The world of fizzy pop

Barnsley FC isn’t a name that sets the football world alight too often (except for their 100% record at Anfield last season)  The Tykes, who are struggling at the base of the Championship, barring Colin Calderwoods Sherwood Forest, last night, on a cold blustery East Anglian evening in Suffolk, blooded the youngest ever footballer league player.

James Milner, Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Pennant look away now!  At 15 years and 45 days schoolboy Reuben Noble-Lazarus (unpaid to play because he is too young) made his debut in 6 fulfilling minutes at Portman Road.

Man United’s midfielder Anderson……or is it?

Now in trying to ignore that his name is probably more suited to the Chronicles of Naarnia, and that there is a striking puppy fat resemblance to Brazilian midfielder Anderson of MUFC, I had to reflect on what an average 15year old does?  Having just completed my sats, i’m not sure my parents would let me stay up until 9.30 playing football on a tuesday night?!  Taking into account the trip from Ipswich to Barnsley – then Huddersfield where he lives, you’d have to be looking at a 3am bed-time, unless of course he had his quilt for the journey home!!

It also got us thinking of the things in the footballing world that he will be unaware of, owing to the fact he was born in 1993! So, Reubun, here’s a few things you should know. Pay attention because a test will follow;

1-Graham Taylor is not the former manager of the celebrities on ITV’s Soccer Aid.  He was, make sure you’re sitting down, once England manager!! Watford and Villa fans will also back us up here when we say he was actually once considered quite successful!

2- Your dad isn’t pulling your leg; Keith Curle, Tony Dorigo and Carlton Palmer did all once line up in the same England team.

3- Leeds really did win the ‘Premiership’ (when it was called division 1-see point 5) in 1991.

4- Oxford won the league cup in 1987! No really. Yes that’s right, the same Oxford that are 18th in the Blue Square Premier.

5- Despite what Manchester United fans tell you, football was not invented by Sky and did therefore exist before 1992.  When they tell you they are ‘the most succesful side in Premiership history’ they are conveniently forgetting about 110 years of history when, for about 5 years aside in the late 60’s, they weren’t very good.

Anyway, the Fizzy Pop team congratulate you Reuben!! May your record be long and prosperous.  Oh, and of course, you are welcome to come join the fizzy pop game anytime you like!

By the way the previous record, held jointly by Ken Roberts (Wrexham) and Albert Geldard (Bristol Rovers) was well and truly booted off the park and over the away stand into the river Orwell by a massive 113 days!