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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.
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 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.
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.
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...
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. 
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."
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. 
Former players include Michael Ball (Everton and Rangers) and Stephen Wright (Liverpool and Sunderland). The club motto is 'To Enjoy, Not Destroy.'
"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."
Posted by Peter Harvey on March 3, 2008 10:34 PM | Permalink
RED Rum could make you a fortune at this year's Grand National on April 5.
Just click below and get a free tip, straight from the horse's mouth....
Leave a comment with the name of the horse Rummy picked for you. We'll see how the old boy did after the race. No registration or email address required. You can even make up a pseudonym...
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I got Snowy Morning.
currently bestpriced at 16/1 but was favourite until a it had a bad run a couple of weeks ago. Not even definite runner at this stage.
I'll stick with my fancy of Bewleys Berry if the stable have got over their recent problems.
Must admit though Comply or Die has a great shout TJ.
Posted by: csb | March 4, 2008 12:52 PM
CSB, I thought Bewley's Berry was going really well last year before his tumble at Becher's on the second circuit. As you know, he's had a few runs at Aintree and twice finished runner-up in the Becher Chase. That's encouraging.
The handicapper has also been kind to him again this year with 10st 11lbs.
However, I've got three big concerns.
1, He's only ever won one chase, a minor seven-runner event at Wetherby in 2005 when he was odds-on. That was his debut over fences and he's not scored since in ten attempts. I can't remember a Grand National winner with such a poor winning pedigree.
2, He's a relatively sluggish horse if you compare his speed ratings to other seasoned chasers. If the going is good he may struggle to keep in touch or at least lack the killer injection of pace as they head for home. There have been a few horses pole-axed by the long run-in over the years...usually ones I've backed. If the going is soft or heavy, or if it's a slowly run race, then I think he's got a good chance of making the frame.
3, Bewley's Berry has only raced twice this season. History tells us that Grand National winners need better preparation than that. Usually at least four runs in the season. Odd decision by the trainer. It's the same story for McKelvey who did so well in last year's race.
Bewley's Berry would have to be a classic 'dark horse' who bucks several firmly established trends to win.
Of course, as The Gaffer often asks, what do I know?
I'm hoping to post my thoughts on this year's race in the next few weeks...
The Grand National is the only race of the year I show an interest in, having first got the bug as a child (Red Rum, Rag Trade, L'Escargot, etc,) and then having been lucky enough to cover it as a journalist most years since 1989.
P.S. I got last year's Irish Grand National winner Butler's Cabin (14-1) in Rummy's lucky dip. On last season's form, it should do really well. On this season's form, no chance.
Posted by: Touchline Dad | March 4, 2008 7:59 PM
Character builidng@20s. never gheard of it but i'm not a gambler. any chance.?
Posted by: mags | March 5, 2008 10:45 AM
sorry Mags. Absolutely no chance.....
Dont think it is running I'm afraid.
Posted by: csb | March 5, 2008 12:41 PM
Looks like Rummy has let you down there, mags. CSB's right. I think Character Building was pulled out yesterday. Whoops!!
Posted by: Touchline Dad | March 5, 2008 1:55 PM
TJ is tipping Comply or Die. At 25/1 (if you can still get it) it's a good each way bet...unless trainer David Pipe decides to run him at Cheltenham.
He's entered for the Kim Muir Chase and is set to cart top weight round the 3m 1f alongside some good horses. If that's the case, I think it will seriously affect his chances at Aintree just three weeks later.
His last run, the 4m 1f marathon Eider Chase at Newcastle on February 23, was arguably his best yet. The comfortable win under top weight of 11st 10lbs was his first since 2004. He also ran Grand National favourite Cloudy Lane close at Haydock in December. He's certainly in the best form for a few seasons, if not his life.
Weight, stamina, class, age, jumping, speed, form and the going shouldn't pose problems at Aintree. But will he be fresh? Even without the prospect of Cheltenham, it would be quite a feat to win two 4m+ chases in the space of six weeks.
Perhaps one for the frame at best? Comply or Die is on my shortlist of five at the moment, but he's not jostling for top spot.
Posted by: Touchline Dad | March 5, 2008 11:19 PM
A colleague at work was given Bob Bob Bobbin at 66/1.
He was quite pleased as it is a song his daughter used to sing a lot. Seeing this as an omen he asked me to put a bet on for him. I wish him the very best of luck. I got the following odds.
£2 @ 500s on Betfair to win
£3 @ 100s on Betfair to be placed
stands to win £1,300 for his £5 stake if it wins........
I think the Betfair odds are a true reflection of its chances, but you never know!
Posted by: csb | March 6, 2008 3:19 PM
I got Cloudy Lane - the current favourite. This price is too short - even Rummy never started at such short odds.
As Touchline Dad has not taken up my offer to write a Cheltenham preview for the site I'll give out one selection now.
Betfair punters may want to back this now and lay it off later as it won't start at its current price (14/1).
Snap Tie in the first race on the Tuesday.
Don't tell everyone.
Posted by: Dave | March 7, 2008 11:06 PM
Chelsea Harbour 25-1. Nah Don't think so somehow. leave that one to the cockney boyz.
Posted by: JC23 | March 8, 2008 10:12 PM
Dave, apologies on two fronts. Firstly, your last comment got clogged up in the system (I think because it has a web link and needs to be OK'd before it goes on).
It meant Touchline Dad readers couldn't cash in on Snap Tie coming 3rd at 20/1. Well done. Whoops.
Secondly, email me your considered and expert views on the Grand National and perhaps some Aintree tips and I'll give it star billing.
I'm going to post my Grand National thoughts soon. I could do with someone else making a fool of themselves to take the spotlight off me!!
Posted by: Touchline Dad | March 14, 2008 6:40 PM
Philson Run, McKeveley, Hedgehunter and Ossmosses would be big price fancies at the moment along with Cloudy Lane. He won a couple of races which slashed his price though.
Posted by: Grand National Girl | March 20, 2008 9:21 AM
Grand National tips? The best Grand National tips for 2008 are slim pickings because he's been there done it (3rd in 2007) and Cloudy Lane. rum gave me a non runner!!
Posted by: wufc4eva | March 21, 2008 10:27 PM
Rummy gave me McKelvey, which was a coincidence as that was one of the five I have already picked. My best fancy is Comply Or Die with McKelvey, Philson Run, D'Argent and Cloudy Lane as the other four. I do think that Cloudy Lane is going to be found out this time as he has shown stamina limitations before. Soft ground on the day will hand an advantage to Philson Run. Good luck whatever you are backing.
Posted by: Neil Turner | March 27, 2008 8:10 PM
Neil, unfortunately the 25/1 for Comply or Die I mentioned three weeks ago has been snapped up, but even at 12/1 he looks a solid bet.
I agree with you about Cloudy Lane, although wouldn't it be a terrific story if Donald McCain can follow in his dad's footsteps?
Posted by: Touchline Dad | March 27, 2008 9:35 PM
Slim Pickings at 16/1...hmmm, hadn't given it much thought, thanks TD.
I'm gonna give D'argent a crafty punt at 40/1 though, quite a few fancy his outside chances What do you think of Chock's chances this year ?
Posted by: Rip The ram | March 31, 2008 2:44 PM
Choc's on a roll after Cheltenham. William Hill will still give you 40/1 for D'Argent if you're quick.
Posted by: Touchline Dad | March 31, 2008 3:41 PM
If he's survived Easter in one piece Choc should be one to follow!!
I hope he is back on board Franchoek to recoup some of the money I lost on it at Cheltenham in the Triumph Hurdle.
Posted by: csb | March 31, 2008 4:05 PM
TJ wrote...
Rummy's given me Captain Corelli at 66/1! I'll eat my hat if it even runs, it's so far down the handicap.
Come on old boy, surely you can do better than that?
My tip is Comply and Die at 25/1.
Posted by: TJ | March 4, 2008 8:44 AM