Is football only about winning and money? When played at its best, doesn’t it heighten the senses and make players think better of themselves, and (at the same time) unite and please their supporters? Doesn’t football (and sport in general) help to teach us about ourselves and about teamwork? I suggest that if football (these days) is only about money then surely the sport has passed its sell-by date!
It may well be that I am accused of not being realistic and that “times have changed”, but there was an ethos and a kind of unwritten contract in the days of McGregor about an attitude in sport that perhaps might be re-examined – particularly when the practitioners of that ethos were people at Aston Villa FC, and that was when the club was (arguably) at its peak. Yet even in those days there was plenty of evidence of ‘lucre’ trying to play its unwelcome part.
Ever since I read Peter Morris’s synoptic history of Aston Villa back in 1960 I was intrigued by the romance surrounding the club. And as that time was the heyday of Nigel Sims, Peter McParland and Gerry Hitchens and as I was 16 years of age and a 3rd generation Villa supporter, I took the subject very much to heart. Sims, McParland and Hitchens were the epitome of boyhood heroes and whose skills and achievements renewed the sense of romance at Villa Park.
Wind forward more than 40 years and I found myself living close by to the British Library’s Newspaper Archives in North London, and more fortunate to have time on my hands to utilise that facility (as a result of then recently being made redundant from a job). So, remembering the tit-bits of Morris’s book, I came to plough through, in great detail, early accounts of the Villa’s story as written by some of the most clever exponents of sports writing you are likely to come across, particularly one Jack Urry. Urry, amongst other things, was the originator of the pun ‘Villan’ to describe someone closely associated with the Villa. He came to be closely linked to the Villa in about 1879.
Writers like Urry managed to encapsulate in words the joy that existed in the Villa camp in those early days, when musical harmony was almost as important as the footba’! Archie Hunter (in 1879) had not long arrived from Ayr and was joined that year by his brother Andy. These two were the architects of the Villa’s play in the drive to fame in the post-1880 period, prompted by the experience and wisdom of George Ramsay and William McGregor. These four were the core of a group of Scottish Villans that had come south to find work, not to find footba’, but, happily, they became obsessed with their newly-found creation. It was these four that became the symbol of inspiration for the club for many years, and which Ramsay was part of for 60 years of his life. The Hunter brothers, very sadly, died while still young men, but their memory was kept alive by the short passing game which they had instituted, although this style was made to be more flexible as the years passed. They were also deeply remembered for their character, as both were said to be the most lovable of men, even though Archie was a stern taskmaster on the field of play.
McGregor was the quiet man who influenced the club only when he was asked. And he was not only asked for his advice but also his money! By 1888, he had been for so long acknowledged as an organisational master of the still-new and evolving game of soccer that he gained courage to step forward and led the way in the creation and development of league football. The world still owes him a debt for this foresightedness.
But this happened only after Mac had been asked to step in and reorganise Aston Villa when they were in a pit of organisational and financial trouble in late 1885. By mid-1886 everything had been sorted by him and his recommendations; he was made chairman and the very next year Villa became the Midlands’ first ever FA Cup Winners.
Yes, McGregor was a man of many parts. But there was something of meaning deeply within him – a conviction that footba’ was something more than a game to be simply won or lost on the basis of brute force. He saw the game as being a way of bringing out the character of the man. For McGregor it was an exercise in finding yourself – to experience the highs, lows and knocks of playing the sport and being able find a way (as Kipling wrote) “to treat those imposters just the same”. In other words the real ‘Mac’ was about the essence of sportsmanship and the making of the man. McGregor was a man of spirit, not just organisation: he exuded manifestations of both qualities. And if you look carefully at his portraits you can see a determined spirit glowing in his eyes. Footba’ to him was also a way of bringing young men into something more purposeful than recreation in the pub, and yet even within footba’ the drink was a common enemy. Many a famous footballer went to an early grave in those days, as a result of the habit.
The McGregor vision was as inspirational as could be found and was precisely what was needed in those late Victorian days. And Mac’s love of Aston Villa Football Club never diminished. He saw his club as being a standard by which football could evolve by the fairest possible means – and that is precisely what happened. But while he fully accepted that the business element was a necessary part of the professional game, he also believed that football was just as much to do with being a test of character – to do the right thing. To McGregor, principles learnt on the playing field could be the basis for harmonious living.
Mac left a heritage of principles that have slackened, as I see it. He complained bitterly about the emphasis on ‘lucre’ in his day and we can see how it has tarnished the sport today. But Mac also saw in Aston Villa a vision of something great, and I believe that deep down we – today’s Villans – carry forward his zeal. Mac would have been proud of the conquering heroes of 1972, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1994 and 1996 and it is that standard of behaviour, endeavour and play that I believe we want to see return. The teams of those years were not only skillful but played fair, and hard.
To illustrate the power of Mac’s legacy I quote part of a version of the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King. On March 10, 2000 a Villa fan by the name of Simon Lawden chose to use this speech as a basis to illustrate his vision of hope as the Villa approached their 10th visit to an FA Cup final back in 2000. Yes, even then Villa’s fans had moved towards pessimism under the regime that then ruled at Villa Park. Even though Villa came close to winning a trophy.
The following are just portions of his extensive version (about which Simon Lawden added: “With profuse apologies to Martin Luther King and the rest of you”):
Go back to Sheldon, go back to Selly Oak, go back to Newtown, go back to Solihull, go back knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my fellow Villa fans, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the McGregor dream.
I have a dream that my team will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the negativity of their play but by the content of their trophy cabinet.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every player shall be exalted, every move and run shall be made intelligently, the dodgy crosses will be made perfectly, and the crooked passes will be made straight, and the glory of the Villa shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to Villa Park. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our supporters into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.
And if England is [again] to be a great nation this must become true. So let Villa ring from the prodigious hilltops of Bilbao. Let Villa ring from the mighty mountains of Barcelona. Let Villa ring from the heightening terraces of San Siro!
Let Villa ring from the curvaceous peaks of Wembley!
But not only that; let Villa ring from Rotterdam!
Let Villa ring from every hill and every molehill of Europe. From every mountainside, let Villa ring.
When we let Villa ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children … will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Holte End spiritual, “We’re by far the greatest team the world has ever seen!”
Somewhat over the top, I agree, but it is faith – together with self-belief and right attitude – that moves mountains.
I pray that Aston Villa now finds the leadership to achieve its former greatness.
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 48
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fantastic piece John thank you
unfortunately today a life well lived in the service of others is frowned upon unless you can squeeze every last penny you can get from the market, instead of taking only what you need . selflessness has been replaced by selfishness and greed.
this is the modern paradigm, kill or be killed vs cooperation and nurturing. Living within natures laws not bending her to our will with tragic consequence. a thought process that will see us removed from this planet as its sole survivors winners!!! winners!!! oops.
Villas crime is we haven’t played the game with enough guile for the modern Era, run by small minded Ellis, then well meaning but ineffectual MrLerner apparently to trusting for his own good. When everyone is not singing from the same hymn sheet or you select the wrong hymn these thing happen.
We need a strong and effective leader and I hope he brings the club back to the people that really are the club, the fans. I also hope that people begin to see we are more than just titles, trophies etc but a community. peoples basic instinct is to help each other and share I hope this is how we move forward.
Thank you, John
I echo what Mark has said.
We’re fortunate to have had the likes of MacGregor and his ilk as founders of the club because they built the club on solid foundations.
Mark is correct to mention “small mindedness” and “well meaning but ineffectual” as being obstacles to Villa’s progress.
We need a MacGregor type at the helm to steer us back on course. His sterling qualities would still be as relevant today as they were in his day all those years ago.
Three cheers for William MacGregor!
steamer
must be 9pm then
going for the record of most posts today think frem has the record
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/tom-ross-week-inevitably-west-7116432?
Excellent article John. A very enjoyable read.
Graham Taylor is also saying that the sale is a done deal, according to his sources.
No doubt there will be a statement before the weekend.
The assessment of the Villa team from a link in the previous article was excellent, and showed just how weak a squad we have.
Good article from Tom Ross. We will know who is right or wrong soon.
John am I hallucinating or have you shortened football to footba’ an awful lot in that?
Still, a great insight into the early days of Willie Mac and the others. It is a great shame that no one has come close to their representation of Villa since they departed. Footba (or ball) is a very different entity now and financial muscle must be backed up with incredible efficiency, almost faultless decision making and the right approach to PR, media relations, etc. Not to mention getting the manager right, then being the right amount of in control but letting the manager take the reins, and every other staff position as well. I’m not exactly puzzled as to why there isn’t much solid news of interested parties – Villa need changes in every single position. A huge task, and it’ll take an even bigger (not a fatty) man to get it right. Hope Lerner/Merril Lynch spots him somewhere.
Josh;
I was talking about Scots and used the word as they pronounced it! I am sorry if I infringed your sense of proper writing! 😉
No, I disagree with the rest of your comment in the sense that it implies that is the only way of looking at the matter. What you state are the mere mechanics – they are part of business and of course they should be rightly executed, but by themselves only produce mechanical thinking. The totality of life and football is not really like that, which is why my article was a holistic view on getting things right from first principles.
Excellent article John, as always, with relevant contributions from Trinity, Mark and Paul. It takes me back to the days of my youth when football was a community game played on any available piece of grass or dirt. I remember playing with all the local lads on ‘Fireman’s Field’ a spot designated to become the site of a new Fire Station in Cannock. It was at a fork of the road to Hednesford and, at a later date, we emulated the Wolves players by playing floodlit football when the old gas lights were replaced by ‘modern’ street lights.
Professional footballers were paid very little – our manager at Kynoch’s was the former Birmingham and England naturalised Aussie Frank Mitchell and he was a groundsman for Kynoch’s. The start of the move to impossible players prices was led by the sale of John Charles. Now it is out of control and football clubs vie with agents and players for a share of the pie.
I’m not suggesting we should revert back to the ‘good old days’ but the introduction of the Financial Fair Play rules suggests some improvement.
Meanwhile we wait for news on Villa’s immediate future.
Immediate future for Villa IMO is the likes of Wes Hoolahan.. maybe Graig Gardener.. a couple of loans..
We are in limbo right now..
I have today renewed my season tickets for another 3 years as I get a price freeze for committing for that long. With new owners, I can’t see why I would be turning my back on Villa during those 3 years.
I hope the squad is built upon rather than completely dismantled and I hope Lambert is given the chance to do it. Unfortunately I think he will be made the scapegoat for all the cost cutting required to make the club saleable.
Lambert is now blamed for our woes by many fans who see him as an integral part of the overall problem. Personally I think that’s a red herring.
This is his squad and I’d like to see what he could do with it if it is supplemented with the funds to buy 4-6 quality players. I’d be happy to judge Lambert after he has had the opportunity to buy some quality players. Continuity counts for so much and football clubs generally are failing to hold their nerve by backing their managers. They sack them far too readily these days and it really doesn’t benefit them in the long term.
There are many players that need to go of course. Some simply aren’t good enough to wear the shirt. Tonev, Luna, Sylla, Baker, Stevens, Hutton, Herd, Gardner, Helenius and Bowery spring to mind. There will be others that depart too.
We are OK in the goalkeeper department, especially if Given doesn’t have to go. We need a quality right back, left back and centre back. Vlaar is fine, Okore will develop and I’d keep Clark as back up. I would love to see Bertrand, Lescott and maybe even Micah Richards at right back/centre back.
In midfield we need more quality. An all action midfielder like Milner and a creative player like Coutinho. Obviously those two are examples of type. I think we should hang on to KEA, Westwood and Delph but add quality to them. Delph should be given a new contract whilst KEA and Westwood, like Lowton in defence could become squad players.
I hope Albrighton gets a new contract. Like Delph we would see so much more from him if he was in a better team. Likewise Gabby. I think we need a pacey wide man even if Albrighton stays and N’Zogbia returns.
Up front we are OK apart from injuries. Benteke, Weimann and Kozak can perform what we need from the striker position. With bad injuries to two of those players I just wonder if Bent may be given a chance at the start of next season. Probably not.
Whatever happens I think we are at the end of a really awful 3-4 seasons. We’ve survived it, not got relegated and or done a Leeds. The future has to be positive with a new owner. We are a club of enormous potential and I have great optimism for the coming seasons.
Not at all John, I kept scratching at my laptop screen thinking there was a speck of dirt but it was the elusive apostrophe!
I see what you mean regarding holistic principles over business ability. As a younger one I have very little knowledge of McGregor et al so the only real insight I’ve had into their character is yours. Lerner got the humanitarian element spot on but was blighted by poor business decisions – so I’d argue that both of these qualities need to be paramount in a new owner, as well as financial might or at least very clever use of somewhat useful resources.
Hoolahan and a Villa reject. They won’t be able to stop people buying season tickets at Villa. Holt back on loan. KEA and his lightening pace right mid. Albri and GG released. Bennett back at LB, Baker alongside him
Can’t wait for the season to start. So many exciting talented players, an ambitious attacking no nonsense tactical genius and a board who know what they are doing…….
If only ey
Tom Dross , even his brother doesnt read what he says about the villa , the bloke has hated the villa since l got to know him (through John) in the early 70s , best meeting l had with him ,we played his nose old boys and during the game ,instaed of playing the ball forward , l hit as hard as l could across the pitch and knocked him off his seat in the dug-out , and l also went up to hopkins before the game and drew my finger across my throat and said “thats where lm taking you out bignose, remember me in the Bar St Martins ………..happy days
laters
mark dont you dare spend that £20 you owe me ….
Josh . you will have to meet steamer and sit on his knee while he tells you his tales about McGregor, he can also show you his photos with him
Patience is a virtue and we are going to bloody need it.
Good time to stay off social media, NOBODY knows anything, just like our signings villa keep it all very dark.
Phase 1 is complete though, Learner to leave…on the right track!
I hear that we couldnt bid for a player due to a transfer embargo which again leads me to believe that the club will be in new hands soon enough
l hit as hard as l could across the pitch and knocked him off his seat in the dug-out
That was a shot you knob.
Mark,
Had a day out in Banbury today, a nice pastie in that shop that sell pasties, very nice.
Scooting around the various blogs and its amazing to see how expectation has dropped amongst Villans. Managers suggested – Moyes, Sherwood, Lennon, these are nobodies we will be able to attract the elite of World talent after the takeover, similar with players, standards can’t be allowed to fall any further.
steamer
did they understand you? and did you understand them? we have 2 pastie shops don’t you know 😉
25 nail shops 38 poundsavers and 100 charity shops. should of said mate, would of met you for a coffee, you could of given me that £20 st75 has given you to give me
have a butchers at this
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2627954/Liverpool-earn-money-champions-Man-City-relegated-Cardiff-boosted-62m-payout.html
Steamer hopefully anyone buying the club will do enough research to know that you can’t have major investment and have anything less than world class staff heading the whole thing — if not it will end with another randy MON disaister
We do not want or need David Moyes, as he is no different to Lambert, and plays his footba’ the same way. That was the players objection at Utd, that he indulged in a lot of pointless passing, and changed the direct style of play, which is what we want at Villa!!
We need a manger that knows and understands the game, like Hughes and Martinez, both of whom we failed to employ.
I think we would be perfect for AVB to prove people wrong. He could build us slowly, but he’s only just gone to Russia
Laudrep doesn’t sound the most committed by the sounds of things. Moyes, would be perfect for WBA. Small budget, could get them mid table. Could those two take us to 5th, 6th ? Not so sure
I’d still have Rafa, or AVB. It’s well known the depth of tactics they go into. Id like to see that for once down At the Villa instead of MON, Mcliesh and Lambert football. Wigan manager maybe
By the sounds of things though, that’s miles off
Lambert and Randy going to talk about what cheap shit we can buy. If
Josh: Lerner got the humanitarian element spot on but was blighted by poor business decisions – so I’d argue that both of these qualities need to be paramount in a new owner, as well as financial might or at least very clever use of somewhat useful resources.
Couldn’t agree more with that. But it might be too much for ask for!
Mark,
1a Parsons Street, and very tasty it was.
Runtingz an PP,
For some reason the club doesn’t continue with its football philosophy does it ? Taylor/Atkinson Houllier/ McKnob.
.. to ask for … (oops)
John,
Forgive me for the late comment on your leader. I think that sums up the older Villan, when we lost a game in the 60’s and 70’s we felt insulted resulting in an increased sense of pride when the clubs fortunes turned. The goings on at VP over the past five years disgust me, apart from the events on the pitch, the lies and mis-information and actions by stewards etc have been scandalous. I hope never to see any of the current admin anywhere near AVFC again.
B62,
Are you going to that Mod bash at Alvechurch FC on 24/25 May ?
Steamer:
If only it were possible to have a roots take-over of the club to start from first principles …
OK, we might get relegated a couple of divisions before we got the mix right, but …
I just wonder how it’s possible to transfer proper appreciation of the club to new owners. Lerner said he understood but seemed to be a mile off in practise.
steamer
I know it, did your pastie have a tail sticking out one end ?
Excellent piece John – and I agree there are many things we can learn from the past, and honour is a timeless quality. In addition, if we can get some self belief, that’d be a great step forwards as every time I watch the team I see players looking at the others as if they aren’t capable enough – Guzan punting it long, some of the lack of communication between players, and also the fact that many of them can’t play in the fluid system they’re being put into.
Perhaps it is time we got back to basics – back to basics in terms of who the club is, what it stands for, and basics in terms of functionality over form.
May be a dour few years, but get me some boring but effective football, and after years of the wrong end of the table, I’d snatch your arm off…
That was the best part Mark, that and those little brown things attached to it.
Matt,
Possibly its the reverse, most of these players have come from leagues where hoofball isn’t played, its usually silky along the deck style, i think Lambert has contaminated their thinking and uses them in a completely alien way to what they’re used to, which brings me back to the ridiculous criteria laid down by Lerner for his managers, English PL experience, why have that in a manager if his players come from abroad ? This club is run by imbeciles, ANYONE could run it better than L,L & F.
Steamer
I’m gonna try to get down there mate.
Droyd
Iv also sorted out a ST for next year, let’s hope it’s not our farewell season in the top flight.
I have absolutely no faith in the club progressing in the near future, With no buyer in the wings( not even a sniff!!), no player investment and one of the worst most incompetent managers we’ve ever had, coupled with a truly terrible squad, all points to relegation.
anyone in the medical trade on here , before l go the docs , does pennicillin realy come from mould ? l ask as l have just done myself some melted cheese and bacon on toast and on eating the last bit l noticed one of them small green circles that looked a bit furry , l showed my daughter but the only words l got from her was ” sorry gotta go lm going to see Katy Perry dial 118 118 ” now if lv eaten it and its pennicillin it really should’nt do me any harm should it ???
steamer what happened to a call today , sat here twiddling my thumbs ,
Frem , will post that disc but dont show anyone else ,
Hi Jennykins ,
you wont need any more meditation after the meet up my darling xxxx
maybe a bit of medication the next day though xxxx
Matt: May be a dour few years, but get me some boring but effective football, and after years of the wrong end of the table, I’d snatch your arm off…
I certainly can’t see any instant solutions in terms of top-6 football occurring within 2 to 3 years, so it’s been a long haul since the agitation against HDE started ca. 2000, and the overall poor record since.
Maybe we need 2020 vision! 😉
ST75
pennicillin came from mold on an orange I think but beans its you its perfectly safe but acts as a truth serum so call me in 1/2 hour and let me know when i’m getting my £20
Mark King
who you ? and what £20 you on about mate .
st75
oh no! its wiped the one memory you had left!
Good evening everyone.
Fascinating and entertaining article as always Mr. L . You have the gift of using words to paint pictures and I can always imagine the long shorted villans when I read your pieces.
Mr. McGregor sounds similar to George and RIchard Cadbury philanthropist who had similar objectives for Cadbury workers which is every worker family was given a piece of land to grow their own veg and keep them out of the pub (which he managed to get rid of through covenants in Bourneville) So it is interesting to learn that Mac also had the players’ moral and behavioural interests at heart too. Was he a quaker by any chance like the Cadburys ?
Well the Hunter brothers must be turning in their graves this season if they are looking down at our long ball style !!
The premier league attracts the best players in the world because of the money according to many commentators. It is a a joy to see players like Ya Ya Toure , which to echo Mac’s sentiments, players playing to the best of their physical capability and supreme skill. But without the mega bucks they wouldn’t be here.
ST75 xxxx
Jenny
“Was he a quaker by any chance like the Cadburys ?”
JL would explain this better, but he’s done a good job at getting us asking questions about Mac.
This is from Wiki. He was a Congregationalist, but buried in a CoE cemetery.
McGregor was a committed Christian who was widely respected for his honesty and integrity. He worshipped for forty years at the Congregational church in Wheeler Street, Aston. His pastor, the Revd. W.G. Percival said that the best thing about him “was not so much the genial, kindly, honest sportsman, but the Christian behind it all”. He described him as “a man of absolutely unblemished personal character”.[13]
Association with Aston Villa
In 1877, McGregor was invited to become a committee member of Aston Villa, a football club formed three years earlier. He also umpired matches for the club.[7][14] At the time the club played at Aston Park, close to the premises of McGregor’s business.[15] He became interested in joining Villa due to the strong Scottish contingent in the club’s ranks,[4] the team’s exciting style of play, and the club’s connection to a Wesleyan Chapel.[16] He quickly assumed the post of club administrator,[2] helping the impecunious club to survive its financial troubles. After some of Aston Villa’s possessions were seized by bailiffs, McGregor allowed the club to use his shop as a store to prevent further seizures.[16] Under McGregor’s leadership, Aston Villa won their first trophy, the Birmingham Senior Cup, in 1880,[17] shortly after which McGregor became the club’s president.[2]
Jenny:
Hello! 🙂
without the mega bucks they [e.g. Toure] wouldn’t be here.
Yes – in the 1890s, Villa were paying a rate to their players that far exceeded many clubs – so even then money played its part. McGregor saw money as a necessary evil, but what he didn’t like was the servitude to it.
Trinity:
He quickly assumed the post of club administrator, … shortly after which McGregor became the club’s president.
I’m afraid – once again – that Wiki is found wanting (who maintains these things?!!). Neither of these statements is true. He was never president (he was a vice-president since 1877) and never “assumed the post” of anything. As I stated in my article, he did help the club through difficulties and then was asked to look into suspected misdealings in the operation of things at the Villa, which he did (f.o.c., and led the club’s recovery) and was then elected chairman – for a year, until Villa won the Cup in 1887.
Peter Lupson and I wrote and published a biography of Mac a couple of years ago – the occasion of 100 years since he died.
Jenny:
That question you asked about whether Mac was a Quaker (which, of course, he wasn’t, as Trinity identified. He was actually a Presbyterian – being Scottish – but assimilated into the Congregationalists) causes me to comment that Victorian Britain saw the coming forth of many practical good works by Christians of many different sects.
The Quakers were, perhaps, particularly prominent in this (Fry and Rowntree were also Quakers and the Rowntree Trust still does sterling work).
In Brum we had Cadbury’s and others – including Joe Chamberlain, a Unitarian, who led the transformation of Brum’s central area from grinding poverty into magnificence before he became an MP and then an important government minister. The Brums always shouted for “Joe, Joe!” when Chamberlain came back to Brum, and Villa’s Joe Bache shared in the adulation of that name!!
Lots of long words on here today.
Thank you very much for this interesting info Trin and John . Did he have any children john . Can you still buy your book on Mac ?
Morning All,
Matt/john and co well done for keeping discussions alive in a period of uncertainty which surrounds our club. Our history is rich and something to be proud of, however it just shows how irrelevant we have become in the grand scheme of things.
We are going to be one of the favourites for relegation next season , as there is NO takeover in sight, which means Lambert will remain, and there will be no investment in the team.
RL has even managed to make a mess of leaving the club .
After a flurry of rumour and excitement his statement was a let down, and now were in a real mess. There are only about 13 weeks until the season starts, in that time we have a WC that last 4 weeks, we gave time but not as much as we really think, SSN stated RL wants a deal to go through quickly 6/8 weeks, and that’s if we find a buyer, he then has to get the right people in place at the boardroom level, new manager, players etc. I really fear for us next season, I think we will go into it with dumb, dumber and the dumbest still running the show, and a team devoid of any talent.
Jenny: Did [Mac] have any children john . Can you still buy your book on Mac ?
Yes, Mac had a son (who died in 1955 but left no children) and a daughter (who died in the 1970s I think it was).
No, the book was sold out on one print run and we decided not to re-print as there was not enough national interest. Nor (very strangely!) enough interest in it from Villa Park, although it had a good write up.
We might update it and re-publish in due course. As time goes on I think it might well happen.