Tyrone Shoelaces

Two other clubs in for him apparently so it’s a non starter. We only sign players when there’s no competition.

I’d persuaded some of my school team mates to come along on the strength of the 7-2 thrashing of Spurs and the thought of seeing Stanley Mathews. We’d played that morning so we’d be there in our school uniforms, probably minus school ties though. Young people today don’t realise that the modern fashion for casual and sporting clothes hadn’t been invented at that time. Nobody there would be wearing a replica shirt. Same goes for club branded clothing. It hadn’t been thought of. I was one of the first lads in Rochdale to get a pair of training shoes in about 1966. . They were a blue “ Adidas “ pair. One summer night we’d been training and after we’d got changed I kept the trainers on. We decided to go to the nearest pub for a shandy. When I walked in the pub everybody looked at me like I had two heads. That’s how things were then !

You both right and wrong Jim. It is a real photograph from “ Getty Images “. It’s from the game against Stoke City on the 21st of September 1963. We won the game 1-0 with an Andy McEvoy goal. I went to this game, it was shortly after the 7-2 mauling of Spurs, and I was expecting a repeat so I was really disappointed with the 1-0. The only other thing I remember was Stanley Mathews was down to play in the programme but didn’t appear. So I never got to see the great man play.

Ray Charles - Lonely Avenue

Carrick in at the Red Rats. I can’t see him making much difference.

I remember seeing that photo years before AI Jim. I think it’s from a game against Bury in late 1966. Harrison was built like a light heavyweight but he wasn’t a fan of the rough stuff. He was seriously rapid in a straight line and had a shot like a rocket. Possibly the best penalty taker we’ve had. He could side foot the ball harder than I could blast it. Some power in those thighs. If it is that game we won 2-0 - Connelly and Harrison with a pen the scorers. I still think that kit is my favourite. The first one I ever had.

The best intro ever.

Doris Troy - Just One Look

My feeling at the time was his going allowed us to bring Gudjohnsen in.

That well written piece sums up my feelings, and I dare say quite a lot of us on here. It’s the feeling of hopelessness. The feeling that there is nothing we can do to effect a change. I’ve been a Rovers fan since 1960. I’ve seen some truly great teams and quite a few not so great. In all that time and all those ups and downs I’ve never given up hope that we would rise again. Even in the dark days of the 1970’s when we were skint. There always seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel. The Chicken Chokers have almost extinguished that light. At 76 I fear they may outlast me and I may never see a Blackburn Rovers run by people who love Blackburn Rovers. We live in sad times.

The 5 at the back worked pretty well when we had the players to play it. None of the centre backs looked good enough to play in just a 2. Maybe that isn’t the case now. We had Alebiosu and Hedges as pretty effective wing backs. It allowed us to play Ohashi and Gudjohnsen up front as a pair when neither of them had what it takes to play up front on their own. They looked to be forming a good partnership when Gudjohnsen got injured unfortunately. Alebiosu is missing at the moment, Hedges is probably out for the rest of the season. Gudjohnsen is out for a while yet. So the plan is in tatters. Without some signings we are just drifting downwards.

Ritchie Barrett - Some Other Guy

We had him around. He was hardly ever out of the treatment room.

Just watched the “ highlights “ . The breakaway towards the end were Baradji plays in the young winger. The kid seems to be trying to set himself up for a left foot shot when it’s crying out for a right foot shot. These “ inverted wingers “ are doing my head in.

I watched Nigeria v Algeria yesterday. It was like they were playing another sport entirely.

Those were the days when you could get a prolific striker from the old fourth division.

I can’t recall a weaker first 11. We’ve fielded better reserve teams in the past. At least Toth should get plenty of match practice. I’m just glad I didn’t trudge up to my sons to watch the game now. The teams we were fielding in the old 3rd division would put six past that team.

The Contours - Just A Little Missunderstanding

I’m still undecided as to wether to up to my sons place to watch it. Rovers reserves against probably Hull reserves.

Harold Dorman - Mountain Of Love

Osayi-Samuel had a good game today. He’s not as dynamic in attack as Alebiosu but he’s very steady in defence. Not a lot to choose between them to be honest. However I can’t see them changing a winning team, barring injuries.

A steady centre half for the Hammers but Matt Woods was better player back then and never got a chance.

Yeah, they’re a good side. All big fast and strong guys. Strength right through the spine - Bassey, Iwobi, Oshiem. I like the look of the left back as well, the lad Bruno. A good no nonsense fullback who can attack if need be. The right back had a good game as well. Barring injury I can’t see our boy getting another game

Only HT at the moment but Nigeria look favourites to me.

I don’t think Coventry were the holders that year ?