Return of the Football Ground Histories

You may remember, about a year or so ago, I wrote a series of articles outlining the history of many of our English football clubs ground histories. These not only concentrated on where the clubs contest their matches today, but also the previous grounds where they played and interesting stories attached to these venues.

Aston Villa's "Villa Park" from 1907

I have recently started researching a new series of articles, covering clubs that were not featured in the previous set. Hopefully these will be published soon and please watch this space for details.

The "Nest" of Norwich City's (a predecessor to Carrow Road)

In the meantime, should you have missed them last time around, please click here for a link to the previous works (along with one or two other football related articles).

Sunderland's "Roker Park" from 1976

Should you have a suggestion for a club’s grounds history you would like to see, please feel free to drop me an email at uncletatty@yahoo.co.uk

Tatty's Racing Tips - Thursday 1st December 2011

It all started so well. A 7/1 second followed by a 3/1 winner and then a long line of duck-eggs. Never mind, I suppose we all have days like that - on to Thursday.

Another evening meeting, this time at Wolverhampton's Dunstall Park. Here I list a few to watch. 

• 4.00 Greyfriarschorista - won 2/1
• 4.30 Mr Red Clubs - won 1/3
• 5.00 Bold Ring - 3rd 5/1
• 5.30 Songbird Blues - 2nd 9/1
• 6.00 Mezzotint - won 2/1
• 6.30 Desert Strike - 3rd 8/1
• 7.00 Ryedane - unplaced
• 7.30 Steelcut - unplaced

And now onto football news. The first managerial casualty of the season occurred in the Premier League yesterday, when Steve Bruce  was relieved of his duties at Suderland. 

The Stadium of Light

Early frontrunners to replace him include former Celtic and Aston Villa chief Martin O'Neill who it is rumoured, has turned the job down twice in the past. Another fancied replacement is Welshman Mark Hughes, late of Fulham and Blackburn Rovers. He has been kicking his heels since the summer when he left Craven Cottage and it is easy to see why the position would appeal to him. It is strongly believed that he is the club's chosen target.

I will however make a suggestion as to someone the powers that be at the Stadium of Light should seriously consider. Former Old Trafford favourite and current manager of Norwegian First Division side Molde, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has been turning many heads with the excellent job he has been doing in his homeland and you would think it will only be a matter of time until he returns to manage in England somewhere.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

One final thought - Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's "headhunter" speaking on Radio 5 Live this morning has stated that Fabio Capello could stay on as England manager after his contract expires at the end of Euro 2012 in Poland/Ukraine. 

Heaven help us all!


For full story click here

A Terrific Tuesday

Good evening punters,

Well, what a day we had today with 2 selections and both winners. I’m not going to say that will happen every day, but let’s keep the old digits crossed shall we?

PATMAN DU CHARVIL obviously has found the level where he can prevail and if this gives him some confidence, he could go on to bigger and better things. PETE THE FEAT’S jumping put the fear of the almighty into me more than once, but it didn’t seem to affect him at all and he went on to win well. He seems to relish conditions with a bit of give underfoot, but I do wonder how he would get on with firmer ground.

On Wednesday there are 4 meetings, namely at Newbury and Newcastle over the sticks, along with Lingfield and Kempton on the Polytrack. Before I go any further, I am going to categorically state that I am hopeless at making choices at Newbury and Kempton (AW), so I am not going to bother looking at the cards. 

So here we go with a look at Newcastle and leafy Lingfield only.

The Newcastle card provides us with a decent Novice’s Hurdle at 1.40 and a class 3 Handicap Chase at 2.15 

In the 1.40 Howard Johnson’s RUPIN really impressed me at Carlisle back in October and I think he will win again. 

RESULT: RUPIN went out to 11/2 at the off after being quoted earlier at 3's. Taking up the running from the start and keeping a reasonable pace, he held on to the lead until about half a mile out when, having little extra to give, finished out of the frame.

In the 2.15 there are two I like the look of. Cavers Glen who won well at Aintree in November, but for a bit of value, I will plump for old boy MINSTER SHADOW. He went flying at Valentines on his last appearance at Aintree back in November, but a couple of decent runs previously at Carlisle makes me think he is still enjoying himself and may well make the frame at least. His jumping is a slight worry mind.

RESULT: The old fellow received some support in the ring and then as feared, promptly made a complete hash of the first fence. He somehow survived and then stayed in midfield around 10 lengths off the pace. It was soon fairly clear he was not in the mood today and was pulled up a good way out. Cavers Glen won impressively however.

At Lingfield, it is pretty standard weekday fare, but the 3.40 Handicap over 10 furlongs, throws up 3 horses which all won their last races at Wolverhampton. Mark Johnston’s MEMORABILIA, going up 3lbs for his win a fortnight ago, is still on a decent mark and is taken to get his head in front again.

RESULT: I was convinced that MEMORABILIA was the best bet of the day and as I guessed, he took up the running at half way. He suddenly found onecome at him at the turn and I thought his chance has gone, but fighting all the way he just took the spoils at the post with an sp of 5/6 (was available at up to 2's earlier on).

Now the Non-Racing Bit

Sometime England forward, Darren Bent has today left Sunderland to join Aston Villa in a deal supposedly worth up to £24m. Crazy money, I’m sure you will agree (unless you are a regular at the Aston Lower Grounds), but why has he jumped ship? Sunderland, currently in 6^th place in the Premier League, looking like gaining a place in next year’s European competitions against Aston Villa, only out of the relegation places by the fact that A (Aston Villa) comes before W (Wigan) in the alphabet. Bent says it’s nothing to do with money – WHAT A LOAD OF OLD B******S! Does he think we are stupid? If he treats Sunderland and their fans this way, just you Villans wait, in time he’ll dump on you as well.

Two related, interesting articles you may wish to read:

Football Ground History: Aston Villa

Football Ground History: Sunderland

That’s me done for another night, talk tomorrow.

The Chairman