guy.
She can be humourless at times, to be honest, usually when I've had a couple of drinks and I'm feeling gregarious but can't say it.
Whenever it's just me and the kids, I can do and say childish stuff which has been bottled up for decades (as I've pretended to be a grown-up).
One of the highlights of my week is driving Jack to his footy on a Saturday morning. He's often a giddy goat sitting on the back seat with his kit on, and his boots kicking the back of my seat. We play loud music freshly downloaded (you mean over-35s can download?) from iTunes to get us 'into the zone.'
We sing at the top of our voices. We pull funny faces. We waggle our heads like Paul McCartney belting out 'She Loves You.' Anything goes. Jack just can't stop smiling as he looks at me adoringly in the rear view mirror.
(Just click on the image and a gratuitous YouTube video of the Sugababes will play without you leaving this page)
Over the last few weeks we've listened to Sugababes, Take That, The Zutons and Richard Hawley. I've even sneaked into the car a few of my own childhood classics like Abba's Angel Eyes, Save All Your Kisses For Me and Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree.
Well, Jack doesn't know they're 30 years old, does he?
This morning we gave Charlie and Sam from down the road a lift to school so that their mum could wait in for the Argos man. She'd been up since 6am putting on her Mae West face.
As we pulled onto the main road, I turned to Jack and said: "Shall we have some tunes?"
"Yeah, OK," grunted Jack. "But dad. Can you NOT do that stupid dancing with your arms. It's embarrassing. Just drive, eh?"
I saw a flash of light and felt tiny fragments of hot glass showering me in slow motion. Is that it? Was Snelly right?
Was that the moment our Jack was catapulted into a new world of adolescent angst where dads are an embarrassment? I hope he comes back, but for now I feel well and truly binned.
(Just click on the image and step back in time to 1976 thanks to the wonders of YouTube)
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Byasen wrote...
Peter, you have a responsibility, no, a DUTY to be an embarrassment to your son. It's what dads do best. My favourite is singing 'I don't feel like dancing' by the Scissor Sisters at least once whenever Peter's friends come round to play, whilst doing my best 'dad dance'. This really gets Peter annoyed, especially when his sister Elizabeth joins in with me. And when I'm challenged by Peter as to why I'm embarrassing him so much in front of his mates, the answer's simple...'It's my job son'.
Keep up the good work, fellow dad!
Posted by: Byasen | November 11, 2007 9:14 AM