Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Last Saturday saw my first day at the races since pre-COVID19 lockdown. The outing part of a weekend in Newcastle with my son-in-law Simon; meeting up with my brother Ian who lives across the River Tyne in Gateshead. Incidentally, although I refer to Simon as my son-in-law that is not strictly true. Well not since... Continue Reading →
‘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 →
As a gift for his 32nd birthday, I've procured tickets for my son Jonny and me to attend Yorkshire county cricket club's fixture with Durham in a T20 Blast game at Headingley. As he lives around 50-60 miles from the venue in North Yorkshire (I live the other side of Leeds from the ground), due... 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 →
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 →
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 →