stevetolmie

#9 Everton v Arsenal, Dec 6

Alan Ball is the focus this weekend as two clubs he served with distinction, Everton and Arsenal, meet in the Premier League. Ball, of course, is famous as one of the players who won the World Cup for England in 1966 and he enjoyed significant success at club level too, especially with Everton where heContinue reading “#9 Everton v Arsenal, Dec 6”

Running in Literature

Well, if I can’t run, maybe I can read about it. Running features in some famous mid/late 20th Century fiction such as Alan Sillitoe’s Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner and William Goldman’s Marathon Man (maybe not as well known as the film on which it is based, starring Dustin Hoffman?), but what about theContinue reading “Running in Literature”

Driving Tests

The driving test has been with us in various forms since June 1935 as governments have wrestled with the simple question (to which there isn’t really a simple answer): ‘what makes a good driver?’. A laudable question indeed. For those taking the test, the question is rather more pragmatic: ‘how can I pass the test?’. Continue reading “Driving Tests”

#8 QPR v Luton, Nov 19-22

Mention QPR and Luton in the same sentence to football fans of a certain age and they will almost immediately think about artificial pitches and the complaints from other teams about the allegedly unfair advantage that these two teams (among others) gained from having Astroturf or something similar. In 1981 QPR were the first professionalContinue reading “#8 QPR v Luton, Nov 19-22”

#7 FA Cup First Round – Nov 5-8

The qualifying rounds are over and now the clubs from Leagues 1 and 2 join the draw alongside the non-league teams who have made it this far. How will this year’s programme of matches compare with the First Round fifty years ago? The players taking part this weekend have got plenty to live up to.Continue reading “#7 FA Cup First Round – Nov 5-8”

#6 Liverpool v Brighton – Jimmy Case

Liverpool meet Brighton at Anfield this weekend, which reminds us of how Liverpool and Brighton fans have both enjoyed the services of some great players over the years including Michael Robinson, Mark Lawrenson and Adam Lallana. But perhaps the Brighton/Liverpool player who is most celebrated is a man regarded by many as one of theContinue reading “#6 Liverpool v Brighton – Jimmy Case”

Scottish breakfasts

No lesser authority than Dr Samuel Johnson, creator of the first English dictionary, considered Scottish breakfasts to be things of wonder. He went as far as to suggest that any lover of food “wherever he had supped he would breakfast in Scotland.” Quite a compliment when you consider that Dr Johnson is on record asContinue reading “Scottish breakfasts”

Running and Trampolines

The running programme is postponed for a while because I’ve been an idiot and hurt my back falling off a child’s trampoline. I was lucky. Bruised coccyx, damaged muscles and wounded pride. I’ve since read up on the serious neck, spine and head injuries caused by trampoline accidents or misuse and the stats make forContinue reading “Running and Trampolines”

Run 3

The New Forest exists much as it is thanks to William the Conqueror as I understand it. Apparently he decided the area would make a good spot for hunting, cleared out several villages and settlements and off he went. I do hope this isn’t the sort of streamlined planning process that Boris Johnson has inContinue reading “Run 3”

#5 Coventry City v Fulham

Weekend 2/3 October One name that links these two teams is Jimmy Hill. For nearly 50 years he was familiar to (and not always popular with) football fans for his match analysis for ITV, BBC and Sky. However, before he settled so successfully in the world of television, he had enjoyed a fascinating career asContinue reading “#5 Coventry City v Fulham”