Football in Guernsey

We have an extraordinary few weeks of true world class sport on the way.

The Ryder Cup starts on Friday (congratulations to the ladies who have already bagged the Solheim trophy)

The Rugby World cup has had a terrific start with New Zealand, South Africa and Australia all losing games, final is on October 28th.

The Cricket World cup starts on October 5th.If ever there was a time to contemplate sitting in front of a television for the next few weeks, it’s now.

Oh yes then there’s the Football.Yawn, I believe that this might be the dullest Premier League season ever. Let’s face it, the trials and tribulations of Chelsea apart, its dull folks. Manchester City look as though they have already sealed the title and the league has one of the poorest bottom three (five if you include Bournemouth and Wolves) that I have ever seen. See you all in May.Elsewhere.

Spare a thought for Cheltenham Town who are at the foot of League One. They have a single point courtesy of a 0-0 draw with Portsmouth but in nine league games they have not scored a single goal.

If you are looking for a football related item to give for either a birthday or (very early Christmas present) may I direct you to lochnessfc.com the home of Loch Ness FC they play in the North Caledonian League (Tier 6 in the Scottish pyramid). Their kit is an absolute blast, featuring various graphics of the fabled Nessie, check out the socks !!.Also check Llanwit Major FC, they play in the Welsh Football League Division Three, their goalkeeper has to wear this every week! (it’s out of stock at the moment) there’s a surprise.

Guernsey FC continue their stuttering start to the season, one win in five sees them 17th in the league.

Well hello and a belated happy new season to one and all.

I was going to do the first update a while ago with the will he won’t he saga of King Harry, but I thought I would wait until the Lionesses claimed the World Cup and ended the almost 60 years of hurt.

Well Harry has gone and the mighty Spurs seem to be doing (for now) perfectly well without him. Then a rather lacklustre or overly confident performance by said Lionesses means that we are stuck with that bloody Baddiel and Skinner song for a while longer.

I will just in passing mention VAR (the curse of football) and the nine yes 9! Minutes it took to decide whether or not it was a penalty, and the 13 minutes of added time that ensued. Those attending midweek evening games need to check on the last train time tables.

Too early to comment on the state of league tables, the early weeks always take on a degree of fantasy football, West Ham replacing Brighton at the top of the Premier League for instance.

But in the last week everything above has been pushed aside by ‘that kiss’. The two photographs give a strange perception to the culture of women’s football (well in Spain at least) I couldn’t find one of the crotch grab just after the final whistle.

Luis Rubiales who thinks that there was nothing wrong at all with his behaviour is still at the time of writing the president of the Spanish Football Federation and the vice-president of Uefa who have remained silent on the whole incident.

Rubiales is not alone in this, in 2018 Afghanistan women’s national team exposed horrific abuse they have suffered at the hands of their president, Zambia’s head coach Bruce Mwape has reportedly been accused of rubbing his hands over a player’s chest. The list of other countries affected by allegations of abuse includes: Australia,Barbados,Canada,Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States and a whole host of African nations.

Football does not exist separately from society, it reflects it. If football, or society cannot deliver a safe environment for players or for women then somethi

And in a blink of an eye another Island Games is consigned to the Wikipedia pages, Youtube archives or whatever your historical reference source of choice is.

Well done Guernsey, not just the athletes who topped the medal table but the volunteers and indeed the crowd who turned out in large numbers to indulge themselves in a feast of sporting competition. You made us all proud.

The organisers have gone all Olympics on us by the declaring the games ‘the best ever’. Actually they might have a point.

I was heavily involved working for the media (radio) in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and have seen first- hand the difference from a full on immergence in the event Guernsey 2003 to the couldn’t give a monkeys of Rhodes 2007.

I could write a book on the Rhodes games, from an unfinished Athletics stadium, I have a much treasured photograph of myself and my colleague helping to paint the stadium the day after the games finished, lane 1 of the swimming pool being exactly 4cm shorter than lane 8 (yes we measured), not a sign post anywhere, I can now admit (for the first time) that I made up a radio update from a beach side café having been totally defeated in trying to find the Basketball arena.

Add to this my hire breaking down on day 2, and my colleague in another non signpost related incident getting to the finish of the cycle road race to find nobody around and being told over the phone that it had finished 40 minutes ago 2 miles from where he was standing.

My abiding memory of the games is just how quickly they go by. Blink and you miss it, when your involved in the games you feel like the most important person around, and it’s a flat old feeling when you get back to the real world especially when you realise that not everyone shared the enthusiasm.

I remember returning to work from the Shetland games (2005) and my work colleague asking me where I had been for the last week, this despite the fact that I had been on the radio every single day! Television and written a number of published reports, still as they say fame flickers fast and then dies.

It’s true to say of the the 2023 games, that those who choose the Channel Island sports personality of the year award are going to have a hell of a job on their hands when they decide who gets what.

At least their job will be made slightly easier after the woeful performance of the men’s football team.

You have to travel back to 1999 to find the last time that Guernsey failed to win a medal, we did not take part in 2013 (Bermuda) too bloney expensive and Rhodes 2007, yes a diplomatic move, but have taken 3 Golds, 2 Silvers and 2 Bronze from the other games.

So this begs the question, is Guernsey football (men’s game) in the doldrums? Erm YES.

Add to the above one Muratti vase win in seven years and GFC have not had a top 10 finish in the Isthmian League since 2015.

Who’s to blame ? Easy the clubs, we need to change people we have to have meaningful competitions for the youngsters at all levels.

I have a story about how a few seasons ago I was coopted into joining the GFA not it has to be said in any meaningful post, but asked to coordinate media etc, in fact this very page was set up to do just that.

The first meeting I attended I was given a frightful bollocking for publishing junior results especially those where the score was 10-0 or some such, for fear it would upset the little darlings too much and put them off the game.

Suffice to say I didn’t hang around long after that. It is that mentality that shows just how far behind we are in the development of youngsters in this game

The local game is in full need of a total re-vamp and whoever decides to take this on has my full sympathy.

Cast your mind back if you will to December 19th 1998.

2, 000 Manchester City fans were on their way to Bootham Crescent the home of York City. Man City were in the third tier of English football (league one) for the only time in their history.

Rather than swatting aside the competition Joe Royle’s boys were coming unstuck at places they couldn’t find on the map. Losses at Lincoln City and Wycombe Wanderers, it can’t get any worse, but it was about to.Manchester City lost 2-1 and as their fans left York to contemplate a Christmas with City mid-table people wondered if they were ever going to turn it around.

You know the rest of the story, although promotion only came via the playoffs with a penalty shoot-out win against Gillingham in the final.The City teams that day is a world away from the millionaires eleven they field now.
GK. Nicky Weaver

DF. Lee Crooks, Nick Fenton,, Tony Vaughan, Richard Edghill.

Mid. Michael Brown, Jamie Po***ck, Ian Bishop, Kevin Horlock

Str. Gareth Taylor, Craig Russell.

Congratulations then City, the turnaround has been amazing.So let’s just pause a minute and take in what City have achieved.

Premier League/ First Division Winners 9 times.1936-37 1967-68 2011-12 2013-14 2017-18 2018-19 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23

FA Cup Winners 7 times 1904 1934 1956 1969 2011 2019 2023

UEFA Champions League2023

European Cup Winners Cup1969

Breaches of Financial Fair Play Rules 115

This includes 50 breaches of providing inaccurate financial information, 8 breaches in relation to manager remuneration, 12 breaches in relation to player remuneration, 5 breaches linked to UEFA regulations, 25 profitability and sustainability breaches and 30 breaches of assisting the Premier League investigation.

It is with great pleasure then that our man of the season award goes to Khaldoon Al Mubarek, that’s his picture at the top.

You might be interested to know that he also owns the following clubs.

New York City FC, Melbourne FC, Yokohama Marinos, Montevideo City, Girona FC, Sichuan Jiuniu FC, Mumbai City FC, Lommel SK, ES Troys AC, Palermo FC and Bahia.

Quite a collection.

Anyway it’s the Ashes and I’m off to watch the Cricket.

Almost There !

Cast your mind back if you care to the Community Shield trophy between Liverpool and Manchester City (Liverpool 3-1).

The game took place on 30th July 2022 and finally after 315 days (including a World Cup) Manchester City will bring the longest football season on record to a close when they play Inter Milan on 10th June.

Before you put your feet up and enjoy a Summer of Ashes cricket, Wimbledon, Royal Ascot etc best be prepared for the new season which begins on August 12th.

For those locals who feel like going ‘cold turkey’ The Island Games starts on July 8th, I believe they have a football tournament.

My personal highlights were Notts County getting back into the football league after a four season hiatus (this is what happens folks when you sign Sol Campbell, (played one game before walking out of the club) and Kasper Schmeichel who stayed for a season and was so enamoured by his team mates that he travelled to away games by private jet.

And the most intriguing Championship playoff final that I can remember, Coventry play Luton for the final place in next seasons Premier League. You might have seen that the away supporters going to Luton’s ground have to cross an old iron bridge over someone’s back garden!. Don’t put your washing out on match day.

Rovers won the Priaulx, one fears for Alderney played 21, won 1 lost 20. Will we be back to a seven team league?

Guernsey FC did absolutely nothing, 15th in the league and not a single cup competition entered. Yes I know it’s a community club and its far more than eleven players running around on a football pitch, but tell me as a supporter would you not expect a little more?Attendance are holding up, average home crowd is 628 which is decent enough, Jersey Bulls average 615. Isle of Man 758. The last time ‘The Lions’ had over a thousand in the ground was against Whytehaven in Jan 2020, 1004.

Is this mudane football having a knock on effect for the payers?we lost the Muratti….again !! Apart from the three season purple patch 2012-2014 we have only won it once 2017. Even the long standing manager our Tone is now saying that Jersey are the stronger and better team, that’s dangerous talk with a new CEO on board.

Did you know that the longest serving manager for a single club was Fred Everiss who managed West Brom from 1902 to 1948, that’s 46 years.

If you are going to watch the Island Games football tournament, Guernsey play Western Isles on Sunday 9th July 6.30pm at the track, Aland on Monday 10th 6.30pm at the track and Isle of Wight Tuesday 11th 6,30pm again at the track.

One must not forget the ladies who play Ynys Mon 2.30pm Monday 10th July and Western Isles on Tuesday 11th July 2,30pm those games will be at the Corbet Field.

Well we still have a way to go in the Premier League as the last games are scheduled for Sunday 28th May. With the new season getting under way on Sunday 12th August.

England’s Cricketers in the meantime start their international jamboree on 1st June and will still be playing home internationals on 26th September, the world has gone mad.

Back home, congratulations to Rovers on picking up the Priaulx title, and Guernsey FC manage to keep their place in the Isthmian League Div One.

Yes Guernsey FC. It was 2013/14 season that GFC first played at this level, finishing 4th they lost to Leatherhead in the playoffs. Despite the heady expectations lost in the excitement of their debut season in the Combined Counties League with nonsense talk of playing in the National League. I think most people feel that this level is about right.

Jersey are 3rd in the Combined Premier League South, the playoff rules at this level are devilishly complicated so I’m not sure if they have a chance of going up or not.

Anyway back to the Lions, do the green and white faithful still enjoy the season after season of going absolutely nowhere? I know this is just part of the deal as the club is a community club, registered charity and it gives our home grown players the opportunity to develop their own careers. But does it not get bit samey, year after year?

I suppose playing in the same league as the Jersey Bulls might add a bit of spice not to say few more bums on seats. As long as we don’t pass each other going in opposite directions.

Of course GFC did play in the FA Cup, the FA Trophy and who will forget the FA Vase semi final against Spennymoor. (Spennymoor Town currently sit mid table in the National League North).

I know it was an expensive sideline given the rules of the clubs participation in these competitions, but do you not think they are missing a trick here?

Well Hello and a very belated Happy New Year to all our readers.

Apologies for the long gap in the updates, amongst other things I have been away. To the Country now known as ‘The Land of Messi’ which I can tell you still holds nightly celebrations in Buenos Aires to celebrate the World Cup win.

So what has been going on.Let’s turn the clock back to August 28th 2021. Arse..l had just been tonked 5-0 at Manchester City and were rock bottom of the Premier League. Newspaper headlines screamed out that Arteta was under huge pressure and was just one defeat away from the sack.How we Tottenham fans laughed, but in the words of Bob Monkhouse when as a young child he told his parents that when he grew up he wanted to be a comedian and they just laughed, but as he said ‘they’re not laughing now’.5 points clear of Citeh with eleven games to go.

We said a sad farewell to Motty, the voice of football for a generation, his first commentary game was in October 1971 Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea, it was wonder he didn’t stop then. His last was Arsenal Watford in March 2018, inbetween he covered 10 World Cups ! A true legend.

Then there is the strange case of Gary Lineker, this took the Russia Ukraine conflict, the build up to the UK budget off the front pages and dominated Prime Minister’s question time.

Opinions are like Arseholes, we all have one, and if you are a celebrity, people are going to react.He broke BBC employee guidelines, he prompted a mass walkout of his BBC mates. I don’t care if you agree with him or not, the BBC bottled it, they should have sacked them all. I watched the shortened version of Match Of The Day, I thought it was brilliant. No dreary and lengthy analysis, no pointless interviews, I would keep it like this every week.

And Finally FIFA. This almost few under the radar but the 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, 12 groups of 4 and a whopping 104 games, thus making the qualification criteria so easy that even Scotland should scrape in.

And……in 2025 we are to have a 32 team Club World Cup. Details to follow, the death of league football is just a few years away. (you heard it here).

Well that was dull.

It started with a slew of 0-0 draws, Gianni's daft ramblings.

And then we had that Final.

Australia, Japan and Morocco can all hold their heads high

And Messi, what can one say.

In 2026 we will have 48 teams !

Happy Christmas one and all see you in 2023.

Fun while it lasted.

I'm getting old now, 1966 was a world away.

Anyway that is the seventh time that England have come a cropper in the quarter finals. ( A record !)

1962 Brazil 3-1 Garrincha, Didi et all, mind you Pele was injured in the second group game and took no further part in the tournament.

1970 West Germany 3-2, remember it well, 2-0 up and cruising. The West German team decided to man mark Bobby Charlton with Franz Beckenbauer, arguably their best player, Sir Alf at 2-0 substituted Bobby saving him for the semi's........plus Gordon Banks had been knobbled with a bout of dodgy food poisoning, Peter Bonetti was in goal that day......just watch it on Youtube.

1982 West Germany/Spain, the second phase was a turgid three in bed scenario, 0-0 and 0-0 leaving West Germany to qualify of the semi's by beating Spain 2-1.

1986 Argentina 2-1, 'hand of Diago' Lineker missed a sitter late on.

2002 Brazil 2-1, Becks and his damaged metatarsal (remember him training on a trampoline?) and Seaman being caught out by a shot from somewhere near the half-way line.

2006 Portugal 3-1 (penalties). Lampard, Gerrard and Carragher all managed to miss.

2022 France 2-1. Just read the news pages.

What is it with the German team and balls crossing the line?


Today we have the greatest part time goalkeeper as Luis Suarez renews his acquaintance with the Ghana team.

Melbourne 3am.

Goodness knows what it will be like if they upset Argentina in the last 16.

Talking of which, the next world cup in 2026 is going to be considerably different to all others.

First off, we have three joint hosts. Canada, Mexico and USA. The majority of matches will be played in the USA. Canada and Mexico get 10 matches each.

The big change is there will 48 teams taking part !!!! With no fewer than 80 matches. This means that qualification should be so easy that even Scotland have an outside chance of making it through, although you now wonder about the validity of the qualification tournament.

Still there it is, the format has yet to be rubber stamped but at the last FIFA council meeting they agreed upon 16 groups of 3 teams (the top two going through) and an extra knockout round.

On the face of it that sounds fairly sensible, with one fewer group match and an extra knockout round, any team making the final will play 7 games (same as now), plus it can all be done and dusted within 32 days, again same as now.

It does mean that future world cups will have to be played with joint hosts just to keep the whole thing manageable.

The one big issue raised with the groups of three is the dreaded ‘C’ word Collusion. It would be quite easy for teams to come to an agreement shall we say to ‘get rid’ of another team, especially as the final group games would not have all teams playing at the same time.

Remember ‘The Disgrace of Gijon’ 1982 ? When both Germany and Austra knowing that a 1-0 win for Germany would see both teams through., did just that. Germany scored after 10min and both teams stood around for the next 80 kicking the ball to each other.

FIFA though have a cunning plan….Penalty shoot outs….the draw becoming a thing of the past, you can see where this is going.
This is all to be fully agreed, but ……………………..

Do we start to believe that England might be capable of doing something here?

It would incredibly ironic winning a world cup that shouldn’t be taking place at all.

Long way to go………

The picture is from the 1930 World Cup. The referee looks very dapper in his suit jacket.

In that tournament.

1. Romania, France, Belgium and Brazil all travelled together on a ship named SS Conte Verde
2. USA’s coach knocked himself out as he ran on the pitch to treat a player, he dropped a bottle of chloroform and inhaled the fumes, he had to be stretchered off
3. The final was played with two different balls, Argentina chose the ball for the first half, Uruguay the second.
4. Romania played Peru in front of the smallest crowd ever at a world cup finals, just 300.
5. Romania’s team was selected by King Carol II

My ‘Facebook’ feed has a regular post from The Sun newspaper.
Apparently The Sun is in constant touch with a ‘time traveller’. Usual forewarning of plague and pestilence which will be descending on all of us before long. Trump to return as president in 2024 (my money is on Kayne West).
One of the predictions is the world cup. Surprise surprise the world cup final of 2022 will be played out between Brazil and France with Brazil 2-1 winners.
Hardly a mind blowing prediction, the best wc winning nation against the current champions.
Bet he didn’t predict Ronaldo’s hair being just that tiny bit too short so he could claim that goal.

Saudi Arabia have declared a national holiday on the back of yesterdays result.

Harry to have a scan on his ankle (whenever has a scan been good news)

Ronaldo is refusing to talk to anyone (that is good news)

Man Utd are up for sale. Ebay buy now.

I'm amused by the way the crowd size is estimated Said Argentina Saudi game was played in a stadium of 40,000 capacity, the big screen flashed up a crowd of 43,625.

FIFA's own goals are coming thick and fast, now player welfare is under examination.

Gareth Bale is better off staying on the subs bench until Wales get a penalty.

Did you know that in the four games so far we have had a total of 65mins added time ! Yesterday's appalling incident with the Iranian goalkeeper contributed 14 mins. The fourth officials have been asked to add every wasted second.

Giano Infantino needs to take some advice. When you have dug yourself into a hole, its advisable to stop digging.
Finally some football, flappy flappy goalkeeping, a VAR decision that defied all logic and a half empty stadium at the finish.
I knew something was up with the BBC when at the advertised start of the Opening Ceremony we were still being treated to an interview with the manager of the Chelsea ladies football team.
The Beebs decision not to broadcast the ceremony (apart from the odd glimpse over Gary’s shoulder) was an interesting one and I’m not sure I agreed with it.
England start today at 1pm, our Harry risks being yellow carded before the ball has even left the centre spot. FIFA have told players not to wear the ‘One Love’ armband. Virgil Van D**e has told FIFA to do one. WE shall see.

So it begins, 12 years ago FIFA took the unusual decision to announce the next two World Cup venues at the same time. Russia 2018, Qatar 2022.

It was actually the Russian decision at the time which caused so much angst with us brits as we threw lock, stock, Prince William, David Beckham, David Cameron et all at a UK bid.

Of course knowing what we know now 12 years later, we never had a prayer.

We now face Sepp Blater’s second curve ball as Qatar begins in the early winter, mid-season. Now whatever your political views it’s a World Cup and a football one at that,after Sundays opening ceremony and the must watch opener between the hosts and Ecuador, it is literally wall to wall football, 3 matches on Monday and then 4 matches a day during the group stages. 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm (UK times) what are your work plans?

If you are going to be glued to the television over the next month here are some things to look out for.

1. Robot Offside. Yup VAR has stepped up a gear, tracking cameras, in ball sensors will all send an image to the giant screens, the red card comes with a smile.

2. Substitutes, Five in normal time one in extra time, the bench will now hold 15 players.

3. Female Refs, 3 out of 36. Interestingly Janny Sikazwe from Zambia makes the cut despite his performance in January where he ended a game twice in three minutes (citing heat exhaustion).

4. The mascot. See previous post. One comment I saw said he looked like the ghost of a dead migrant worker.

5. The Ball. ‘Speed shell pu skin apparently, full of micro technology, yours for £130.00

6. Air Cooling technology ,already a hit, Wales abandoned their training session in a stadium as it was too cold !.

7. Managers half time interviews. Not compulsory but look out for plenty of highlights as a microphone are shoved into managers faces when they are 3-0 down.

You never know but I’m guessing you won’t see too many drunk fans, alcohol ban and £12.50 a pint when you can find it.

You might see David Beckham popping up here and there, he is on £10mio a year for all the ‘work’ he has been doing.

Are you ready ?

As world cup mascots go this is just a tad disturbing, name is Ls’eeb which translates to ‘Super-Skilled Player’

Yes we are almost there, in the next 5 days the F.A are squeezing in Premiership, Championship and EFL cup matches galore before everyone packs their bags and head south.

The Human Rights World kicks off in blistering style on Sunday 20th November when hosts Qatar take on Ecuador. Kick Off 4pm for anybody remotely interested. England’s group games are Mon 21st Nov Iran 1pm. Fri 25th Nov USA 7pm, and quite possibly the game of the tournament Tue 29th Nov Wales 7pm.

Not shy of the odd investment in sports betting, I might have a little flutter on Senegal, confidence is high in the Lions camp, they won’t be worried by the conditions, being a Muslim country themselves they don’t give two hoots about the issues that everyone else is going on about and they have a decent smattering of premiership talent. Mane, Mandy, Sarr and Gueye to name but four.

We will (hopefully) be updating daily once the jamboree gets under way.

World Cup bound referee Facundo Tello got himself well into shape for the tournament, in charge of Argentina’s Champions Trophy Final between Racing Club and Boco Juniors, Facundo brandished 10 !!!! (TEN) red cards, seven to Boca and three to Racing Club. Racing Club won 2-1 and it was the last minute winner and the subsequent celebrations that did most of the damage.

Whether you agree or not about the events which took place in the Messe Hall Zurich on 2nd December 2010, and let us remember that 16 of 22 voting exco members present in that hall have been implicated in or investigated over some form of alleged corruption or bad practice.

World Cup 2022 in Qatar is on.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was on the quiet a bit of a sports buff.
Yes of course we all know her love of all things horsey and indeed she wasn’t averse to taking a pot shot at any living thing that got in the way on one of her many estates (Swans excluded) Pheasant was an all too common dish on the dinner table I’m told.

As a racehorse owner she won every classic on the flat bar one. The Derby, Aureole and Carlton House were the two that came closest finishing 2nd and 3rd. Phantom Gold was probably her best horse but again the Derby alluded him.

Her maj disliked tennis and only attended Wimbledon on four occasions 1957, 1962,1977 (Silver Jubilee time to see our very own Virginia Wade win the ladies singles title) and the last occasion in 2010 (Andy Murray take a bow).

She enjoyed cricket, apparently she picked Sri Lanka in 2019 world cup sweep stake. She was usually introduced to the summers visitors during the Friday of the Lords test, this included the occasion in 1981 when Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee whipped out an autograph book for her to sign (she declined).

World of Sport, which was broadcast on a Saturday afternoon was a regular watch, darts and wrestling were much enjoyed.

She was also a big fan of the 70’s show Indoor League, presented by the 1974 pipe smoker of the year Fred (Ah’ll sithee) Truman.

As far as football goes her maj attended several cup finals starting in 1953 with the ‘Matthews final’ and finishing in 1976 when Southampton upset the odds by beating Manchester United.

It is of course the iconic picture above that we all (well those of us over 56 remember). Bobby Moore carefully wiping his hands on the royal rug before shaking hands. It is rumoured that the she was a West Ham supporter, or it is said Arsenal !!! (good grief did she have no shame).

RIP your majesty

So, off we go, another rollercoaster of a football season is underway, this one with a huge black hole in it around the end of November. Already its same old same old. VAR still a mess, City winning the title yawn.

I was shocked to hear that the BBC have decided to remove the classified football results from the sports programme at 5pm, setting teeth gnashing in the over 45’s up and down the country.

I know I should let go of such things, I still pine for Teletext so go easy on me and I know that we have access to football results at our fingertips, but surely there is still room for the cherished classified?.

A few decades back it wasn’t so easy, trying to track down the results or scores could be a long drawn out affair.

1). AT THE SHOPS.
Now you know why grown-ups stood next to each other looking into Radio Rentals or Fuzzy’s or indeed any shop with a television set in its window. Saturday shopping was a painful experience but at least a visit to an electrical store gave you a chance to get a glimpse of the scores. You could be there a while, shop assistants must have been fed up of asking if anyone needed any help. One trip comes to mind, when we parked the car Tottenham had just gone in at half-time 3-0 to the good against Man Utd. Just under an hour later staring open mouthed as the television informed me that United had just scored their fifth.

2). RADIO 2
A large chunk of my youth was taken up on a Saturday afternoon listening to the likes of Bryon Butler and Peter Jones, I even spurned the Alan Freeman rock show on Radio 1. Commentary on one of the key matches of the day, one commentator handing over to the another midway through the half. Welcoming World Service listeners, Sports Report theme tune. Jimmy Armfield, James Alexander Gordon, spoilt rotten we were.

3). FOOTBALL LATEST
During Grandstand you would watch whatever was going on, Rugby, Hoop-la etc. The main picture would shrink into a smaller box and then the words ‘FOOTBALL LATEST’ would appear…….you would hold your breath. A primitive but invaluable way of score notifications as Ray French screamed about Ellery Hanley.

4) VIDIPRINTER/FINAL SCORE
Queue David Coleman and a contraption making of a noise of a wasp trapped in a jar. A surprising result would be written out on screen. The word SEVEN always bought a flutter of excitement. I was to remain quiet during the Pools News, then on to a look at the league tables.

5) TELETEXT. This was a game changer. Spending hours on end staring at pages hoping they would change in your favour. You be your own Jeff Stelling without the oohs and aahs going on in the background. I reckon I have spent nearly 3% of my time looking at Ceefax and Oracle, guess there are worse hobbies.