Dear WSC
Matt Nation (WSC No 122) clearly wasn’t among the hardy souls that witnessed a quite literally stomach-churning performance by Leeds at Shrewsbury in the early ’80s. Having led 1-0 at half-time, Leeds collapsed spectacularly in the second half to lose 5-1. All this was clearly too much for one John Donnelly, a midfield journeyman for whom the epithet “He can’t be worse than…” would be praise indeed.Midway through the game he just about made it to the touchline before bending double and throwing his guts up. Any suggestion that the permed Scottish bruiser had been out on the raz the night before would be completely scurrilous, but let’s just say he left on a free transfer at the end of the season. And while going for a 40-60 ball with Roy Keane may not count as heroics in Matt Nation’s eyes, there’s every chance of seeing any player who does try and ‘compete’ with Roy quite literally shitting themselves on the pitch. I know I would.
Andy Limb, Brixton
Mark McQuinn explores the football landmark in London in honour of a Brazilian who plied his trade in Japan
The crowded walk down Tottenham Court Road has a redeeming feature. Towards Oxford Street there is a side road which contains a landmark that is capable of gripping those in the know with those feelings of football frenzy that every true fan understands so well. The Gen Sushi Bar is never likely to be favoured by a Michelin star, but it deserves its place in the pantheon of football landmarks on the basis of the way one particular item is listed on the menu – Kappa Maki (Alcindo Roll).
Neil Rose on Vinnie Jones's legal proceedings against the transfer system
British football will shortly face arguably its greatest challenge yet. A London solicitors’ firm is preparing to launch a legal challenge on behalf of two Premiership players – one of whom is thought to be Vinnie Jones – against the transfer system.
Neil Rose wonders if the high profile involvement of lawyers in the administration of the game may be causing more problems than it solves
Graham Kelly and the ‘Gazza Rap’. An unsavoury pairing if ever there was. The connection? Lawyers. As a breed, lawyers may have committed many sins on this earth over the centuries, but these two surely rank among the greatest.
John Kirk explains why he intends to seek recompense in the courts for a lifetime of football-related trauma
In issuing proceedings against the FA and claiming compensation for “football trauma” after the now-notorious Mike Reed penalty decision, fans of Leicester City are shooting wide of the goal. Most shock and distress experienced by football fans is visited on them by the clubs to whom they devote their lives and it is the clubs who should be the target of any litigation.