What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen or heard at a game?
HEIGH- HO, DARLO
When Brighton played at the Withdean Stadium, a house near the South Stand let off an average firework every time we scored. An Albion supporter owned it, so when a goal went in, he’d call his missus from the ground and order her to sprint out and launch a single rocket from the garden. There was a comedy delay to it, but it always got a massive cheer. It was a fittingly underwhelming pyrotechnical tribute to the ramshackle athletics track that was our stadium back then. fourfourtwo@ futurenet. com
Fourfourtwouk
Fourfourtwo
GREAT SCOT
So Jock Stein is ranked 30th in your 100 Greatest Managers Ever list [ 313], while Alex Ferguson is at No. 1? Sorry, but knocking all- conquering Rangers off their perch from the very beginning, winning nine league titles on the spin and lifting the European Cup in his second full year at the helm – with 11 lads born within a 30- mile radius of Celtic Park – means Stein is the greatest manager of all time, in my view. That’s not even mentioning his outstanding achievements with lowly Dunfermline before that, and with Scotland afterwards. I suspect Sir Alex would himself say the same. Tony Fearon, via email
HERE’S AN IDEA
With all this talk about resuming the Premier League season, how about resuming the 1939- 40 First Division campaign, which was called to a halt after just three rounds of matches in September? Blackpool immediately jump to the top of the league, with Grimsby and Portsmouth back in the top flight… and Liverpool only fourth. Dave Bassett, with tongue in cheek
BRING ME SUNSHINE
I’ve enjoyed from its first issue in 1994 – yes, I am that old – but would like to tell you that it has helped see me through some worrying times. As a former depression sufferer, getting each mag helped me through month to month – and in these tough times, you have surpassed yourselves. Your Ronaldo issue [ 312] was brilliant.
It’s been eight years since Darlington were expelled from the National League due to financial difficulties, forced to change our name and fight our way back up from the ninth tier. The club almost died, but won three promotions in four seasons and moved back into the town – then got our name back as well. The club is resurgent under fan ownership, and I’d like to express the pride I have in them – they deserve huge recognition for their incredible efforts and generosity in keeping the Quakers alive. We can dream again. Andrew Kelly, via email
GIVE A LITTLE RESPECT
If the COVID- 19 pandemic has taught us anything about football, it’s that there is far more to our game than just 22 players on the pitch. The suggestion that playing behind closed doors would require 150 staff means I’ll never again gripe at the cost of my ticket funding the playboy lifestyle of a League One striker. Instead, we should respect the roles of referees, assistants, stewards, physios, ambulance workers and even the student serving me an overpriced pie at half- time. Without all of these hitherto forgotten people, we would have no football. And if recent weeks are anything to go by, that’s a pretty crap place to be. Keep up the good work, stay safe and keep on smiling. Damian Cook, via email
Adidas Copa 17 FG boots for Star Letter and Trusox for Spine Line, both courtesy of PRO: DIRECT