Today is FA Cup third round day. This fact reminded me of Scunthorpe United's great performance, circa 1969, when they won at Sheffield Wednesday (then in the top division). Someone sneaked a transistor radio (with earpiece) into our lesson on the top floor of Brigg Grammar School's old building (now Upper School) to hear who the Iron had got in the draw. A couple of years later, when one of those power strikes was on, I recall sneaking away from Brigg Grammar to go to the Old Show Ground for a midweek tie - played in the afternoon, as there was no juice for the floodlights. Scunthorpe were well beaten by Newcastle United, who had "Supermac" leading their attack, alongside his trusty sidekick John Tudor. That would have been early 1974.
In about 1980, brother and myself decided to go to watch Liverpool play Grimsby Town in a third round tie at Anfield (The Reds won 5-0, Ken). A special train was being run by British Rail for Grimsby fans - the route being via Cleethopes-Grimsby-Barnetby-Brigg. Someone decided there would be no picking up passengers in Brigg (or Barnetby, for that matter) so we had to drive to Cleethorpes to board the train. Madness!
Several national newspaper footballer writers, including an ex-pro or two, today make the point that the FA Cup has lost much of its glamour. Many of the big clubs play weakened sides in round three (when they join the competition) and don't bother putting out full first teams until the quarter-final stage. This is true, but very sad. You can't MAKE them field full teams, it can only be a strong request. In cricket we have a phrase The Spirit of the Game. Perhaps the FA should adopt it and get member clubs to sign up. Then we might see a return to the good old days.
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3 comments:
If it was 1980 - that was the year when Liverpool won the League.
The team reached the FA Semi Final - played Arsenel 4 times and finally beaten 1-0.
West Ham won the Cup.
I see the Iron play Liverpool's reserve team, Everton today!!
(nicknamed 'The Toffees' - after Ma Bushells toffee from the nearby Noblett's Toffee Shop was sold in the ground.)
Originally called St Dominics FC,
What was Liverpool FC previously called?
'WE'LL NEVER WALK ALONE', Scribs
- it seems that it played at most funerals in the 'pool.
Grimsby attacker Kevin Kilmore missed a close-range chance very early on; after that it became a walk in the park for the Pool (this was the era of Kenny Dalglish). Kenny let his football do the talking for him - just as well, given his thick Scootish accent. Rab Nesbitt in a shirt. Hoots Mon!
1980 would be just before the start of ex Liverpool (and Scunny) star Kevin Keegan's afro-perm.
When I came to Brigg in 1981, there were two distinct fashions - punk and afro-hairstyles.
Punk in other parts of the country was dying out....in Brigg it seems it was just starting......but Kev's hairsyles took off immediately
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