James Hamilton on Sport History and Psychology
Flawlessly summarised in colour: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syPPrz6t1PQ] Watching these clips, it’s impossible not to be struck by the slowness of the game compared to today. It has to be remembered that they were playing as fast as contemporary fitness levels allowed – and that’s still true now: the chances are that we’re only seeing the beginning of…
The holiday season still has a week to go, and if you’re thinking of visiting London and taking in a game, here are some tips. It’s a big place and a big subject, and I haven’t had time to put my own guide together, so what follows is from Dickens’ Dictionary of London, 1888. Prospective…
The 1958 World Cup – the Supraphon of World Cups: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUj13izb5s]
If you think you can’t play because you’ve eaten too much food by now, allow the Galloping Major to show you how it’s done: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPH8owfgyrg]
Alfredo di Stefano. In 1963, the great debate was whether HE was the greatest player in football history – or Stanley Matthews: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Mo5Z8xvgA]
Gerd Muller. I don’t think we’ll be calling anyone “The Bomber” as a term of praise or affection for a while, but from happier days, this: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD14ff1XwAM]
The man who, but for the War, would have been our first four minute miler, died on Thursday. Obituary Also recommended: 3:59.4: The Quest to Break the Four Minute Mile and The Perfect Distance.
Johann Cruyff. The only footballer I have ever had on my wall. So far. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bduaf7KKw54]
Aesthetically, the most beautiful World Cup Finals. It’s not just the football – although 1970 gave us not only Banks’ save, the near-goal-from-the-halfway-line and history’s greatest dummy. It’s the quality of the light – and it’s the crowd, who resemble the extras in that 1960s Bond film you’ve still to see: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuPIRk6DxUs]
..accompanied, of course, by Zimmerman’s radio commentary. They released it on a 33rpm record afterwards – something I’d love to own – and you can hear the best bit here: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQYA7QYoVhU] This clip really allows you to see what was going on, and to answer the question I’m always asking about “period” football: was it…