Cod Almighty | Postbag

A mixed bag

30 June 2021

Some of our letters from recently have sparked some more memories, one reader has been enjoying the Fenty Years and regular correspondent Ian Jackson has been to see Mrs Goggins again.

Will there be an Episode IV?

Hi,

When is the fourth episode of the Fenty horror show being released? Or is it still at the solicitors office for checking?

from Bill Jenner

Letters Ed responds: Malign forces are keeping Mark from his righteous work, but we hope to have part 4 ready next week

And finally The Jackson Ramble

Things ain't what they used to be? You ain't wrong there. In a stream of consciousness way, I'll list many football things that ain't what they were, for a bit of nostalgia, a bit of fun? Some of it is typical 'nostalgic hackneyed observations', some of it might not be. You started it with rosettes.

FA Cup Final build-up: started in the week before, had Friday night themed evening shows, Saturday morning was at the teams hotels for breakfast, FA Cup It's a Knockout and the team coaches to Wembley. Community singing with Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart and massed military bands. Loved it

Match of the Day: before punditry, it was Jimmy Hill introducing games on the worst winter pitches in Europe, no VAR, decisions were only talked of during the commentary and there was no after game dissection of the game by ex-players, just a good old fashioned 'wasn't that a controversial game, shake hands, move on, next game. Loved it as well.

Major tournament TV coverage: UK based studio team, and a feint tinny commentary from 'abroad', no 'summariser', just a commentator. Usually a very noticeable and enjoyable theme tune would accompany the opening titles. No panel of ex-players, usually a smaller panel or even just one ex manager giving his view (cue Cloughy or John Bond or Malcolm Allison)

Sock tags: sock tie-ups were normal, but trendier teams like Leeds and Chelsea sported tags on the sock ties, these tags hung underneath the sock turndown and added a flash of colour highlight to the sock (or white). Time hasn't viewed these kindly.

Keepers didn't wear gloves: green shirts (sometimes mustard yellow), bare hands. That's how it was. Loved that.

On pitch injuries: a bucket, a sponge and a 'trainer', no physio or doctor in sight. This isn't a good idea, things are much better now.

Football boots: used to be industrial-gauge leather, studs were all screw-ins and laces where so long they wrapped around the boot several times before being tied. Black, of course, dubbin friendly. Probably saved many foot bone and foot soft tissue injuries as a result, compared to today.

Shirts without a brand: most were probably Umbro, some could be Bukta or Mitre, but before Admiral, did anyone know who made the kits? Certainly they were not Nike.

Footballs were white, red in snow: Continental ones might be black and white, perhaps not until the late 70s were footballs 'designed' with colour. Think I remember the FA Cup final ball late 70s has a circumferential red band?

Beef tea: not Bovril, lighter in colour. Blundell Park used to have it.

Hi-vis: Wasn't a thing, except for Railway workers. No stewards or police with ubiquitous hi-vis. Maybe a bib of some sort, maybe some identification that they could be asked a question about where the toilets were, but no hi-vis. Probably a flat cap though.

Pre-match warm-ups: they used to have them, but these were predominantly in pairs or singularly pursuits of 'warming up'. No shouty fitness coach, no splitting into groups, no resistance bands. Maybe some imaginary heading or a funny walk-cum-stretching run (discounting the laziest warm-up I ever saw by Chris Waddle)

Scarfs: usually dual coloured, block verticals, usually hand knitted, usually worn inside a brown overcoat or tie knotted over a bomber jacket (depending on your age)....or tied to your wrist like the 'Rollers' (Bay City ones)

Replica shirts: didn't exist

Ripped shorts: For some reason, this seems to have fallen by the wayside, but old Match of the Days reveal a weekly wolf whistle towards a torn short being changed on the side line. White Y-Fronts the norm.

TTFN

from Ian Jackson

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