Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
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... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
One of the first televised football matches I recollect from childhood occurred on Saturday 11th April 1970 - The showpiece FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Leeds United. Unlike it's contemporary version, an era when claiming the premier cup competition in England was more aspirational to the games big-hitters. From memory it was a game... Continue Reading →
On Tuesday evening, I took a journey on foot that I've taken many of times over the past 47 years. A sojourn that commences with parking in the vicinity of the Dragon Pub on Whitehall Road, Leeds, with a ultimate destination of Elland Road football stadium. It's a walk that starts with crossing Whitehall Road, followed by an amble down a bramble bush... Continue Reading →
Matchstick arms enclosed in long sleeves achromatic Boy of ten summers stretches cotton kit for palm stealth Mimicking hero’s posture, in flight and in goal celebration Visage smile matches contemporary shirt motif Socks accessorised with tag blue, number eight white Imitation accuracy usurps discomfort of adorning accessory. His hero a man of Willenhall, Sniffer by pseudonym Second... Continue Reading →
In cantilever stand, perches boy; heir apparent Adjacent perches hirsute father; hair apparent Mild April eve in LS11, fledgling noughties White hat’s with white plumage seek further tarry One of quart legions left standing, now seeking scalp Valencian Foe’s both achromatic of uniform; visitors acquiesce, clashing colour forbidden Beyond expectation performance bring charges of Emerald Isle leader... Continue Reading →
Ninth month 1970 Boy of seven summers, witness of owl badge eleven inaugural Peacocks by name but not by feather, plumage white of spectre Shirts a blank canvas at kick-off, soon rendered by sweat and blood Child’s blank canvas rendered by fledgling football memories Pater’s eternal gift for offspring; a point from where he can't regress Amongst tribe, son's... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I wrote of Monday evening's attendance at the premiere of a movie chronicling Leeds United's successful four year period (1988-1992), under the stewardship of Howard Wilkinson. That narrative ended at the point we’d left the cinema; making the short stroll towards The White Swan pub located next to the City Varieties theatre. Once ensconced within the pub, my buddy... Continue Reading →