The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars in Action

[evensteadiereddie]

I managed to replace my complete album from season 1969-1970 and its successor, having lost it somewhere in the loft over the years.
Both albums are superb reminders of most of my favourite Clarets of all time and, looking at the other First Division teams, there were some fabulous players around that time.
I had to chuckle at the image of Colin Blant, there appears to be four different sides playing at, I'm not sure of the ground. Hillsborough?
Steve Kindon appears to have been coloured in by an eight year old kid armed with felt tips.
So, not your Panini state of the art imagery, but some of the other pics are excellent.

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[sjb]

Looks like Colin is playing against Blackpool, Everton(?) & possibly his own club as well as that looks suspiciously like Dave Thomas in the background!

[evensteadiereddie]

Sorted, I think.
Liverpool away, Anfield with Blant being defended by Geoff Strong and Emlyn Hughes.
Dave Thomas definitely, in disguise, lurking in the background.

[Hipper]

That looks a bit like Wilf Wrigley playing for 'Everton'?

Rodney Jones looks a bit like Tony Waiters and Fred Smith and Brian O'Neil (look in the background where it's either Spurs or our away kit) have also had paint jobs.

[evensteadiereddie]

God knows what's going on in the Fred Smith one.
The all blue strip looks like it should be red, I'm sure that's Roger Hunt.

[sjb]

Sorted, I think.
Liverpool away, Anfield with Blant being defended by Geoff Strong and Emlyn Hughes.
Dave Thomas definitely, in disguise, lurking in the background.

Spot on. Definitely Anfield & definitely Strong, Hughes & Thomas. Why on earth Blant & the Liverpool players have had their shirts 'painted' is anybody's guess!

[evensteadiereddie]

It is odd because in the back of the album there's a footnote...
"In order to maintain authenticity, some of the players have been photographed in clothing which is not necessarily their official club colours."
Which doesn't seem to make any sense whatsoever.
Ah well, good times.

[CharlieinNewMexico]

In the Colin Blant one there are only 5 legs….

WHO HAD SUCH A GOOD AGENT HE PASSED THE MEDICAL WITH ONLY ONE LEG?????

[Royboyclaret]

Spot on. Definitely Anfield & definitely Strong, Hughes & Thomas. Why on earth Blant & the Liverpool players have had their shirts 'painted' is anybody's guess!

Even Dave Thomas's shorts look like they have been "doctored"..........I'm sure sjb will confirm, or otherwise, if we have ever played in grey shorts at Anfield........At least his shirt is the correct colour.

[Hipper]

Those claret shorts always looked grey in black and white photos.

[sjb]

Even Dave Thomas's shorts look like they have been "doctored"..........I'm sure sjb will confirm, or otherwise, if we have ever played in grey shorts at Anfield........At least his shirt is the correct colour.

I'm pretty sure they should be sky blue.

[Royboyclaret]

I'm pretty sure they should be sky blue.

And I'm pretty sure you're right.

[Royboyclaret]

As photo's go that one really is a classic.......Is there anything at all "right" about it ?

Even the green roof of the stand behind looks more than suspect.

[aclaretinstevenage]

Looks like we're playing at Home v Everton and Away v Liverpool at the same time at Anfield?

[evensteadiereddie]

That looks a bit like Wilf Wrigley playing for 'Everton'?

Rodney Jones looks a bit like Tony Waiters and Fred Smith and Brian O'Neil (look in the background where it's either Spurs or our away kit) have also had paint jobs.

The Brian O'Neil one is a good one, I'd missed that.
Looks like a Sheffield Wednesday, or Sheffield on Wednesday as Ted Lasso put it, player has sneaked on.

[beeholeclaret]

The Freddie Smith photo is remarkable as he is pictured making a fantastic top corner save at Anfield c1968?

Sadly he wasn’t our goalie and the resulting penalty kick was enough to knock Burnley out of the cup.

BBC’s Sam Leitch awarded him the “save of the week” in his Saturday lunchtime show the following week

[evensteadiereddie]

That's brilliant.
I like the way the keeper's legs, Jones or Mellor's are still in shot, miles away from the ball.

[evensteadiereddie]

It's amazing the memories this kind of stuff triggers.
Me and my mate Roy Thistlethwaite, proper Nelson name that, were stood outside the Turf as 14 year ols waiting for autographs after the 1969 game v Sheff Wednesday.
Amongst a group of officials coming out was a bloke in a camel coat, the absolute archetype football chairman of those days. He was heading past us when a bloke, a reporter, asked him "What's happening with Wilf (Smith), Mr Chairman?"
He replied,"
He's off to Coventry at the end of the season."
Of course, as kids we were delighted to have overheard such a scoop and couldn't wait to get home and tell our dads.
Sure enough, a week or so later, it was all over the sports pages, quite a big transfer as I recall.