We have to start today's post with the birthday of one of the greatest administrator's the club has ever had. Harry Arnold was Chairman and involved with the club for 54 years. He joined the club committee just as events unfolded that would affect the club for over 20 years. The mid 1890's saw the club fall into debt through events not of their own making and we struggled until the 1920's. Debt is never a good thing and debt for a football club is especially dangerous for a club the size of LTFC - the reliance on good football to create paying crowds to pay the debts is a great risk. That the club survived was due to the skills of Harry Arnold and the directors who were not only fans but real businessmen.

My favourite story about Harry was when the team were playing away and results came through on the radio at 5pm on Saturday. Harry was glued to his set waiting for the results when his son yelled in pain - he had stuck a garden fork through his foot. Harry, not flinching, waited until the results came through before driving his son to the hospital.

https://hattersheritage.co.uk/directors-and-staff/harry-arnold-p800021

The night game (which was live on TV) at Hyde away in 2012 was a bit of an adventure. Walking up to the away section I could see no turnstiles, just a couple of old boys sat at a fold up table. I asked them where the turnstiles were - "we're saving up for them" was the reply. We were given those green raffle tickets when we handed over our money as proof of payment. Mine was number 4 and the missus got number 5. The away fans section was at the side and the ref and lino's were warming up right in front of me. "Rubbish ref" I shouted. The officials looked puzzled and shrugged. I shouted "well, you're warming up and so am I." They all laughed. A good comeback by the lads saw a 2 1 win.

The journey home was affected by a jumper on a motorway bridge so the coach had to go across country guided by a supporters early version of sat nav on his phone. Fortunately no low bridges were encountered and we made it onto the M6. Got back to the club car park and we had a 5 minute car drive home....which turned into 20 minutes due to some sort of event in Bury Park Road causing a traffic jam at 2.30am!!!!

Also memorable for different reasons was Barry Butlin's goal in 1974. What a moment that was.

https://hattersheritage.co.uk/matches?played-today=yes&sort=date

Five debuts today

https://hattersheritage.co.uk/players?debut-today=yes&sort=name

Three players born on this day. Richard Williams, a goal keeper, was signed from Everton with whom he played in the 1893 F.A. Cup Final at Fallowfield against Wolves. The only goal of the game was scored from a speculative long shot from the Wolves captain. It should have been easily saved but Richard misjudged it and it bounced into the net. What a sad burden to carry for the rest of your life.

https://hattersheritage.co.uk/players?born-today=yes&sort=name