oldjamfan1

I did mate yeah, we all have a cross to bear I suppose. I must admit I was a little surprised to hear that he had only just passed away. I first met him 50 years ago and he seemed like an old guy then! He was possibly only in his 30s on reflection but you became middle aged very quickly in his generation I suppose. Him and my old man crossed swords a few times, notably when Bob took Darwen out of the Lancashire Combination, but without people like Bob Eccles football would die on its backside.

Paul Weller - Oranges and Rosewater

I’m fairly confident that Germany won’t win the World Cup this year. They are a poor side and I think Spain will stitch them up in the final group game. Although as I type this they have equalised lol

My favourite Shanks quote was when he was asked if it was true he’d taken his wife to a Rochdale game on his wedding anniversary. He was utterly dumbfounded. ”What?” He asked “Who gets married during the football season? It was her birthday. And anyway, it was Rochdale Reserves!” 😂😂

I think in Spain’s shoes (if they win this) I’d be playing a full reserve 11 against Japan and making sure the Germans go out. They can afford to lose 3-0 and still top the group as it stands.

The Specials - Do Nothing

Not a celebrity as such but RIP Bob Eccles, Darwen FC President and long serving stalwart of the club. He was on the Board at the Anchor with my dad in the early to late 70s and oversaw their transition from the Lancashire Combination to the Cheshire League and then the North West Counties League, on who’s committee he also served with distinction. A sad loss to grass roots football so soon after losing Lionel Cooke. https://www.nwcfl.com/news-articles.php?id=8921

Beale is extremely highly thought of within the game (for what that is worth). His career as a coach has been stellar so far - and he’s been at some big clubs and worked for some top people. Granted he has limited experience as a head coach/manager.

Especially with how late the goal was as well.

The Beatles - Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey

Plus Beale has already been at Rangers with Gerrard and knows just what a massive club it is. No brainer for him really.

That Costa Rica goal could be huge for the Germans

It’s in a historic venue in his home city as well, which should add to the occasion. We saw him at the Barrowlands a couple of years ago, he played for about an hour longer than he was supposed to do. Amazing.

They did but a)They are much better than Wales, and b) In my 60 years on the planet I can’t readily recall another defeat like that where everything went wrong all over the park, so I wouldn’t expect two in the same year. You’ll get pretty good odds on a Welsh four goal margin victory I should think.

They aren’t gonna beat us 4-0 realistically. Anything can happen in knockout football. We need to just attack teams from the off really.

That will be some gig Gav 🍻✊🏻

Fair point mate

RIP Doddie Weir, Scotland rugby player, who has died of MND at the age of 52. The word ‘brave’ gets bandied about a lot these days but this fella was even braver off the field than he was on it, and that’s saying something.

The Style Council - Wanted (Or Waiter There’s Some Soup In My Flies)

I can still see him now in my mind’s eye, bow legged and socks rolled down. Sadly he took his own life in his 50s. RIP Little Johnny Price.

England 4 Wales 1

Robbie Savage “It’s only Iran”. 😐 Best comment I’ve seen since the Wales game was this: “Nice to see a positive result for a people who are genuinely oppressed as opposed to the Welsh who desperately want the rest of the world to think that they are despite soiling the globe hand in hand with the English. Maybe Michael Sheen can do Iran an indulgent monologue” 😂😂✊🏻

Elton John - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

It almost becomes a 'free hit' for them tonight now, I think.

Bloody hell mate so is mine...in Scotland!! Oh well, time to dig my England party shirt out then hopefully.