A new book on West Auckland's legendary "World Cup" story was launched on Saturday night. England's 1966 World Cup squad being somewhat out of their price range - most wanted over £3,000, Little Nobby was cheapest at £1,150 - the column was asked to say a few words instead.

Officially it was the Sir Thomas Lipton trophy, of course, and the book's written by the amiable John Wotherspoon, until recently a top man with the Lipton tea company.

"How We Won the Cup" has had a gestation period to make a hairy mammoth look short term, finally produced - "Don't ask", said John - by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Glasgow.

He's done his homework, recording not only that the WAFC in the 1909 tournament in Turin was meant to be Woolwich Arsenal - they being sixth in the first division, West Auckland third bottom of the Northern League - but that welcoming Italian fans turned out waving Woolwich Arsenal banners.

None realised the trophy's importance, historically or financially. The original had been lodged with Mrs Lanchester, landlady of the Wheatsheaf in West Auckland, who on moving to Liverpool simply took it with her.

They found her in 1960, haggled over a price, agreed £100. The subsequent list of donors to the "Bring Back our Cup" campaign ranged from the Town Band to the Eden Arms Leek Club, from John Willie Cameron's to the son of Charlie "Dirty" Hogg, one of the few to play in both the 1909 and 1911 campaigns.

The Co Durham based Jack Drum Theatre Company has already commissioned a play to mark the centenary of the first victory. "We hope to tour nationally," said Simon Pell, Jack Drumming up support already.

Tantalising sub-titled "The Truth About the First World Cup", John Wotherspoon's book costs a fiver from pubs and clubs in the village or from Stuart Alderson, 15 Ullswater Avenue, West Auckland, Co Durham DL14 9LP (plus 50p postage.)

The Arngrove Northern League's annual meeting had taken place in Esh Winning earlier on Saturday, the occasion anaesthetised by a 6,500 word chairman's report, which took 55 minutes to read and very much longer to mark, learn and inwardly digest.

Delegates were enlivened, however, by the gift of e-mail equipment to each club. Insomniac West Auckland secretary Allen Bayles, who apparently believes cheap rate telephone calls begin at 11 59pm, has already chosen his e-mail address.

He will be midnight.cowboy.

Edward Boynton, landlord of the never-more-appropriately named Nags Head at Pickhill, near Thirsk, is discovering that sponsorship pays, royally.

Edward funded a novices' hurdle at Wetherby the other day - top prize £5018 and dinner plus accommodation for two at his multiple award winning hostelry, just off the A1.

The race was won by Shining Strand, owned by Her Majesty the Queen. Though the wise money had hitherto been on her staying with the Earl of Halifax during next week's Royal Ascot meeting at York, bets are now being laid on whether she will bag Edward's back bedroom.

"Sir Michael Oswald, her representative, rings to inform her whenever she has a winner," says Edward. "I gather there was a little chuckle when he told her what the prize was."

She won't be the first royal family member to dine at the Nags, however. Prince Andrew landed several times when based at nearby RAF Leeming. "He never drank when he was working next day, he was very conscientious," says Edward.

He insists, however, that the offer is non-transferrable. "Charles and Camilla would be welcome, but they'd have to pay like everyone else."

Next pew at Woodland church's centenary service on Sunday, we bump into Carroll Simpson, chairman of Lands Cricket Club. Though it's a village of just 40 houses - near Cockfield, in west Durham - the first team leads the Darlington and District League B division and the seconds top Division C. "Unheard of," says Carroll. Bob Tookey, a Northern League championship medal winner with Evenwood Town in 1970 and 1971, still opens the batting for the seconds. Lands of hope and glory? We hope to have more from up there shortly.

Two years after 58-year-old John Noddings collapsed and died during a football match, he will be remembered in all kinds of ways in coming weeks.

John, also a Northern League championship medal winner with Evenwood in 1970 and 1971, died on July 11 2003 during a match at Tow Law between The Lawyers and Weardale "select" sides. He had an undetected heart disease.

The second John Noddings memorial match takes place at the Ironworks Ground on Friday July 8, the Tow Law and Weardale sides doubtless no less select but still welcoming volunteers.

Weardale manager Tony Monkhouse is on 01388 528726, Brian Fowler of Tow Law on 01388 731422. All proceeds to the British heart Foundation.

As Charlie Donaghy points out, it will also be the first match at Tow Law since the Great Hole saga came finally to an end.

John's widow Marilyn is organising a garden party for Heart Foundation funds at her home - Easthouse, Ireshopeburn - from 2pm this Saturday.

Their son Mark, who will present the trophies on July 8, is also one of a group of ten cyclists who tackle the Coast to Coast ride on July 2-3, again for Heart Foundation funds. Mark's on 07968 178189 and would welcome any sponsorship in his father's memory.

FA chairman Geoff Thompson, Durham FA secretary in 1973-74, returns on Thursday to open DFA's swish new headquarters on the Riverside at Chester-le-Street - not just overlooking the county cricket ground but offering ball by ball views of the Bangladesh test.

Present company secretary John Topping insists he watched the first ball on Friday and returned to his labours and that other staff have been equally disciplined.

Apparently it's an offence to watch cricket from football headquarters. "Mind," adds John - as Sunderland lads do - "I'm not funnin', either."

Something else to chew on, the column on April 22 reported Tim Grimshaw's surprise at finding in Dunfermline's programme a flyer for Stephens' Pies - "made in Scotland from recycled paper."

Pars' archivist Dave Munday, Darlington lad originally, now sends details of a case before Dunfermline Sheriff Court last week in which 18-year-old Norman Leitch was fined £200 for throwing half a pie at assistant referee William Dishington during the home game with Rangers.

Stickler for detail that he is, Dave is able to confirm that it was, indeed, a Stephens pie. Though the fate of the pie is uncertain, the offender's season ticket was confiscated.

This story has been recycled from last Friday's Dunfermline Courier and Advertiser.

And finally...

Friday's column sought the identity of the first footballer to score - and to miss - in a penalty shoot-out in England. It was the 1970 Watney Cup semi-final, Hull City v Manchester United, and brought an "I was there" reaction from Brian Shaw in Shildon.

"The programme described it as a new innovation," says Brian, though English language purists would greatly hope that it did not.

The game stood 1-1 after extra-time. George Best took the first penalty, scoring low to goalkeeper Ian McKechnie's right, Denis Law missed United's fourth, Hull missed their next two and United were through to the final.

Brian, Man United man, had a pint of Red Barrel to celebrate.

The eternal Hails of Hartlepool, among others who knew that one, today invites the identity - and with acknowledgements to Uncle Albert Kelleher - of six players who've scored for five different Premiership clubs. One of them, adds Ron, has just scored for a sixth.

More six shooting on Friday.

Published: 07/06/2005