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.....
Showing posts with label devonport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devonport. Show all posts
Monday, 15 March 2010
Friday, 17 April 2009
Clement Freud
Sir Clement passed away yesterday at the grand age of 84. Much has been written about him, from his hound dog looks on his dog food adverts, to his culinary skills and Parliamentary membership.
The one thing which has been overlooked is that he was a passionate and (almost) life long supporter of the mighty greens, Plymouth Argyle FC.
I say lifelong as he had attended Dartington College near Plymouth and while there decided to take a local club 'under his wing'.
He became a Plymouth Argyle fan, and remained a Pilgrim throughout his life, frequently mentioning the clubs in his columns and radio and TV appearances.
Last February, however, Freud claimed he had abandoned his love of Argyle. During an 'audience with' session in Headington he was asked if he still followed the club. He replied: "No not anymore - I can’t pronounce the names of any of the players. We used to have people from Plymouth. Sometimes we even went to Bristol and signed somebody! Nowadays, you have three Estonians, others from countries I’ve never heard of."
This is a sad reflection on 'local' football, but money talks and even 4th division teams have players with unpronounceable names.
Still Clement will always be regarded as a true celebrity Green, a cameo he shares with that other aging politician Michael Foot. Michael was born in Plymouth and for many years served as MP for Devonport. I wonder if he is a candidate in the Twickenham RFC death list?
The one thing which has been overlooked is that he was a passionate and (almost) life long supporter of the mighty greens, Plymouth Argyle FC.
I say lifelong as he had attended Dartington College near Plymouth and while there decided to take a local club 'under his wing'.
He became a Plymouth Argyle fan, and remained a Pilgrim throughout his life, frequently mentioning the clubs in his columns and radio and TV appearances.
Last February, however, Freud claimed he had abandoned his love of Argyle. During an 'audience with' session in Headington he was asked if he still followed the club. He replied: "No not anymore - I can’t pronounce the names of any of the players. We used to have people from Plymouth. Sometimes we even went to Bristol and signed somebody! Nowadays, you have three Estonians, others from countries I’ve never heard of."
This is a sad reflection on 'local' football, but money talks and even 4th division teams have players with unpronounceable names.
Still Clement will always be regarded as a true celebrity Green, a cameo he shares with that other aging politician Michael Foot. Michael was born in Plymouth and for many years served as MP for Devonport. I wonder if he is a candidate in the Twickenham RFC death list?
Monday, 2 June 2008
You've all done very well......
My cousin Mike retired on Friday, and not with early retirement or any other concessions. He is 65 and has done a life of work stretching back to early sixties. There are not too many people left like that, so all credit to him.
I remember he worked early on for Hoover, and whether with them or another firm, he used to visit us in Plymouth when he was called upon to work in HM Dockyard at Devonport. He then took a late degree at MARJON when it was in Chelsea, and then worked for Davy Engineering and other such companies as one got taken over or absorbed by another.
They gave him a good send-off although I think he would quite like to carry on with them, as the future must be a bit of a challenge when you have had the work ethic drilled into you for all those years.
People today are more fortunate to have 'work/life balance' programmes which mean you can work from home, do four day weeks, or even three if it suits, and take sabbaticals to explore some long lost hobby or interest you wish to resurrect.
He is mad about cars, and knowledgeable about most things so I am sure a niche will present itself to him, I did notice the Boy Scout organisation are looking for a volunteer successor for Peter Duncan the Chief Scout, when he steps down next year, otherwise he will just have to become a professional sports watcher and follow various teams around the World. I could get used to that.
I remember he worked early on for Hoover, and whether with them or another firm, he used to visit us in Plymouth when he was called upon to work in HM Dockyard at Devonport. He then took a late degree at MARJON when it was in Chelsea, and then worked for Davy Engineering and other such companies as one got taken over or absorbed by another.
They gave him a good send-off although I think he would quite like to carry on with them, as the future must be a bit of a challenge when you have had the work ethic drilled into you for all those years.
People today are more fortunate to have 'work/life balance' programmes which mean you can work from home, do four day weeks, or even three if it suits, and take sabbaticals to explore some long lost hobby or interest you wish to resurrect.
He is mad about cars, and knowledgeable about most things so I am sure a niche will present itself to him, I did notice the Boy Scout organisation are looking for a volunteer successor for Peter Duncan the Chief Scout, when he steps down next year, otherwise he will just have to become a professional sports watcher and follow various teams around the World. I could get used to that.
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