7 hours ago, bluehaze said:

Love Glove by Visage is very Spinal Tap. 🤣

The comments on Bucks Fizz!!

18 hours ago, Richard P said:

The comments on Bucks Fizz!!

I was in a Jersey bar a month or so back. There was a table of well oiled Dubliners near by, next thing this girl came up and said ' are you who I think you are'

Didn't know if she was on a wind up or not...' Who do you think I am?'

' You're in that Bucks Fizz aren't you'......

For the record I'd been experimenting with long hair, had it cut now.

' Yes, its true. I am Bobby from Bucks Fizz. No photos please I'm on holiday'

Struth as they say.

Pat Nevin memoir: from sipping raspberry tea out of china cups with Morrissey to not signing for Celtic

It says everything about Pat Nevin that, as detailed in his new memoir, top of his list of chief regrets is a somewhat left-field entry linked not to football, but to music.

By Alan Pattullo

15th May 2021, 

Pat Nevin flies down the wing for Chelsea against Sheffield Wednesday in May 1985: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock

It’s not, for example, narrowly missing out on the Scotland squad for successive World Cups in Mexico and Italy – Alex Ferguson told both Nevin and Chelsea teammate David Speedie they would be on the plane in1986 if someone dropped out.

However, when Kenny Dalglish ended up doing exactly that, it was Steve Archibald who got the call-up (it’s not altogether surprising to learn that Nevin reacts more phlegmatically to this news than Speedie).

Nevin doesn’t overly lament being let go by Celtic Boys Club – as the title of his new book, The Accidental Footballer, makes clear, he wasn’t even sure if he wanted to be a footballer. Neither does he agonise over later missing out on a couple of seeming opportunities to sign for the club he supported as a boy.

Neither is he brought low by That penalty, the one when he took a two-step run up before effectively passing the ball back to the grateful ‘keeper, Manchester City’s Alex Williams. The theory behind the short-run up, he explains now, is that it would the ‘keeper wouldn’t have a chance to move, though, in the end, he didn’t have to.

Pat Nevin at home with an example of his art collection in 1986: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock

Not only is Nevin unrepentant – Chelsea were, after all, four goals up at the time, but he even asked a friend to put the clip up on Youtube for him.

Now he feels a little miffed if someone says they have seen a worse penalty !

No, none of these left him wishing he could bury his face in the beret he often wore at the time. What does is detailed on page 180 of his memoir, which is published on Thursday. Nevin relates being asked to review the week’s singles for an unnamed music magazine. He praised the new Associates release and noted how it would have been single of the year had they put the John Peel session version on the B side – Billy Mackenzie, or someone at the record company, seemed to take the advice on board, as it was re-released a few weeks later with that track included.

That was good. What was bad – very bad – were the uncharacteristically snide comments he made about the new Depeche Mode single without realising a member of the band was a big Chelsea fan. “I had spoiled it for him,” writes the thoughtful Nevin, adding that a throwaway remark in a review a few lines long still made his toes curl. He’s sure to put Depeche Mode on his DJ setlist these days.

Switching on the radio a couple of nights ago to hear Nevin tackle a Radio 6 music quiz, where the answers ranged from the The Fall to Cocteau Twins (meat and drink for him of course), was to be reminded what a national treasure he is – although he would, rightly, scold you for the inference that he’s in any way mainstream, since he’s long walked on the alternative side of the road.

Not, it must be noted, because he wanted to seem cool or unknowable, it was just the way he was. He looked at his team-mates and thought it strange that they didn’t want to attend exhibition openings at the Tate or sit in with John Peel as he recorded his nightly radio show. Brought up in Glasgow’s Easterhouse area, he had tough enough skin to ride out the barbs, from inside the dressing-room as well as from the terraces.

Nevin is certainly a lot less unknowable now that he has has penned the first of a promised two autobiographies. The next one, already written, will deal with his Tranmere Rovers, Kilmarnock and Motherwell days and thereafter. His spell at the last-named club is especially intriguing since it was when he performed the unique role of player/chief executive for his old pal John Boyle.

And yet for those of a certain age, Nevin will always be the pale, willo-the-wispish winger with the New Romantics fringe flick, skipping past defenders and then, often, taking the ball back and skipping past them again. This was a tribute to Jimmy Johnstone and – we learn – a way of saluting his father, who would travel down to every game and back from Scotland. There was always one dribble performed exclusively for him.

One treasure of this book is being reminded just how good Nevin was in those early years at Stamford Bridge, when he, Kerry Dixon and Speedie formed a three-amigos forward line – though in the first and former’s case, amigo is maybe not the applicable word.

“David Speedie…..came as close as anyone in my career to making me stop playing football altogether,” is one memorable line. Later, while out injured, Nevin is surprised to find himself singing “There’s Only One David Speedie!” from the Shed end at Stamford Bridge.

It helps that Nevin does not take himself too seriously. There’s an extraordinary story about him meeting Morrissey for the first time and the gentle friendship that developed between the pair after an evening at the singer’s turreted home drinking raspberry tea out of china cups. Everton teammate Norman Whiteside, one of Morrissey’s neighbours, even drops in – literally so. It’s one of many wonderful tales from what is, remember, only the first part of an action-packed career, accidental or otherwise.

They are all recounted in the smooth, easy style for which he was known as a player. Nevin proves as readable as he was watchable, and that really is saying something.

Sorry meant to post this article ages ago !

Edited February 14, 20233 yr by erskblue

 

 

The League Magazine on Twitter.

Edited April 19, 20233 yr by erskblue

 

 

Happy Birthday to the wee man! 60 years young today…

Edited September 6, 20232 yr by erskblue

5 hours ago, erskblue said:

 

 

Happy Birthday to the wee man! 60 years young today…

Is that bottom picture from the famous (sadly untelevised) Newcastle game when he allegedly dribbled past the 10 outfield players? I think we were 4-0 up at the time. I missed that game. Keegan was player-manager but betrayed his lack of management nous after the game by asking who the player was who'd just run rings around his team. You'd have thought he'd have done a little bit of oppo research. 

4 hours ago, Backbiter said:

Is that bottom picture from the famous (sadly untelevised) Newcastle game when he allegedly dribbled past the 10 outfield players? I think we were 4-0 up at the time. I missed that game. Keegan was player-manager but betrayed his lack of management nous after the game by asking who the player was who'd just run rings around his team. You'd have thought he'd have done a little bit of oppo research. 

I think he said that winger must have glue on the end of his boots or words to that effect. Me mate found it funny and kept saying “ Pats got glue!”

We were on fire that afternoon. Went to the return at St James’s which was well lively before kick off

8 hours ago, Backbiter said:

Is that bottom picture from the famous (sadly untelevised) Newcastle game when he allegedly dribbled past the 10 outfield players? I think we were 4-0 up at the time. I missed that game. Keegan was player-manager but betrayed his lack of management nous after the game by asking who the player was who'd just run rings around his team. You'd have thought he'd have done a little bit of oppo research. 

January 84 FA Cup Liverpool Newcastle. Was on telly. Ball got played over the top for Keegan- Mark Lawrenson gave him a 15 yard start and gobbled him up. Great player but his scotch eggs had gone. Made him look like Albert Steptoe with a curly perm

10 hours ago, Backbiter said:

Is that bottom picture from the famous (sadly untelevised) Newcastle game when he allegedly dribbled past the 10 outfield players? I think we were 4-0 up at the time. I missed that game. Keegan was player-manager but betrayed his lack of management nous after the game by asking who the player was who'd just run rings around his team. You'd have thought he'd have done a little bit of oppo research. 

Yeah it is from the sadly untelevised Newcastle game.

Kevin Keegan trying to get to grips with Pat Nevin in November 1983.   (Sadly untelevised game.)

Edited September 6, 20232 yr by erskblue

Pat has written a great piece in Aug edition of CFCUK on the Chelsea 83/84 Get Together

Page 18 to 19 .

Recounts the meeting between Speedie and Canoville at the event after 40 years bad feelings between them

It's quite emotional.

And I love listening to Pat on radio match days 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday to Pat. 62 years young today!

On 07/09/2023 at 14:22, The Rising Sun said:

Pat has written a great piece in Aug edition of CFCUK on the Chelsea 83/84 Get Together

Page 18 to 19 .

Recounts the meeting between Speedie and Canoville at the event after 40 years bad feelings between them

It's quite emotional.

And I love listening to Pat on radio match days 

 

 

 

Recorded it on my phone. Great event and some great memories from the past and made from the event

You could combine Madueke, Gittens, Garnacho and Neto and they wouldn't equal half of wee Pat. His dribbling skills, crossing ability, work rate and especially his footballing intelligence. Way above any of the aforementioned players.

The talk about Estevao being a young player who raises expectations and gets people out of their seats. That's what Pat could do 40 years ago.

I was at that Newcastle game where Nevin dribbled past most of their team. The only similar things I saw from any other Chelsea players that came remotely close, was Hazard's close control running with the ball and Zola taking the piss dancing round Carjacker by the corner flag.

Pat was a genius player and a genuine 100% Chelsea Legend, but don't ever ask him to take a penalty!

One thing that bugs me - when did Scotland stop producing these sorts of technical players?

18 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

One thing that bugs me - when did Scotland stop producing these sorts of technical players?

About the same time they started adding caramel colouring to whisky.

On the other hand:

On 11/09/2025 at 00:52, SydneyChelsea said:

One thing that bugs me - when did Scotland stop producing these sorts of technical players?

Good shout!

Billy Gilmour is, sadly, a rare example of what was once a quite common ‘Scottish type technical player’.

I’ll try and do some research on it!

On 11/09/2025 at 00:52, SydneyChelsea said:

One thing that bugs me - when did Scotland stop producing these sorts of technical players?

It's a bit of a mystery to me, too. Back in the 60s and 70s Scotland was famous for producing exceptionally skilful and creative players who really stood out in the English league. It's very strange how that supply has dried up.

15 minutes ago, Backbiter said:

It's a bit of a mystery to me, too. Back in the 60s and 70s Scotland was famous for producing exceptionally skilful and creative players who really stood out in the English league. It's very strange how that supply has dried up.

Just a thought did they stop producing them or did we just start to prefer players from mainland Europe?

Wasn't there an international ban at some point in the 70's?

I posted this below on this thread on 6th Sept 2020. Re-posted it, as I still think it’s relevant and it saves me re writing probably a very similar post!

Don’t know what has happened to the supply of great or even very good a Scottish footballers.

To be honest, if I I knew the answer to that, I would probably be a very rich man😀

Perhaps the desire to succeed has gone. Other leisure activities might be more appealing to youngsters.

The Social Media and Play Station Footballer Generation ?

Our-was the ‘get out and play football’ generation.    

I’m in my early 50s (late 50s now!) and we were probably the last generation to be able to play football in the streets where we lived.

Before the streets became too busy and/or too dangerous with cars.

Yet in many places, including the High School where I currently live at and the High School   I attended.

The facilities have improved out of all recognition to 35 (now 40) years ago.

There are all weather pitches with floodlights.  

When available of course.

Sorry that has been a bit of a rant.

21 hours ago, strider6004 said:

Just a thought did they stop producing them or did we just start to prefer players from mainland Europe?

Wasn't there an international ban at some point in the 70's?

The players from mainland Europe started to arrive in Scottish football in the very late 1980s.

Then increased in the early 1990s.

Yes I know there were some Danish players playing in the top Scottish League in the 1960s.

I have no idea if there was an international ban on the movement of players until then.

1 hour ago, erskblue said:

The players from mainland Europe started to arrive in Scottish football in the very late 1980s.

Then increased in the early 1990s.

Yes I know there were some Danish players playing in the top Scottish League in the 1960s.

I have no idea if there was an international ban on the movement of players until then.

English clubs were banned in Europe following Heysel from 1985 to 1990.

Thought there was something in the 70's too, this is all I could find

Leeds United were banned from Europe soon after, when their fans rioted after the 1975 European Cup Final against Bayern Munich in Paris. Manchester United were banned in 1977 after rioting before, during and after their Cup Winners Cup game with Saint-Étienne, also in France.