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The future, as seen from 1979
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The prediction I remember from 1977-79 is that the laws of the game itself would be changed to imitate the American sports model, with four quarters and/or time-outs to suit TV; no game allowed to end in a draw, etc. This mercifully did not happen. The improvements needed to stadia had already been flagged in reports (and were obvious)* but were ignored because the incoming Tory govt assumed that football supporters were lower working-class and therefore, in their eyes, scum. But then Labour did not seem to have been any more enlightened in 1974-79.
Interesting to see Clough (who was only 44) speaking calmly and in a relaxed manner rather than with an edge.** He predicts the Glazers (clubs being owned and controlled by people with no knowledge or care for the game) but he probably wouldn't have predicted that it would be another 26 years before they appeared, and another decade after that before the club became a travesty.
It only took 13 years for McMenemy (who was 42-43***) to go from being an enlightened, progressive figure to the clueless twat sat next to Graham Taylor (who of course made a similar descent).
*We'd already had the Ibrox disaster in that decade to follow those of earlier eras. It was also clear that attendances were falling because going to a game was such a shitty experience.
**Infact, all the speakers seem far more like normal human beings talking to a documentary crew rather than a Football Focus one.
***suggesting that the period when managers did not age prematurely had already begun, unlike the Ramsey/Revie/Stein era.Last edited by Satchmo Distel; 13-08-2022, 18:57.
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What would £1 in 1979 values be worth today, in terms of buying power - presumably around a tenner? Interesting as said above, Clough considering how to balance the need for corporate investment to modernise the game versus those interests dictating club and league policies - perhaps the Bundesliga has come closest currently in that regard, even if Bayern's dominance is irreversible, and there has been excessive tolerance for both Leipzig and Hoffenheim.
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Originally posted by Gangster Octopus View PostI'd like to believe that I looked much younger forty-three years ago...
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Clough aged rapidly not soon as after this, perhaps because the drinking kicked in. Here he is in 1982 and I'd say he's already on the slide:
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style...n-Brian-Clough
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Originally posted by Satchmo Distel View PostThe prediction I remember from 1977-79 is that the laws of the game itself would be changed to imitate the American sports model, with four quarters and/or time-outs to suit TV; no game allowed to end in a draw, etc. This mercifully did not happen. The improvements needed to stadia had already been flagged in reports (and were obvious)* but were ignored because the incoming Tory govt assumed that football supporters were lower working-class and therefore, in their eyes, scum. But then Labour did not seem to have been any more enlightened in 1974-79.
Interesting to see Clough (who was only 44) speaking calmly and in a relaxed manner rather than with an edge.** He predicts the Glazers (clubs being owned and controlled by people with no knowledge or care for the game) but he probably wouldn't have predicted that it would be another 26 years before they appeared, and another decade after that before the club became a travesty.
It only took 13 years for McMenemy (who was 42-43***) to go from being an enlightened, progressive figure to the clueless twat sat next to Graham Taylor (who of course made a similar descent).
*We'd already had the Ibrox disaster in that decade to follow those of earlier eras. It was also clear that attendances were falling because going to a game was such a shitty experience.
**Infact, all the speakers seem far more like normal human beings talking to a documentary crew rather than a Football Focus one.
***suggesting that the period when managers did not age prematurely had already begun, unlike the Ramsey/Revie/Stein era.
*Technically it was Bob Stokoe. But nobody on Wearside will accept that.
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That was an interesting watch, and good to see how progressive some people were in their view of the fans (unlike say the government, football authorities, and some even some clubs). Clough's take on Francis's soujourn in the NASL was not one that I expected. He seemed to extremely gracious about losing his key player, and risking injury. I wonder if Francis's move went as Clough recalls it?
My favorite bits were at 3.18 ("Wave to the Queen" followed by an extremely dismissive 'idiot') and Elton not liking vulgarity too much (which is a nasty quibble given how well he articulated the problems of the time - but I couldn't resist smirking)
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Originally posted by Discordant Resonance View PostWhat would £1 in 1979 values be worth today, in terms of buying power - presumably around a tenner? Interesting as said above, Clough considering how to balance the need for corporate investment to modernise the game versus those interests dictating club and league policies - perhaps the Bundesliga has come closest currently in that regard, even if Bayern's dominance is irreversible, and there has been excessive tolerance for both Leipzig and Hoffenheim.
https://www.in2013dollars.com/uk/inflation/1979
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Originally posted by Satchmo Distel View Postall the speakers seem far more like normal human beings talking to a documentary crew rather than a Football Focus one.
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Originally posted by Satchmo Distel View PostInteresting to see Clough (who was only 44) speaking calmly and in a relaxed manner rather than with an edge.** He predicts the Glazers (clubs being owned and controlled by people with no knowledge or care for the game) but he probably wouldn't have predicted that it would be another 26 years before they appeared, and another decade after that before the club became a travesty.
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- Mar 2008
- 7492
- Off the purple line
- I'm slutty: Roma (on haitus until Jose is fired), Liverpool, and Dortmund
- Del Taco
Originally posted by tee rex View Post
Yes, it's refreshing. Often the case with old coverage. They aren't media-trained (in the modern sense), aren't "on-message" and aren't in the habit of interviewing themselves on social media. Although Clough certainly knew how to get the clicks when he wanted to, to use the anachronism.
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- Mar 2008
- 7492
- Off the purple line
- I'm slutty: Roma (on haitus until Jose is fired), Liverpool, and Dortmund
- Del Taco
Nothing to do with the thread topic, but YouTube analytics now think I want to watch a bunch of documentaries about Jack Charlton. Well, it worked for one more. This ITV doc from 1971 is interesting when comparing to today. First, I don't know if a TV crew would get this type of access. Second, he has a lot to say about a lot of different things. Current footballers, who are admittedly told that they should speak up and then told to shut up when they do speak up, wouldn't seem to have opinions about ducks, working men's clubs, changes to domestic spaces, why men are involved in dog races, etc.
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