Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Yesterday evening I attended a movie premiere in Leeds city centre. It’s the first red carpet event I’ve ever been involved in, unless you count last month when I clumsily knocking over a full bottle of rioja on the living room floor. In the company of footballing royalty, West Yorkshire dignitaries and fellow Leeds United fans, friend... Continue Reading →
Prompted by yesterday’s parody narrative about the great Don Revie Leeds United side, I've just had an engaging trip down memory lane with an old friend. The amiable interaction commenced following his musings about the uncompromising nature of the 1970 FA Cup Final replay at Old Trafford, Manchester. A match that involving the gladiators of the Leeds who I wrote... Continue Reading →
There is not much happening this evening in the Strachan domicile; nothing of any note anyway. If I'd to accurately describe the scene as I write, my wife is watching Corrie by candle light whilst I’m slouched on a seat at the dining table. Not the most comfortable environment in which to ply penmanship; I really... Continue Reading →
On Saturday, just over 46 years after my first ever venture into its hollowed stands, I had a trip down to Elland Road stadium to watch Leeds United play local rivals Barnsley. To clarify, I’ve been to the ground hundreds of times since that visit as a young boy, fair of hair and euphoric of... Continue Reading →
Saturday 19th September 1970 probably doesn’t register in the conscious mind of most people as anything special. Potentially, if you are a rock music aficionado, you may know it as the day of the first Glastonbury Festival held at Michael Eavis's farm in Glastonbury. A keen rock fan may also register the date as one... Continue Reading →
Football...... bloody football! Since 1970, the game I used to love has brought me many lows, much heartache and an unnatural interest in liniment!......... I really need to not take it so personally when I'm struggling to complete the set of the Euro 2016 Panini football stickers! Seriously though, as a Leeds United and England... Continue Reading →
I'm a terrible hoarder. Several cardboard boxes in my loft contain the likes of my first ever payslip as a 16 year old, an old pair of my late grandad's driving gloves, five decades of football memorabilia and a Fanny Craddock menu for clams cuisine. These articles are of such little use to anyone that... Continue Reading →
“This is my life and this is how it reads For every chapter, a thousand memories A murder, a mystery where everybody bleeds A fantasy, a thriller with romance and disease” So wrote Paul Heaton when he eased us into the 1990 Beautiful South song My Book. It was an opening verse teasing us,... Continue Reading →
“Right, then, it's Manchester United versus Spurs in this cup tie here at Old Trafford. And it's the fair-haired, slightly balding Charlton to kick off.” Words of commentary delivered with gusto by sports teacher Mr Sugden (played by the late Brian Glover) in a scene from 1970 British movie Kes. His descriptive words not only... Continue Reading →