Recent Purchases

 Haven't done one of these for ages. Years in fact. When I post a load of bits and pieces I've picked up. This lot is especially random, boredom of lockdown taking effect...

A vintage Folk rainmac in a striking royal blue. Came as part of a job lot of coats, including an Elka x Norse projects fisherman's jacket and couple other smart folk overcoats. Couldn't get a decent photo of the others, anyway this was pick of the litter.

Brook Brothers shirt. Classic long sleeved button down with a fine check from the shirting staple siblings.

Garbstore x Indigo Farm selvedge denim. eBay bargain this, £13. Only couple of blurry photos in listing so took a risk. Paid off nicely as in top condition - no fading or wear. Very smart.

Clarks desert boots. My old pair have gone the journey so pleased to some new ones dirt cheap from TK Maxx.

Another job lot, this time of tittfers. Two Highland 2000 wool watchcaps - these were the brand who did CC's OG McMurphys (which I've got a handful of) so the quality shines through. Made in England also. Then a couple tweed numbers - a bakersboy, for when I'm feeling Peaky, and a trilby for when I'm Still Game.

Pissed up OG England 96 home shirt and Hackett cap. Recently got a refund on my EURO 2020 tickets so was a bit glum. Got these for watching it at home and throwing patio furniture round my garden...

...with an England soundtrack. World in Motion and England's Irie. The two best football tunes IMO.

The devil makes work for idol hands. Particularly when Sara Cox is the centrefold. Few vintage Loaded mag from eBay. For the articles.

A signed Pools ball. Celebrating 100 years of Hartlepool United. Fortunately I've only been around for 37 of them.

Electronic

 Proper 90s band. Proper 90s gear...

Blue Monday Deciphered

 Cult classic picked up yesterday in Durham. Blue Monday's sleeve, die cut floppy disc style designed by Peter Saville, was that expensive to produce Factory Records lost 5p on every record sold. They weren't bothered as they didn't think it would shift that many. It went on to sell approx 1.5 million copies.

The sleeve itself featured no words or labels (bar Factory Record 73 down spine) and the colour coded shapes down the side had to be deciphered using a guide on the Power Corruption & Lies album...

World in Motion

It's quarter of a century to the day one of the greatest footie songs was released. And World in Motion had it all - an anti violence message sung by a band who were popular amongst the casual movement, World Cup song lyricsmith Fat Les aka England's Irie aka Keith Allen amongst the ranks, ray bans and those iconic 1990 England shirts, and, of course, John Barnes "unique" rap.

It remains a popular tune 25 years later, and usually pips Three Lions to number one spot when the music channels do their top World Cup songs every four years.

It could have been so different though. New Order were tricked into doing it by manager Tony Wilson, the Factory Records supremo claiming he'd been approached by the FA (he'd actually pleaded his bands cause to Lancaster Gate). Then the lyrics could've changed - the FA wanted 'loves' to be replaced by 'we've got the world in motion) and Allen wanted to play on the acid house scene at the time, calling the E is for England. And finally Barnes only taking his role after winning a rap off with Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley and Steve McMahon. Imagine Gazza doing it? I mean it's pretty cringey now (albeit fucking deadly when you're drunk).

Best Football anthem ever though? Whether yes or no, band member Bernard Summer described it as "the last straw for Joy Division fans"...