Stan Doffarf

I was there. Murphy was an expert in many areas of Rugby League, particular that of how to drag the opposition down to your level. Probably the most talented half back, and most dishonest player, I ever saw.

Bulls 28 - 0 Eagles. Not many saw that coming, me included.

Saw it today. Brilliantly directed and photographed, extremely powerful stuff. The two young leads did an excellent job too.

I'll put my hand up to the present wrapping thing. Actually I delegate all matters Christmas to her, for two very good reasons: 1. She absolutely loves it. 2. I absolutely hate it. BTW today, divorce day, is also her birthday.

This would explain Michael Gove.

It's a bit confusing, but I think the explanation is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradford_Bulls#1907–1963:_Bradford_Northern When the Bradford club split in 1907 into an association football club (Bradford Park Avenue) and a Northern Union rugby club, the full name adopted was The Bradford Northern Union Football Club, to emphasise the separation. This was soon abbreviated to Bradford Northern. Bear in mind, the term Rugby League came into use later. The original Bradford Football Club was founded in 1863. We had a similar debate to this one several years ago, if I remember correctly it was pretty much accepted that Bradford was the earliest established club, notwithstanding any esoteric discussions about subsequent rebirths.

Reluctant as I am to cast doubt on a referee's impartiality, it was Stan Wall.

That one still makes me laugh. Robin Whitfield, worst referee in history, in any sport.

I was never too convinced by the voluntary tackle argument, it looked more like a surrender tackle to me. The match, and the title, were won and lost by the appalling decision mentioned in the OP.

I think that's still the worst decision I've ever seen. You can forgive the on-field ref for a mistake when there's a lot happening very quickly, but this was the VR. No excuse whatsoever. The players of both sides, and the match ref, were visibly gobsmacked. Bradford were rampant at the time and I suspect would have won with a bit to spare.

One of my all time favourite entertainers. A truly awful way to cap off a terrible year. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-50948921

I can think of two reasons: 1. It's by a convicted sex offender. 2. It's absolutely bleddy terrible.

You may be right that the Bradford club is happy to have no enquiry, but I can assure you the bulk of the remaining supporters definitely are not.

If I remember rightly there were sixteen clubs in Yorkshire and fourteen in Lancashire/Cumberland. To balance the two halves of the comp, one Yorkshire club (Huddersfield?) played in the Lancashire League. Champions were decided by a top four playoff.

1967. Stacking shelves in a supermarket for eight hours a week while still at school. Paid £1, less 6d stamp.

There was no League 2 at that time, just a single consolidated professional league of 30 clubs. Otherwise, you are correct.

At Uni I roomed with a couple of medical students, who successfully deterred me from ever considering leaving my body to science. Anyway, I'm pretty sure my body is far too knackered to be of interest.

I've had them for a few years now. Initially they took a bit of getting used to, but I suspect this is quite normal and you have to persevere. Don't be afraid to go back to the optician for adjustments or further advice, usually they're happy to help as you'll go elsewhere next time if you're not satisfied. Don't be tempted to pay hundreds of pounds for them. I've been going to Asda opticians for a few years and they're as good as, and probably cheaper than, anybody else. Stick with it, it should be worth it eventually.

Interesting article in the Mirror about what Matty's been up to since he retired. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/super-league-pitches-bomb-sites-20921013?fbclid=IwAR0hC0gzF85u0YOly_JruGzyWJxEVUBSK5kw8x65OP8TCr7VLlAFn83sT6A

https://genius.com/albums/Pink-floyd/Ummagumma Track 5 on CD, Side 3 track 1 on vinyl.

Was that on Ummagumma?

That new fangled M62 has nothing to do with it as far as I'm concerned. When I wor a lad an away trip to Batley took two hours each way. I'm from West Bowling, like John Bateman and Elliot Whitehead. First time I went to Odsal my Dad was at pains to point out Trevor Foster, whom he worshipped. Even after the torment of the last few years, I still can't quite get the game out of my system.

Talk about marking your own homework.

Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Grieg, Rossini etc. etc. I consider myself very fortunate to have been exposed to those masters at an early age. At the age of eight, Beethoven had two entries in my personal top five (the violin concerto and the fifth piano concerto). Towards the end of the 1950s my elder brother began to smuggle Lonnie Donegan and Cliff Richard into the house. This led inevitably to harder stuff, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, etc. I was a teenager in the sixties, with all that that implies. As I say, I've been very fortunate.

Bairstow has over 4000 test runs with six centuries, Buttler has one. I think Bairstow's poor form this series is largely down to the World Cup (where he was asked to open, a role he is unsuited to IMO) and sheer overwork. Keeping wicket in Test cricket is bloody hard work, and I feel he could do with a break. I'm not a fan of batting your WK in the top six, for the above reason. England's big problem is their failure to find another partner for Burns, and a couple of reliable middle order batsmen. I find it odd that Ballance, Sibley and Northeast are continually overlooked, despite consistently piling up the runs in Division 1. Ballance in particular has a pretty handy Test record, including four centuries, but seems to have been totally discarded.