Not sure how well this will work, but the idea is in the title. What's your favourite odd football fact? When I was a kid, I used to get given the Guinness Book of Records for Christmas pretty much every year, and I loved it. The sports records were the best and one of my favourites was that the highest margin of victory in a professional football match was Arbroath 36 Bon Accord 0. This still retains, I think, but I only recently found out (thanks to the brilliant Danny Baker) that there's a much more remarkable fact behind that record. It seems on the very same day that Arbroath set the record, 18 miles away in Dundee, Dundee Harp beat Aberdeen Rovers 35-0!
I'll have to check my Funk & Wagnalls but l'm sure SWP ran more kilometres around a goal area without actually scoring, than anyone else in the history of football.
As a kid, I used to get 'barclays' books of football teams facts and figures. I was always obsessed with record attendances and ground capacities. I used to find it unfair that our record attendance (35,353 v leeds in 75) was fewer than many teams current averages. My dad's mate was a top ref back in the day. He reffed a game between Liverpool and Palace at anfield. Liverpool won 9-0 I think. The Palace fans were kept in the ground after the game and once the stadium was empty of scousers, a chant of 'you're not singing anymore' broke out. Cheeky cockneys.
I love maps ( I don't know why ) and the closest two football grounds in the UK are Dundee and Dundee Utd at 0.2 miles. The two closest in England is Notts County and Notts Forest which is 0.7 followed by Liverpool and Everton, which is 0.8. please log in to view this image QPR and Chelsea/Fulham are equidistant at 2.6 miles with Brentford third at 3.8 miles. Wembley is also 3.8 miles and next is Millwall at 7.7 miles. AFC Wimbledon is 7.8 miles but will become closer when they move to their new stadium at the site of the old dog track next season.
QPR to Wembley only 3.8 miles ! No way 999s, I walked the walk the walk on playoff day...it's more like 7 miles..I'm sure Sent from my STF-L09 using Tapatalk
Not a favourite fact as such, but saw this in the news today...... Queen of the South - the 'only team in the Bible' - celebrate 100 years By Giancarlo Rinaldi South Scotland reporter, BBC Scotland news website please log in to view this image Queen of the South have reached one Scottish Cup final in their 100-year history As footballing claims to fame go it is an unusual one and, strictly speaking, not entirely true. Nonetheless, every other Saturday at Palmerston Park in Dumfries the lyrics blare out via the speaker system. "We've got God on our side, we're the only team in the Bible," the pre-match anthem proclaims. It refers to lines which can be found in the holy book - by those who care to look - which begin: "The Queen of the South will rise...". please log in to view this image The Dumfries club sat top of the old First Division for a spell back in the 1950s The eagle-eyed, and mildly pedantic, have pointed out that there are teams beyond the Scottish Championship side who also get a mention. However, when you don't win too many trophies, these are the kind of things supporters cling on to. Despite the fact they will not be picking up any silverware again this season, this is nonetheless a special time for anyone who holds the Doonhamers - as the club is nicknamed - dear. For it was back in March 1919 - exactly 100 years ago - that they were formed from a merger of other local sides. please log in to view this image The Doonhamers had one European campaign thanks to their Scottish Cup final appearance The name, the club website tells us, came courtesy of a local politician who had dubbed Dumfries the Queen of the South while on the campaign trail in the mid-19th Century. It emerged as the preferred choice for the name of the new team and has stuck ever since - some wags would suggest through thin and even thinner. please log in to view this image Their Greatest Game? please log in to view this image The Dumfries side beat Aberdeen 4-3 in the Scottish Cup semi-final in 2008 Depending on who you supported, it was either one of your finest hours or darkest days. For neutrals, though, Queen of the South versus Aberdeen was one of the greatest ever Scottish Cup semi-finals. The ebb and flow and a lunchtime kick-off left fans of the Dumfries side feeling decidedly light-headed at the final whistle. It finished 4-3 for the Doonhamers but it felt at times like a basketball game with both sides scoring every time they went on the attack. It paved the way for a narrow Scottish Cup final defeat by Rangers and a passport to Europe. And that was something few Palmerston Park regulars ever thought they would live to see. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image A Scottish Cup final appearance ended in narrow defeat against Rangers But, for fans, there is no other side they could possibly follow, despite the only very fleeting moments of success. The Dumfries side sat top of the old First Division back in the 1950s and finished fourth - their highest ever spot in the top division - back in the 1930s. They have been champions of Scotland's second and third tiers on a number of occasions. And the Challenge Cup - Scotland's trophy for lower league sides - has come their way twice while they have made the Scottish Cup final once. That, in turn, paved the way to their only season of European football with home and away ties with FC Nordsjaelland of Denmark. Ask any supporter who made that trip a little more than a decade ago and they are probably still grinning about it now. please log in to view this image Crowds at Palmerston Park rarely exceed 2,000 nowadays They have had their share of heroes too - from Scotland international Billy Houliston to goalkeeper Allan Ball, the appearance record holder for the club. Nowadays, home crowds rarely top 2,000 but more than 26,000 once packed their ground for a clash with Hearts back in 1951. And the Hollywood legend Robert Duvall once graced the turf too, when filming his Scottish football movie, A Shot at Glory. Those moments, and much more, will be remembered this weekend at an anniversary dinner expected to be attended by hundreds of people. please log in to view this image Goalscoring hero Stephen Dobbie is to go into the hall of fame at the centenary dinner It will also see new names inducted into the club's hall of fame - including current striker and goal hero Stephen Dobbie. This season has proved a tough one with hopes of a promotion play-off place rapidly turning into fears of a relegation dogfight in recent weeks. Nonetheless, this is still a time to celebrate a team which has given both despair and delight to Doonhamers down the decades. Then they will all return to saying their prayers for divine assistance in avoiding the drop in such a special season. please log in to view this image Fans hope to avoid relegation from the Scottish Championship at the end of their centenary season
You're almost right Beth. The shortest route to Wembley from HQ is 5.4 miles via Scrubs Lane and the Harrow Rd. I should've checked my facts instead of just lifting them off of a dodgy web page. I also did the Wembley walk in 1986 for the final that didn't happen.
Here is an interesting list for all you list fans about the worlds most popular sports, footy being number 1 10. Golf - 450 Million Fans Golf has an estimated global following of 450 Million people, and its primary influence is in Western Europe, East Asia, and North America. Golf is played by use of different clubs to hit a ball, over a determined course, using the fewest possible amount of strokes. The modern sport was first played in Scotland from where it spread to the UK and to the rest of the world. 9. Rugby - 475 Million Fans Rugby has its primary sphere of influence in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, and an estimated global following of 475 Million people. The foundation of the modern day sport was laid out in medieval England. From the UK, it spread to British colonies such as Australia and New Zealand. The sport is played by two teams of 15 players each, who carry, kick or pass a ball across the end line to score points. 8. Baseball - 500 Million Fans Baseball has an estimated 500 million global followers and enjoys its highest levels of popularity in the United States, the Caribbean, and Japan. The sport is a bat and ball sport involving two teams of nine players each, who participate in batting and fielding to earn points. Different versions of the sport were played in the US before it gained nationwide popularity in the 19th Century. From the US, the sport spread to other parts of the world and evolved to the modern game as played today. 7. Basketball - 825 Million Fans Basketball boasts of having an estimated 825 million followers worldwide, and a global sphere of influence. The sport was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 in Massachusetts, United States. He created it as an alternative to football since the sport could be played indoors and had less potential to cause accidents. The sport is played by two teams of five players each, where the goal is to successfully shoot the ball through a hoop elevated 10 feet from the ground. 6. Table Tennis - 875 Million Fans Table Tennis enjoys a global sphere of influence and has an estimated 875 million followers worldwide. The sport began in the 19th Century in England as a miniature version of the sports lawn tennis. The sport became widely referred to as "Ping Pong". The modern sport involves two teams of between two to four players, hitting a lightweight ball over a net on a hard table, by use of rackets. Formidable global countries in the sport include South Korea, Sweden, and China. 5. Volleyball - 900 Million Fans The primary influence of volleyball is seen in Western Europe and North America, and the sport has an estimated global following of 900 million fans. The sport was invented in the US by William G. Morgan in 1895. He was part of the Young Men’s Christian Association as an instructor, and he borrowed from basketball, tennis, handball and baseball’s elements. The sport has evolved over the years to the modern day sport, characterized by two teams of 6 players each who throw a ball over a net. 4. Tennis - 1 Billion Fans Tennis has an estimated global following of 1 billion fans and a global sphere of influence. Different versions of the sport are believed to have been played by the Egyptians, Romans and the Greeks, although the modern sport was first popularized in France. From France, it spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the whole world. The sport is played by two teams of either one or two players each and involves bouncing a ball over a net by use of tennis rackets. Points are earned when the opponent does not throw back the ball in the predetermined dimensions of the rectangular court. 3. Field Hockey - 2 Billion Fans Field hockey has an estimated global following of 2 billion fans and sees its primary sphere of influence in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The contemporary field hockey sport was first played in England in the 1800s. The game is mostly similar to soccer except that the players use sticks to drive the ball instead of feet. The sport is widely played in India, Australia, and Pakistan, whose teams are formidable on the in the sport. 2. Cricket - 2.5 Billion Fans Cricket has a 2.5 billion person estimated global following, and its primary sphere of influence is in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. The cradle of the sport was the 16th Century England and it was made a national sport in the 18th Century in the country. The sport is characterized by two teams of eleven players each, where each team attempts to score the most runs. The sport is overwhelmingly popular in former British colonies such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Australia. 1. Association Football (Soccer) - 4 Billion Fans Association football, or soccer, is the most popular sport in the world. It is estimated that more than half of the world's population consider themselves to be association football (soccer) fans. The sport enjoys an estimated 4.0 billion person following, and a global sphere of influence. Ancient soccer has been traced to China, as early as the 2nd Century. The Romans, Greeks, and Japanese have also been thought as possible first players of the sport. Contemporary soccer began in England, where it amassed considerable interest and spread to other parts of the world. The sport is more popular in Europe and Americas than in any other continent. The sport is characterized by two teams of eleven player and two goals. The objective of the sport is to drive a ball into the goal defended by the opponent team. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-most-popular-sports-in-the-world.html
UTR's ................ If i decide not to play or follow golf anymore, can you make the adjustment to the numbers please. Thank you in advance. Squat
O It's funny to think there are more.table tennis fans than baseball yet we have a 'World Series' for the latter!
Been thinking about the question posed in the OP. My favourite football fact is that we won at Wembley on that glorious OBZ day. Never fails to bring a smile to my face so that has to be my favourite.
These little known facts take us back to a far simpler time........ Huddersfield Town only installed floodlights at their ground after selling Denis Law to Manchester City in 1960 and using part of the fee to pay for floodlights to be installed........
Brechin City's Glebe Park ground is unique in European football being the only ground that has a hedge along one side and surrounding the whole ground, sadly the team don't usually pull up trees... https://www.footballgroundguide.com...ttish-league-one/brechin-city-glebe-park.html
