[Archived] Backpass

[Claytons Left Boot]

Don't usually buy footy mags but just got issue 10 of the aforementioned and, for the older fans like me, it's a great read.

This issue covers mainly the 70s and 80s but there are also features on the 50s and 60s. No foreign sounding names here apart from Carlo Sartori, who was a bit player for United in season 1970-71 and possibly beyond.

The Season in focus is 1986-87 when we, of course, won the Full Members Cup at Wembley. There are match reports of the key games during that season and also final tables. We finished 12th in the old Second Division with 55 points from the 42 games played.

Not much Rovers news, as you would probably expect, but there are a couple of pages on David Wagstaffe. Whilst we get a brief mention, it concentrates mainly on his exploits for Wolves. There is an Obituary on Don Martin who died on 15 November 2009. Also a Giantkillers feature on Rochdale and Norwich who fought out the 1961-62 League Cup Final, Rochdale having beaten Rovers in the two legged semi final. That was probably our biggest ever embarrassment to date at that time, soon to be equalled a few years later at Oxford in the FA Cup.

For any Burnley fans on here, there is a feature on Hetton le Hole, the small town in County Durham, that has produced countless players over the years. Much of the report centres on Ralph Coates, who was a product of the Burnley north east scouting system of the late 50s and early 60s (see, I can be nice to Burnley supporters at times). Coates moved on to a bigger and better club, Spurs, in 1971 (normal service resumed ).

Loads of other interesting articles from years gone by - a great read.

[brightonrover]

I've not heard of Back Pass before but, from what you've said, it sounds really good particularly for those supporters of a certain age.

Will check it out.

[mellison24]

Don't usually buy footy mags but just got issue 10 of the aforementioned and, for the older fans like me, it's a great read.

This issue covers mainly the 70s and 80s but there are also features on the 50s and 60s. No foreign sounding names here apart from Carlo Sartori, who was a bit player for United in season 1970-71 and possibly beyond.

The Season in focus is 1986-87 when we, of course, won the Full Members Cup at Wembley. There are match reports of the key games during that season and also final tables. We finished 12th in the old Second Division with 55 points from the 42 games played.

Not much Rovers news, as you would probably expect, but there are a couple of pages on David Wagstaffe. Whilst we get a brief mention, it concentrates mainly on his exploits for Wolves. There is an Obituary on Don Martin who died on 15 November 2009. Also a Giantkillers feature on Rochdale and Norwich who fought out the 1961-62 League Cup Final, Rochdale having beaten Rovers in the two legged semi final. That was probably our biggest ever embarrassment to date at that time, soon to be equalled a few years later at Oxford in the FA Cup.

For any Burnley fans on here, there is a feature on Hetton le Hole, the small town in County Durham, that has produced countless players over the years. Much of the report centres on Ralph Coates, who was a product of the Burnley north east scouting system of the late 50s and early 60s (see, I can be nice to Burnley supporters at times). Coates moved on to a bigger and better club, Spurs, in 1971 (normal service resumed ).

Loads of other interesting articles from years gone by - a great read.

I've not heard of Back Pass before but, from what you've said, it sounds really good particularly for those supporters of a certain age.

Will check it out.

Stop being ageist you lot! I might fancy a read myself!

[FourLaneBlue]

The Season in focus is 1986-87 when we, of course, won the Full Members Cup at Wembley. There are match reports of the key games during that season and also final tables. We finished 12th in the old Second Division with 55 points from the 42 games played.

My first season at Rovers...started going about November/December. I remember we had a friendly against a Liverpool XI at Ewood one chilly evening when they were the dog's ###### having won the double the year before. They sent a few first but we beat them 3-2 with the winner a Mark Patterson (IIRC) scissor kick. We have taken some great scalps in friendlies...beat Barcelona 3-2 with a great Sparky winner...beat PSV Eindhoven 1-0 with Kevin Davies (who we were all saying looked the bee's knees) doing the business.

As far as first seasons go it was pretty awesome. We will in the relegation zone for the first half leading to Saxton's sacking. We were excellent under Don Mackay although, as per usual under him, we had a poor run and could have finished higher.

The next season was my first full season and so my first season ticket. 21 game unbeaten run, our first world cup winner...Ossie Ardiles...our second would Djorkaeff, Stevie Archibald (on loan from Barca!), another Wembley appearance in some bizarre League Centenary event - did anyone go to that? - and, of course, end of season collapse after being top in March followed by Chelsea kicking our bums in the play offs. Think there was some trouble after those games as well. Plus...quite a few Man City fans trying to take the Blackburn End when we played and beat them.

Despite being outside the top flight they were two great seasons to be a Rovers fan. Certainly better than these crappy last two we have had to put up with...

CLB - Here is the website by the way I just found...

Backpass Magazine

I see in issue 9 they have a feature on Martin Dobson. Burnley are being well-served so far.

[yoda]

They should do a feature on Ronaldo

[Stuart]

They should do a feature on Ronaldo

It's called Backpass not Smacked-ass!

[yoda]

It's called Backpass not Smacked-ass!

[Exiled in Toronto]

I've bought the last 3 issues out here in Canada - it is indeed a marvelous read for those of us who's footy addiction was formed in that era. It reminds me of 'Football League Review' that used to come in the middle of the programme