stevetolmie

#4 QPR v WBA

Weekend 25th/26th September This weekend’s nostalgic match-up sees the ‘Battle of the Initials’ resume, as Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion lock horns again in a fixture that recalls two massive cup clashes that both went the way of the Londoners. The lesser feted encounter (at least outside of west London) is the 1982Continue reading “#4 QPR v WBA”

Run 2 (part 3)

Ah, yes. The day after the run… A lot of aching seems to be taking place. Definitely not recovering like a 17 year-old. There will be none of this “I’m going running every day” malarkey. But it is only aching. No actual injuries that I’m aware of. And it’s a worthy sort of aching. IfContinue reading “Run 2 (part 3)”

Run 2 (part 2)

Well, what a pleasant surprise that was. I survived. I always felt I would actually, as I still retain the 17-yr-old me’s belief in my immortality. Mind you, mere survival is not really the aim of this exercise. I am looking to feel fitter and generally glow with health and vitality. I want to getContinue reading “Run 2 (part 2)”

#3 18th/19th September Aston Villa v Everton

1977 was a bad year for Everton and April was its cruellest month. Liverpool won the League, the European Cup and knocked the Toffees out of the FA Cup under controversial circumstances when Bryan Hamilton’s late ‘winner’ was chalked off by referee Clive Thomas. The disallowed goal meant a replay, which Liverpool won, effectively endingContinue reading “#3 18th/19th September Aston Villa v Everton”

The First British TV Sitcom

Dad’s Army, Only Fools and Horses, Gavin and Stacey, Hancock’s Half Hour… the roll-call of British sitcoms is long and glorious. Yet the first name on the list is probably completely unfamiliar to us: Pinwright’s Progress. First broadcast 75 years ago on November 29th, 1946, Pinwright’s Progress is now recognised as the world’s first TVContinue reading “The First British TV Sitcom”

#2 – September 11th/12th

Weekend 11th/12th September Leicester City v Manchester City; Chelsea v Aston Villa This weekend’s selected fixtures bring back memories of the 1969 FA Cup Final and the legendary manager, Tommy Docherty. The 1969 Cup Final pitted soon-to-be-relegated Leicester against recent League Champions Man City. Getting relegated and winning the cup is the sort of doubleContinue reading “#2 – September 11th/12th”

The Big Match

Loving The Big Match Revisited on ITV4. No need to comment on the 70s haircuts and clothes, but plenty worth mentioning: 1 – The Pitches: how did they play on those surfaces? I played on council pitches that looked better than Upton Park, The Dell or the Baseball Ground back then. So, if you seeContinue reading “The Big Match”

Peter O’Sullevan

His is the voice that everyone over the age of 40 probably knows. The dry, urbane tone, the controlled and precise diction, which never wavered, even as the events he was describing reached a fever pitch. Back in the days when the nation stopped for horse races like the Derby and the Grand National, PeterContinue reading “Peter O’Sullevan”

Matches of Yesterday #1 Aug 28/29

Derby v Nottingham Forest; Arsenal v Man City; West Ham v Crystal Palace Three fixtures this weekend evoke memories of two of football’s most celebrated double acts: Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, and Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison. With Derby and Forest currently both in the doldrums and meeting this weekend, fans at Saturday’s ChampionshipContinue reading “Matches of Yesterday #1 Aug 28/29”

Run 2 (part 1)

I said last time that I wouldn’t be running 5km any time soon. And I’m right. I’m going to run 7km instead. My yoga friends also go running at the weekend in a nice bit of countryside and invited me along when I proudly told them I had a new pair of running shoes. IContinue reading “Run 2 (part 1)”