If you are anything like FourFourTwo, you stopped celebrating growing another year closer to death some time ago. But not even we’ve ever received a P45, instead of a card from Aunt Mildred, on our birthday.
Spare a thought, then, for Trevor Francis, who was sacked as Crystal Palace boss on the day he turned 49 in April 2003. “He just sat there quietly and said, ‘But it’s my birthday,’” recounted former Eagles chairman Simon Jordan in his autobiography. “I said, ‘Many happy returns, Trev’, and handed him his P45.”
The birthday boy swiftly headed for the training pitch to disseminate the information. “Well, lads, I’ve been sacked,” huffed Francis. “Have a good summer holiday.”
And to think Palace had beaten Grimsby 4-1 away the week before.
If you are anything like FourFourTwo, you stopped celebrating growing another year closer to death some time ago. But not even we’ve ever received a P45, instead of a card from Aunt Mildred, on our birthday.
Spare a thought, then, for Trevor Francis, who was sacked as Crystal Palace boss on the day he turned 49 in April 2003. “He just sat there quietly and said, ‘But it’s my birthday,’” recounted former Eagles chairman Simon Jordan in his autobiography. “I said, ‘Many happy returns, Trev’, and handed him his P45.”
The birthday boy swiftly headed for the training pitch to disseminate the information. “Well, lads, I’ve been sacked,” huffed Francis. “Have a good summer holiday.”
And to think Palace had beaten Grimsby 4-1 away the week before.
(I hadn't realised it was his birthday!)
I remember that game well - a young Wayne Routledge inspired spanking. It was the game where the penny began to drop that we weren't long for this world as far as second tier status was concerned. Never mind, I thought, a season tearing up Division Two and come back stronger again the following season - it wouldn't be so bad after all.
Routledge was absolutely unplayable that day. Only 17 too wasn't he?
For all the jokes and what not, Tony Gallimore was rarely skinned. He got absolutely roasted that day by Routledge. It got to the point where Gally was just trying to kick him but wasn't even getting close. I'll always remember Routledge going past him, waiting for Gally to recover and giving him a hushed finger to the lips before going past him again.
I remember that game well - a young Wayne Routledge inspired spanking. It was the game where the penny began to drop that we weren't long for this world as far as second tier status was concerned. Never mind, I thought, a season tearing up Division Two and come back stronger again the following season - it wouldn't be so bad after all.
Yeah, not quite how things panned out...
I remember the last game of that season against Brighton (Michael Keane etc), there was a hastily made small banner on display in the main stand, saying something like 'on loan to div 2 for 1 year'.
Yes, good that Salford City did not make the play-offs despite spending a lot of money.
Another team who missed out again is Exeter. Before Cambridge beat us Exeter had scored the most goals (70) and had the joint-best goal difference (21). They made £6 Million from the sale and sell-on share for Ollie Watkins. This money still did not enable them to even get in play-offs.
I remember the last game of that season against Brighton (Michael Keane etc), there was a hastily made small banner on display in the main stand, saying something like 'on loan to div 2 for 1 year'.
Yes, good that Salford City did not make the play-offs despite spending a lot of money.
Another team who missed out again is Exeter. Before Cambridge beat us Exeter had scored the most goals (70) and had the joint-best goal difference (21). They made £6 Million from the sale and sell-on share for Ollie Watkins. This money still did not enable them to even get in play-offs.
Can we all stop the Salford hating. We’re about to have a season in the NL where we’re planning to lose up to £2m. We can’t lecture anyone about living unfunded by a benefactor and within our means.
Oh and Oldham were the top scorers in L2 before we let Cambridge score 3 on Saturday and Oldham lost 3-0 to FGR.
Well we was on loan for a season in division 2 (league 1) before we joined league 2 on a 6 year contract, then we joined the national League on a 6 year contract etc 😉
Can we all stop the Salford hating. We’re about to have a season in the NL where we’re planning to lose up to £2m. We can’t lecture anyone about living unfunded by a benefactor and within our means.
Oh and Oldham were the top scorers in L2 before we let Cambridge score 3 on Saturday and Oldham lost 3-0 to FGR.
I get that you're trying to be rational and grown up here but irrational hatred of other clubs is basic, entry level football fandom. I despise and detest Hull City based on the fact that.....they are in another county and the other side of a body of water. The same with Scunthorpe, I hate them because they are geographically close and....er...not Grimsby.
Based on those criteria, hating Salford actually makes some sense.
I get that you're trying to be rational and grown up here but irrational hatred of other clubs is basic, entry level football fandom. I despise and detest Hull City based on the fact that.....they are in another county and the other side of a body of water. The same with Scunthorpe, I hate them because they are geographically close and....er...not Grimsby.
Based on those criteria, hating Salford actually makes some sense.
As well as the close neighbour hatred, there’s also the hatred of clubs a long way off in That London. So in theory we should like clubs halfway between. But then, we don’t exactly like Peterborough either. 😆
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
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