Scott7

I’m just getting started, Bill. This is really for dotards well into their second childhood. You’ve got a year or two yet before you begin to approach that stage. God knows what young @CammyF is doing here. His observations are very welcome nonetheless.

Interesting point I’ve never thought about but it’s right. Jock Shaw was the first of the Curtain to retire at the end of season 1951/52 but played only twice that season neither time against the Hibs. The previous season, 50/51, he played in eighteen matches including a SC second round at Ibrox against Hibs (2-3 in front of 102,342) when all ten of the Curtain and the Five were on the park. Neither league match featured the tout ensemble. The Five played together for the first time in season 49/50 and encountered the Curtain in both league matches so that looks like only two league games when the unstoppable met the immovable. Don’t bother to marvel at my phenomenal memory. I got all this from David Docherty’s excellent book, The Rangers Football Companion. It only covers 1946 - 1986 but it’s great for teams, results and attendances with the odd bit of narrative and some photos.

At the money paid you are entitled to both expectation and frustration.

And here’s the banger in of the goals, Lawrie Reilly of the Hibs. I saw him interviewed on the telly mentioning the respect that existed between the Curtain and the Five sides. He said he never wanted to leave Hibs but if they wanted to sell him he would have gone to Rangers. Thank God he’s not playing on Saturday, nor Joe Baker nor Neil Martin. I wish Colin Stein was - for Rangers of course.

The keyrings had leather fobs with the enamelled crest not the cheapskate plastic rubbish you get now.

Jimmy Cowan, Morton, kept the Saxons at bay on two consecutive visits to Wembley while Lawrie Reilly banged in the winners at the other end. Not many Scottish ‘keepers can say that.

Some hefty attendances in Division 3 and look at Wednesday in 1.

What happened.

Nicely done but the wee guy on the goal line is offside? I’d have booked the scorer for ridiculous posturing if I’d been the ref. Sent him to bed without any supper if I’d been the kid’s dad. Still a good strike though.

The Father of All ‘Keepers, Frank Swift, City and England. Big haun’s.

Quite good for an exhibition match with some flashes of old-style Brazilian play. The speed over the ground of their passing was impressive or was that just an illusion?

Some players after recovering from injury run out of the tunnel and carry on as before. Most need a run of games to find either match fitness, or form or confidence or any combination of the three. I suspect Sima falls into that category which is a great pity because the team is coming to the part of the season when they can’t afford a run of games for an under-performer. A pre-injury Sima would be a mighty asset.

Coronation Derby winner, Pinza and jockey Gordon Richards later knighted.

Might have a look at Brazil.

Cup winners?

Another racer, Dr Roger Bannister. I remember hearing on BBC the live commentary on his sub-4 minute mile. The race took place in May 1954 at Oxford in the late afternoon. Bannister worked in the morning at St Mary’s Hospital Paddington as usual then took the train from London to Oxford. A sort of upper class Alf Tupper.

The poll is flawed. I don’t want to release JL but I don’t want to renew his existing contract. Bill is correct. Offer a one year contract on new terms. If he can do better elsewhere, thank you very much and goodbye with best wishes.

Thanks. Should have known that. Confused by the bend. Must have been 220 yards. Another Liddell. Billy of Liverpool longtime Scotland outside left.

Remind me. Brian Hewson?

It truly was. Beautifully balanced. Did you ever watch a better non-Rangers Scottish side than that? Smith already had league medals at Hibs and Hearts but less well known Wishart also had one 1955 at Aberdeen.

Correct. He also played against Wolves for Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final. Rovers lost to the Wanderers 0-3.

Nat Lofthouse, maybe the toughest of them all, waiting at the pithead to board the Bolton Wanderers ‘bus for an away game.

Another battling English centre forward Jackie Milburn.

Stan Mortensen. Score three to win the FA Cup and no one remembers you.