As foretold by prophet bards of old, and in latter days several times intimated hereabouts, today is St Totteringham’s Day, celebrated worldwide but particularly in the more discerning areas of North London (and, indeed, of North Yorkshire.) Let us rejoice and be glad of it. Veneration is assisted by the truly iconic image above, forwarded by Andy Lister. Now, what else?
Singing the Blues Brothers: Hartlepool United fans at Dorking Picture: Frank Reid
Yesterday’s blog was topped by Bill Wheatcroft’s lovely pic of Stockton Town fans in fancy dress at the last NPL East game of the season at Belper.
Were they Smurfs, we wondered, thus bringing forth scorn from several readers more attuned to the 21st century. As Alan Hamilton succinctly put it, “those Smurfs are Minions.”
To some of us a minion is simply a person of low estate, a fetcher and carrier, a writer of blogs. To others, The Minions was an acclaimed 2015 US comedy animation featuring the likes of Kevin the Minion, Scarlett and Herb Overkill and, of course, Professor Flux.
“Small, yellow, pill-shaped creatures which have existed from the beginnings of time” says a synopsis, though there (of course) the comparison with Stockton supporters ends. There was more, however.
*The tradition of an end-of-season fancy dress party was most vividly and most imaginatively carried on by Hartlepool United fans, famously when they themselves were clad as Smurfs (not Minions) and pictured – about 200 of them – on an escalator at Kings Cross station.
Did they still enjoy that annual passing out parade, yesterday’s blog wondered, a question answered affirmatively and unforgettably by someone messaging simply as CD.
The glorious image above shows them at Dorking eight days ago, a Blues Brothers fraternity larger than any might ever have imagined.
Used without permission but with grateful acknowledgment, it appeared in the Hartlepool Mail and was taken by my old mate Frank Reid, a Northern League linesman back in the day when his identical twin brother would often run the opposite flank.
There’s more. Among the hatted band was Pools club president Jeff Stelling – pictured below as none may have seen him before. “I didn’t think anyone would recognise me, there are so many Poolies dressed as Blues Brothers” the recently retired Sky Sports man told the Mail, a mite disingenuously.
His rationale was faultless, though – “it’s been a tough old season so let’s go out with a bang.” Pools did, winning 4-3, singing all the way back home.
Stelling it as it is (another Frank Reid pic)
*In a small way we sponsor the Wensleydale Railway, a heritage line running from Leeming Bar – off the A1, west of Northallerton – to Leyburn and, when landslips allow, on to Redmire.
Each year they reward folk like us with a special train, diesel hauled but jolly, and a chance today to admire how they’ve taken Leeming Bar station yet further back in time.
An old poster promotes LNER specials to the Wensleydale League’s finals day at Redmire in 1926, Hawes against Catterick ATVC (ATVC?) and Askrigg Juniors against Bishopdale Valley. Third class return from Northallerton woud have been 2/9d, from Leeming Bar two bob and from Hawes (in the opposite direction) 1/6d.
Happily the Wensleydale League survives, though with just nine clubs. We attended its centenary dinner in 2019, the original trophy – which in 1919 cost 100 guineas – more than the FA Cup – still contested. Richmond Unicorn have just lifted it for the fourth successive season.
Though it’s still raining, though the temperature outside’shivers on five degrees, today’s is a happy journey. They give us a nice lunch – “a sharing platter, we did them on Valentine’s Day” – accompanied by a glass or two of bucks fizz.
Kick-off imminent, we raise a toast to the ever-blessed Saint Totteringham.
Grass Routes 