Not One Foul In Two Years

I never played rugby because I never went to the type of school that played it. I am so thankful. That game's reputation is in tatters, what with fake blood and cowardly, childish fouls. Childish fouls? I played soccer for my school team for two years and was never pulled up for a foul in all that time. Not one foul and not one penalty.

 During my spell as captain I had to select our penalty taker. The lad I chose for the task was called Arthur Wilson. Was his name Arthur Wilson? I am having a senior moment of momentous proportions!  Did we have an Arthur Wilson playing  for us? The lad I have in mind was a ball playing forward. Perhaps someone can help. Being thoughtful there was a back up plan; if 'Arthur' did not want to take a penalty I would take it. We were never awarded one.

Professional sport is played for big money these days so I can understand that fouling is part of the game. But do you not think that so much shirt pulling makes those that do it look ridiculous?

When I was a kid I tried to emulate Glyn Davies. Glyn was a tough tackling Derby defender, but not the type to take your foot off. Not quite. My sliding tackles were timed well and fair.  I did not use my elbow to sock someone's jaw. It never occured to me to foul. So who are the culprits apart from players? Referees that allow shirt pulling and worse? 

The dirtiest football game  I ever attended was the Workington v Gillingham clash in c1964. Both teams were serious promotion contenders wishing to get out of the Fourth Division. Gilingham were awful. It seemed like a foul a minute from them. Professional spoilers often get what they wish and they got it. Workington O Gillingham O.

WB