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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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January 2008 Archives

Did We Beat West Ham, Dad?

Posted by Peter Harvey on January 30, 2008 9:55 PM

LFCTOMORROW morning, before his eyes are fully open, Jack will ask how the Reds got on against the Hammers tonight.


I'll stand on the botton rung of his bunk bed ladder and explain to him that despite the euphoric victory over mighty Havant and Waterlooville at the weekend, Liverpool couldn't continue their winning form.

Liverpool FC: Excuses Wearing Thin

Posted by Peter Harvey on January 22, 2008 8:02 AM

Ryan Babel had an instant impact against Aston Villa when Rafa finally decided to cart off Kewell


LFCRAFA feels he's a victim of unfriendly fire from the Yanks. The Yanks clearly don't rate Rafa. Not surprising, the way he's behaved. Now, the players are blaming off-the-pitch distractions for poor performances and poor results.


Of course, there's elements of truth concealed within all this insecurity. But, they all need to get on with the job and stop blaming each other. Fans are getting fed up with it.


The 2-2 result against Aston Villa was disappointing, but what can you expect when the manager picks Harry Kewell ahead of Ryan Babel again!!! Is he taking the XXXX??

Newcastle: Keegan's BIG Mistake

Posted by Peter Harvey on January 16, 2008 10:24 PM

Kevin Keegan will always be highly regarded by Liverpool fans


I LIKE Kevin Keegan. He formed a big part of my childhood and brought Liverpool fans a lot of happiness in the mid-1970s. He seems a really decent bloke.


But, what on earth is he doing going back to St James Park? It's surely got failure written all over it.


A decade ago Keegan's appointment as Newcastle boss brought entertainment but not a single trophy, unless I missed something.

Counterline Sponsor New Hooded Tops

Posted by Peter Harvey on January 15, 2008 11:45 AM

Marine FCTHE boys were presented with their new hooded training tops before Saturday's game courtesy of Counterline. And, they put on a dazzling show for company director Tim Flood by rattling in seven goals.


Still no joy for Jack though and Sunday's friendly in which he was due to get a more attacking role was cancelled due to the weather. Hang in there, Jack. Now you know you Jamie Carragher feels.


Marine U7s in their new tops provided by sponsors Counterline presented by director Tim Flood

Rafa: Dead Man Walking?

Posted by Peter Harvey on January 14, 2008 12:12 PM

Hicks and GillettIs time up for Rafa?


THERE was a time when Liverpool FC washed its laundry in private. Now, the club's bosses do it in the most public way imaginable.


It's difficult to choose the worst culprit out of Hicks, Gillett and Benitez. The Yanks probably edge it.


Revelations that Hicks tapped up Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible replacement for Rafa in November will further distance him and co-owner Gillett from the fans who generally still have faith in the tempermental, stubborn Spaniard.


Insurance policy? Just in case Rafa leaves. Don't treat us like fools.

Whoops, there goes another prediction!

Posted by Peter Harvey on January 8, 2008 10:28 AM

Despair for AJ as Oldham dump the Blues out of the FA Cup


I SENSED a season of cup thunder at Goodison Park when I made my season's predictions for Everton back in August.


I even dared to suggest that David Moyes could recapture the spirit of 1995 and steer the Blues to FA Cup success in 2008.

Marine U7s 2, Fleetwood U7s 0

Posted by Peter Harvey on January 7, 2008 1:43 PM

Marine FCAFTER a full year of junior league football during which his teammates have clocked up around 100 goals, Jack is the only player not to have found the back of the net.


Actually, forget a bulging 'onion bag,' he'd be delighted for a shot to stutter across the line and come to a hlt in the mud.


On Saturday, the coach Colin gave his central defenders instructions to loiter on the edge of the penalty area for corners in the hope that they may be able to drill the loose ball goalwards.

This page contains an archive of all entries posted to Touchline Dad in the January 2008. They are listed from oldest to newest.

December 2007 is the previous archive.February 2008 is the next archive.

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