The World According To

Robert GRESFORD Davies

Those in the Racecourse crowd aged over 50 are bound sometimes to look at footballers of the past through rose-tinted spectacles. The death of Stanley Matthews (Sir Stanley he always was - even before he was officially knighted) reminds us of those golden years. Many a youngster dribbling along the touchline tried to imitate the maestro, hoping that his crosses would have the same precision. At Wrexham we had our own Stanley Matthews in Billy Tunnicliffe. It’s interesting that both came from the Potteries. I try to be positive about the Wrexham side in the Millennium, but they were a good recipe for sleep against Oldham. When I went for a walk at half-time, the gateman told me the first person to leave the ground, having paid £10, did so at 3.30pm. I was left wondering at the end of the game whether we are coming to a point when our memories of yesteryear will be all that is left. I hope not, and I’m still trying to be positive, helped along by the fine victory at Oxford. RP