Match Report
Billy Lamb started playing for our great friends Liverpool ‘Convo’ in 1979. He has scored 1000 goals past their opposition since then. Yet there won’t be a single player, that has played with or against him, that would begrudge him any one of those goals. In Liverpool amateur football, that is a rare state of affairs and speaks volumes for the man!
When Convo extended the warm invite for Ramblers to provide the opposition in Billy’s final competitive game as a player, we couldn’t have been more delighted to accept.
Despite the rain and wind of Storm Barra, the game was played on the show grass pitch 1 at Wyncote and as expected, great numbers turned up from both clubs. Easily 50+.
Skipper Sweary and Power were away, but the latter has credit in the Convo bank, having turned and picked out 200+ from Billy over the years.
The Chairman kindly donned the famous green and gloves, looking similarly portly and immobile to that which we are used to, but he assured it was simply the kit and the calf. It was still an upgrade.
There was a lovely blend of experience and energy in the outfield. Sweeney returning for short but welcome rekindling. The models, Duffy, Martin & Cole, were assured throughout, except when Bagpuss gave a 10 minute ‘burst’ at right back. They do say the best comedy is reality.
RvP remained staunch of body and sexy of mind, as always.
The score and the result are irrelevant. A great day was had by all.
Honourable mentions must go to the midfield Rolls Royce combination of Byrne & Morris. The epitome of ‘you never lose it’, providing the crowd more pirouettes and shoulder drops than this weekend’s ‘Strictly Final’.
Eddie, Colin, Finno and Gendall provided pace and fleet of foot in the forward areas. Applying the finishing touches to good team work and passing moves.
Bibby’s cheeky header on the floor into an open goal was rewarded with a wasp sting in the clubhouse after the game. This isn’t the new name for a Gorilla snot but an actual wasp sting, in December. Karma!
The game was played in the perfect spirit and a big thanks is sent out to all the Ramblers that supported the celebration, in person and from afar.
Over £2300 was raised for Billy’s chosen charity, largely thanks to the generous raffle prizes supplied by The Pressie and The Claypole. We hope to make it an annual event.
Beer was sunk, Music was played, Speeches were made, Friendship was celebrated and we all left wanting our existing football careers to be half as good as Billys!
Ramble on