I’m penning this offering accompanied by the BBC Radio Leeds commentary of the Leeds United v Rotherham United. The voices of commentator Adam Pope and ex-Leeds player Noel Whelan my self-inflicted distraction to the writing process. As you’d expect this following of events at Elland Road handicaps my focus and concentration. Attempting to write a narrative when your completely distracted is a new experience for yours truly. When I endeavour […]
As a child growing up in the 1970’s, my aspirations for adulthood were to mirror my then hero Allan Clarke. A fledgling dream to lead Leeds United’s (LUFC) strike force to domestic and European honours, like Clarke, clad in Puma football boots and gleaming number 8 sock tags. Unfortunately, they were existential desires that were never fulfilled. As the aging process took it’s natural course, I learned you need more […]
Yesterday evening, Leeds United (LUFC) were leading 4-1 at Derby with only 20 minutes of the match remaining. Unashamedly armchair supporting from the comfort of my home, I misguidedly still countenanced the possibility of LUFC leaving the east Midlands pointless. Bearing in mind that score-line, along with LUFC coach Marcelo Bielsa’s team’s sheer dominance in the first 70 minutes, mine was a ludicrous notion. Sadly, though, when you’ve lived through […]
I was saddened yesterday to read of ex-Leeds United utility man Paul Madeley’s death at the age of 73. A consummate professional footballer, Madeley displayed career long loyalty to the team who played a few hundred yards from his childhood home. For eighteen years, a class act on and off field, representing both club and country with distinction, loyalty and skill, earning him manager Don Revie’s laudation of displaying the […]
Nations who’ve achieved final success in the FIFA World Cup traditionally adorn a gold star above their shirt crest, advertising to all and sundry the number of occasions they’ve been football world champions. For instance, England have won the world cup once meaning their badge adorns one star; whereas four-times winners Italy’s shirt emblem dons four stars. Despite never lifting the world cup, the US soccer team has stars upon […]
With only a few hours of waiting to see if history will be made, excitement levels in England’s high streets, offices, homes and off-licences are at an almost unprecedented level. Displays of giddiness I’ve not witnessed since last year when an acquaintance heard he’d won TV chef Gordon Ramsay’s swear box in a raffle. Consequently there’s a buzz of anticipation and joy not oft seen on a Wednesday afternoon amongst […]
In our English sun scorched brown and pleasant land, summer 2018 is starting to feel a bit like summer 2012 was amongst the whole of the Great Britain. As I write, growing euphoria ensues. It’s catalyst the exploits of the English football team that yesterday saw them progress to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Russia. The possibility of becoming world champions creating national excitement akin to the […]
