Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.
Well work meant that I missed the three matches that were on yesterday.Living in Wales the match was conscious of mostly was their game against Slovenia. Whilst it would be a lie to say that work was as quiet as a wild west town with tumbleweed strolling across the way it was certainly less busy than normal.
Knew Wales had won though didn't know the score however the other match of interest was England Russia. Did not know the result of that as I came home but to be honest couldn't have recorded it as I wouldn't have had the patience not to know the result. 1-1 then. England never make it easy for themselves do they? Next match is against Wales on Thursday. Working that day. What with the match and the violence involving (though not it appears solely the fault of) English fans perhaps it's a good thing.
Did not realise I could have been watching part of the birthday celebrations for the fact that a woman turned 90 (three times in fact). Perhaps the BBC licence fee would be more justified if they broadcast celebrations for birthdays for other people reaching that age. Then it wouldn't act as if it should be called Broadcasting By Curtsy.
Anyway so to work and during the quiet moments concentrated on finishing off the library book The Three Degrees by Paul Rees. Not least because I was 1 day late on the due date (I know, on the most wanted list I go).
You may remember that it was about the three Afro Caribbean footballers, Brendon Batson,Laurie Cunningham and Cyrille Regis who played for West Bromwich Albion in the late seventies and early eighties. The first time three non coloured players were in a the first eleven in a team in the UK.
It is a good read. It sets out the complex characters involved very well for the uninitiated, Also and possibly crucially the author's local knowledge of the West Midlands at that time makes it easier for the reader to understand the situation that the men were involved in.
At that time football was in a very nasty state. Hooliganism had taken hold of the sport and so the atmosphere generally was hostile. For these men, the colour of their skin added a further layer that they were forced to deal with.The author sets this out well Would hope this hasn't returned.
If there is a flaw in the book it's overdoing the national situation at the time. Obviously it needed to be explained but the Jeremy Thorpe trial? Really?
Still it doesn't hide the fact that this is a quietly important book about men who found themselves being pioneers and just went about their business despite the obstacles ignorance threw their way.
And perhaps also praise should also be placed on West Bromwich Albion. They always struck me as a club who when faced with issues that were beyond merely football always did the right thing.
Anyway I'll go to the library tomorrow to pay my debt to society and get the next football book then.
Until the next time.
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