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- See magazines condensed to their 70-71 content !!

June 2001

'FourFourTwo'

July 2001, No. 83. See 'FourFourTwo'

Bob Rating: BB

Now that the Match of the Day Monthly magazine has bitten the dust, Brian Clough (Derby County manager) can be found in 442, it seems. This first article is called 'Over the Top with Brian Clough', but it is not certain if it's a regular column or not.

It looks as if 'FourFourTwo' are intending to release a Greatest Footballers series, priced at 12 pounds 99 pence in hardback. The first two are on Jimmy Greaves and Paul Gascoigne. They are written by Matt Allen Paul Simpson respectively and were released on 24 May.

Jimmy Greaves' Spitting Image puppet head sold at the Cosford Auction Rooms in April for 900 pounds - though this was less than the initial reserve price. Other 70-71 favourites include George Best's waxwork head - 600 pounds; Pele's waxwork head - 280 pounds; Terry Venables' (QPR) 'Spitting Image' puppet was unsold.

Alex Stock is included in this month's obituary.

The 442 Players of the Year included Michael Owen at a measley no.48 in the premiership, unfortunately Michael left his heroics till too late in the season to influence the poll. Darren Ferguson (Alex's son) was a respectable no.16 in the Division Two poll. Top Next Generation Star, Darren Currie (Tony's nephew) made no 5 in Division Three in spite of his Barnet side being relegated out of the Football League.

Meanwhile, Brian Little (Aston Villa) was the 'Unsung Hero of the Year' for his work at Hull City.

But chiefly his magazine should be bought for its excellent 'Action Replay' article. This month 'The Genius' is all about Jim Baxter. Though Jim doesn't qualify for this site, he very much embodies the spirit of it. Great article, with some great pictures, too.

'Shoot Monthly'

July 2001

Bob Rating: B

Sven Goran Eriksson (Degerfors) has a new book out, which 'Shoot' give a two page artivcle plus a review to. The book is called "On Football: The Inner game - Improving Performance' and is co-written with Willi Railo and Hakan Matson. It was published on 4 June by Carlton books and costs 12 pounds 99 pence.

There's a three page article on Ronnie Moore (Tranmere Rovers) and the fact that he's helped promote Rotherham United up two Leagues in as many seasons.

Once again, I'm right behind Frank Tennyson, who this month devotes his article to Kevin Keegan, stating he believes Manchester City have got a bargain.

The centre pages are given over to a poster of Michael Owen's FA Cup equaliser. 'Owen, Prince of Wales', it declares.

'Total Football'

July 2001 No.75 www.totalfootball.com

Bob Rating: B

This 'Souvenir Edition' has a great run through of the season and has Sven Goran Eriksson (Degerfors) and Michael Owen on the cover, amongst others.

The magazine poses that old pub quiz favourite, 'Which three England captains have played for Scunthorpe United ?' Answer: Ray Clemence (Liverpool), Kevin Keegan ... and England cricket captain, Ian Botham, of course ...

This magazine's yearly 'Football fan' awards include Ronnie Moore (Tranmere Rovers) as the Division Two Manager of the Year, and Brian Little (Aston Villa) as the Division Three Manager of the Year. Darren Currie (Tony's nephew) romped home as the right winger of choice in the Division Three Select XI.

In the season review there's a farewell to Graham Taylor (Lincoln City), who ended his managerial career at Watford.

Due to Chris Hutchings disasterous season at Bradford City, the magazine also suggested a Premiership, club by club guide of 'The Managers They Should Never Have Had'. it was dangerously full of Bob's 70-71 players:

I'm not 100% sure of where the managers in the above list all were in 70-71, but only Chris Hutchings and Ian Branfoot are definately ruled out. David Webb (Chelsea), Bobby Gould (Wolverhapton Wanderers), and Allan Clarke are fully fledged World of Soccer Star Album players, and Malcolm Allison (Manchester City coach) even manages to get on the list twice !!!

There's also a review of Colin Shindler's book 'Fathers, Sons and Football' with a great picture of George Best kissing Mike Summerbee ! The reviewer gives the book a full five stars !

Once in a blue moon, a book comes along that redefines the way football is written about. In looking at the game not just from the players' perspective but also from the point of view of family members, Colin Shindler's saga of the Summerbees - journeyman George, Manchester City and England : star Mike, and Sunderland's Nicky - may prove to be .. one such book. Emphasising how much the game has changed, the contrast between grandfather George and grandson Nicky's financial rewards could hardly be greater. Yet, for all the insider information here on the likes of Malcolm Allison, Bobby Moore and Georgi Kinkladze, the voices that come through strongest are those of the Summerbee womenfolk. For all of them, the game has proved to be a poisoned chalice as, for example, when Tina Summerbee had to endure the shameful barracking of son Nicky during his latter days at City. In the circumstances, it's perhaps not surprising that the formidable matriarch of the Summerbees, George's widow Dulcie, is in no doubt that she doesn't want the family footballing dynasty to continue, and says of her great-grandson Samuel, "I hope to God he doesn't become a footballer." If you suspected Shindler's previous book, Manchester United Ruined My Life, was a post-Hornby cash-in job, this conclusively proves otherwise. Superb. ***** JONATHAN WRIGHT

TOTAL FOOTBALL TALEED TO Colin Shindler:
How did Fathers, Sons And Football come about?
Mike Summerbee rang me up after Manchester United Ruined My Life and asked me to write his biography, When I learned that his father had also played pro football, I realised I had a unique story spanning 70 years of the game
Mike Summerbee exerts a powerful hold on Manchester City fans. Why exactly do they regard him with such affection ?
He was witty and he had a terrific rapport with crowd; a bit like Gazza, he knew what they were thinking and he pantomimed to them with great effect, Also he was a vital part of the best side we ever had, Finally, his way of playing with 100 per cent commitment always made him a constant favourite.
To what extent does football domin.te thls footb.lling family? Is it "just a job" to those family members who don't play?
The book is about the tension that exists between players and their families It Is never just a job - they were never able to find another job they couid do, none of them! Although Mike takes pride in the success of his shirt business
Having talked with Nicky Summerbee, has your attitude to 'terrace banter' changed?
Yes, but it's been changing anyway. I find football 'banter' almost non-existent. It's all about abuse and vitriol these days. At Ipswich I sat near idiots who never bothered to watch the match, They were just posturing or shouting obscenities at the Ipswich fans, chanting drivel about, "a town full of Munichs" I hate it
Will City get back to the Premiership next season?
I'd be surprised if they didn't make the top six, but I've been surprised before.

 

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