tiger76 wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:08 pm

Started this book today, and it's a great read, both from the footballing and social aspects of the 50's and 60's some fantastic anecdotes from the title winning squad and their wives, I'm only 2 chapters in, but what is apparent was the camaraderie amongst everybody at the club from the chairman right down to the tea lady, and anybody that got ideas above their station was soon put in their place, it's also telling that most footballers didn't earn much more than an average worker, and even the supposed stars like Jimmy Mac etc had to supplement their income throughout the summer by helping out the groundsman and other various tasks.

It's also enlightening that we were one of the most progressive clubs in that era regarding training methods and treating injuries in Billy Dougall's case, and of course Gawthorpe was one of the first custom built training complexes, and was probably ahead of it's time hence why we were able to compete with the big city clubs on a level playing field in the days of the minimum wage.

I guess a lot of you already know, but a fair number of UTC members are name checked in the introduction.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:30 pm

Tim has become a good friend of mine in recent years, spoke to him on the phone just a few days ago. He's a lovely writer and his book "From the Orient to the Emirates" is a very good read.

huw.Y.WattfromWare wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:37 pm

Proud owner of both books mentioned, thanks to my daughters and Xmas. I’m hoping for one of his cricket books this year. Good old Amazon and wishlists.

rdp2eps wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:32 pm

Underdog by Tim Quelch is a good read too

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:33 pm

I'd forgotten that one - another good read