The following is an extract from Ger McCarthy’s book entitled ‘Off Centre Circle’.
“Obsession is an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions or an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone.”
– Collins English Dictionary definition for the word obsession
Question: Where does a love affair with the game of soccer begin? Answer: Probably in the womb – what with all that kicking and lashing – but it only truly begins to manifest itself during childhood thanks to Match of the Day and Roy of the Rovers comic books.
(Clonakilty, West Cork, circa 1980-81)
The fragrant aroma of freshly baked apple tart floats from the hot oven located in the back corner of the kitchen and slowly drifts into the hallway and living room. The sweet combination of fresh pastry and apples alerts my nostrils and an immediate smile cuts across my face. It’s only another few short minutes before mam’s apple tart is cool enough to gulp down on a typical Saturday night in the McCarthy household.
Decked out in colourful Action-Man pyjamas, all fresh and clean from the obligatory weekly bath, the highlight of the weekend is shortly about to begin. The Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ’s Saturday night entertainment begins with another weekly episode of Dallas and finishes off with the longest running chat show in television history: The Late Late Show.
The McCarthy family are gathered around the TV preparing to be entertained by the most watched TV show in the country. A similar ritual is repeated by families and friends the length and breadth of the island. Long before the dawn of satellite television or the rise in popularity of DVD players, terrestrial TV was the main attraction for Irish families especially on Saturday nights.
I have fond memories of the show as it was the only time the whole family gathered in the living room and managed to stay quiet for two and a half hours every week. All arguments, petty squabbles or silly issues were easily forgotten as genial host Gay Byrne breezed onto the screen and entertained the nation with his wit and charm.
The one and only problem I had with The Late Late was on the occasions the show overran (which was quite often) its allotted time slot because it meant missing the beginning of every child’s favourite soccer show: Match of the Day.
***
I am sitting about two inches in front of the TV screen and longing for Gay Byrne to shut the hell up. I silently urge the closing credits to start rolling so I can switch over to BBC One. There was always war when the closing interview segment of The Late Late began. That was the signal to move closer to the TV so as to be able to flick over the channels as quickly as possible once Gay has finally signed off for another week.
Mam’s patented apple tart was always worth waiting for but the countdown to MOTD was my own personal Saturday night attraction. The opening Match of the Day credits, complete with timeless theme tune, still elicits a wry smile to this day. The vivid colour, end to end football and non-stop chanting from the terraces were hallmarks of the English game at the time and completely engulfed impressionable armchair fans all over the world. Young fanatics were too young and naive to appreciate the horrors of hooliganism prevalent in Britain during the 1980’s.
Specific highlights from the MOTD archives have been forever etched into my memory from that glorious era.
The Spurs versus Watford match from the 1983 at a packed Vicarage Road when Glenn Hoddle chipped Steve Sherwood from an impossible angle and help earn his side a much needed victory. Everton’s Graeme Sharpe netting a goal of the season thirty yard volley during a hotly contested Merseyside Derby win to defeat arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
The 1987 FA Cup final when the rank outsiders Coventry City somehow defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 following a five goal thriller with Keith Houchen netting a tremendous diving header.
Highlights of the all-conquering Liverpool side of the 1980s hammering hapless opponents formed the cornerstone of most editions of the weekly MOTD show.
Liverpool was my favoured team from the beginning, just like every other kid in Ireland at the time.
The most sought after fashion item of the time was the bright red leather satchel emblazoned with “Liverpool – Giants of Anfield” in huge white letters.
It was only when my mother informed me of the fact we had relations residing in Tottenham, North London, that Spurs began to catch my eye.
***
Always flamboyant, utilising an attractive (almost continental) attacking style, Spurs rarely produced enough consistency to be successful at the top end of the league ladder. A succession of cup runs resulted in occasional success during the 1980s which meant regular European football at White Hart Lane.
The North London club possessed richly talented individuals such as Glenn Hoddle, Clive Allen, Ossie Ardiles, Ricky Villa and Ray Clemence but seldom a team capable of challenging for league honours. Spurs were always exciting to watch and played with an arrogance and swagger that attracted me to their style of play.
There were few if any other Spurs supporters living in Clonakilty, let alone West Cork when I made the rather unusual decision to change allegiance and support the White Hart Lane club instead of Liverpool. Sick of agreeing with everyone at school that the reds were the (supposed) greatest team of all time I simply felt like a change. Why not Spurs with their dazzling all-white kit?
Another major reason for defecting to the Cockerels was the fact my Grandmother, Ethel, was a Cockney born and bred. She survived two World Wars whilst living in London and often fascinated us with stories of sheltering underground whilst German warplanes bombarded London and left the city in ruins. Ethel married my Granddad Jack McCarthy (a native West Cork man) and eventually settled in Clonakilty. She always knocked a kick out of hearing how I had become a Spurs supporter and looking back that was the major reason I decided to switch allegiances.
Gran and I enjoyed countless happy chats about how poorly Spurs were doing and all the great players from bygone eras such as Jimmy Greaves and Danny Blanchflower that I never saw. Gran is still sorely missed by her extended family and many friends since she passed away. Throughout her long life she instilled a bulldog spirit in her favourite grandson. From a young age she was constantly reminding me to stand up for myself and never, ever, back down from a challenge. It would prove the soundest of advice.
The announcement of the shift in allegiance from supporting the Merseyside reds to the North London Cockerels provoked absolute indignation and dismay amongst the young soccer fans in the Clonakilty National Boys School.
“Did you hear about Ger McCarthy? He’s not supporting the Pool anymore!”
“Nah he isn’t. Don’t be stupid sure no one ever changes their team like!”
“I’m telling ya he’s going following Spurs now!”
“WHA? But sure Spurs are sh*te. What’s he supporting them for, the tool?”
Things have an unfortunate tendency to get out of hand in the schoolyard once a rumour begins. The tallest of tales can grow legs; very quickly the original point of the story is often lost within minutes of being passed around by eager word of mouth during break time:
“Did you hear about Ger McCarthy? He’s going playing for England!”
“WHA?”
“He’s going playing for England. He declared there today.”
“WHA? But sure he’s Irish like – isn’t he?”
“Not anymore. His Granny’s English so he can play for England now like.”
“WHA? Is he feckin’ stupid or what like? Doesn’t he know he’s Irish?”
“Dave reckons he is getting the call up to the English camp next week.”
“WHA? We need to sort him out fairly lively there boy.”
Unfortunately I took a fair few beatings for leaving the Liverpool supporters club and was alienated for a long time in the schoolyard. Sure enough the international call up from Bobby Robson (England international manager at the time) never materialised and things quickly returned to normal.
***
Off Centre Circle 