One Foot in the Grave

I have just been browsing a few past blogs. I think the record could be quite useful later in life when one of the memory lapse diseases kicks in....did I really do that I can think to myself!!!

Anyway, one article I noted was about the passing of Clement Freud, chef, wine buff, politician and fanatical Plymouth Argyle supporter. Now the Green Army do not have too many celebrities in its ranks, so it was remiss of me to fail to recognise the passing of another political green Army stalwart, Michael Foot.

Michael was a Member of Parliament from 1945 to 1955 and from 1960 until 1992. He was also the Leader of the Opposition from 1980 to 1983. Associated with the Labour left for most of his career, he was a passionate supporter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and British withdrawal from the European Economic Community. A passionate orator, he was Labour leader at the 1983 general election when the party received its lowest share of the vote since 1918.

His parallel career as a journalist included his appointment as editor for the Tribune for several periods, and the London Evening Standard newspapers. His books include a biography of Jonathan Swift (The Pen and the Sword, 1957) and Aneurin Bevan.

Foot was educated initially in Plymouth, and was subsequently MP for Plymouth, Devonport so it was no surprise that he was a passionate supporter of the Argyle from his childhood and once remarked that he wasn't going to die until he had seen them play in the Premiership. I share the sentiment. Unlike Clement Freud though, he served for several years as a director of the club, seeing two promotions under his tenure.

For his 90th birthday, Foot was registered with the Football League as an honorary player and given the shirt number 90. This made him officially the oldest registered professional player in the history of football.

The boys could have done with a spiky left winger over the years and blow me there was one in the stands all along.....