SW11_Saint

Hardly think Brighton rates as a "major city" (!!) - they've only just become one for a start - but the nightlife is good there, but it has to be as the city finances are based around tourism, unlike other "working cities" which rely on other, more mundane, commercial activity. Blackpool is similar, although slightly more 'low rent'.

Can't agree on Kevin Davies - he wasn't getting a regular place and I am not sure his time at Bolton would register with him (or anyone else) as a "bad move"! Not sure it quite fits your point, but years ago I was always banging on about making Matt Oakley our captain, and building the team around him (post MLT). Seems to have worked well for him and Derby and Leicester. Always a very underrated player imo, and never quite given the credit he deserved by many of our fans (a la Davies and Magilton).

NO! Sounds like a total and utter ****. And not half as good as he thinks he is either.

Hadn't realised their ground had been so developed (rebuilt?). Looks quite nice. Last time I was there was to watch Glen ****erill and it was falling apart...

I presume Anderton and Horsey Hateley were left off due to their brief tenure, but I was surprised to not see Vince Hilaire on their list. As you say, take out those from their war-time glory years and, other than the recent fleeting mercenaries, you're left with some real dross.

Indeed, but as your link to the Times site confirmed, you'd have to be over 70 to remember any of them! As I suspected, no contest...

Mark "moving to a big club" (Derby?!) Wright above MLT? I assume you're having a laugh?!

Wonder what a similar list for P*mpey would look like? In a 50 a-side game, we'd murder them!!

Great article with some great memories, but I think Matty just has to be #1 (and I absolutely idolised Mick Channon) due, among other things, to the fact that he stayed his whole career.

Could apply to any pub in Southampton in the 70's!!

And I used to take Jim's doberman for a walk, when he was living at his digs in Portswood.

Then there was the one about Fleming park's pool water turning red if you p*ssed in it! Think we believed that for about 3 weeks before someone put it to the test... PS I always heard the lido was 70%... still, never stopped any of us going in!

Also remember the woman on Kingsland market who sold fruit & veg - she used to yell "Olly olly olly - we got the colly if you got the lolly!" (colly = cauliflower) . One of my earliest memories - it was full of characters in 'them days'...

Anyone remember how cold those outdoor showers were at the Lido? I swear they were freezing even in '76...

I was wondering what happened to Um. What IS the story? He is sorely missed.

So... is that it?, have we exhausted everything??

Or the rash of "Shaw Saville Line" bags that flooded the school market - must have been a company that went t*ts up. Also remember lots of blue BOAC ones. Thinking about it, I also had a "Crimson Travel" one - presumably another bankruptcy?! My favourite ever school bag was my old light blue Adidas holdall - got it stuck in the doors of the school bus (in the "bundle" to get on) and a prefect ripped it out - the handles came off in his hands, the bag stayed where it was!

Onwards and upwards. Next target is to get out of the bottom 4, then, well... bring it on!

How sad. Our thoughts are with you Ron.

Well said!

I'm hoping so.

Yeah, that sounds right. Never got to the blue braid, not sure why as I was a pretty decent swimmer - did sound a bit exhausting to be honest! After that you could do all that silly stuff like jumping in with your pyjamas on and taking them off etc.

I agree. A horrible and dangerous little man, but unfortunately democratically he should have some opportunity to air his toxic views, although only on a limited basis (ie on shows like this once in a blue moon). I do worry that tonights line-up plays into his hands - nice middle class politicians from all sides which will likely enable him to play the "voice of the white working class" card. I'd have much rather seen someone like John Crudas on for Labour rather than Jack Straw, who I suspect would do better in nullifying this claim. Regardless, the viewing figures will go up tonight!

Almost right on Tyrrell's - they were at the Bargate for a while, but only because the original site (which they returned to) was bombed. Some interesting history and photos here... http://www.johnlewis.com/Shops/DSTemplate.aspx?Id=37

Just chatting to my mum. She clarified/confirmed a few things... Sainsburys and McFisheries were both on the site that was later occupied by Marks & Spencer. Not sure what is there now, but most of you will know the 'old' M&S (on same side as WH Smith, Woollies etc.). Lyons Teashop was where Boots is now in the precinct. Cadena was on the corner of the high street by the Bargate (on the 'old' M&S side of the High Street) - think it is a shoe shop now. Mays did indeed go bankrupt and was taken over by Owen & Owen (now Argos?). Also, apparently Tyrrell & Green was originally where the Bargate Centre now is, but moved after the war (due to bombing I think) to where we all remember it being.