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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cloughie's notes, Hillman Imps and Bela Lugosi: my glorious trove of old Forest programmes
What to do with the pile of vintage Nottingham Forest programmes that came into my possession several years ago? At first, standard protocol was observed for uncategorised piles of paper. The 21 City Ground programmes, spanning 50 years from September 1963 to November 2012, were packed away in a dark cupboard, ignored and unread. But finally taking the time to study them has paid dividends: a rich seam of history leaps off the pages in clear, elegant black-and-white type. Forest's presence in the top-flight's upper echelons evoked the club's halcyon days and plenty has been written about the Brian Clough-Peter Taylor era. Less attention has focused on Clough's often entertaining programme notes during his 18-year tenure – while the editions outside Clough's time are a fascinating way of charting Forest's trajectory, as well as how profoundly football and wider society have changed. Advertisement Related: A charmer and a stickler: Jeremy Alexander was a Guardian sport mainstay for 57 years | Matthew Engel For West Ham's visit in September 1963, pre-decimalisation, the programme cover price is 6d (2.5p). 'Some of their players have established themselves in the International field,' reads the section on the visitors. 'Bobby Moore is holding the right-half berth for England … others with not so familiar names at the moment, but with the right sort of ability, include inside-forward Geoff Hurst.' Prescient player profiles aside, the 60s adverts may be the most interesting element. 'If your party runs into hundreds ask for a special train,' reads a message from British Railways, encouraging football fans to charter their own services for away days. 'Commission paid on full train loads for a guaranteed number of passengers.' What chance of that now? The back page advertises the latest in cars: 'Meet the new Hillman Imp – an inspiration in light car design. Accelerates from 0-50 m.p.h. in 15.5 seconds.' Onwards to 1972, on 23 September, the back page of 'Forest Review' is given over to Player's No 6: 'The most popular filter cigarette in Britain.' Edward Heath's Conservative government had reached an agreement with the tobacco industry the previous year and the message at the bottom – 'Every packet carries a government health warning' – was a recent, significant development. Advertisement Leading from the front, meanwhile, is an appeal from the chair, Ken Smales, urging supporters to buy a copy of the 1972 Nottingham Forest Annual. 'At only 15p it is certainly not a profit-making venture, but an honest effort by the club to inform the fan of some of our activities,' Smales writes. (Formerly a first-class cricketer for Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, Smales would give more than 35 years of service to Forest.) On to 1979-80, the season of Forest's second European triumph, with the Clough era at its peak. The quality of the side facing Brighton on 17 November is certainly notable: Shilton, Anderson, Gray, McGovern, Lloyd, Needham, O'Neill, Bowles, Birtles, Francis, Robertson. The sole substitute is listed as 'To be announced', which the late Guardian writer Jeremy Alexander – who donated the programmes – has crossed out and replaced with 'Bowyer'. Despite their strength Forest were beaten 1-0 by the club Clough had left in 1974 for his brief spell at Leeds. On Saturday 19 April – just before Forest defeated Hamburg at the Bernabéu for their second European Cup – they welcomed Derby: a Player of the Year voting slip is still tucked inside. Clough is pictured cheerily accepting a large bottle from the director of Bell's Whisky, his manager of the month prize for March. Clough's fondness for drink becomes still more apparent. With Watford the visitors in September 1982, a 'friendly bet' between the manager and Scotland's John Robertson is relayed to readers. 'I bet I can do without a drink longer than you can do without a cigarette,' Clough told the winger. Hard to imagine a modern Premier League manager doing anything similar. Advertisement 'I like the chairman [Elton John],' declares Clough for that meeting with Graham Taylor's Watford. 'Those people who thought his presence as a figure head was something of a gimmick have been made to eat their words.' There is also a profile of the winger Calvin Plummer (Dislikes: Smoking, traffic jams), who toured apartheid South Africa that same year. 'At Home With Viv Anderson' is the most engaging feature for the meeting with QPR in September 1983: the future Arsenal and Manchester United full-back is pictured enjoying a game of snooker on his new table. 'I must admit I enjoy having a table in the home,' Anderson said. 'Although the novelty has worn off a bit, it's a good way to relax.' Towards the end of the decade Clough's irreverent style has developed further. 'Poor old Bella Lugosi [sic] would have turned in his grave if he had seen our performance against Arsenal here last season,' he writes in September 1989 for the Gunners' visit. 'For any thick bonses [sic] who don't know who Bella Lugosi was – he used to be a horror movie actor. And a good one at that!' Moving through the 2000s the programmes become shinier and more colourful but considerably less attractive. With Forest struggling on and off the pitch, the calibre of players on display declines accordingly. Advertisement Poignantly, the final cover of the collection is a full-page picture of Nigel Doughty, published for the first home game after the Forest owner's death in 2012. A tribute from the chief executive, Mark Arthur, reveals that Doughty, a Labour supporter, had often feared it was morally wrong to plough cash into a football club when there are 'so many other worthwhile causes'. With football ever-more fuelled by vast amounts of cash, Doughty's social conscience feels more needed today – and is harder to come by among the current crop of football club owners. It's also an example of the kind of historical perspective – along with the simple nostalgic thrill – brought by dusting off a pile of old matchday programmes.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Kyle Walker on verge of completing perfect England centurion XI – but Trent and Man City limbo put 100th cap at threat
KYLE WALKER may have had a shocker against Senegal - but he is now just four caps away from completing England's perfect centurion XI. The Manchester City veteran struggled badly on his 96th cap in Tuesday's 3-1 friendly defeat at the City Ground, which was our first-ever loss to an African nation. It left many fans wondering if he will even make it to a 97th cap, let alone 100, although Thomas Tuchel 's comments afterwards will have reassured the 35-year-old. And should he manage to dust himself down and convince the German of giving him the quartet needed to reach a century, he will be the eleventh player in Three Lions history to make it to triple figures. And in a coincidental twist of fate, if Walker does hit 100 then he would be the final piece in the jigsaw to complete a tonne-up team. In goal is our nation's record appearance-maker Peter Shilton on 125 games. Walker would take the right-back slot, with former Arsenal and Chelsea star Ashley Cole at left-back on 107. In central defence, World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore (108) lines up alongside Billy Wright. The latter was a one-club man for Wolves just after the war and became the first player in world football to reach 100 caps for his country, ending on 105 in 1959. Playing out wide left in a 4-4-2 formation is the late Sir Bobby Charlton, who netted a stunning 49 goals in 106 caps, winning our only World Cup in 1966. 5 5 5 On the right wing is ex-captain David Beckham, who The Sun exclusively revealed will be knighted in the King's upcoming Birthday Honours List, on 115. In the middle is Steven Gerrard (114) and Frank Lampard (106), trying to ignore the old debate of whether they could actually play together as a midfield pairing. Roy Keane slams 'LAZY' Kyle Walker for role in Senegal goal vs England as ITV star says 'can't make mistakes like that' Up top are our two greatest goalscorers - and arguably two best strikers, though Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Jimmy Greaves may have something to say about that. Harry Kane leads the line, having blasted an astonishing 73 goals in 107 caps, with his latest of each coming against the Senegalese. Wayne Rooney, whose goals record Kane surpassed two years ago, completes the awesome line-up thanks to 53 goals in 120 caps. Only three England bosses made it to 100 games in charge, including the first two, Walter Winterbottom (139), Sir Alf Ramsey (113) and, years later, Sir Gareth Southgate (102). Walker, 35, is desperate to make it to 100 caps. After winning his 80th in a 2-0 win over Malta in November 2023, he said: 'That's one of my big objectives. 'There are very few players that are in that bracket and have made it to the 100 club. 'If I can do that I'll be over the moon and delighted from when I first started in 2011 when I got my first call-up under (Fabio) Capello.' Walker could complete his century before the year is out, with England having six World Cup qualifiers between September and October. But given the level of competition at full-back, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Tino Livramento, and Walker seemingly having no future at City, it is by no means a given he will do it. Walker also seems in limbo club-wise, with City not taking him to the Club World Cup and a return to AC Milan, where he spent the second half of the season on loan, looking off the cards. Tuchel feels the treble-winner's lack of recent action contributed to his dire display against the Senegalese where his touch was rusty and he looked uncharacteristically slow. But the former Chelsea boss remains a huge fan of Walker, which will give the full-back confidence his century dream can be realised. Asked why Walker deserved to play against Senegal in his post-match press conference, Tuchel said: 'Because it counts also what he did in the first camp. "His first two matches were good. He was a regular player at Milan and then broke his elbow. 'Once we saw him in camp, he trained at the highest level, I felt him very composed, very proud to be in the camp. "He took responsibility, he helped everyone out and pushed the standards and levels. I think he deserved to play. 'I see the lack of rhythm, clearly, the lack of rhythm in misjudgements and duels and anticipation, of course. 'That is also maybe the nature of a June camp and a player who does not have every minute in his legs lately and has struggled to come back because of injury and the contract situation when he was just on loan.' 5
New York Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Why are some Premier League teams wearing next season's kit?
Memories of trophy-winning sides are often tied to the shirts they wore. Before every World Cup, orders for replicas of England's 1966 World Cup-winning shirt skyrocket. Its relationship with the national team's greatest success ensures it remains relevant, even if most of the fans buying it were born long after Bobby Moore lifted the trophy. Even designs from 1990, England's best World Cup performance between 1966 and 2018, are fondly remembered for their association with the relative success of reaching a semi-final, despite the team being knocked out by West Germany. Had Gareth Southgate's men gone one step further and beaten Spain to win the European Championship last summer, the white and blue design the players wore would have earned similar cult status. The examples are endless: Brazil's yellow and green in 1970; the iconic Netherlands shirt from their 1988 European Championship triumph; Maradona's scudetto-winning shirts with Napoli in 1987 and 1990; the United States' host nation stars and stripes 'denim' jersey from World Cup '94, plus countless others associated with a team's golden moment. Advertisement When it comes to the Premier League, the connection between achievement and shirt is sometimes blurred. Take Arsenal. Last week, they unveiled their new kit for next season. They then wore that kit for the 1-0 win against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium. So is it a 2025-26 kit or a 2024-25 kit? Does it matter? Probably not, but would it have mattered if they were collecting a trophy? Would it have been wrong to be photographed celebrating a season's success in a kit they had only played in once? Debuting next season's kit in the season's final weeks is not a recent development. Arsenal often do it, and it was even happening back in 1987, when Tottenham Hotspur wore the following season's shirt during their FA Cup final against Coventry City. Spurs lost. 'It's nothing new,' says Phil Delves, a content executive for Cult Kits. 'It used to be much more sparing, but now it's to be expected. Most of the big teams have done it once. For others, it's much more common.' Five Premier League clubs have released their 2025-26 kit. Arsenal are the only club who have debuted theirs, though Newcastle are expected to wear theirs this weekend for their home match against Everton. The reasons for doing so vary, but they all come back to commerce. The season's closing matches are a chance to advertise the new kit in front of fans at the stadium and on television before less-visible friendlies during the long summer break. An industry source, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, also pointed out how profit and sustainability rules (PSR) can be a factor, increasing revenue before June 30, the end of the financial year for most Premier League clubs. Wearing the new kit can also be helpful when managing stock. 'Usually, football kits are sold on what the industry calls a 'Futures' basis,' says a source who has worked for kit manufacturers and also asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships. 'Clubs order how many they need for the season, as manufacturers try to avoid stock sitting in a warehouse, waiting to see if the clubs need more. So if the current kit has sold through, and there's not much stock left, then ramping up the anticipation for the new kit, or timing its on-sale date to that last game of the season or a big final is a good idea.' Advertisement Whether the team is lifting a cup is considered, too. Last season, Arsenal decided against debuting the following season's shirt at their final home match. The reason, according to The Sun, was that they were still in contention to lift the title. At the 2008 Champions League final, Chelsea opted to wear the following season's kit. Manchester United then beat them on penalties and to many, John Terry's slip in the shootout has become the main association with that shirt. Four years later, Chelsea had launched their 2012-13 strip in April 2012, but opted to stick with their 2011-12 strip in the FA Cup and Champions League finals. They won both. In 2019, with the club's place booked in the Europa League final, Chelsea debuted the 2019-20 kit for their final home game of the Premier League season but reverted to the strip that they had worn en route to Baku for the final, comfortably beating Arsenal 4-1. More recently, when Manchester City played in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace last week, they had already unveiled next season's home shirt, yet they wore this season's kit at Wembley, and lost. For those whose job it is to ensure fans feel positively about new kits, such associations have to be considered. 'If you reach a Champions League final or a major final, there might be a discussion where you say, 'Well, hang on, we've played in a certain kit all season, is it right to transfer?',' says the former kit manufacturer. 'Then there's the flip side — if you play in the new kit and lose the final, does that kit already become tainted from the start of the next season? The minute it goes on sale, fans may think, 'Well, this kit's already been associated with a significant loss'. Whereas if you play in the current kit and win it, the buzz of winning that final will carry through to the launch of the new kit.' Advertisement Newcastle will put that to the test on Sunday when they face Everton in their new kit. A win for Eddie Howe's side will ensure qualification for the Champions League next season, setting the tone for next season and the new kit. Then there's Liverpool. They will not be revealing next season's strip as they are switching manufacturers away from Nike. The multi-year contract with Adidas begins on August 1, so Liverpool will start pre-season in their 2024-25 kit. Liverpool's deal with Nike was worth more than £60million, but, according to sources with knowledge of the Adidas deal, the agreement with the German manufacturer is worth significantly more. But that's next season. Sunday is the long-awaited day when Liverpool will be presented with the Premier League trophy in front of fans at Anfield, and it feels right that Virgil van Dijk will lift it in the kit they earned it in. (Photo by)
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'A real shame' but 'huge profits' - 'wonderful talent' Huijsen departs
We asked for your views on Dean Huijsen swapping the Vitality for the Bernabeu, after Real Madrid activated the 20-year-old defender's £50m release are some of your replies:Brad: I think this is a great result for the Cherries - huge profits! We have been great with our signings, such as losing Solanke only to break our league points record the next season after signing Evanilson. I have no doubts we'll bring in great talent yet again to replace Deano. Although, I will miss cheering his name at the For the majority of Bournemouth fans, this is not a surprise. Dean has been outstanding for us all season and a wonderful talent, so he deserves his opportunity at Real Madrid. Thanks for everything Deano - you know we will miss you but we are wishing you every He looked a natural defender from the moment he stepped out at Bournemouth. He showed confidence and vision beyond his age. He looks and plays like the late and great Bobby Moore!James: Disappointing to see him go, however he wanted to go so it is always best to get the deal done and maximise profit. All of this is crucial in the days of A real shame for us, as he is a great player, but a superb and well earned move for him. My stepson supports Real Madrid, so we will still support him!Martin: I'm not a Bournemouth fan, but that is great business for them. Find a promising player at a low price, see them deliver and then make over £30m profit on them. They will be an interesting team to watch in the summer transfer window. If they spend the money wisely, they should get European football.
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Football writer Brian Glanville dies aged 93
Brian Glanville, the influential football writer who covered the game for seven decades, has died at the age of 93. Glanville was the football correspondent for The Sunday Times for 30 years as well as contributing to World Soccer magazine for five decades, and was author to some of football's most influential books. A lifelong Arsenal fan, Glanville's first book, with Arsenal winger Cliff Bastin, was published in 1950, while his most recently published works included obituaries of Manchester United forward Denis Law and Northern Ireland winger Peter McParland earlier this year. He continued to work on Arsenal publications with the latest being a history of Highbury in 2006. Glanville was perhaps best known for his book The Story of the World Cup, first published in 1993 and regularly updated since. He was also a novelist, and wrote 31 books. Glanville had a good relationship with England's World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore during his time covering the national side but did not hold back when it came to criticising managers. 'I have all sorts of amusing memories of Alf Ramsey, but he was a very strange man. He should have gone two years before he did. He'd blown it. He'd gone. He'd shot his bolt,' Glanville once said. RIP Brian Glanville, 93, maestro of the football stadium press box (and purveyor of truly awful jokes). This is the last time I saw him at work, at Craven Cottage in 2019, a few days short of his 88th birthday. — Richard Williams (@rwilliams1947) May 17, 2025 'I got on very well with Walter Winterbottom, but he was a rotten manager. Bobby Robson was grotesquely overrated. I thought he was a very inadequate manager and he failed so badly in Europe. He made a shocking job of it. He had a lot of luck. We nearly reached the World Cup final in 1990, but that was luck more than judgment, I think.' News of his death was announced by his son Mark late on Friday evening. The SJA sends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Brian Glanville, the "doyen of football writers" whose many books - including the essential 'The Story of the World Cup' - continue to bring so much insight, knowledge and joy to fans everywhere. RIP Brian. — Sports Journalists (@SportSJA) May 16, 2025 The Sports Journalists' Association said in a statement: 'The SJA sends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Brian Glanville, the 'doyen of football writers' whose many books – including the essential The Story of the World Cup – continue to bring so much insight, knowledge and joy to fans everywhere. RIP Brian.' Brian Glanville 1931 – 2025. A tribute by his friend @rwilliams1947 — The Football Writers' Association (@theofficialfwa) May 17, 2025 Andrew Neil, among Glanville's editors at The Sunday Times, posted on X: 'Brian Glanville was indeed a true great. One of the brightest assets during my 11 years editing The Sunday Times. One of the greatest ever football writers.'
