Stephen Cummings

[fidelcastro]

I remember he used to have a decent column in the LT, in the days that people used to buy it!

I haven't noticed him on the Turf for a long time (yes, I know we had a lockdown!).

Does he post on here or does anyone know of his whereabouts? I always found him a good bloke. He wrote a terrific book about the 94-95 season back in the day.

[1968claret]

Not sure if he posts on here Fidel. He was still attending games prior to lockdown though

[ClaretTony]

Just contacted Steve, he's fit and well and busy.

He does have an account on here but doesn't use it often.

[Steve1882]

Hi Fidel,

I'm alive and well, thanks. As you'll see from my posts tally, I don't post very frequently but I'm an avid reader of the site.

I parted company with the LET in about 2016. I'd done about 20 years and I think they were looking to cut costs wherever they could - although I can assure you I only earned enough for a round of drinks from the column: it was mainly done from the love of Burnley FC and the love of writing.

I still do get on the Turf, although nowhere near as often as I'd like. I live in Manchester these days (and work here too). I've also got a young lad, so time's at a premium. I'll be over for the Norwich game though and hope to see a couple of our new signings in action. A decent window, I thought - although they could hardly have been much worse than our last four or five outings.

Thanks for your kind words about the column. Nice to be remembered. Not everyone held me in the same esteem as your good self - not least a couple of the managers! Still, I learned fairly early on that you can't please all the people all of the time. All the best and UTC.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Very enjoyable columns. I also enjoyed the book about our brief time in Division One in the 90’s.

[fidelcastro]

Hi Fidel,

I'm alive and well, thanks. As you'll see from my posts tally, I don't post very frequently but I'm an avid reader of the site.

I parted company with the LET in about 2016. I'd done about 20 years and I think they were looking to cut costs wherever they could - although I can assure you I only earned enough for a round of drinks from the column: it was mainly done from the love of Burnley FC and the love of writing.

I still do get on the Turf, although nowhere near as often as I'd like. I live in Manchester these days (and work here too). I've also got a young lad, so time's at a premium. I'll be over for the Norwich game though and hope to see a couple of our new signings in action. A decent window, I thought - although they could hardly have been much worse than our last four or five outings.

Thanks for your kind words about the column. Nice to be remembered. Not everyone held me in the same esteem as your good self - not least a couple of the managers! Still, I learned fairly early on that you can't please all the people all of the time. All the best and UTC.

Cheers Steve! Good to know you're still going on, albeit only sometimes. UTC!

[Steve1882]

Many thanks, Bordeaux!

[Transpennine]

Ah I remember these. "Cummings and Goings"? I think the articles were called. Always enjoyed them.

[ClaretTony]

Not everyone held me in the same esteem as your good self - not least a couple of the managers!

Tin pot - at Stockport I think

[minnieclaret]

We have so many fine writers on this board. We are blessed.
I count CT amongst them but he only went to Uni to avoid National Service!!

[ClaretTony]

We have so many fine writers on this board. We are blessed.
I count CT amongst them but he only went to Uni to avoid National Service!!

How old do you have to be to have done National Service? I have an old friend at 82 who did but I suspect he was one of the last.

[Steve1882]

Tin pot - at Stockport I think

You’re right Tony. I think the coach had to wait for 10 minutes until he finished ranting at me. Dreadful game if I remember right too. A goalless draw on a Tuesday night.

[ClaretTony]

You’re right Tony. I think the coach had to wait for 10 minutes until he finished ranting at me. Dreadful game if I remember right too. A goalless draw on a Tuesday night.

I thought it was Stockport. I've been on the end of them too but spoke to him not that long ago on the phone and he was brilliant. Blind Shaun (Parker) was on the coach that night and he said it was so crap he was pleased he couldn't see it.

[fidelcastro]

Very enjoyable columns. I also enjoyed the book about our brief time in Division One in the 90’s.

I must admit, I only mentioned the book because I was briefly mentioned in it. I was the "young lad" who was briefly arrested at Luton for going onto the pitch at the final whistle, following our first away win that season!

I still maintain I was pushed though!

Good book though.

[fidelcastro]

Tin pot - at Stockport I think

Which manager was this, out of interest?

[ClaretTony]

Which manager was this, out of interest?

The clues are there:

0-0 draw at Stockport
Tin Pot

[fidelcastro]

The clues are there:

0-0 draw at Stockport
Tin Pot

Been to stockport a few times, but I don't remember going to a 0-0 draw there. Give me the year and I'll be able to work out who the manager was though.

[Jakubs Tash]

Your LET column was always a good read back in the day!

Didn't have a bad left foot yourself either if I remember correctly...although we're talking the best part of 20 years ago

[claretonthecoast1882]

Been to stockport a few times, but I don't remember going to a 0-0 draw there. Give me the year and I'll be able to work out who the manager was though.

Sounds like Stan

[ecc]

I liked reading your column, Stephen.

[claretburns]

The clues are there:

0-0 draw at Stockport
Tin Pot

Either Stan or Mullen?

[fidelcastro]

Either Stan or Mullen?

They would have been my first two guesses. Both had form for having a good rant.

[Wile E Coyote]

another here that liked steve's articles in the L E T.

[ClaretTony]

Been to stockport a few times, but I don't remember going to a 0-0 draw there. Give me the year and I'll be able to work out who the manager was though.

The results are all on this site

[fidelcastro]

The results are all on this site

I know they are, but it would be quicker if you just told me.

[mill hill claret]

His best quote in his column was when we played blackburn at Ewood and the rovers fans draped a banner over a bridge on the m65 saying ' welcome to hell '

And Stephen in his reference to this in his piece said

' well you should know '

[Jakubs Tash]

I believe Stan and then Steve Cotterill were the managers didn't like what they sometimes read in the column..

[ClaretTony]

I believe Stan and then Steve Cotterill were the managers didn't like what they sometimes read in the column..

Strange people are football managers. The two you have named there, two I know well, are both really decent people but I’ve had my run ins with them during the time they were in charge at Burnley.

[Silkyskills1]

I thought it was Stockport. I've been on the end of them too but spoke to him not that long ago on the phone and he was brilliant. Blind Shaun (Parker) was on the coach that night and he said it was so crap he was pleased he couldn't see it.

The reference to 'Blind Paul' always reminds me of the time he was with his mates behind the goal at Hartlepool in 1994 when we lost 4-1 and had two players sent off. His mates were offering a commentary for him until their fourth goal went in at which point Shaun lost patience totally with his friends. When things calmed a little one of his group calmly said, 'Just count yourself lucky,Sean, that you don't have to watch it'. I didn't know what to think but the bond amongst them was so impressive that none of them said anything. RIP Shaun.

[groove]

A nil nil at Stockport was the Friday night when it all kicked off. We were flying after 2 wins at the start of the season, top of the league after putting 6 past York. Comstive missed a sitter in the last minute, one on one with keeper. That would be 1988 I think.

[ClaretTony]

A nil nil at Stockport was the Friday night when it all kicked off. We were flying after 2 wins at the start of the season, top of the league after putting 6 past York. Comstive missed a sitter in the last minute, one on one with keeper. That would be 1988 I think.

I was there for that but Steve’s issues were in 2001.

[elwaclaret]

The reference to 'Blind Paul' always reminds me of the time he was with his mates behind the goal at Hartlepool in 1994 when we lost 4-1 and had two players sent off. His mates were offering a commentary for him until their fourth goal went in at which point Shaun lost patience totally with his friends. When things calmed a little one of his group calmly said, 'Just count yourself lucky,Sean, that you don't have to watch it'. I didn't know what to think but the bond amongst them was so impressive that none of them said anything. RIP Shaun.

I was working that morning and so as a one off my mate asked me to go to Ewood with him. I had a very nice old man next to me wearing a wireless earpiece. He did not know me from Adam but kept nudging me… “Bastards are getting beat… 2,3,4” I looked at him, smiled and replied, “what a good do”. Swindon Feyotov (ps) scored a screamer that had me on my feet applauding, but Rovers went on to win… the experiment was never repeated.

[Jakubs Tash]

Strange people are football managers. The two you have named there, two I know well, are both really decent people but I’ve had my run ins with them during the time they were in charge at Burnley.

Stan was.....well, Stan but I know many of the local media found Cotterrill very hard work.

[elwaclaret]

Stan was.....well, Stan but I know many of the local media found Cotterrill very hard work.

I don’t think it was just the media. I met him a couple of times against my wishes the second time.

[Steve1882]

Stan was.....well, Stan but I know many of the local media found Cotterrill very hard work.

Thanks for your kind words, Jakub. The thing I found with Steve Cotterill was that he’d call me in relation to something I’d written in the column and absolutely rip into me for 10 minutes. But after he’d got it off his chest he would talk with me for another 40 minutes and was perfectly nice with me. I imagine it’s fairly hard to accept criticism from outside when you’re doing your level best for the club. We don’t - and I certainly didn’t - know the half of it.

It’s a funny thing - they say you need a thick skin to be a football manager. But in my experience, I quite often didn’t even need to try to get under their skin.

[ClaretTony]

Stan was.....well, Stan but I know many of the local media found Cotterrill very hard work.

Both were hard work. Stan is a different person when he’s not managing and brilliant to talk to. Understand the issues with Steve but the local press when he started were Chris Boden & Daz Bentley with Suzanne Geldard following Daz at the Telegraph. They didn’t have any problems with him at all but I know others who did have issues.

I had many an argument with him, including one stand up row outside the Longside stand that was memorable. But get to know him and talk to him and he’s a really good bloke.

[Grumps]

Mr and Mrs Boden, guess if he fell out with one, he'd fall out with both of them

[Paul Waine]

How old do you have to be to have done National Service? I have an old friend at 82 who did but I suspect he was one of the last.

From Wikipedia: National Service ended gradually from 1957. It was decided that those born on or after 1 October 1939 would not be required, but conscription continued for those born earlier whose call-up had been delayed for any reason. In November 1960 the last men entered service, as call-ups formally ended on 31 December 1960, and the last National Servicemen left the armed forces in May 1963.

So, you'd need to be born 30th September 1939, latest, to have done National Service - just a month short of 82 years ago.

[ClaretTony]

From Wikipedia: National Service ended gradually from 1957. It was decided that those born on or after 1 October 1939 would not be required, but conscription continued for those born earlier whose call-up had been delayed for any reason. In November 1960 the last men entered service, as call-ups formally ended on 31 December 1960, and the last National Servicemen left the armed forces in May 1963.

So, you'd need to be born 30th September 1939, latest, to have done National Service - just a month short of 82 years ago.

That fits in, the friend I mentioned was born November 1938.

[IanMcL]

'Privates' is showing each day on BBC1 this week.

It is a drama about the 'last intake' of National Servicemen on a 2 year conscription.

1960 was the start point (or Monday for the prog!)

[Juan Tanamera]

A good read was Stephen back in the day.
I remember well what seemed a weekly p**s take of our (ahem!) superior neighbours.
Always raised a chuckle from me and many a protest from the great unwashed.
Couldn't you write the odd column on this forum Stephen?

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Hi Fidel,

I'm alive and well, thanks. As you'll see from my posts tally, I don't post very frequently but I'm an avid reader of the site.

I parted company with the LET in about 2016. I'd done about 20 years and I think they were looking to cut costs wherever they could - although I can assure you I only earned enough for a round of drinks from the column: it was mainly done from the love of Burnley FC and the love of writing.

I still do get on the Turf, although nowhere near as often as I'd like. I live in Manchester these days (and work here too). I've also got a young lad, so time's at a premium. I'll be over for the Norwich game though and hope to see a couple of our new signings in action. A decent window, I thought - although they could hardly have been much worse than our last four or five outings.

Thanks for your kind words about the column. Nice to be remembered. Not everyone held me in the same esteem as your good self - not least a couple of the managers! Still, I learned fairly early on that you can't please all the people all of the time. All the best and UTC.

Glad you are well Steve! I know my older brother features a few times in your book from your away days on the coach!

[Steve1882]

A good read was Stephen back in the day.
I remember well what seemed a weekly p**s take of our (ahem!) superior neighbours.
Always raised a chuckle from me and many a protest from the great unwashed.
Couldn't you write the odd column on this forum Stephen?

Kind words, Juan. Always enjoyed getting a rise out of that lot down the road. It was a hard rivalry to endure back then. They were regularly in Europe, splashing multi-millions on top flight talent and doing us 5-0 at their place. The digs were just a way of bringing them back down to earth, disabusing them of their delusions of grandeur and reminding them that we weren’t going away. How the tables have turned. Writing a column about them now wouldn’t be as much fun. It’d be like kicking a man when he’s down.

[Steve1882]

Glad you are well Steve! I know my older brother features a few times in your book from your away days on the coach!

Thanks Steve. We might have been slumming it but we had some great days out.

[Fretters]

Good to see you post on here, Steve. I really enjoyed your column.

Didn't Tony Livesey used to write a 'controversial' column somewhere too? He used to post on the old board. I once called him an arsehole for something he'd written but I soon apologised and he seems like a really decent bloke too. Or maybe I'm thinking of you, Steve!!

[Steve1882]

Good to see you post on here, Steve. I really enjoyed your column.

Didn't Tony Livesey used to write a 'controversial' column somewhere too? He used to post on the old board. I once called him an arsehole for something he'd written but I soon apologised and he seems like a really decent bloke too. Or maybe I'm thinking of you, Steve!!

Never had a run in with anyone on here, Fretters. Tony’s a good bloke though. Asked him if he’d write the foreword to my book, ‘Another Tilt at the Big Time’ and he was happy to help out.

[1968claret]

Thanks Steve. We might have been slumming it but we had some great days out.

Like the trek there and back to Exeter, to see it rained off. We were foolish enough to go to the rearranges fixture to see us beaten 3-0.
Not sure about all this love in for your writing though. I think your best days were behind you after a certain best mans speech

[ClaretTony]

Never had a run in with anyone on here, Fretters. Tony’s a good bloke though. Asked him if he’d write the foreword to my book, ‘Another Tilt at the Big Time’ and he was happy to help out.

I’ll endorse that about Tony Livesey

[Fretters]

Yeah, I was sure it was Tony. His drive time show on 5 Live is superb too.

[Steve1882]

Like the trek there and back to Exeter, to see it rained off. We were foolish enough to go to the rearranges fixture to see us beaten 3-0.
Not sure about all this love in for your writing though. I think your best days were behind you after a certain best mans speech

Couldn’t agree more. My last, some say only, literary achievement.