ANTHONY PETER DUNNE (24 JULY 1941 – 8 JUNE 2020)

 

Dublin born Tony Dunne

Was a long time left back

Who played 414 games

For Manchester United

And 33 times for Ireland

During his 13 years with United

He won two division 1 titles

A European Cup in 1968

And the FA Cup in 1963

SHAY BRENNAN’S BITTERSWEET BEGINING

 

Seamus Anthony “Shay” Brennan (6 May 1937 – 9 June 2000)

 

Shay’s first game for the Reds

Was Manchester United's first,

After the Munich air disaster 

It was in an FA Cup match

On the 19th of February 1958

Against Sheffield Wednesday

On an emotionally charged night

Shay Brennan scored two goals

While playing as an outside-left

Which was not his natural position

But in an odds and sods team sheet

Following the death of David Pegg

And Albert Scanlon crash injuries

He abandoned his fullback position

And secured a famous victory

On the most bittersweet night

In Old Trafford’s long history

THE BOGOTA BANDIT

 

Charles Mitten (17 January 1921 – 2 January 2002)

 

Rangoon born Charles Mitten

Was an English outside forward

Who played 142 games for United

And scored 50 goals in 4 years

After leaving United he joined

Independiente Santa Fe in Colombia

For a large signing on fee, earning him

The nickname of the “Bogota Bandit”

ALBERT JOSEPH SCANLON (10 OCTOBER 1935 – 22 DECEMBER 2009)

 

Manchester born Albert Scanlon

Played 115 games for United

Scoring 34 goals as an outside left

He was one of the “Busby Babes”

Who sustained severe injuries

Following the Munich air disaster

It was a long road to recovery

And didn’t play until the next season

But the injuries took their toll

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (091) In Sharpington Marina

 

When Debbie guided the Sloop into the mooring Daryn jumped off onto the jetty and secured the boat fore and aft and then took Debbie’s  hand and helped her off.

“I really enjoyed that” he said

“Me too” she concurred and that was the moment when they were face to face in the evening sunshine when he could have kissed her, he wanted to, and she wanted him to, so before he lost his nerve, he kissed her.

“That was wonderful” Debbie said “But…”

“There’s a but?” he retorted

“Unfortunately yes” she confirmed

“Oh, there’s someone else” he 

“No,” she said emphatically

“What then?”

 “I’m just desperate for a pee” Debbie replied, and they both laughed, then he grabbed her hand and ran down the jetty.

“Not too fast” she giggled “I’ll wet myself”

 

After she’d relieved herself in the Marina Lavatory and tidied her hair and makeup she reappeared and found Daryn sitting on a capstan.

“Better?” he asked

“Much” she replied with a giggle

“I thought we could eat at L'uccello Canto, if that’s ok with you” he said

“Absolutely, that’s my favourite restaurant” she enthused and put her arm through his.

 

It was dark when they left the restaurant after they had enjoyed an excellent meal and a glass or two of wine and as they walked along the promenade he asked

“Did you have a pee before we left the restaurant?”

“Yes, why?”

“Because I want to kiss you again” he said as he turned to face her

“And I don’t want any interruptions”

“Oh ok” she responded and then he kissed her in the moonlight, a prolonged and passionate kiss which led to them making love that night aboard the Sea Nymph in Sharpington Marina.

 

They started the next morning by making love again before walking into Sharpington for breakfast, so it was midmorning by the time they set sail and as the wind was against them it was a much slower crossing, but they were happy with that, as they stood side by side at the helm.

It was late afternoon when they navigated their way into the mouth of the Spanish River and while she was manoeuvring the sloop alongside the quay, he received a text from Adam Jandrell.

“How would you like to go to dinner tonight?” He asked

“I thought you were getting the last ferry” she replied

“I was”

“But you’re not now?” she asked hopefully

“No, I’m staying another night” he replied

“So are you on for dinner?”

“Of course I am” she said and hugged him

“And if you play your cards right you could stay for breakfast” he added

“Now you’re talking” she said and kissed him

 

After mooring the Sea Nymph they walked hand in hand down the tow path to the carpark and shared a goodbye kiss.

Debbie was rushing home to clean herself up and get into a posh frock ready for their dinner date, and her best underwear for afters.

 

Over dinner he explained why he was staying on the island for the extra night, it was because he was meeting with Project Manager Adam Jandrell on Monday morning about some stonemasonry work on St Clara’s Church. 

“And you know what that means?” he said, and she just looked at him blankly

“It means I’m going to be spending more time on the islands” he said, and a smile played around her mouth

“How much more?” she asked suspiciously

“Months” he replied, and the smile spread over her face

 

That night they made love in the comfort of a four-poster bed at the Beaumont Manor Hotel, which felt like a special celebration of their developing relationship which was now a burgeoning love.

 

The next day they said a very special goodbye in his room before they went their separate ways, Debbie to Roman Water Farm and Daryn to Spaniards Creek for his significant  meeting with Adam Jandrell on the site on the west of the river.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (090) Plain Sailing

 

On the first Friday in May, Daryn Goldsmith was in Spaniards Creek to perform the final inspection on the eastern Spanish River site.

He was a stonemason by trade but doubled up as the Islands Building inspector, which was scarcely even a part time occupation.

He was forty-eight years old and was widowed, and on his first visit to the island, fifty-year-old farmer Debbie Wilson reversed her car into his in the Stephenson’s Supermarket carpark.

She was deeply apologetic and insisted on exchanging details, even though he was satisfied there was no damage.

Later that day she phoned him and offered to buy him a coffee on the pretence of an apology.

In truth she wanted some romance back in her life whether out of desperation or loneliness, so had decided to dip her toe back in the water and begin dating and she saw the accident as providence.

So they met at the Galleon Coffee shop in Spaniards Creek and made a very strong connection, and apart from being attracted to each other they also discovered a shared love of sailing.

They had subsequently met for coffee or lunch every time he was on the island for an inspection and a few more when he had just made the trip to see her.

However they hadn’t really gone beyond the friendship phase even though there was a distinct romantic vibe going on.

 

On the upcoming weekend, they both hoped that would change, but he didn’t get to see her on Friday as she had a full day on the farm, so he did all of his inspections and even had time to take a look around the Church,

The Vicar even agreed to let him go up in the bell tower so he could have a look at the masonry and spent a very pleasant hour in conversation with her.

 

On Friday night he stayed at the Beaumont Manor and after a healthy breakfast he drove down to Spaniards Creek and parked close to the river and followed the tow path to where “The Sea Nymph” was moored.

It was a 30ft Masthead Sloop, wooden hulled and built on the island in 1934, but as beautiful as the boat was, he thought the owner was even more so, when he caught sight of her working on the boat.

Debbie’s was a very tall and striking looking woman, with the sun illuminating her long ginger hair, and he was greeted by her radiant smiling freckled face.

She was not as smartly dressed as usual, and was sporting a pair of boating shoes, cut off denim shorts and a white T-Shirt.

“Come aboard” Debbie said and flashed him another smile.

Once aboard they exchanged a kiss on the cheek, and she said

“Stow your bag below, and you can help me get her ready to sail”

“Aye aye skipper” he retorted “I’ll change into my shorts while I’m down there, I feel a bit overdressed”

“Don’t be long though” Debbie responded

“You’re looking really good by the way” he added just before he went below. 

 

When he reappeared, he helped her prepare for departure, he was an experienced sailor, so he knew what he was doing, he just hadn’t sailed since before his wife got ill.

He cast off and jumped back aboard as she steered away from the quay

“Here put this on” she said offering him a bright orange buoyancy aid, and as they got into the channel, she put one on herself.

 

It was a beautiful bright morning, sunny with a light breeze, and after she raised the sail, he watched her deftly handle the boat getting the most out of the breeze until they were racing along and they virtually had the seas to themselves apart from a couple of other vessels, a ferry and the Water Taxi.

 

He had missed sailing, he didn’t realise how much until he was out on the sloop with Debbie, and the scenery was quietly spectacular, and it was quite exhilarating with the wind blowing through his brown hair and the spray cooling his face, and of course there was a gorgeous woman at the helm with her ginger main streaming behind her.

All of a sudden, she turned to look at him and smiled as if she knew what he was thinking, and she said

“Are you enjoying it?”

“Yes, very much” he replied unsure what she was referring to.

“Would you like to have a go?” she asked

“Can I?” he asked

Although the sloop was old it was supremely graceful in the water, and it handled beautifully

So they stood shoulder to shoulder as the Sea Nymph glided across the bay but then about an hour later the wind died away.

“Why don’t we put into Sharpington Marina for the night” Debbie suggested.

“Good idea” he said, “But only if I can take you to dinner”

“You’re on”

GENTLEMAN GEORGE THE FLYING FULLBACK - GEORGE COHEN

 

George Reginald Cohen MBE (22 October 1939 – 23 December 2022)

 

George Cohen was a one-club player

Playing 459 games at right back for Fulham

He will also be forever immortalized

For winning the World Cup with England in 1966

In which he played in every minute

Of his country's six games,

For which he was inducted into

The English Football Hall of Fame 

England Manager, Sir Alf Ramsey

Unequivocally called Cohen

“England's greatest right-back”,

While Manchester United winger

George Best, claimed he was

“The best full-back I ever played against”.

His life was not all glory however

He had more than his fair share of illness and injury

And personal tragedy in his life  

But he was a true English sporting hero

THE LAST OF THE BUSBY BABES – JEFF WHITEFOOT

 

(31 December 1933 - 2 July 2024) 

 

On hearing about his passing

A statement from United read:

“There were few more perceptive

And precise passers of a football

In England than Jeff Whitefoot

During the mid-1950s”

 

In April 1950,

Aged 16 years and 105 days,

Jeff Whitefoot debuted as one

Of the original Busby Babes,

A team that, in the 1950s,

Took the First Division by storm

Known for its youth

And exciting football

Under legendary manager

Sir Matt Busby.

Jeff Whitefoot won two

First Division titles

As one of the Babes

In 1952 and 1956

He transferred to Grimsby

At the end of 1957.

Three months before the

Munich air disaster,

Which claimed the lives

Of eight of his former teammates.

CHILDISH ICE

 

How do you explain

Without science fluff

What Ice is, to a child?

just say its Skid stuff!

HERE COMES A SNOWMAN

 

Here comes a snowman

On blades of steel

Ice-skating across the lake

He’s a snowmobile

 

WHAT SORT OF BALL

What sort of ball

Doesn't bounce at all?

Simple, a snowball