A few years ago I lived in Newcastle-under-Lyme - on the park in front of my house a lad in a Port Vale kit was crying because he was getting loads of stick from his 'mates' in their various Utd / Liverpool,etc. kits. When I asked him if he went to Vale Park he said he went with his dad. Told him not to worry about what the others were saying - he was the lucky one going to the matches with his dad - he'd remember that for ever! Hope your lad enjoys it - going to matches with my dad was still great whether I was 7 or 35!!

Tbf we are not alone in having highly regarded youth players who don't develop. Saw this article today about youth players at Premier League clubs identified in 2019 (and links to earlier years) and how few have gone on to make it at that level. Next Generation 2019: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs | Football | The Guardian

Solanke now deemed good enough. Amazing as he clearly wasn't good enough for England when scoring for fun at Bournemouth. Big club bias strikes again!

Not in Rossendale! If they have currants in they're currant teacakes 😉

Swansea a couple of seasons ago didn't. Living in Pembrokeshire wasn't originally able to go but could at last minute. Phoned Swansea but they said no tickets on the day so had to go in with the Swansea fans. Trying not to look too smug as the third goal went in!

Born and brought up in Rossendale in the 70's and early 80's there was never any question that Burnley were the only true rivals. At school there were a few Bolton fans due to the catchment area of the school but Burnley fans outnumbered everyone else at the time. I don't remember many Utd or City fans - although I guess there were some. I think it was probably a bit too early for the TV ' glory hunter' supporters to have appeared.

It seems a lot of people can't separate the player from the person. There are lots of players who have been heroes as players despite being not a great person. The classic has to be Bellamy! If a player is giving their all but isn't good enough my issue is with the manager not the player - Keith Andrews is a good example. The opposite would be Barry Ferguson who, on the odd occasion when he looked like he could give a fuck, was a good player but those occasions were very rare. That sort of player I can dislike - Dwight Yorke is another example - and what a contrast with Andrew Cole

Surely it's about him as a person not his ability as a player. It's not 'hero worship' FFS. Recognising that someone gave their all for the club whilst they were here - particularly in contrast to some of the wasters who rocked up like Murphy, Orr, Good Willie, etc - seems fine by me.

One of the best written articles I've seen in a long time. Someone should make Waggott and the rest read this and tell us what isn't accurate!. Also some of the BLT comment makers on the LT.

Can't narrow it down to one so will give my top 3. Not the best goals he scored but the ones that really had impact on me. The chip against Norwich in his first season, the 2nd against Utd in 93/94 season, and then VE night.

Agree totally. I guess that back in 1966 people said Sir Alf was 'lucky' to get a dubious goal in the final, courtesy of a Russian linesman old enough to remember what the Germans had done to his country! Luck is part of the game - not something to use as a deciding factor on who is, or isn't, a good manager. I disagree with some of Southgate's decisions and agree with others but if he wins on Sunday he deserves huge credit whatever the reasons for the win. Interestingly the use of a substitute in WC70 was one the things Sir Alf was most criticised for!

I can understand that point of view. Having watched England in the 70's. 80's and 90's we failed to qualify for some tournaments and flattered to deceive in others. Since Southgate came in he has raised the bar in terms of progressing to the later stages. My problem with him is we seem to be going backwards in terms of performance and the same issues keep repeating themselves - and seem to be getting worse. If we make a fast start and score early we don't go for the jugular - Italy in the Final being the worst example. No subs to make an impact until too late - and then rarely changes the system even when subs go on. Overly loyal to players not fit or out of form. I hope we win the tournament - and don't really care whether we do it in style tbh. (Just watched a documentary about Greece's 2004 Euro's win and their fans definitely didn't care about the criticism of their style of play!!) BUT with the players we have the style we play doesn't seem to suit them.

Was in the Bee Hole End with my Dad. He made sure I didn't cheer when we scored and kept telling me to look miserable. I guess he didn't want to explain to my mum later that he'd put the 11-year old me in danger 😉 Mind you around the same time we stood in amongst the Scottish fans at Hampden Park for the Scotland/England game - that was an experience!!!

Maybe we all forget how young he is and what he's already experienced at 21? Can't compare this to the 60's when the players lived 'normal' lives. Some of today's players turn out to be knobs and some turn out to be good lads - just like in the rest of the population. And the 'knob / good lad' balance seems a lot better today than the late 90's / early 2000's. I suspect a lot of this depends on family and agent influence - (almost!) makes you feel sorry for Myles Anderson!!

I love coming on here early and reading all the cheerful positive vibes for next season 🤣

Unfortunately feels like inevitable conclusion of the economic changes since the end of the 70's.

Good to see AI is up to date. 'Crap in Crap out' as they say!!

Always had a sneaking respect for the Italians in 1982 (to be fair that was helped by having them in the school sweepstake!). They started terribly and then managed to get through a group of 3 with Argentina and Brazil! Ok they were rough but played (just!!!) within the rules of the game at that time. Brazil of '82 forgot that you have to be able to defend to win things. From what I've seen (which isn't much) the Brazil of 1970 had a decent defence. I can't think of any major tournament win where the winning team hasn't had a good defence (not necessarily great but at least with one or two top class players in it). Holland in the 70's were brilliant going forward but lost two WC finals conceding 5 goals in the two games whereas in 88 they won the Euros with players like Rijkard and Koeman at the back. Then you have Greece winning the Euro's on the basis of score one goal and keep a clean sheet. Always love the irony that some people on here moan about that but (presumably) love the Kendall side that got promoted from Div3 largely on the same basis.

Possibly my favourite time too - although sometimes looks better through rose-tinted specs? Still had the threat of violence at away games, appalling toilets, etc. !!

Scholes was also world-class - as evident from his reputation amongst Europe's top players. However Sven never seemed to know how to use him so he couldn't show how good he was.

The missed penalty in the first leg was crucial. If we'd gone 3-0 up at that point Palace were on the point of collapse - we could have gone on to score a couple more and put the tie to bed. I know SG scored late on to restore the 2 goal lead but the momentum had already changed. Down at Palace we undoubtedly bottled it - but how different it might have been but for the penalty we'll never know.

I think we need to restore some balance here so I'd like to apologise to any intelligent and sensible Bacupians visiting this forum....................and, good god, you must be lonely!!

Just seen this posted re the fact the tool is from Bacup:

No. Emley Moor. Off the M62 near Huddersfield. On the right hand side as you head into the Darkness (or Yorkshire as it likes to be known)!

Not been to either if those but can imagine! Another one from my Rossy Utd watching days was Emley. Their ground was v close to the TV mast you can see off the M62 😲