Good Old World is the name of the book I published on Friday. It's about my childhood in County Durham and mentions how I chose to work in Newcastle. I would be there on Saturday mornings for work so I might as well stay on and watch 'the lads' in the afternoon. That was when Jackie Milburn was the centre-forward and Frank Brennan was centre-half and N'yucassell won the FA cup every season. I didn't mention this in the book but it would have come near the end of the book if I had.
I also didn't mention that I saw Alf Ramsey play right-back for Spurs against Johnny Mitchell, a nippy Scot, who gave young Alf a run-a-round.
I didn't mention these things as I had to keep a balance. It's hard to believe, but not everyone is a fan.
I am grateful to Nick and to El Ojo for reading the book earlier in the year and making encouraging noises. But it is not their fault ....
You can order it from a bookshop or online and there's more about it here:
http://www.newgeneration-publishing.com/bookstore/biography/bookdetails/1579
There's a price comparison website here:
http://www.bookbutler.com/compare?isbn=9781785070662
Of course, you don't have to buy it.
But there might be a test on it just before the season starts ....
The end
Monday 29 June 2015
Friday 19 June 2015
What are we going to do now ......?
until the Premier League starts again in August ......I have an idea....
Proposition
With such talent available amongst us I would like to form our own fantasy XI to take on all comers. I shall of course be applying for captain of the 2nd team and also goalkeeper. I consider myself a great second choice for goalkeeper in view of my experience representing St John's College, York (2nd Xl) in that position - particularly one rainy Saturday afternoon in Sheffield when we lost 13-2 to the university's 4th team. Back in 1955-56
I remember the match well. My great friend Freddy Marik was right back and at some point had had a trial for Middlesbrough so I got him to take the goal kicks. I had enough to do getting up out of the mud.
I am willing to allow use of the beautiful area shown in the photo as the site of our home ground. Glenn, the groundsman, will mow the excellent springy turf in style every other Saturday. I insist it must be cut on the very morning of home matches.
If I am not there (Like Mo Farah?) when Glenn calls he can enter with his equipment by standing on the mower and reaching over the top of the gate to slide the bolt.
Further, I will remove the tea cup from the table but would like to keep the dustbin as it might be useful as a goal post.
So please write in with your claim to the position of your choice stating the reasons why you would be capable of a place in the TBG Fantasy eleven or 2nd team. We need:
Goalkeeper,
Right-back, Left-back
Right-half, Centre-half and Left-half
Outside right, Inside right, Centre-forward, inside-left, and outside-left
Goalie gets a green or yellow jersey while the rest get numbers 2-11.
I look forward to your applications.
Acknowledgments to Spike Milligan for the title of the piece. I recall him ending sketches by saying, "What are we going to do know? What are we going to do now?" - showing his hunger for more of the same.
The end
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