This is the fourth episode of my podcast with Mr. Paul
Whittle of https://the1888letter.com/,
@1888letter.
For this episode,
we interviewed Mr. Oronde Ash, a former St. Vincent and the Grenadines International and Assistant
Coach at North Carolina State University. We discussed his journey from an
immigrant in USA, playing College Soccer and participating with his Nation in the
1996 Gold Cup.
Spoiler Alert: I
assume most people have already seen these films; as a result I discuss the
plot as much as I can. I will not try to go into every detail but generalize as
much as possible.
Film: Gregory’s
Girl (1981)
Over the years I have heard British Football (Soccer)
fans discuss in fondness their memories of the film ‘Gregory’s Girl’. As a non-British
Football fan, I had never been exposed to it and was completely unaware of it.
The constant references to this film had me intrigued
but for the longest time it was unavailable in the United States. Luckily it
became available on Netflix (rental) this year and I got the chance to check it
out for myself.
The film released on April 23rd, 1981 was made
by Scottish Director Bill Forsyth, who would later go on and direct Burt
Lancaster (Local Hero, 1983) and Robin Williams (Being Human, 1994).
The film’s protagonist is Gregory (played by John
Gordon Sinclair). He is a Scottish teenager in Cumbernauld. The film begins with Gregory and his mates in
the woods acting as peeping toms and watching a nurse in a state of undress in a
building across at night. In the scene
we are introduced to Gregory and his close friends and we immediately are aware
that this will be another coming of age comedy about boys trying to fall in
love. His circle of friends include Steven (played by William Greenlees), Billy
(played by Douglas Sannachan, a recent graduate and now a window cleaner), Andy
(played by Robert Buchanan) and Charlie (played by Graham Thompson) (Andy and
Charlie will act as comic relief throughout with their fruitless attempts to
meet girls).
The action shifts to the local High School, where we
see Gregory playing Football against another school. We are also introduced to
the Football Coach, Mr. Menzies, who is clearly dismayed at the performance of
his team, most particularly of Gregory.
The Coach (played by Jake D’Arcy) is not highly
regarded by his peers nor the students and will also act as a comical relief
character with his demeanor.
Coach Menzies confronts Gregory for his lack of effort
as a striker. For his part, Gregory is completely unperturbed and
nonchalant.
He responds to all the criticisms with sarcasm and
humor and clearly sees no reason to improve himself as Football is ‘only a
game’, despite threats from the Coach that ‘changes’ are to be made.
The team has been on a losing streak and the Coach has
decided to conduct trials for the striker position, and in doing so, also
changes Gregory’s position to goalkeeper.
On the day of the trial, we are introduced to Dorothy
(played by Dee Hepburn), a new female student who much to everyone’s surprise
is trying out for the striker position for the boys’ team.
During the trial all the male trialists are abysmal,
while Dorothy stands out and is clearly the best player. From a distance Gregory notices her and is
instantly smitten by her.
After initially rejecting Dorothy’s early attempts to
try-out, Coach Menzies has been convinced by her ability and talent.
Nevertheless, he informs her that approval by his superiors is required to have
a girl in the boys’ team (In a later scene we see the Principal (played by Chic
Murray) approving the idea).
Gregory expresses his Love for Dorothy to his close pal
Steve, who appears to be the most mature of his friends. Steven dismisses
Gregory’s declaration as just ‘a phase’.
During the first game with Dorothy as striker (and
Gregory in goal), Andy (one of Gregory’s friends) is critical of the idea of
girls playing Football, but the love-struck Gregory is supportive of the idea,
saying that it’s ‘modern.’
Naturally the game is won after a goal by Dorothy and
she is now a school celebrity and is later interviewed by the school newspaper
as a novelty for being a girl on the boys’ team and inspiring others.
Gregory tries to flirt with Dorothy and after chatting
up with her leans that she has spent time in Italy and speaks the language to a
degree.
In an attempt to get closer to Dorothy, Gregory asks
one of his teachers to take up Italian, as it turns out the only Italian word
that he knows is ‘Bella’ (that he will utter in a few scenes).
At various intervals in the film, we are also introduced
to the female characters in the school: Carol (played by Caroline Guthrie),
Margo (played by Carol Macartney) and Susan (played by Clare Grogan).
We are also introduced to Madeleine (played by Allison
Forster), Gregory’s younger pre-teen sister. We see Gregory spending time with her,
and she acts as a confident of sorts. She also helps him out pick clothes to
make a better impression on Dorothy.
Parents are all but absent in this film as this is not
their world. There is one scene of Gregory’s father, who is a driving
instructor. That is an inexplicable scene as there is never a mention of him
later, nor of any of the other parents. Perhaps further scenes with the father
ended up on the cutting room floor. The only figures of authority are the Coach
and some of the teachers, but their input is either light or comical.
One day Dorothy asks Gregory to practice with her one
on one, so she can improve her shooting. After the practice Gregory gets the
courage to ask her on a date. Much to his surprise she quickly accepts. He is
so surprised that he repeatedly asks to make sure and she does.
He borrows his friend Steven’s white fancy jacket for
the date. He waits for her at the rendez-vous location, but she is a no-show.
Later, one of the female classmates (Carol) arrives and tells Gregory that
Dorothy will not come and convinces him to take her to a chip shop.
Once there, she sets him up with another female friend
Margo, who takes him to a park where she hands him off to Susan.
At the park Gregory bonds with Susan and realizes that
he is a better match for her. It is also made clear that the whole plan was
arranged with her and her friends including Dorothy to set them up together.
At the end of the date, Gregory is now in love with
Susan and kisses her, with his younger sister Madeline spying from her room
above.
He comes in and confides to his sister of his new-found
love. She then asks him, “who’s gonna be Gregory’s girl now?” and he
immediately responds, “you are”.
The film ends with a shot of Dorothy jogging at night
(in fact at various stages in the film (including the beginning), we see
Dorothy jogging).
Despite its opening sequence with the nurse,
‘Gregory’s Girl is clearly not a ‘sex comedy’ emblematic of European Cinema of
the 70s and early 80s.
While being adopted as a memorable film by British
Football fans, ‘Gregory’s Girl’ is not exclusively a Football film. In fact,
the game is just a backdrop, it is a coming of age film that in present time would
be described as a rom-com. It is a somewhat predictable film as most films of
its genre are and is light and fun.
The love and romance are very innocent and Gregory’s
interaction with his kid sister is touching.
There is not a villain or a mean character to be seen
and everyone appears civil and friendly to one another, there is a feel-good
vibe throughout and no confrontation of any kind.
It’s a film that I can see would stand the test of
time, especially for the Generation that were young at the time the film was
released as it harks back the happier memories of youth and perhaps first love.
All in all, it is worth a watch (or a re-watch) for
Football (Soccer) fans or otherwise.
Note:
1-Bill Forsyth directed a sequel in 1999 called
‘Gregory’s Two Girls’. That film does not appear to have been as successful nor
memorable and is clearly not Football (Soccer) related (In fact I only stumbled
upon as I was reading up on the Original).
2-John Gordon Sinclair performed on Scotland squad’s
1982 World Cup Song, “We Have a Dream”
(Italy
squad, March 31, 1990, Switzerland 0-Italy 1)
Preparatory
Friendly match Number 16-Greece (May 30, 1990, Perugia) (Unofficial)
Date: May 30, 1990
Competition: Friendly (Unofficial for
Italy, Official for Greece, Both Teams played without
National Emblems-FIFA and UEFA do not count this match as Official)
Result: Italy 0-Greece 0
Venue: Perugia -Stadio Renato Curi
Attendance: 35,000
Referee:Rosa
Dos Santos (Portugal)
Linesmen:-
Kick-off time: 20:30
Goalscorers:
(Italy):
None
(Greece):
None
Summary
of goals:
-
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter
Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
(12-StefanoTacconi (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 46)
3-Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
4-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
8-Pietro
Vierchowod (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
6-Riccardo
Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
14-Giancarlo
Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
17-Roberto
Donadoni (Associazione Calcio Milan)
11-Fernando
De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
21-GianlucaVialli
(Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
13-Giuseppe
Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)
19-Salvatore
Schillaci (Juventus Football Club-Torino) (15-Roberto Baggio (Associazione
Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze) 70)
Coach:
Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
22-Gianluca
Pagliuca (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
2-Franco
Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)
5-Ciro
Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
7-Paolo
Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)
9-Carlo
Ancelotti (Associazione Calcio Milan)
10-Nicola
Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
16-Andrea
Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
18-Roberto
Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
20-Aldo
Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
Team
Captain:Giuseppe Bergomi
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform
Colors: (Training kit): Half White , Half Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
Uniform
Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks
Photo From: (Screen capture)
(May
30, 1990, Italy 0-Greece 0)
Photo From: (Screen capture)
(May
30, 1990, Italy 0-Greece 0)
Preparatory
Friendly match Number 17-AS Cannes (France) (June 2, 1990, Arezzo) (Unofficial)
Date: June 2, 1990
Competition: Friendly (Unofficial)
Result: Italy 3-AS Cannes (France)
0
Venue: Arezzo
Attendance: -
Referee: Marcello Nicchi (Italy)
Linesmen:-
Kick-off time: -
Goalscorers:
(Italy):
GianlucaVialli 37 pen, 71, Fernnado De Napoli 40
(Cannes):
None
Summary
of goals:
1:0
(37th minute, Italy): Italy were awarded a penalty kick after Vialli
was fouled by Jocelyn Rico in the box. Vialli scored from the ensuing penalty
kick,
2:0
(40th minute, Italy): From the right side, Vialli’s shot was
parried by Dussuyer, Giannini backheeled the rebound for De Napoli to shoot in.
3:0
(71st minute, Italy): From the middle, Vialli was released through
by Giannini and he went around Dussuyer to score from a narrow angle.
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter
Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
3-Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
7-Paolo
Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)
2-Franco
Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)
6-Riccardo
Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
9-Carlo
Ancelotti (Associazione Calcio Milan)
17-Roberto
Donadoni (Associazione Calcio Milan)
11-Fernando
De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
21-GianlucaVialli
(Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
(19-Salvatore Schillaci (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 71)
13-Giuseppe
Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)
16-Andrea
Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
Coach:
Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
12-StefanoTacconi
(Juventus Football Club-Torino)
4-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
8-Pietro
Vierchowod (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
14-Giancarlo
Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
15-Roberto
Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze)
22-Gianluca
Pagliuca (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
5-Ciro
Ferrara (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
10-Nicola
Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
18-Roberto
Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
20-Aldo
Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
Team
Captain:Giuseppe Bergomi
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform
Colors: (Training kit): Half White , Half Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, White Socks
Preparatory
Friendly match Number 9-Bulgaria (September 20, 1989, Cesena)
Date: September 20, 1989
Competition: Friendly
Result: Italy 4-Bulgaria 0
Venue: Cesena -Stadio Dino Manuzzi
Attendance: 25,000
Referee:Alphonse Constantin (Belgium)
Linesmen:-
Kick-off time: 20:15
Goalscorers:
(Italy):
Roberto Baggio 18 pen, 34, Andrea Carnevale 46, Own Goal (Nikolai
Iliev) 53
(Bulgaria):
None
Summary
of goals:
1:0
(18th minute, Italy): Italy were awarded the penalty kick after
Carnevalle was fouled by Ivanov in the box. Roberto Baggio scored from the ensuing penalty kick.
2:0
(34th minute, Italy): Baggio received the ball on his own half
and advanced, he passed to Vialli and received it back on the right side, he
dribbled past Valov and scored.
3:0
(46th minute, Italy): Baggio’s cross from the right side was
struck in by Carnevale.
4:0
(53rd minute,
Italy): On the left side, Baggio passed to Vialli, whose shot was
deflected in by Iliev.
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter
Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
2- Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) (13-Ciro Ferrara (Societa
Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 76)
3-Paolo
Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)
(14-Luigi De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino) 61)
4-Franco
Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)
5-Riccardo
Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
6-Giancarlo
Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino) (16-Massimo Crippa (Societa Sportiva
Calcio Napoli) 68)
7-Roberto
Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze)
8-Fernando
De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
9-Gianluca
Vialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
10-Giuseppe
Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)
11-Andrea
Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
Coach:
Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
Gianluca
Pagliuca (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
Luca
Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
Roberto
Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
Aldo
Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
Team
Captain:Giuseppe Bergomi (Gianluca Vialli assumed
Captaincy in the 76th minute)
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform
Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks
Bulgaria:
1-Ilija
Valov (CFKA(Centralnij Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia)
2-Emil
Dimitrov (CFKA(Centralnij Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia)
3-Trifon
Ivanov (CFKA(Centralnij Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia)
4-Pavel
Dochev (Fudbalski Klub Lokomotiv-Sofia)
5-Nikolai Iliev (Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia)
6-Kalin
Bankov (Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia)
7-Gosho
Petkov (Fudbalski Klub Lokomotiv-Sofia) (13-Plamen Simeonov (Fudbalski Klub
Slavia-Sofia) 83)
8-Hritsto
Stoitchkov (CFKA(Centralnij Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia)
9-Luboslav
Penev (Valencia Club de FĂștbol / Spain)
10-Georgi
Yordanov (Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia) (16-Emil Kostadinov (CFKA(Centralnij
Fudbalski Klub Armija) Sredets-Sofia) 46)
11-Krassimir
Balakov (Fudbalski Klub Etar Veliko-Tarnovo)
Coach:
Ivan Vutzov
Booked:
Nikolai Iliev 18, Trifon Ivanov 58
Other Substitutes:
Zdravko
Zdravkov (Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia)
Dimitar Vassev (Fudbalski Klub Lokomotiv-Sofia)
Nikolai
Todorov (Fudbalski Klub Lokomotiv-Sofia)
Team
Captain: Hristo Stoichkov
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform
Colors: White Shirts, Green Shorts, White Socks
Photo From:
Magazine source unknown
(Italy
squad, September 20, 1989, Italy 4-Bulgaria 0)
Photo From:
(screen capture)
(September
20, 1989, Italy
4-Bulgaria 0)
Photo From:
(screen capture)
(September
20, 1989, Italy
4-Bulgaria 0)
Preparatory
Friendly match Number 10-Brazil (October 14, 1989, Bologna)
(Italy squad Top, left to
right: Walter Zenga, Riccardo Ferri, Nicola Berti, Andrea Carnevalle, Giuseppe
Bergomi, Luigi De Agostini, Bottom, left to right: Fernando De Napoli, Giuseppe
Giannini, Roberto Baggio, Gianluca Vialli, Franco Baresi, October 14, 1989,
Italy 0-Brazil 1)
(Brazil squad Top, left to
right: Mazinho, Claudio Taffarel, Jorginho, Mauro Galvao, Aldair, Alemao
, Bottom, left to right: Luis Muller, Antonio Careca, Carlos Dunga, Silas,
Ricardo Rocha, October 14, 1989, Italy 0-Brazil 1)
Preparatory
Friendly match Number 11-Algeria (November 11, 1989, Vicenza)
Date: November 11, 1989
Competition: Friendly
Result: Italy 1-Algeria 0
Venue: Vicenza-Stadio Romeo Menti
Attendance: 26,000
Referee: Zoran Petrovic (Yugoslavia)
Linesmen:-
Kick-off time: 14:30
Goalscorers:
(Italy):
Aldo Serena 74
(Algeria):
None
Summary
of goals:
1:0
(74th minute, Italy): Baggio’s cross from the right side was
touched on by Vialli before reaching Serena on the left side and he volleyed
in.
Lineups:
Italy:
1-Walter
Zenga (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
2- Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) (13-Ciro Ferrara (Societa
Sportiva Calcio Napoli) 46)
3-Luigi
De Agostini (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
4-Franco
Baresi (Associazione Calcio Milan)
5-Riccardo
Ferri (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
6-Giancarlo
Marocchi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
7-Roberto
Baggio (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze)
8-Fernando
De Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
(18-Roberto Donadoni (Associazione Calcio Milan) 51)
9-Gianluca
Vialli (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
10-Giuseppe
Giannini (Associazione Sportiva Roma)
11-Andrea
Carnevale (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
(19-Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club- Milano) 70)
Coach:
Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
Stefano
Tacconi (Juventus Football Club-Torino)
Paolo Maldini (Associazione Calcio Milan)
Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
Massimo Crippa (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
Nicola Berti (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
Roberto
Mancini (Unione Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
Team
Captain:Giuseppe Bergomi (Gianluca Vialli assumed
Captaincy in the second half)
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform
Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks
Preparatory
Friendly match Number 12-England (November 15, 1989, London)
Date: November 15, 1989
Competition: Friendly
Result: England 0-Italy 0
Venue:London –Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 80,000
Referee: Hubert Forstinger (Austria)
Linesmen:-
Kick-off time: 20:00
Goalscorers:
(England):
None
(Italy):
None
Summary
of goals:
-
Lineups:
England:
1- Peter Leslie
Shilton (Derby County Football Club) (13-David John
Beasant (Chelsea Football Club -London) 46)
2- Gary Michael Stevens (Rangers Football Club -Glasgow / Scotland)
3- Stuart Pearce (Nottingham Forest Football Club) (16-Nigel
Winterburn (Arsenal Football Club -London) 67)
5- Desmond Sinclair Walker (Nottingham Forest Football Club)
6- Terence Ian Butcher (Rangers Football Club -Glasgow / Scotland)
4- Steve McMahon (Liverpool Football Club) (14-Stephen Brian Hodge
(Nottingham Forest Football Club) 67)
7- Bryan Robson (Manchester United Football Club) (12-Michael
Christopher Phelan (Manchester United Football Club) 46)
8- Christopher Roland Waddle (Olympique de Marseille / France)
11- John Charles Bryan Barnes (Liverpool Football Club)
9- Peter Andrew Beardsley (Liverpool Football Club)
(15-David Andrew Platt (Aston Villa Football Club -Birmingham) 78)
10- Gary Winston Lineker (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club -London)
Coach: Robert William Robson
Other Substitutes:
Mark Wright (Derby
County Football Club)
David Carlyle Rocastle
(Arsenal Football Club -London)
Team
Captain:Bryan Robson (Terry Butcher assumed Captaincy in the second half)
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro
Uniform
Colors: White Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, White Socks
Italy:
1-Walter Zenga
(Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
2- Giuseppe Bergomi (Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
3-Paolo Maldini (Associazione
Calcio Milan)
4-Franco Baresi (Associazione
Calcio Milan)
5-Riccardo Ferri
(Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
6-Nicola Berti
(Internazionale Football Club- Milano)
7-Roberto Donadoni
(Associazione Calcio Milan)
8-Fernando De Napoli (Societa
Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
9-Gianluca Vialli (Unione
Calcio Sampdoria-Genova) (18-Roberto Baggio (Associazione Calcio
Fiorentina-Firenze) 82)
10-Giuseppe Giannini
(Associazione Sportiva Roma)
11-Andrea Carnevale (Societa
Sportiva Calcio Napoli) (19-Aldo Serena (Internazionale Football Club-
Milano) 76)
Coach:
Azeglio Vicini
Other Substitutes:
Stefano Tacconi (Juventus
Football Club-Torino)
Ciro Ferrara (Societa
Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
Luigi De Agostini (Juventus
Football Club-Torino)
Luca Fusi (Societa Sportiva
Calcio Napoli)
Massimo Crippa (Societa Sportiva
Calcio Napoli)
Giancarlo Marocchi (Juventus
Football Club-Torino)
Roberto Mancini (Unione
Calcio Sampdoria-Genova)
Team
Captain:Giuseppe Bergomi
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Diadora
Uniform
Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks