Squires Gate v Avro

so let

since

s hope for a

come into the game on the back of a

Cammell Laird on Saturday, that saw us progress into the Second Round of the

Vase. That should give us some

confidence going into tonight’s match.

attending tonight’s game, and

programme! Like what

see? Tag us on Twitter @TotG_SG with your thoughts on today’s edition of TalkOfTheGate!

Good evening everyone, and welcome to tonight’s match between Squires GateandourvisitorsAvro.

It’s, madly, been about a month since our last home league game and we’re glad to be back in front of ourhomefans. It’llbeatoughmatch forus this evening, with Avro bringing what is one of the strongest sides in the division to us here tonight. A last minute penalty denied us a 2-1 victory back at their place in February, so we’re hoping to get those three points tonight. We come into the match today on the back of a 2-1 victory in the FA Vase againstCammellLaird.

Our performance wasn't exactly the best, but we grinded out a hard earned win to progress into the next round. It’s a good achievement for us, and great to pick up some momentum in cup competitions alongside the league (also progressing in theMacronCupacoupleof weeksago)!

We’ve done well in the cups this season, but it’s important we take that form into the league as we look toclimbupthetableandbe as successful as we possibly can be on the pitch.

Thank you for all your support,enjoythematch! Gaffer

#WeAreGate

CHRIS WEBSTER

HARRISON WEBSTER

ISAAC ABANKWAH

NATHAN BARTRAM

RHYS DALY (Physio)

NATHAN PENNINGTON

JOSH WESTWOOD (Captain)

LUKE EVANS (Manager)

GIBSON

ROWAN

JOSH WESTWOOD

Westy! You’re our ‘Cover Star’ for tonight’s programme! Are you looking forward to the match?

I am, it’s been a while since we’ve had a league game at home so it’ll be good to get back into it infront of the home crowd. We face a tough test in Avro this evening, what are you expecting from our visitors tonight?

They are a very good side, they like to get the ball down and play so we need to ensure we’re are disciplined in our shape off the ball. They’ve started the season strong so they’re coming here full of confidence, we need to be up for the battle from minute one and impose our style onto the game.

You’ve become a fans favourite for your performances in defence, leadership and vital goals, what’s it been like to be such an important part of the squad over the last few seasons?

That’s nice to hear, I’m really enjoying it I think we’ve got a great squad here so honoured to captaining this group of lads. I feel I’ve been playing the same

way since returning to Gate, trying to be defensively strong and get our quality players on the ball as much as possible. Doesn’t always work out that way but I also don’t mind scrapping for 90 minutes to get the job done.

Past season and a bit I’ve been able to get more goals which is a bonus, credit to the delivery the lads are putting in at set pieces. I always feel confident when going forward, whether it be a free kick or corner, that I’ll be able to get on the end of it.

The squad’s done decent this season, progressing well in cup competitions and sitting around mid table in the league - are you happy with how the season’s goneso far?

I am yeah especially considering we have quite a young squad and a lot of new faces, the lads clicked really quickly and that has showed in our performances. The squad is hungry to do well and the motivation and effort they apply is excellent, you can see they want to improve week on week. Of coursewelookbackatcertain performances and results this

t do

anything but learn from those games and take it into our performances goingforward.

It’s not just the players and the coaching staff; shout out to the people behind the scenes Magsy, Ian, Helen, Jay, Dan, James and all the others that put everything into the club it’s incredible what theydo! Up the Gate!!!

It was Gate who started on top, with an inswinging corner from Harrison Webster flicked wide by Westwood inside the first minute. A dangerous cross from Hughes that went without a touch and an effort from Nathan Cliffe were also notable events in the opening 15 minutes for Gate.

Against the run of play though, Cammell Laird took the lead on 21 minutes from the penalty spot. Bartram was the man penalised for bundling a man over inside the box, and Kieran Hamm made no mistake from 12 yards. Gate had to wait until the 39th minute for their next opportunity. A ball down the left saw Cliffe break in behind the Laird defence, but his low effort was well saved by the keeper.

Evans’ men did get their equaliser on 42 minutes through captain Josh Westwood. A Gate corner was only half cleared, with the loose ball picked up by Nathan Bartram who swung in an excellent cross that was nodded home by Westwood.

Cliffe sliced an effort well off target for Gate on 61 minutes, before Nathan Pennington was called into action at the other end to make a vital save.

Both sides hit the woodwork after the 70 minute mark, as a looping cross from Cammell Laird clipped the top of the bar, before a Gate corner was flicked onto the post by Dan Gray.

It was Squires Gate who got the winner though on 82 minutes through Nathan Bartram. A corner won after Cliffe was denied by the keeper was swung in by Harrison Webster, with Bartram getting across his man and flicking his header superbly into the far top corner.

Pennington had to be aware to keep out an instant equaliser at the other end, before substitute Mekkaoui Abouzaid missed a golden chance to wrap it up for Gate, firing wide after breaking in behind a tiring Laird defence.

Your perfect meal deal? (Butty, snack & drink)

BLT, Soreen, Oasis. Your go to Maccies order? Chicken Legend Meal!

You can listen to one album on repeat.Which do you pick?

Arctic Monkeys AM

Which movie can you quote by

Your all-time Gate 5-a-side?

Fletch, Rico, Myself, Boydy, Sowerby.

If all the lads were on Love Boydy or Gal I reckon, no

Your favourite joke?

What’s orange and sounds like a parrot? A Carrot.

Do you have

ve got plenty. I recently had to wander around Prague on my own dressed as a Chicken. I also fell asleep at the table whilst out in law’s

Roll/Cob/Barm/Muffin - What do you call it?

Barm, never heard it called a cob before!

Worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“I think you should try playing centre half.”

BY DENISE GIBSON

JOSH WESTWOOD

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: NATHAN PENNINGTON

in

Pennington Abankwah

Abankwah

Pennington Hughes

Hughes

Hughes H.

Hughes H.Webster

Hughes H.Webster

Hughes H.

Abankwah H.Webster

Hughes H.Webster

Hughes H.Webster

Hughes H.Webster

Hughes

Hughes H.Webster

Westwood Riley Webster Ball Chambers Yelegon Holden Boyd Burgess Powell Hughes Westwood Riley Webster Pett Chambers Hughes Cliffe Yelegon Burgess Hesford Ball Westwood Riley Webster Ball Pett Hughes Cliffe Eastham Burgess Kay Powell

Westwood Riley Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Smith Eastham Kay Powell Hesford Westwood Riley Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Smith Yelegon Kay Abouzaid Powell Westwood Riley Abouzaid Ball Cliffe Boyd Abankwah Gray Kay Pett Yelegon Westwood Riley Abouzaid Pett Cliffe Gray Smith Burgess Kay Robinson Yelegon Westwood Riley Abouzaid Pett Cliffe Boyd Shields Powell Eastham Ball Yelegon Westwood Riley Abouzaid Ball Cliffe Boyd Gray Eastham Yelegon Powell Yilmaz Westwood Riley C.Webster Pett Chambers Boyd Kay Yelegon Abouzaid Cliffe Ball Westwood Abouzaid C.Webster Pett Cliffe Boyd Kay Yelegon Riley Gray Ball

Westwood Riley Kay Pett Cliffe Boyd Chambers Yelegon Eastham Abouzaid Ball

Westwood Riley Chamber Yelegon Cliffe Boyd Abankwah Kay Welsh Webster Ball Bartram Kay Abouzaid Ball Cliffe Boyd Westwood Riley Hughes Gray Pett Westwood Riley Chambers Pett Cliffe Boyd Abankwah C.Webster Welsh Eastham Ball

Welsh Riley C.Webster Pett Ball Gray Abankwah Yelegon Abouzaid Kay Cliffe Welsh Yelegon C.Webster Aluebhosele Cliffe Boyd Shields Riley Abouzaid Kay Ball Welsh Riley C.Webster Aluebhosele Cliffe Boyd Shields Kay Abouzaid Yelegon Ball

Westwood Gray C.Webster Yelegon Cliffe Boyd Abankwah Welsh Abouzaid Aluebhosele Moore

AVRO FC

The history of our club begins in the years just before the start of the Second World War. 1936 saw the 16th century Lodge purchased by the AVRO works manager Mr Roy Dobson prior to the company opening their main Chadderton factory. In 1950, the Lodge was opened up to all personnel of Avro and took on the Lancaster Club name. The Grade II listed Lancaster Club then became the clubs headquarters for the next 67 years. We joined the Manchester League in 1954/55 season and won the Division 1 Championship in 1988/89 and re established our junior teams, but lasted just three seasons in the Premier Division before being relegated in 1991/92.

We again won Division 1 in 2003/04 and promotion to the Premier Division, but we were again relegated after three seasons in 2006/07. We bounced back immediately and were back in the Premier Division in 2008/09. There followed success with us capturing the Manchester League Premier Division title in in 2009/10.

By this time Oldham Council had bought the Lancaster Club land from Oldham Athletic FC who had purchased it as part of a plan to build a new stadium on the site, which never materialised. After a lot of hard work and lots of meetings on the part of our Chairman Rob Fuller, we were granted a lease on the former Whitebank Stadium in Limehurst Village, Oldham. Again, after an enormous amount of work to bring it up to standard, this has become our new home ground ; The Vestacare Stadium.

In Summer 2017,the new management team of Lee O’Brien and James Hampson took over and along with 1st team coach Paul Armstrong and goalkeeping coach Paul Urbano they led the team to Manchester League Premier Division title, and the Manchester FA County Cup in their first season. The move to the new stadium has allowed the club to pursue its ambitions of Step 6 football which was achieved in 2018 with promotion to the NWCFL Division 1 North.

In our first season in NWCFL we reached the semi final of the Macron Cup, and the final of the First Division Cup, as well as reaching the 3rd Round Proper of the FA Vase. In the league we finished runners up to Longridge Town and were promoted as one of the highest points per game clubs in the country.

Our first season in the NWCFL Premier Division 2019/20 saw us consolidate and finish a respectable 12th position after 30 games, the season being curtailed by the Corona Virus outbreak of course. We also made a first appearance in the FA Cup, losing to Litherland REMYCA. In the curtailed 2020/21 the team finished on Boxing Day top of the Premier Division after some excellent performances, particularly away from home. The FA Cup ended in a defeat at home to Bootle after a performance that very nearly took the Merseyside's to penalties. The 2020/21 season was curtailed yet again, with Avro sitting top of the Premier Division when the football was stopped.

Finally we completed a full season in 2021/22 and we finished a respectable 6th place with some memorable victories including West Didsbury & Chorlton in the FA Cup and Macclesfield in the league.

FROM THE AWAY END

Q&A WITH MARK HUTTON

Thank you for taking some time out to speak to us. Could you tell us a bit about your role at Avro and how long you've been at the club?

I'm the 1st team match & fixture secretary, dealing with all the admin for the first team such as signings, fixture confirmations etc. This is my 6th season at the club.

How did you get involved with the club, and do you remember your first game?

I jumped onboard in 2017. I'd helped out a bit for a short time at Chadderton FC under their manager Mark Howard, but when he was sacked i felt i had to leave as well. Avro are round the corner from where i was born & brought up, and i knew of them looking to progress out of Step 7. I went along to a couple of games, put some photoson Twitter and

then Chairman Rob Fuller got in touch to see if i would help out and i'm still here today ! I started doing all the social media, website match reports, photos and match admin, but as we've progressed we've got people in who know what they're doing nowbetter than me!

My first game was away at Wythenshawe Amateurs in the Manchester League. They were our rivals for promotion from the Manchester League in 17/18. We were unbeaten and they were as well i think when we visited, neck and neck. We fell behind 1 0 and then got Kyle Parsons harshly sent off, but then came from behind with the 10 men to win 2 1 in the last minute through a Charlie Fuller goal absolute bedlam and a proper introduction toAvros!

What does your typical matchdayroutine consist of?

Normal matchday routine is get to the ground, help out with whatever i can before making sure the teams in and the match officials and visiting team are looked after. Kick off sees me at the touchline frantically making sure i've got every goal and booking.

I used to do Twitter as well and the amount of goals i'd miss whilst looking down tweeting was crazy ! I'm timekeeper as well, although my daughter helps me with that so it's one less thing to worryabout!

Avro have been highly commended for their matchday scran. What is your go to matchday food, and what would you recommend for those visiting Avro?

I'm usually too nervous to eat before or during the game, but you can't beat the Salt & Pepper chips at Macie's, although to be fair you can't go wrong with anything you get from there. We are lucky to have some of the best food at anylevel i think.

A great start to the season for Avro, what are the expectations for the remainderof the season?

To finish as high as possible. We don't have the budget of the teams at the top and we have to cut our cloth accordingly, but the team spirit we have at the club has always meant we punch above our budget weight i think. It's a cliche, but we do take every game as it comes and then see where it takes us.

In Frosty and Edgy we have a great management duo who between them have experience of playing and managing at higher level, although this is their first job together in management they are both students of the game and have come in since last February and stamped their own mark on the team.

What do you know about Squires Gate? Have you ever been before?

Squires Gate are a team I respect highly. You don't stay the length of time in the Premier Division that Gate have without commanding that respect. Every game we play against you is a hard fought battle, right from when we first met in the Vase back in 2018 as a Division 1 side. Gate are one of those teams you never underestimate.

I've been up here last season and it's always a pleasure to meet John Maguire and the rest of the volunteers here. It's a proper non league club.

Programmes now. What makes a good programme to you? Is there anythat have impressed you?

There's some great efforts in programmesouttherenow.Like everything else at our level it seemsto get more professional

everyseason. Yours is the pick of the bunch though St Helens Town used to have a good one aswell whentheywereinour league.

I like interviews with players and the line up stats ! I'm a geek for all the stats!

Your all time 5 a side Avro team? And as you're a United fan, an all time 5 a side for them too?

All time Avro 5 a side team

1.GrantShenton

2 Sam Rathbone

3 Jake Cottrell

4 Mike Norton

All time Man United 5-a-side team

1 Peter Schmeichel

2 Nemanja Vidic

3 Bryan Robson

4Wayne Rooney

5 Cristiano Ronaldo

What's your prediction for the game?

I'm going for a 2-1 win for us, fingers crossed !

A big thank you to Avro Secretary Mark Hutton for his time in answering tonight’s Q&A!

YOU CAN DO IT: HOW TO FIND YOUR VOICE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Footballers are often referred to as role models and while a lot of footballers do try to serve this purpose, few really embrace and take full responsibility in the way that Marcus Rashford has. As well as his performances on the pitch, off it, in recent years he’s really stepped up, in particular with regard to his fight for free school meals. In addition, in 2021 he launched a book club aimed at children aged 8 to 12 as a means of developing literacy and a love of reading. As part of this project, last year saw him release his first book, You Are A Champion an inspirational book to guide and educate young people to be the best they can be and this year his first children’s novel, The Breakfast Club Adventures, was published. Not one to rest on his laurels, Rashford has followed up You Are A Champion with a second inspirational life guide for children and teens You Can Do It.

Styled and designed in the same dynamic and engaging way as his first book, You Can Do It maintains, too, the positive, inspiring and motivational approach as it tackles really important themes, such as kindness, tolerance, acceptance, resilience and community. The book doesn’t shy away from difficult issuestoo, openlyraising

them and tackling them in ways that are relatable, wise and constructive. The sense of inclusivity is also really prominent and the way the book encourages positive dialogue around race, religion and gender is superb. So too are the book’s resounding messages, which really aim to bolster young people and foster positive characteristics. It is the type of book that has the power to really speak to young readers and to make a difference and having Marcus Rashford’s name behind it only serves as further inspiration.

Indeed, while a lot of footballers, and sports stars in general, opt to take the autobiography route when it comes to book deals, and there is often more than a hint of self promotion to it all, it is refreshing and inspiring that Rashford, still a young man himself, has chosen to extend his genuine interest in, and fight for, young people by writing a book aimed specifically at them. There’s no ego or self importance here; Rashford uses his voice and his power not to explore his own life but to help young people explore theirs. His role matters only in as much as he is reaching out and encouraging others. And how encouraging it is for young people to have an England and Manchester United star taking

the time and interest in them, to feel a connection with and be understood by a footballing hero. It’s one thing parents, teachers and guardians trying to inspire young minds, but a bona fide superstar is quite another I know who I’d be inclined to listen to as a football mad youngster!

And that Marcus Rashford has chosen to use his voice in this way is a real testament to him and his values. Wouldn’t it be great if other footballers, sports stars and celebrities took up the baton too?

Words by James Ashton

The first day of October brought around a trip to Winsford for me, Helen and Jay. I was in a good mood going into the game, after picking up my car in the morning!

Afterreturninghomewithmy new wheels, Jay picked me up from mine just before 2pm. (I wasn't yet taxed so didn'triskthedrive!)

The journey was a bit of a longwindedone italwaysis to Winsford - but we arrived at the Barton Stadium just after1:30pm.

I got some pictures around the ground for our social media channels, before finalising my team sheet graphic after a couple of late decisions were made by the gaffer.

After having a look around the bar area, that was located past the entrance to the toilets, I had a quick check of some of the FA Cup scores going on that day, withfellowNWCFLside Congleton Town conceding a late equaliser to AFC Fylde.

I went back outside to conduct my pre match interview with Luke, before getting ready for kick off by checking all my graphics and tweets were properly prepared.

It was an odd first half, with 0 0 the score at the break after some prettyend to end action.

I stayed out by the dugouts at the break along with subs Abankwah and Mekkaoui Abouaid, as well as our photographerIan.

A controversial penalty decision led to Winsford taking the lead around the hourmark.

There was some bite in the second half, with some nasty challenges flying in from both sides as well as a coupleofscuffles.

Just as it looked like we were heading home empty handed, Nathan Cliffe grabbed a 98th minute equaliser straight through the keeper’s legs to earn us awelldeservedpoint.

Via a stop the Charnock Richard services for a Burger King, we headed backtoBlackpool.

I wrote up my match report and prepared all my tweets for the following day, before signingoffforthenight.

STADIUM

Words byDan Hayden

It’s a running joke behind the scenes about how I very rarely turn up to games, but after I volunteered to drive to this one, I should think that I’ve earned a break. A 6 hour round trip to Cleator Moor Celtic for a league cup game was not the most glamorous tie.

When the fixture was first announced, Jay ruled out driving up there straight away. Talking of Jay, has anyone seen him over the past few weeks? Think he’s been seen at Steeton more than he’sbeenatGaterecently!

Anyway, travelling up to Cleator Moor was the faithful three; me, Jamesand Helen.

The original plan was to get a Maccies breakfast on the way, but we decided to just wait to get to the ground and hope that there was some decent available.

It’s fair to say that my car might be used to the countryside roads since I travel to New Mills every other weekend, but I certainlystill find it difficult, trying to go up a steep hill in 3rd gear. It would explain why James was holding onto the door for the majority of the journey.

We arrived at the ground with about 50 minutes to kick off, and we soon located the bar to scout the food and drinkavailable.

Me and James opted for a meat and potato pie, while Helen went for a Cornish pasty. To say we waited over 4 hours for this pie, we were very disappointed at how dry it was. I mean, I don’t usually have sauce on anything plain hot dogs, plain burgers, margherita pizza but it just crumbled.as soon as you cut into it.

We headed out to get some prematch pictures of the ground, and then headed towards the side of the dugout.

Cleator Moor took the lead within the first 5 minutes, and I soon moved away from Helen shouting “Come on Gate!!!” every time we had the ball. Cannot fault her passion towards the club, but I needtothinkofmyears.

The second half was entertaining to say the least. Gate leading 2 1 with about 15 minutes to go, before a sudden thunderstorm caused the game to halt. Players went in, came back out, scored a goal, and went back in before James could even tweet about the players leaving the pitch the first time round.

We stopped off at Burger King, and their large fries had about 6 chips in them. The second disappointingmealof the day.

The journey home was dreadful, I honestly have not drove in worse conditions - torrential rain, countryside roads and James snoring in the passenger seat seconds after asking if we could listen to The 1975...

OLDEST PLAYERS

IN WORLD CUP HISTORY

When most of us turn 40, the idea of physical activity mainly turns to golf courses or at least the five-a-side pitch. But there is a special breed of individuals (mainly goalkeepers) who still plied their trade on the grandest stage of them all and here’s a look at the oldest footballers in World Cup history…

Words byGraham Bell

ESSAM EL-HADARY

(45 years, 161 days)

Egypt vs. Saudi Arabia

June 25th 2018

After defeats in their first two matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, marking a somewhat disappointing return to the finals for the first time in 28 years, Egypt didn’t have much reason to cheer heading into the final match with Saudi Arabia.

That was until the team sheets were handed in and an ever present of their triple Africa Cup of Nations success from 2008 2012 took his place between the goalposts as goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary became the oldest player in a World Cup history, as well as the oldest to make their debut. It wasn’t exactly a quiet day at the office for El-Hadary either, being called into action to save a first-half penalty (making him the first African to save a penalty at the World Cup finals) although he wasn’t so lucky with a second on the stroke of half time, with Egypt eventually suffering a 2 1 defeat in Volgograd.

Having made his international debut in 1996, ten months before the youngest member of the Egyptian national team’s 2018 World Cup squad was born, El Hadary made 159 appearances for his country winning the AFCON title on four different occasions whilst being named the best goalkeeper of the tournament three times.

FARYD MONDRAGÓN

(43 years, 3 days)

Colombia vs. Japan June 24th 2014

With Colombian victory and knock out stage qualification assured in theirfinal group stage

match against Japan, head coach José Pékerman allowed Faryd Mondragón one last moment in the sun as with five minutes to go, the goalkeeper became the then-oldest player in aWorld Cup game.

Thankfully for the Colombian shotshopper, he does still hold one key record. Having been part of Colombia’s squad for the 1998 World Cup in France (in which he started all three of their group stage games), Mondragón’s gap of 15 years and 363 days since his last appearance in the finals is still the longest a player has had to wait between two World Cup games.

(42 years, 39 days)

Cameroon vs. Russia

June 12th 1994

Two records for the price of one here. Not only did Roger Milla become the, at the time, oldest player in World Cup history, the striker also got himself on the scoresheet with the consolation goal in the 6 1 defeat to Russia (you know, the same match in which Oleg Salenko set the record for the most goals by an individual player at five) to become the oldest goalscorer, a record he still holds. It would prove to be the final goal of Milla’s lengthy international playing career that had appeared to have ended six years previously at the somewhat youthful age of 36.

Only the begging of Cameroon’s president saw him come out of retirement to join Les Lions Indomitable’s 1990 World Cup campaign in Italy and, with it, catching the world’s attention with his goals and corner flag-based celebrations helping them become the first ever African nation to reach the quarter finals where they were knocked out by England. Milla’s goals made him the oldest ever goal scorer of a World Cup Finals goal, but this appearance was only enough to become the oldest outfield player at the time (as we’ll find out more soon). But by coming back in 1994, he would set the mark to be beaten byan overall player.

scoring 43 goals. His World Cup debut came in 1982, starting in all three of their group stage games. After the 1994 World Cup, Milla continue to play for another two seasons in Indonesia before finally calling time on his career.

Now you might be wondering where Pelé features on the list of oldest players in World Cup history. Well, the Brazilian star’s final game came in the 1970 final against Italy in Mexico where he also scored the opening goal of a 4 1 triumph. But Pelé was a mere 30-year-old at the time so not even worthy of consideration when it comes to this list.

PAT JENNINGS (41 years)

Northern Ireland vs. Brazil June 12th 1986

What a way to celebrate your 41st birthday playing in aWorld Cup finals match for the final time and, in the process, setting a new mark for the oldest player to have done so. The only trouble for Pat Jennings is that he came up against a Brazil side who were in their own mood to party putting three past the birthdayboyin Mexico.

Somewhat bizarrely, Jennings had retired from league football after the 1984 1985 season having been displaced as Arsenal’s number one by John Lukic but continued to play for former club Tottenham Hotspur’s reserve team in order to maintain match sharpness.

Across an illustrious career that saw him heralded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time, Jennings played in over 1,000 top level matches including 119 for Northern Ireland (second most in the country’s history behind Steven Davis).

Famously Jennings also got himself on the scoresheet in the 1967 Charity Shield whilst playing for Tottenham Hotspur, with a long range kick from his own box bouncing over the head of Manchester United shot stopper AlexStepney.

Milla would end his career having played 77 times for Cameroon aftermade his debut in 1973, list.

EARLY PENAROL

BY STEPHEN BRANDT

The first World Cup was won by Uruguay in 1930, and the nation was flanked by Brazil and Argentina. However, the country does not get the recognition that they deserve, key in point the ensuring 85 years their South American neighbors established themselves as giants. That left La Celeste in their wake. There has been somewhat of a renaissance, with a Copa America success in 2011, and a fourth placed finish at the 2010 World Cup.

Montevideo the capital of Uruguay, culturally visibly an enchanting land to see. Mercosur, South America, is where the Superclasico was born, which was a strange and unique place for a heated rivalry to be. Montevideo is a rundown metropolis, but is very similar to Buenos Aires. The beaches surrounding the Uruguayan capital showcase attractive coeds, and people kicking around a football in the sand.

This derby does not get the coverage of the othergreat South American ones, but belongs up there as well. Contested between Nacional and Penarol, and it is the oldest footballing rivalry outside the British Isles. Nacional wasfoundedin1899,

becoming the first South American club to be set up by people from the continent. Penarol took their image as gringos, and Nacional were viewed as an elite institution. While those clubs got going, others like Wanderers, Universal and Central made the rest of the countrygrow with the sport too.

The mixed race population, with the mass influx of people from Europe, was key to the composition of the nation. The Italian influence in the 1924 Olympic national football team: Petrone, Scarone, Romano, and Nasazzi. The sport in the early days acted as a great unifer and integrator helping footballers express themselves, and climb the social ladder. With all these European migrants, the future generations were able to flowinto the Nacional-Penarol rivalry.

In this derby, the two clubs have claimed as of 2021: Penarol 51 and Nacional 48 First Division titles. They both have had great runs in the Copa Libertadores, more so Penarol. The derby is coming close to 500 total matches, and it captivates the masses in South America. 25 May 1934, is one of the most strange, violent, and chaotic matches in South American history. And given that history, that’s saying a lot.

Nacional was powerful at that time, being the first world champions. They had the likes of Hector Scarone, Pedro Petrone, and Lorenzo Fernandez. The local football scene was great, and the 1934 league title was a dog fight between the two Montevideo clubs. It was so tight that at the end of the season, they ended up tied, thus creating a title deciding playoff showdown at Estadio Centenario.

The first third of the match was incident free, but then it descended into chaos. At that point the match was scoreless, when Penarol hit a cross that was overhit by pacy winger Bahia putting it out of play. Instead of just going out it rebounded off the medical bag carried by Nacional physio Juan Kirshberg. Telesforo Rodriguez, the referee, failed to stop play when it happened. Penarol, being smart, took the opportunity, regainingpossession with Braulio Castro, who heeded the advice from the touchline and put the ball in the backof the net.

There were mass protests from the Nacional players, and rightfully so, because a goal of that nature could not stand. Most protests in front of referees were just a bunch of gesticulating, this was punches and horror from the referee.

Rodriquez, who was overwhelmed by the situation, signaled for a goal. Once he did that, the Nacional players crowded the official demanding the goal to be disallowed immediately. He refused to aqueous to their demands, and was attacked by Nacional captain Nasazzi. The captain grabbed him, punched him, and kicked him. Soon, on lead from their captain the players joined in. Despite needed medical assistance, Rodriquez sent the assailants off. Eventually the goal was disallowed, but the fight that broke out the match was impossible tofinish.

The Nacional team had been reduced to nine with Nagazzi and Chifflet being detained by the police due to their roles in the fight. Nagazzi got a one year ban, Labragia was given 15 months, which was a bad way to end a day they wanted to lift a trophy.

Eventually, the two finished the match off at 3-2, gaining the trophyfor Penarol.

Since 1910, the two most important footballing clubs in the land have formed a stranglehold on top of the club scene. Nacional won the league in 1933, then theywon five in a row.

By 1941, were invincible, and much of this was down to Atillio Garcia, who scored 208 goals in 210 matchesfrom 1938-51. No one would be able to stop them. Just like the River Plate of Argentina side with the same name, La Maquina from Penarol emerged in 1947. They put a 5 0 beat down on Liverpool of Uruguay, anda beat River Plate 3 -0. Penarol was beating teams with such effortlessness and ruthlessness, that it was impressive to be seen.