Tonight's Brighton v Chelsea match programme has me looking back on the 2004 play-off final between Brighton & Bristol City in 'The Reunion', plus ex-Albion keeper Dave Beasant features in my 'Hello Goodbye' interview. Well worth a read, in my humble opinion.
Gonna make a point of seeing them again this year. I like the way they mix every tour up. This time, it's songs from the Beatles' five best selling albums.
My piece in today's Sunday Express on The Bootleg Beatles, arguably the best (and certainly the most enduring) tribute band of them all. Mind you, The Small Fakers & EXTC both push them close. If you've got a favourite tribute act, then I'd love to hear about them.
That and Chelsea in 1983. As much as I prefer and dedicate myself to football from that era, it wasn't always a beautiful game, especially on the terraces.
George Robledo, born 100 years ago today, scores the only goal of the 1952 FA Cup final for Newcastle United against Arsenal to take the trophy to Tyneside for the second year running. Besides scoring six times in the FA Cup, George also netted 33 goals in the league that season.
Remembering George Robledo, born 100 years ago this day in Iquique, Chile.
A post-war hero at both Barnsley & Newcastle United, George is still widely regarded as the first overseas star of English football.
Extremely proud, so I am, to be this wonderful man's biographer.
Remembering George Robledo, the former Barnsley & Newcastle United goal machine and creator, generally regarded as the first overseas star of English football, born 100 years ago today in Iquique, Chile. Very, very proud, so I am, to be this great man's biographer.
My piece in today's Sunday Express on 50 years of The Real Thing's You To Me Are Everything. A great song from a truly pioneering band (yes, they really were from Liverpool!). Thanks to lead singer Chris Amoo for granting the interview & being such an all-round good guy.
It's the oldest surviving film of an international football match in existence, played on this day in 1906. Wales v Ireland was the match, Wrexham's Racecourse Ground the venue, commemorated on this plaque unveiled by John Toshack depicting the great Welsh goalkeeper Leigh Roose.
As well as the covers, the 25/26 @officialbhafc.bsky.social programme has superb articles from
@spencervignes.bsky.social In the #LFC issue, he looks back to the Withdean Years in 'Reunion' and speaks to Jimmy Case in 'Hello... Goodbye'. More reason to buy the printed programme! #BHAFC
It's nine years today since the book that spawned this Bluesky account had its launch party at the one & only @spillersrecords.bsky.social
Happy birthday 'The Train Kept A-Rollin - How The Train Song Changed The Face of Popular Music' by @spencervignes.bsky.social - and thank you Spillers.
One-hundred-and-sixteen years ago today Leigh Roose, the greatest goalkeeper of his era, made his one and only Celtic appearance in a Scottish Cup semi-final versus Clyde. Roose was last seen charging German guns at the Battle of the Somme on 7 October 1916 & officially remains missing in action.
"Football wasn't the huge industry that it is now, but it was a religion. And George Robledo was one of its first patron saints." - Robledo biographer @spencervignes.bsky.social on talkSPORT radio talking about George (pictured here, holding ball), the first overseas star of English football
This is @trainsongscentral.bsky.social – the only resource on Planet Earth (that we know of) dedicated to train songs & the many, many ties that bind railways/railroads & music. Come on in, look around, learn a thing or two and, if you like what you see, please give us a RT to spread the word.
It's #WorldBookDay folks!
Some of you may be aware that this Twitter/X account was inspired by a book, namely 'The Train Kept A-Rollin - How The Train Song Changed The Face Of Popular Music' by @spencervignes.bsky.social
If you're short of reading material, there's an answer.
Happy #WorldBookDay folks!
It's 126 years to the day since legendary goalkeeper Leigh Roose won his first Wales cap in a 2-0 win against Ireland. He was playing for Aberystwyth Town at the time having just completed a science degree at Aberystwyth University. Very proud to be Leigh's biographer, so I am.
Meet Brian Powney, Dave Hollins and Eric Gill. Three former Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeepers aged 81, 88 and 95 respectively. Still living in Sussex, still (relatively) fit and healthy, still friends. The goalkeepers' union of all unions.
'A sporting story for the ages' - Adrian Chiles, BBC Radio 5 Live
‘An absolutely brilliant book’ – Paul Ross, talkSPORT
'A remarkable book' - The Daily Express
Just some of the great reviews for Postcards From Santiago, my biography of George Robledo, out now from @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social
You cannot be serious! 25% per cent off my forthcoming book about the Wimbledon tennis Championships when you pre-order through the Waterstones website today. Just search for 'The Wimbledon Anthology' & use the code FEB26. Offer closes at midnight tonight.
You cannot be serious! 25% per cent off my forthcoming book about the Wimbledon tennis Championships when you pre-order through the Waterstones website between now & this Friday. Just search for 'The Wimbledon Anthology' & use the code FEB26. An ace offer, if ever there was one.
"I am anxious to get started and I understand there is quite a bit of work to be done." - Brian Clough, Nov 1973, on taking over at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Check out 'Bloody Southerners', my book about arguably the strangest managerial appointment ever made in English football.
It's 120 years to the day since the pioneering Welsh goalie Leigh Roose punched the guest of a Sunderland director after a Wearsiders v Stoke City match at Roker Park. Leigh, a Stoke player at the time who later joined Sunderland, received a 14 day FA ban for his actions.
"He was made up and possibly the happiest I'd seen him in a long time." - Elizabeth Robledo recalls her father, George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, after his return to Chile from a 1981 tour of Yorkshire & north east England, including this visit to St James' Park.
"Being a northerner, I didn't understand the rivalry between Brighton and Crystal Palace. To me, Crystal Palace was in London and Brighton was on the south coast. That didn't say to me 'This is a local derby'." - Brighton's Barry Butlin, taken from my book 'Bloody Southerners'
My piece in today's Daily Express on punk turning 50, complete with my choice of top five punk songs. It's subjective, of course it is, but what would your choice be?
Thanks to everyone who's been in touch saying how much they've enjoyed reading 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football. It means a lot, every single message. Together, we're keeping George's remarkable story alive.
A belated happy birthday to Dave Hollins, ex-last line of defence for Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, Mansfield Town, Aldershot & Wales, who turned 88 yesterday. Being his biographer & author of the book 'Eric & Dave', I really have no excuses!
Brian Horton turns 77 today. But in my head he'll always be 30 summers young.
Happy birthday, 'El Capitano'.
Thanks Iain - glad you liked it!