it was 10 years ago - sunderland versus manchester united

 It was 10 years ago to the day since l went to watch Manchester United at Sunderland.  My mate dropped out at the last minute so l went by myself. Had to go in the home end, it chucked it down with rain, and it was a really underwhelming 0-0 draw. I also got a parking ticket, and cursed all the way home.

On the other hand, l wish crowds were allowed back into the grounds, so l could do it all again. Football without fans is crap.

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manchester united's new kit

 Another reason to be put off modern football. with or without fans.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Exhibit #1 - One of Manchester United's new kits.

I rest my case

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ole becomes pep

Somethings not right here, but l can't figure out what needs changing

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manchester united versus liverpool programmes

Inspired by an advert on Sky where someone has Liverpool stuff framed on the wall behind him, l thought about framing my programmes from Manchester United versus Liverpool in the late 1960's / early 1970's, plus a couple from Oxford United against Manchester United, as l was living by Oxford at the time, and saw Manchester United lose there when they were in the Second Division (and went to lots of Oxford United's home games).
However, l haven't sussed out a way to frame them yet. The enclosed photo is the best l have come up with so far, but l'm still not happy with it so far.
If l don't sort it soon, it probably never will be.

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the fa cup

The FA Cup yesterday. Manchester City are welcome to it, and United's treble in 1999 was much better.

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ole ole ole ole - eric cantona is so 'appy

YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a result for Manchester United!  Plus a pretty accurate prediction from Charles M Schulz and the Peanuts crew. Linus would have loved to be in my shoes after that game.
3-1 away from home against Paris Saint Germain!! Through to the Quarter finals!!!!
A dodgy penalty at the end, but l'll take the win any day. To say l'm outrageously happy at the moment would be an understatement.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for manager and president, and Mauricio Pochettino can bugger off to rescue PSG.
Thank fuckity fuck Jose Mourinho got told to fuck off and take his black cloud of misery with him.

Eric Cantona can have the last word - filmed after the game.



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albert finney, charlie bubbles and old trafford

So the great Albert Finney has passed away (last week). In all of the tributes to his great body of work, one that seems to have been forgotten is Charlie Bubbles, written by Shelagh Delaney and featuring some long forgotten Manchester sights, including what Manchester United's Old Trafford used to be like, before it evolved into the 'Theatre of Dreams', and kids could still afford to attend en mass.
Reminds me of when l was a lad, back in our day when it was all bomb sites etc blah blah blah blah blah blah......

                                                     
                                                     Shelagh Delaney on the Smiths covers

                                                         Excerpts from Charlie Bubbles



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the liverpool european cup / champions league final defeat

Here's a picture of me earlier watching the Champions League (European Cup in old money) final tonight between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

I wanted to watch Liverpool versus Real Madrid as l thought it might be a good attacking game, but l was dreading it in case Liverpool were to win. However, l didn't want Mohamed Salah to go off injured, so despite still wanting to see Real Madrid triumph, when he did, l thought the enjoyment of (hopefully) Real's win would be taken away from me, as it would have been kind of a default victory.
That was before a brilliant overhead kick by Gareth Bale, and two howlers from Loris Karius (Liverpool's goalkeeper). To state that l was happy at the end is an understatement. I do actually feel sorry for Salah (who is a superb player) and Karius, but it was well worth watching from a Manchester United viewpoint.
Liverpool have still won it more than us though, and l can't see that changing anytime in the near future.

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old school football

I was flicking through some old football magazines and annuals the other day, and thought about this front cover of Charles Buchan's Soccer Gift Book, featuring Bobby Charlton of Manchester United. Look at the determination to get the (old leather) ball, despite being blocked off. Nowadays someone in his shoes / boots would be writhing around on the floor, clutching their face and pretending they had been elbowed, trying to get the other player sent off.
Pah! Modern bleeding footballers with their fancy coloured boots, beats headphones, tight shirts etc.
Don't get me started.

Also, despite me not liking Liverpool football club, here's the annuals back picture, featuring Billy Liddell. who used to play for them. He was my father's favourite player, and despite my advancing years, it was well before my time so I am unable to bear witness to how good he might have been, but l have heard others praising him over the years.

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leeds united v manchester united 1976

Ahhh....this takes me back.....the old days, when football was still a working class game, followed by a lot of young lads like myself (at the time), who could afford it on low wages.
It was still mainly standing, hooliganism was rife, and a ticket to the game (pay on the day) cost about 75 pence (equivalent to about £6 now).
Times have moved on to such an extent, that l have been to The Jackie Charlton suite in (dirty) Leeds' ground for my brothers wedding reception, and now mainly go to Leeds for comic fairs (and the odd gig).
Still miss the old school football and crowds though.
Photos are from here, where there is also a short video.

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billy bremner's son has taste

Billy Bremner of Dirty Leeds United must have been really proud of his sons bedroom decoration. An extremely large poster of Manchester United's George Best.
Good lad.

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the many faces of jurgen klopp

This gurning buffon is Jurgen Klopp, the manager of the despised Liverpool FC. Rather sadly, the players all seem to love him (apart from Daniel Sturridge), and l think he will manage them to do pretty damn well this year, as he encourages and motivates them to be united as one entity, for one purpose, supporting and assisting each other to achieve their shared goals.
I just wish l felt the same way about Manchester United at the moment.

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busy day with the garden and stockport

Well, it was a pretty productive day yesterday.
First off, l slaved away cutting the grass (with my fourth lawn mower of the year!), which had gotten unfeasibly long again, and trust me, it took bleeding ages, and there's still a little bit to do. Evidence is below.

Next, after cleaning myself up (a treat for everybody), l drove (with Mr Parrot to keep me company) to Stockport to pick up a load of Mojo music magazines that l bought the day before on ebay. Over 160 of the little beauties for under £14 (plus of course the petrol money). I am more than pleased with the purchase, but at some stage, l am going to need a bigger house for all my crap. Either that, or move out non essentials such as furniture.
Manchester United's first league game of the season later on, and no work till the 20th (apart from a trip to Wales next week), so l'm in heaven!!

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john fitzpatrick versus paul pogba and zlatan ibrahimovic

So, Manchester United have just paid a record amount to bring back Paul Pogba from Juventus, and they have already purchased (amongst others) the one and only Zlatan Ibrahimovic, albeit a few years too late. Hopefully, these will both be a success at United, and are both fine figures of men, and outstanding athletes, but l remember the days when United had players that looked like this - John Fitzpatrick, United's first ever League substitute, and a man who's career was sadly blighted by, and then ended by injury, at only 26 years of age.

Times have certainly changed, but not necessarily for the better.

Paul Pogba and Zlatan, from Pogba's Instagram account

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dortmund fans europa league banner

The Dortmund fans unveiled a massive banner at their Europa League match this week, in the form of a sticker album, asking the club to complete their collection of trophies with this years Europa League trophy.
Absolute genius, and l doth my cap to them.
At least, for a short while, it took my mind off the disaster that is Manchester United at the moment, and their 2-1 defeat in the same tournament.
But only for a short while.

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the deluded jimmy liddle commentates on liverpool

The deluded scouse commentator, Jimmy Liddel (who in the real life, was my father's favourite player), is, to me at least, one of the funniest things on the internet, especially when Liverpool get a good hiding.
I can't work out how to embed the recent videos from their site, but here's Stevie Gerrard's farewell game at the end of last year.
As it goes on, it just gets better and better.
Warning - does contain the odd swear word.
And here's a recent one against Manchester United that l can't work out how to transfer over properly.

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the class of 92 - more medals than gerrard's minutes on the pitch

From here

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david moyes, the chosen one, has left the building

So, David Moyes, The Chosen One himself, has been unceremoniously dumped, and now it's a case of who will replace him.  Louis Van Gaal is the one l'd put my money on, but what the hell do l know, as l would have kept Moyes on for at least another year and let him have a clear out and replenish the squad in the summer, as some of the players, especially the senior ones who should have been stepping up to the mark, have been taking the piss.  Despite Moyes's failings, negativity, and post match comments about playing well when the team obviously haven't, he has proven himself to be a good manager over the years, and Manchester United are not a club that should be taking knee jerk decisions, and should have gone for the long game (and risen above all of the negative press he has recently endured). It was also pretty distasteful the way the press had obviously been briefed in advance about the departure, and Moyes then had to wait until Tuesday morning for his sacking to be confirmed.  Not classy at all, and it just tarnishes the clubs reputation.
If anyone is interested, the banner above is now on sale at ebay, but l have a sneaking feeling the winning bidder won't be paying up, unless it is a consortium of Liverpool fans who are planning on displaying it next year, if the worst happens, and they win the league.
Bloody football.  At least we haven't been relegated.

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oxford united against manchester united (and modern football)

Every year it gets worse! It is now 39 years since l went to this game, watching the glorious Manchester United (who l supported) in the Second Division (old school) getting beaten by Oxford United at the old Manor Ground (with Jonathan Knapp - who was (and still is)  an Oxford United supporter.
The way it is going this year, l may get to see Manchester United in the (old school) Second Division again.
I'm sick of the way football has been (and still is) heading in it's non fan related money at all costs superstar players and corrupt owners direction,  and wanted a return to 1970's football, and l have now got it.
Be careful what you wish for!

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manchester united v oxford united - it was 38 years ago today

Time certainly flies by.  It was 38 years ago today when l caught the train from Darlington (by myself) to watch Manchester United play Oxford United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.  Manchester United won 2-1 (with two penalties), and afterwards, l caught another train and went and stayed overnight at my grandfathers house in Bootle (Liverpool), visited various relatives, and then returned home the next day on yet another train.
Nowadays the train fares themselves would be astronomical, especially if they were bought last minute (like l did then), and its a lot harder to just decide to go to a game on the morning, and know you will get a ticket, especially when Manchester United are playing away from home.
Not all change is good, and l blame the Tories, because even if they are not directly to blame, l still can't stand them.
Nowadays Manchester United are playing like it was 1976 again, and our best hopes are now in the cup competitions after the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on New Years Day.  I might even have a crazy bet and put money on them to win the European Cup (or The Champions League as it is now called).  You have got to have belief and be optimistic in this life, and l am generally a crazy, upbeat kind of guy, so Ladbrokes might as well be some other place l waste my money.
Game on!

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