Month: October 2007

Not much, at least not necessarily. The principle change to football kit since 1905 has been in the shape of progressively lighter, less protective, more weather-stable and weather-adaptable boots. These were a Brazilian innovation, taken up by Stanley Matthews after the 1950 World Cup and further developed since then by European companies. The ball has…

When I hit the wall, made of two-ton concrete blocks, it hurt. The car stopped dead with the engine underneath it, hard up to the broken wall. My right shinbone had a couple of hairline cracks and it was six weeks before I could walk. But I could still drive – just. A physiotherapist enabled…

Short and sharp opinion from Herbert Chapman’s worthy successor: The great swami of the Emirates was asked what he thought of the concept of technical director, the role in which the previously obscure Comolli has apparently achieved such power at Tottenham that we are told the new manager, whether it indeed proves be Juande Ramos…

The first inside stories of events within the England camp at the Rugby World Cup are coming out, and they aren’t pretty. Laurence Dallaglio’s in particular. This is one of the best pieces of thoughtful writing involving a sportsman that I’ve read. A few of the more experienced guys got together: Phil Vickery, Mike Catt,…

First Mourinho, now Jol. The most successful managers in their respective club’s recent history, sacked by wealthy club owners who expect too much. And want it too soon. Championship Manager Chairmanship, trumping potentially Champions League Management. I’d be surprised if there was any fan, of any club, who didn’t in his heart of hearts believe…

Online clips featuring Brian Clough are exasperatingly thin on the ground – and those of Peter Taylor.. so this excellent Youtube post simply has to feature here. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKLyEFThdLo] Autochrome colour photography was invented before the First World War, but no one thought to take a camera into the East End. Kodachrome and workable colour film…

Into the Wembley changing rooms with Pathe News for Everton v Sheffield Wednesday. Wednesday’s manager was Alan Brown, Brian Clough’s mentor at Sunderland four years earlier. So much of this kind of broadcasting seemed aimed at the non-footballing public. The degree of knowledge and involvement assumed on the part of the viewer is almost nil….

Herbert Chapman’s teams won six League Championships and two FA Cups in the days when that was all that a team could win. Yet he went into print to say that he felt league-style competition was ruining the game. The pressure on a team to win, he argued, militated against the team’s ability to entertain…

Peter Shilton played just one FA Cup Final in his long career – and lost, 1-0 to Manchester City. City were on their best run for many years, and here David Colman interviews Mercer, Malcolm Allison and players at the Cup Victory Banquet: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cksnFMeWaK0] A year earlier, they’d gone what might be considered one better,…

A couple of minutes’ worth of Brooking brilliance. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7bk9BasbjE]