The origins of ‘classic’ shirt numbering
“Can anyone explain the origins of the ‘classic’ numbering system of the starting players in a game before the introduction of squad numbers? (ie goalkeeper is No1, full-backs No2 and No3, central defenders No5 and No6, right midfield No7, central midfield No4 and No8, left midfield No11 and strikers No9 and No10)?” asks Dominic Jones.
“The numbering system originates from the Authentic Prada Gauffre accepted formation of a team up to, and including, approximately the end of the 1960s as a 2-3-5 formation [firstly coined by Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman in the 1920s and based around the actual prongs Authentic Prada Handbags Wholesale of the letters WM],” says Mike Kay. “As the teams were generally printed in pictorial representations in match programmes and newspapers (with goalkeeper and the top, forward line at the bottom), this is how the numbers most logically scanned across from left to right and down the page:
“1 goalkeeper; 2 and 3 full-backs; 4, 5 and 6 half-backs (right half, centre half and left half); 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 forwards (outside right, inside right, centre, inside left and outside left).
“As tactics and formations moved towards a 4-4-2 line-up, the numbers for the respective positions of each player in the original 2-3-5 were retained as much as possible. The full-backs became right and left-backs, retaining Nos2 and 3, respectively; the centre-backs retained two of the half-back numbers (from 4, 5 and 6); the new two-man forward line adopted No9 as the principal striker and, generally, either Nos 8 or 10 as the second striker, with Nos 7 and 11 dropping slightly further back into midfield.”
For a further explanation of shirt numbering, click here.
SAVING DAVID JAMES’S BLUSHES
“I don’t know what inspired me to ask this question but can you tell me who, statistically speaking, is the worst England goalkeeper in history?” asks Charlie Geller.
We’re not sure who could possibly have prompted this inquiry, Charlie. Anyhow, the worst – in sheer statistical terms – is Upton Park’s Conrad Warner, who conceded seven on his debut against Scotland in 1878 and unsurprisingly didn’t play again. For goalkeepers playing more than once, the worst is Authentic Prada Outlet Online Usa Pilgrims’ Harry Swepstone, who let in 18 goals in six games during the Authentic Prada Handbags Canada 1880s, but for those with 10 or more caps, Gil Merrick of Birmingham City stands out. Not aided by the 13 he conceded in the two famous Hungarian hammerings of the 1950s, Merrick let in a total of 45 in 23 internationals (1.96 goals per game).
David James’s 31 goals against in 33 appearances leave him a goals-per-game ration of 0.94. While current England stopper Paul Robinson boasts the best record for players with 10 caps or more: David Healy’s winner for Northern Ireland was only the seventh goal Robinson has given up in 15 internationals (0.47 goals per game), putting him clear of Chris Woods (25 in 43: 0.58), David Seaman (44 in 75: 0.59) and Peter Shilton (80 in 125: 0.64).
THE LATEST DASHING OF NOTTINGHAM FOREST’S HOPES
“It’s not the best record to lay claim to, but is Authentic Prada Fairy Bag For Sale it true that if Nottingham Forest won the LDV Trophy they’d be the first team to win every domestic trophy?” enquires Steve McLay.
“In a word, no,” argues Andy Wright. “Wolves completed the set when they won the (then) Sherpa Van Trophy in 1988. Apart from four FA Cups (1893, 1908, 1949, 1960), three first division championships (1953-54, 1957-58, 1958-59) and two League Cups (1974, 1980), the Wolves set also includes the Charity Shield (beating Forest in 1959), the FA Youth Cup (1958) and the Anglo-Scottish Agatha Ruiz Dela Prada Uk Sale Cup (1971). Having also won the second division (1931-32, 1976-77), the third division (1988-89), the third division www.pradasg.com, north (1923-24) and the fourth division (1987-88), it looks like there’s just the new-fangled Championship left.” At least you’ve got your European glories, Forest fans.
WHERE DOES THE TERM NUTMEG COME FROM – THE FINAL WORD (2)
“Just read last week’s Knowledge, and I think I may be able to contribute – albeit a little belatedly!” claims Frazer Doyle. “I believe that I’ve found an even earlier reference to what ‘nutmegging’ might mean – in Dr Niall Ferguson’s excellent book ‘Empire’, he describes a curious practice carried out by white slave owners in the United States in the mid-eighteenth century. Apparently, were a white slave owner to have sex with one of his black slaves, he would ‘nutmeg’ her. And, although Ferguson doesn’t go into it, I’m working on the assumption that ‘putting it between the legs’ may be the root of its modern useage…”
KNOWLEDGE ARCHIVE
Back in 2003, Greg Kilminster mailed in to demand: “Between 1975 and 1988, successive managers at a club had the following first names: Johnny, Ronnie, Ron, Ronnie, Ron, Johnny, Ron, Ron. Name the club and list the eight surnames.”
No problem, Greg. The club in question is West Bromwich Albion. The first Johnny is player-manager Johnny Giles, who held the post from 1975 to 1977 before Ronnie Allen took over for his first brief spell in charge. Just before Christmas that year John Wile was appointed caretaker for about three weeks before the first Ron, Atkinson, took the Baggies’ reigns for the first time.
In 1981 Ronnie Allen returned for ten months at the helm before a third Ron, Wylie, took charge. Seven months later it was Johnny time again as Mr Giles came back for another two-year stint. With us so far? We’ve had Johnny, Ronnie, Agatha Ruiz Dela Prada Shoes Uk John, Ron, Ronnie, Ron and Johnny. Right? Now comes the anomaly. For five months, the Ron-Jon phenomenon was interrupted by dancing boy Nobby Stiles. But it does rhyme, vaguely, so we’ll paper over that gaping crack.
Nobby’s spell was succeeded another Ron, Saunders, who lasted seven months before the one and only Big Ron made his comeback. Thus it is that West Brom’s managerial history reads quite nicely to the tune of Doe a Deer. All together now, Johnny…Ronnie….John Ron Ronnie…Ron…Johnny Nobby Ron….
And did we mention who Johnny Giles took over from in 1975? Don Howe. Oh God…
Our font of all knowledge includes thousands more questions and answers, all of which can be accessed by clicking here.
Can you help?
“I remember that Charlie George lost all or part of a finger in a lawnmower accident (while at Southampton), but that this didn’t affect his playing career,” says Danny Lyons. “What is Amancio Prada Prada the worst disability that a player has had while representing his club in the league?”
Brian Farenell writes: “I watched Kasey Keller Authentic Prada Gauffre Bag record his 44th clean sheet in a US jersey recently, but who holds the all-time record for most clean sheets in international play?”
“Which club Black Prada Bag With Gold has fielded a team with the most players having occupations for names; eg Baker, Smith, Fletcher etc?” wonders Hugh McGinley.
“Despite Marlon Harewood’s treble against Aston Villa, I’m convinced that West Ham must have one of the lowest records for hat-tricks – maybe about 10 in the last 20 years (and many of them against inferior opposition). Can any of your readers provide some comparative statistics?” enquires Mike Lewin.
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