Timmy Elms

That was about 2.15. No doubt about it West Ham were the top firm in London as far as London derbys. We were better up North- took more ends, took bigger numbers generally. Funny how things even out. Come mid 90’s we’d go to Upton Park, take over pubs. Circa 2002, Cup Replay, we had hundreds of chaps milling around- Canning Town before the game- not really my scene, and Spammers I know say they’d all kind of retired by then, however we kind turned the tables on them

In terms of dribbling trickery, bit like Zola, he’s able to go for mazy runs, however more important is their ability to receive the ball in tight situations and play themselves out. Such a great skill to possess

Coming back from the North, generally popped into a chippy to fortify ourselves for journey back home. Always thought fish and chip shops from the smelly North were better than ours down here

Bit off topic- played for Chipstead FC in the 80’s- the volunteer grounds man had been pulling his hair out over a plagues of moles that had been running havoc. One Saturday, opposition player trotted out to take a corner, next thing the ground collapses beneath him- sink hole crested by flipping moles. Match abandoned

Too young to remember original skinheads. Always been fascinated with its origins. My mate Martin King RIP wrote about it at length

The black and white youth club dance scenes were from Kilburn, according to an old CFC face who can remember a camera crew being there.

The amount of sand on our pitch back in the early 80’s was staggering. Highbury was generally considered the best surface, and the Baseball Ground the worst. Think in terms of spectrum we were somewhere down the bottom however don’t recall many games getting cancelled due to unplayable pitch. I’m sure we all watch Big Match Revisited. You look at some of those mud heeps and can’t help thinking, modern football with immaculate surfaces is an entirely different game

Read an article recently about his youth development, and concerns about his small stature- can’t remember title or article- they’re a photo of him with England Youth team mates, and he is dwarfed in comparison. Apparently he put on a huge growth spurt in his late teens. Must have been mother of all growth spurts considering he’s now six foot two

That pitch, mid 70’s is quite remarkable. Planting Jersey Royals? Think the grounds man was someone Annis? Was attached to the club for decades

I picked up a framed photo of the Typhoo Charlie Cook shot, from a car boot sale in Raynes Park, 15 odd years back. Probably in a box in the loft unless the Fuhrer’s slung it out

That marketing image is no naff and pathetic. It’s like having five sugars in your tea

Not saying he’s brain dead but you wouldn’t fancy him in your pub quiz team- judging by on pitch intelligence that is….

He’s not an out and out donkey. More coming off the bench, sudden impact donkey

He didn’t cost a bundle of dough and he’s a trier. A very enthusiastic trier that pops up with goals. If everyone’s fit should he start? No f**king way

Are you serious about Jackson being potentially in the top 3-5 bracket in the world? Appreciate certain qualities such as athleticism and heads up attitude, but think you’re bonkers

The sign of pure class is being consistent. Never having off days. SFL and John Terry have to be up there with the most dependable players in the history of English football

You’re probably right. Can’t remember him miss passing a ball, which is up there with the most important traits of a footballer

As great as Lampard was, he was a mechanical footballer, as opposed to Cole who is more of a twinkle toed mercurial player

Be better off with Tito Jackson RIP up front

Confess to being one of many doom mongers based on pre season. Delighted to have been proved wrong

I absolutely loved Zola. Sort of player opposition fans used to clap, which is very rare. He did have his off days however. Remember him get out muscled on a few occasions

When the coppers emerged from that little turret by the Whitewall to sling people out for “ over enthusiasm “ the Laurel and Hardly theme tune used to get sung/ whistled. Never quite understood why people got thrown out when there was no enemy action in the shed…..my brother got ejected from the south bank at Upton Park for over celebrating a goal in the mid 80’s- seriously….. I do remember seeing a good one on one punch up between CFC fans between a ginger skinhead and a blonde skinhead in the middle of the shed circa 79- probably personal matter outside of football. Similarly went to Sheffield Wednesday for cup game mid 90’s- went for halftime pint and two blokes were going hell for leather. Everyone just formed a circle and let them get on with it.

Never fully understood what world class is? This bloke would by most right minded people would get in a world eleven on form for past nine months or so. Frank Lampard was absolutely superb- scored goals, pretty much never had a bad game- this lad has got more in his locker and that’s saying something. In terms of attitude seems to have his head bolted on. Didn’t act like a prima donna superstar. Phenomenal talent

Some salient points there. If he was consistently poor, which he is most of the time, there would be no debate, however he does have the habit of cropping up with the odd superb appearance, which complicates matters. Awkward bastard

Amazing turnout. Vast majority 15-30 years old, wearing clothes that cost between a week or two weeks wages. There were a lot of “ sleeper” CFC fans back then who emerged for certain away games. West Ham were number one in London, Chelsea by far the best in the road. Leeds, Sunderland, Cardiff, Pompey, Man City, Newcastle, we gave it proper