Just checked - we played 51 games in 1963, as part timers
and they go on about player burnout !
Ah! but in those days most players were manual workers when 'manual' meant using a spade, hammer etc rather than driving a digger or mechanical tool.
Every day's work was a hard days work!!!
Even forwards were under fifteen atones in weight!!!! Iirc Harry Wells was classed as 'massive' at 14 stone!!!!!
Just checked - we played 51 games in 1963, as part timers
and they go on about player burnout !
Five of those would've been against us (twice?) I reckon, coz...........
There'd have been two league games, plus the cup-ties where there were two draws, with you winning the third, two seasons running, and..............
Of course in '64, you went all the way to Wembley, which even to this day, is summat we've never managed!
Spelly.
Just checked - we played 51 games in 1963, as part timers
and they go on about player burnout !
Five of those would've been against us (twice?) I reckon, coz...........
There'd have been two league games, plus the cup-ties where there were two draws, with you winning the third, two seasons running, and..............
Of course in '64, you went all the way to Wembley, which even to this day, is summat we've never managed!
Spelly.
Had a message from our history man, and it was six times!
We also met in the Western Championship!
Spelly.
We're at either Mayfield (from where we signed Matty Ashton) or Ince Rose Bridge in the Cup.
I've been to the former many times, and pro football was on the menu more than once, so there'd be no prob with 'em staging the tie, should they prevail, but......
As regards Rose Bridge, it's a ground I've never visited, so can't comment on the facilities.
Some interesting ties elsewhere, and I'm sure Lock Lane will be fired up for their clash at Brighouse, with the prospect of crossing swords with dosh challenged Fev if they win, and................
Talking of (teams with a shortage of) money, it looks like the Pinks have a long journey in front of 'em, with a trip to either the Smoke, or Portsmouth for their match.
Spelly.
Probably be a walkover for the home team as the fraud will be banned by then
Second friendly announced.
We're at home to Saints on 10 January. I would imagine that they'll send their kids.
Spelly.
So the close season is almost over, as on Sunday we head to Colwyn Bay for a friendly with Cru.
They already had a shed-load of ex-Lions in their numbers, and have added another in Dec Patton, who's arrived there via brief stop-offs at POR, and your gaff.
I would imagine that the majority of both squads will get some game time during the eighty.
It's been a lonnnnnnnnnng time since we last had a December fixture.
You can't beat this Summer football! 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Spelly.
Cru have just announced their squad numbers, and of the twenty-five listed, ten have donned a Swinton shirt.
How many of our former players are at your gaff now? LLoyd has now retired, but from memory, there's Butt, Hall, and Gregson still with you, have I missed any?
Off to watch our wheelchair team this afternoon, as we host Hull KR, before a trip to the seaside tomorrow for ex-Lions v current Lions.
Spelly.
Just back from a grey, damp, and cold Colwyn Bay, where it finished...............
Cru 30-6 Lions, and the scoreline just about sums up the eighty minutes of this friendly,
We were poor thoughout, and our only score came from a fortunate bounce in the corner. Briers' con from the touchline brought it back to 10-6, and we thought we were back in it, but................
On no, and we didn't trouble the scorers again.
Coleman was there on a spying mission, but I don't reckon he learned a lot!
Nowt now for us until 10 Jan, when Saints' kids come a calling.
The one bright spot today was that we found a recently opened eaterie in the town centre called "Greedyz" and it is the tops!
Spelly.
Hi Spelly
where they that much better than you or was it just a case of it being a "friendly" so the result did not matter?
Do you know the attendance figure?
Hi Spelly
1) where they that much better than you or was it just a case of it being a "friendly" so the result did not matter?
2) Do you know the attendance figure?
1) They were far more "up for it" than we were, and I got precious few positives from our showing, Yes it was "only" a friendly, and as a choice, I'd defo had settled for losing this one, if we can beat 'Ornits in the league opener. Time will tell!
2) No I don't, but they weren't looking for the "house full" signs! 🤣
Spelly.
Sammy Kibula is returning to the Lions.
He had about a dozen games, a few seasons ago, and was a hit with the fans.
Hopefully he'll be a hit again with us.
Spelly.