Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
‘League One Leeds – A Journey Through The Abyss’ by author Rocco Dean; Reviewed by Gary Strachan I first visited Leeds United’s Elland Road home on 19th September 1970. A rite of passage allowing me to witness the most successful Leeds side to grace the LS11 turf. An overcast autumn Saturday seeing a John Giles penalty... Continue Reading →
Last weekend I spent two nights at a campervan festival on the English/Welsh border. The almost constant sunshine, an enchanting Chester landscape and good company contributed to existing in forty eight hours of outdoor ambrosia. Re-reading the above paragraph, it has struck me that I'd no need to prefix Welsh with the word English. After... Continue Reading →
Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the passing (from COVID-19) of ex-Leeds United footballer Norman Hunter. The indiscriminate pathogen, which's tainted millions of lives globally, proving a hard man reputation wouldn't deter it from maintaining a path of death and economic destruction. Enclosed below is the narrative I penned twenty four months ago in tribute... Continue Reading →
Easter Saturday has bequeathed West Yorkshire's populace warm(ish) Bank Holiday temperatures. Consequently, yours truly intends to venture out later to take in a local league cricket match. A game which, although not partaking for over a decade, I played for 30 years from my mid-teens. Cricket a game of which I've written about on numerous... Continue Reading →
I've been in a mischievous mood of late. While going about my daily existence, this modality manifesting desires to act upon the devilment frequently springing into yours truly's cognisant mind. Some of these silly episodes making it past the idea stage, gaining liberty into the ether via the conduit of my sometime 'shoot from the... Continue Reading →
As a young lad I was a significantly more inquisitive than's been the case in adulthood. Free from adult distractions of paying a mortgage, working shifts in a job I wasn't fond of and providing for a family of four, my fledgling inquiring mind was given carte blanche to roam, learn and expand. For instance,... Continue Reading →
As I disclosed in yesterday's prose Skimming the Surface, I learned many useful life lessons as a child growing up in Low Fell, Gateshead. Amongst these tutorial gems were, when partaking in the controversy laden world of table football games, my brother Ian was a right flaming cheat. Our kid will no doubt have his... Continue Reading →
Due to my ingrained curmudgeonliness, along with an indifference to most events other than athletics, I've not seen a great deal of the Tokyo Olympics' TV coverage. Apart from video coverage of GB medal winners on daily news bulletins, the time I've spent viewing the tournament's been minimal. That being said, the other day, while... Continue Reading →
After a week of overpowering heat, thankfully this morning's West Yorkshire meteorological landscape incorporates a much needed cooling zephyr. Who knows, this evening we sleep deprived folk'll manage to secure our first half decent kip for a week. GJ Strachan at last being able to function in daylight hours without an accompanying jet-lag type befuddlement.... Continue Reading →