bazza

That 1952 semi final I vaguely remember the hype about it. I had just turned 9. I saw the newsreel at the cinema where we drew 0-0 (I think). The commentator said we were the first team to stop Newcastle's inexorable march to the final, for they had won every tie at first attempt. We were a second division side and Newcastle were a strong first division side. In fact I think the 1951/52 season was when we were bottom of the league, six points (three wins) away from the next club after 16 games and staring relegation in the face to the third tier for the first time in the club's history. I saw the opening home match v Sheffield United when we lost 5-1 Players were signed rapidly and by 1952 we were playing brilliant football and climbing up the league. I cannot remember who signed first but we got Albert Nightingale, Willie Kelly, Reg Elvy, EddieQuigley and amateur Bill Holmes. What a pleasure it was to watch this team. The funny thing was that Jackie Bestall was manager when we were bottom of the league and still manager when we reached the semi-final. Bestall managed us from 1949 to 1953. So Rovers weren't hasty in sacking managers in those days.

And so was Pickering's position in defence until circumstances sent him up front, a totally alien position for him. Then, and only then, did the manager realise his potential as a striker.

Fred Pickering would have got nowhere with you in control.

The Valley's maximum capacity was 75,000

Decimated post.

Since we are talking nostalgia and not Luton away, here's my bit. That team was very good apart from the weak link, Joyce. We would have been better with a better left back.

Just came across Simon Ireland, caretaker boss for Forest in January 2019. Didn't he play for us?

You cannot be Bacillus cereus!

My memory of McNamee was just beyond the centre circle of the opponents' half, on a muddy pitch, the ball bounced once in front of him, everyone shouting "Shoot", and he did shoot on the volley, an absolute screamer into the goal at the Darwen End. It may have been Brighton who we were playing; not sure.

I think Brum will do quite well this season. My grandson looked at their squad and told me they have some very good players. He seems to know a lot more about players than I do.

Don't need the clubs in brackets. We all follow football. Where the hell is Turf Moor?

Some interesting facts about Luton Town. 1936/37 They were champions of the 3rd division after Joe Payne had scored 55 goals in 39 games. The previous season Payne scored 10 in a 12-0 thrashing of Bristol Rovers. This individual score is still a league record. 1955/56 their manager, Dally Duncan, led them to promotion to Div 1 as runners-up on goal average. Duncan later managed Rovers in the early 60s. 1969/70 Malcolm Macdonald scored many goals helping them to promotion from the 3rd tier. Next is copied from Wikipedia; David Pleat was manager On the last day of the 1982–83 season, the club's first back in the top tier, it narrowly escaped relegation: playing Manchester City at Maine Road, Luton needed to win to stay up, while City could escape with a draw.[40] A late winner by Yugoslavian substitute Raddy Antić saved the team and prompted Pleat to dance across the pitch performing a "jig of joy",[40] an image that has become iconic.[ 1987/88 Under manager Ray Harford they won the League Cup final beating Arsenal 3-2 1959 Lost to Nottm. Forest in FA Cup final 1989 Lost to Nottm. Forest in League Cup final 2004/05 Manager Mike Newell took them to champions of 3rd tier.

Or the new Eamonn Rogers

Chris Taylor, playing for Millwall at Ewood, absolutely destroyed us. He ran the show brilliantly for them. I was delighted when he signed for us but he didn't seem to be the same player. Maybe his character let his footballing ability down.

Travis goes out to wind players up. He is quite nasty with them and he expects to be punched. I bet when he is punched he's thinking (and smiling)to himself, "Ah! I've got this bastard wound up. That's put him off his game for tonight". Glad we have Travis.

If we become consistent, the attendance will increase. Most, including me, thought we would get a tonking tonight.

2-0

Sounds like the equaliser is coming

Watford getting back into it

What the heck does "Kudos" mean? Where does it come from? Greek?

Ask the muppets who control football in this country.

I can't see us getting much out of this match but we could if we go about it right. Anyway, my team........... Kaminski Carter, Hyam, S Wharton, Mola Travis, A Wharton Hedges, Dack, Brereton Hirst If not A Wharton then Buckley.

Jim's link has explained to me that it is the football authorities who have cancelled the games and not the "Nanny State". Government says the sporting authorities can choose either way.

Sorry. My blood was boiling. I've calmed down now.............I think.

She worked right up to the week she died aged 96. What a person! I think she was a most devoted monarch and head of state. She was dutiful to the end. R.I.P Lillibet