Stretford Ender

Then it must have been the replay I watched. I really should go and get a check up because that's two glaring errors I've made in the last couple of weeks. I know I should use a search engine but I try to rely on memory whenever possible.

I enjoyed reading all that. The ECWC was a good competition back then. I'm happy to see there are some old Chelsea fans on here who went to the match. I remember watching the first game on the telly but can't remember if they televised the replay in the UK.

The story I've heard is that Chelsea didn't compete in the inaugural season of the European Cup because the league and its autocratic and bloody-minded boss, Alan Hardaker, refused to sanction the club's participation even though Joe Mears wanted to do so. Hardaker pulled a similar stunt with us the following season and, as many in the red half of Manchester will tell you, Hardaker's intransigence and threats was one reason why we tried to hurry back from Belgrade to play Wolves on the Saturday. Can anyone fill in the back story about Chelsea's withdrawal? There's bits and bobs on the net but I'm sure someone on here has more details.

Must be a generational thing. I can't remember my parents coming to watch any of the games I played in. The odd scout would turn up and a couple of the older lads went for trials at Bury and Oldham.

An interesting case. The Germans maintained that she was a spy and recent revelations from none other than Dame Stella Rimington pretty much confirmed that Edit Cavell was involved in espionage: some say peripherally, others directly. Her contact in Belgium- Dr. Bull - was admittedly an agent of the British Secret Service. The Belgian national who brought evading British soldiers to Cavell and was arrested with her, later stated that intelligence on German activities was passed to the British by his network. In fact the men who denounced Cavell to the Germans were both assassinated by the Belgian Resistance shortly afterwards. If she was passing intelligence, either directly or was aiding those doing it, the Germans were entitled to shoot her as a spy. That was the price paid by members of that profession.

That's the one. I've still got a Yamura Motors tee-shirt somewhere lying around.

Yehudi Menuhin playing Beethoven's Violin Concerto, the Berlin Philharmonic in a live recording from 1947. Furtwangler conducted (of course).

Have you seen 'Grand Prix'? One of my favourite fims and loads of F1 stars of the day appearing in cameo. Has my favourite actor in it too - Toshiro Mifune.

Chelsea fans circa 1976. No sound.

Interesting video from Pathe. Opening game of the 1966-67 season, World Cup winners, West Ham, v. Chelsea. Charlie Cooke's league debut and his winning goal.

Goodison?

I always associate plimsolls with those black efforts with the elastic bit on top we had to wear for PE.

A couple of old Pathe videos from the 1960s. Tommy Doc coaching young teenagers and drum majorettes on the pitch before a Chelsea v United game. I used to think this stuff was corny as hell when I was a kid but now it's quite nostalgic.

This is interesting. Frank Lampard senior scores a cracker for West Ham at your place.

New Years' Day, 1957. The teams that day were: United Wood, Byrne, Foulkes, Jones, Colman, Edwards, Pegg, Berry, Taylor, Violett, and Whelan Chelsea Matthews, Sillett,J, Sillett, P, Tindall, Livingstone, Mortimore, Saunders, Blunstone, Brabrook, Gibbs, Nicholas. United won 3-0 with a brace from Tommy Taylor and one from Liam Whelan. I remember Peter Brabrook from his West Ham days playing alongside Hurst, Moore, and Peters.

Lacoste. I had a few of those. Silver tab levis and Nike trainers too. Had some Lonsdale but mostly for gym work.

Went to both games. Ray Wilkins was immense and that goal still sticks in the memory. The replay was on a Thursday and Jimmy Melia was giving it large about how Steve Foster would be the difference between the sides. After the third goal went in, all you could hear was 'Steve Foster, what a difference you have made'.

Found this too from the 6th Round that year against QPR away. Hell of a good match.

Found this interesting bit of footage from the FA Cup. Chelsea v. Birmingham in the 3rd round in 1970. Coppers scanning the crowd with binoculars for trouble. Chelsea playing in their away kit at home, but that happened a lot back them.

Chelsea fans from the 1960s.

A bit later but one that sticks on the mind,,,

Found this snippet from the BBC about the 1987 trial of CFC fans. If memory serves, the verdicts were overturned on appeal.

According to the Sun, Angel Gomes may be a Chelsea player next season, and on a free transfer too. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11612250/chelsea-landed-angel-gomes-man-utd-free/

In the 60s, they had a German uniform for him, complete with full insignia, including swastika.

My dad bought me an empty box for Christmas. Action Man - Deserter.