1 of 6 #scotsfoundedfootball The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence. The esteemed historian Andy Mitchell made the point to me, recently, that AI is ‘like arguing with Wikipedia, no matter how wrong, it is 'a source’. No-one ever grades these sources. For me they ‘flood the zone’. © Steve Bannon
Linlithgow Rose win 2-1. League champions. Scenes.
And Linlithgow take the lead, 2-1. That wins the title if they hold on.
1-1, half an hour to play. Linlithgow still need a winner.
Half time still 1-0. Nervy game, chances at both ends, but the way things stand, both teams miss out on the title as Clydebank are winning..
Watching the battle of the Roses - Bonnyrigg v Linlithgow - in the Scottish Lowland League title decider. Big crowd. Bonnyrigg lead 1-0 from a penalty.
Scotland squad 1981. Back: Marion Leitch, Ann Squires (captain), Linda McWhinnie, Liz Smith (Fulton), Margaret McGough, Kath McCann, Carol Wilson, Fiona Winchester. Front: Liz Creamer, Jane Legget, Marion Barclay, Kate Callaghan, Elaine Murphy, Liz Stewart, Anne Mulvenna.
Am going to see Scotland v Belgium at Easter Road this evening, in the Women's World Cup. The first time the countries met was in 1981 in a tournament in Sardinia - here's a photo of the Scotland squad on a rock hard pitch, and a match report of the 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Fiona Winchester.
Born #OTD 13 April 1846, William McGregor, Scottish founder of the Football League. He brought his enthusiasm for football to Birmingham, helped make Aston Villa one of England's top clubs, and founded the world's first league. A plaque in his honour stands in his home village of Braco, Perthshire.
We're in a big auditorium at UCL on Weds for Champion Black Boxers and Businessmen in 1800s London - talk, film, panel, about Bill Richmond, Tom Molineaux, Bridgerton, A Thousand Blows!
Join Tony Warner, Roberto Nigro, Luke G. Williams, S. I. Martin & me:
FREE: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/champion-b...
It was £1.50 for the terracing (or £2 under cover). You could also pay at the gate, which is what I did - that picture is a ticket I got later.
The buzz around that final in 1976 inspired teenage me - on a school night, with exams coming up - to head over from Edinburgh to Glasgow for a truly memorable occasion.
Things are hotting up for next month's 50th anniversary of the 1976 European Cup final at Hampden Park between St Etienne and Bayern Munich. It is the French team - who lost - who are marking the event simply because it was such a crazy adventure for Les Verts. This new book updates the original.
For the full story of William McGregor's life and achievements, try and get hold of this book by Peter Lupson and John Lerwill.
If you ever visit Braco (between Stirling and Perth) the McGregor memorial is at the north end of the village, one of a series of historic plaques commemorating local history. And while you're there, be sure to walk round the wonderful Roman camp - it's a superb atmospheric place, and free to visit.
Born #OTD 13 April 1846, William McGregor, Scottish founder of the Football League. He brought his enthusiasm for football to Birmingham, helped make Aston Villa one of England's top clubs, and founded the world's first league. A plaque in his honour stands in his home village of Braco, Perthshire.
Oh look, my new book available for preorder on amzn and elsewhere (pub date subject to change). Can’t wait for people to read.
www.amazon.co.uk/Uruguay-Foot...
Also: cover reveal!!
For the full rundown on the Six Feet Club, which was founded in 1826 for tall men around Edinburgh and included Sir Walter Scott as a member, you can't do better than read Peter Radford's impressive history on the Athlos site: athlos.co.uk/media/wrlpg2...
An intriguing #sporthistory acquisition - a manuscript poem from the 1830s dedicated to the Six Feet Club, an Edinburgh club for athletic sports. Written by poet Charles Doyne Sillery and unpublished as far as I can tell. Mentions steeplechase, quoits, hammer throwing and (obliquely) football.
But shall this crazed old man be tamely suffered to drag a whole ship’s company down to doom with him?
Starting shortly at 10am on Radio 4.
Coming up on BBC Radio 4: The Reunion with Kirsty Wark, looking back at Scotland in the 1998 World Cup from all angles. Featuring Paul Lambert, Craig Burley and a variety of others, including me. Broadcast on Easter Day at 10am and then available on iPlayer. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Thanks! Have ordered it now.
Gary, I was going to click through and order one, but the blog only has options for 10 copies at £150.
It's Wembley Wizards day!
Coming up soon on BBC Radio 4: the Scotland World Cup 1998 Reunion: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... Had fun taking part and remembering those crazy days!
Philip Gale, The National Archives:
“Sports are a mirror to society… Without sporting heritage records, we’d have an incomplete landscape of society.”
Watch the discussion: tinyurl.com/mrybax3s
Everyone at Hibernian FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hibs legend Alex Cropley, at the age of 75.
Rest in peace, Alex 💚
Good piece on the Clapton history blog about John Lambie, another example of a Scotch Professor bringing the "combination game" to England.
Likely to be of interest to @gedboy58.bsky.social & @andymitchellmedia.bsky.social
tonshistory.co.uk/2026/03/18/j...
Yes, the film was made (and you can even see me making an appearance!). Check this link on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXsd...
