September
2001 News
This is the latest news
of all the players who appeared in the 1970-71
FKS Publishers Ltd
Wonderful World of Soccer Stars Album
28 September
Celtic's Hall of Fame
Jim Craig
(Celtic)
has written to me (and several hundred others) again
telling me the first 25 entrants to Celtic's Hall of
Fame.
It includes: David Hay, Jimmy Johnstone, Billy McNeill and Willie
Wallace from the Celtic page of the World of Soccer
Stars Album.
Danny McGrain, John Clark (both Celtic squad) and Bobby
Collins are
also definately 1970-71 players.
The others
chosen were: Pat Bonner, Tom Boyd, Tommy Burns, Stevie
Chalmers, Dixie Deans, Sean Fallon, Patsy Gallacher, Paul
Lambert, Joe McBride, Jimmy McGrory, Murdo MacLeod, Billy
McPhail, Paul McStay, Neil Mochan, Lubo Moravcik, Ronnie
Simpson, Johnny Thomson, Charlie Tully.
26 September
Royle
Commentator
I have to
admit I had the sound turned down to listen to Peter
Lorimer's
comments on Radio Leeds, but U.K. national television
station, Channel 5, had expert commentry from Joe
Royle for last
week's Leeds United UEFA Cup match versus Maritimo.
18 September
Sir Geoff
Hurst at 'The Times'
A signed
copy of Sir Geoff's new book, '1966 and All That' can be bought
at The Times - Sir Geoff Hurst. Even if you don't want the
book I still suggest you visit the site which has a
special on Sir Geoff's career, including lots of features
on the 1966 World Cup Finals.
17 September
Sir Bobby on Michael Owen
Sir Bobby Charlton would like Michael
Owen to beat
his International Goals record. Here's how it appeared at
BBC SPORT WORLD CUP 2002
Charlton Owen can beat me
Sir Bobby Charlton
is backing Michael Owen to surpass his 31-year record
of 49 goals for England.
Charlton, a
survivor of the 1958 Munich air disaster, helped
England to win the World Cup in 1966 and United the
European Cup two years later.
He said there was
nobody more appropriate than Owen to eclipse his own
mark.
"At my age, I
don't mind if someone can break my record,"
Charlton, 63, told The Mirror newspaper on Friday.
"I would like
nobody better than Michael Owen to do so. He's not
just a great goalscorer. He's a scorer of very
important goals."
Charlton scored 49
times in 106 matches for England - a rate of a goal
every 2.16 games - while Owen has scored 14 goals in
32 games, one every 2.28.
However, at the
same stage of his England career, Charlton had scored
22 goals in 32 internationals.
Gary Lineker is
second in the England standings with 48 goals in 80
games while Jimmy Greaves is third with 44 in 57.
Owen, 21, scored a
hat-trick for England in their 5-1 triumph over
Germany in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
He then opened the
scoring in the 2-0 defeat of Albania on Wednesday.
Charlton said he
first noticed Owen when the Liverpool striker was a
rising star in the Anfield youth team.
"I first saw
him in a youth cup tie in Liverpool when I thought
Manchester United had an unbeatable team, but he
scored a hat-trick and beat us 3-2.
"He has an
unbelievable opportunity to go on and perform wonders
in the game. He is a superb goalscorer - something I
never was."
But Charlton
stopped short of comparing the present England team
to the 1966 World Cup-winning side.
"The current
team hasn't done anything yet," he said.
"Let's wait until it does."
See England's Top
Twenty
International Goalscorers
12 September
Holl-ins Out
John
Hollins (Chelsea) was sacked by Swansea City
today, and as far as I'm aware so far is the first Bob's
70-71 Pages managerial casualty of the season. The season
before last John was proclaimed a hero as he took the
team to Division Two with a well earned promotion as
Champions, but last season, they went straight back down.
This season has been mediocre, and the fans were getting
restless, some even feeeling the mighty drop to
Non-League football was a scarry possiblity.
Currently
the side are very mid-table, but John is on his way. Gary
Martin on the respected alternative Swansea City FC website even commented ...
One of the greatest
illusions of all time has finally been exposed with
the sacking of John Hollins today.
Billed as a manager with
great experience in the top division of English
football, we were all eager to go along with this
spin by Silver Shield.
But it didn't take long for
some to realise that this appointment was just
another of those old pals acts – Steve Hamer
looking after his out of work neighbour.
Silver Shield couldn't
believe their luck – someone with no contacts,
no desire to demand transfer or loan deals – and
someone who would say black was white rather than
ruffle their feathers.
The record however will be
at odds at with reality and show him as one of
Swansea's most successful managers, breaking many
records and winning a League Championship. But
looking back over his 3 years in charge, can anyone
honestly say (apart from the West Ham games) that
it's been fun?
Goodbye John – you will
not be missed.
See SWANSEA CITY FC - Comment
4 September
Jim Craig Taxi Services
Anyone who has
registered with Celtic's website will know by now that
regular updates are sent by Jim Craig (Celtic). Jim gives us a touch of his
wit and wisdom, before letting on about crucial site
information. I quite look forward to them.
Today's letter includes
this extract ...
As I
came out of Celtic Park on Monday afternoon, Danny
McGrain pulled up
beside me in his car. I hadn't seen him for a few
weeks which must seem strange to all of you as we
both work at the park, but the newsroom is at one end
and the dressing-rooms at the other and often the
twain never meet.
Danny
and I go back a long way. When he joined the club, I
used to run him in every morning and I enjoyed his
chat. (That was after I married and we had moved to
the north of Glasgow. Before, when I lived on the
south side with my parents, I would also pick up
Kenny Dalglish (Celtic) every
morning.....and come to think of it, I used to run
Graeme Souness (Spurs)
to the station at night after training. Is that what
these three greats had in common? They used to listen
to my words of wisdom...I must ask them!)
Anyway,
Danny is in good form, as is his lovely wife Laraine
(Laraine McGrain and the wean, as she was once known)
and is enjoying his role here as coach to the
under-21 squad.
The email continued ...
Unfortunately, just as I arrived
home, I received word that Bobby Evans had died at
the weekend. Bobby had a 16-year career with Celtic,
starting in the right-half position before moving
into the centre-half role. Wherever he played, he
gave his all, not only for Celtic but also at
international level, where he got 48 caps plus 25 for
the Scottish League.
Bobby's
wife Renee died some 9 years ago but his daughter
Margaret and son Robert survive him. I'm sure I can
speak for all of you when I extend to them and the
extended family our deepest sympathy.
Bobby's
death came only days before the 70th anniversary -5th
September 1931-of the death of John Thomson.
Thousands of words have been written-and sung - about
this tragic event and as time goes by and first-hand
memories dim, the actual events can be
mis-interpreted.
From my
own studies of the day, I believe there was an
accidental clash between two men engaged in their
profession. The Rangers player, Sam English, was
about to shoot; Johnny Thomson dived to block the
shot and his head hit English's knee. As a result,
Thomson died that night. Perhaps a part of Sam
English died that day too, as he had to suffer the
taunts of 'killer' for the rest of his life.
Thankfully,
such incidents are rare. Thomson was only 23, yet his
skills were praised and admired by a host of football
enthusiasts. He was blessed with great balance, good
positional sense, exceptional agility and bravery. He
truly must have been a star.
Farewell, my darling Johnny, prince
of players, we must part,
No more, we'll stand and cheer you, on the slopes of
Celtic Park.....
See www.celticfc.net
See more September 2001 news at the
following ...
|
