Strikers Instinct Read Online Free Page B

Bob Linden’s grandkids. They’re Luke’s children, Lexi and Tom.” Jason explained gently.
    An amazing change seemed to come over Fred. “Please forgive me,” he said, “it’s always very busy at this time of the year but I’m sure we can spare a few minutes!”
    Sarah and Jason both relaxed and shared a small victory smile.
    Fred then paused whilst he decided where to start.
    â€œI know that Lexi and Jack will probably know a lot of what I am about to say but I’m sure they will help me out if I get anything wrong.” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
    The two Linden children laughed and agreed to assist Fred if necessary.
    Fred began. “Many English Football clubs have strange names – teams such as Crewe Alexandra, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End – I could go on – but probably one of the strangest is Wishton Clough. Clough is very much a northern word – most people agree that the word means a steep sided, wooded valley. There are many examples in Lancashire – probably the most famous is Boggart Hole Clough in Manchester. It’s a large park between Moston and Blackley and most of the park is made up of these valleys.”
    Fred paused again, then grinned. “As the name suggests, the park is said to be inhabited by Boggarts – and there are several other examples such as Boggart Bridge in Burnley. Wishton Clough also has its own Boggart – but more of that in a minute. On the outskirts of Wishton we also had several of these wooded valleys and during the industrial revolution, rich coal seams were discovered in many of the hills. One valley in particular promised to be very lucrative and a shaft was sunk deep into the hillside. The mine was named Wishton Clough Number One Shaft and over the years it expanded to include two other deep shafts. The pit became one of the biggest employers in the area and eventually, many years later, Lexi and Jack’s grandad worked there before it finally closed.”
    Lexi and Jack shared a long look with Fred before he continued.
    â€œHundreds of men used to work at the pit and the sports and social club became a vital part of the community. Several teams sprang up, Cricket, Football and Rugby to name but a few. The most successful was the football team and over the years it expanded to include people from the town who didn’t work at the pit and eventually the team name changed from Clough Pit to Wishton Clough. The mine-owner had donated a small plot of land to be used as a ground and everything grew from there. If you look carefully on the club badge the crest is split into 3 sections. One section contains the red rose of Lancashire, the second section contains a picture of the pit head winding gear and the third is a figure of a Boggart.”
    At this point Kevin broke into the story. “I’m sorry to interrupt you Mr. Grimshaw but I have a couple of questions.”
    â€œNo problem lad,” said Fred, “go ahead and spit them out!”
    Kevin grinned. “Well first of all – what’s with the Boggart? Surely the miners didn’t believe in fairies? And secondly, the Red Rose of Lancashire? I thought Wishton was in Greater Manchester?”
    Fred puffed out his cheeks and looked at the Linden children. “Knowing your family history I’m completely sure that one of you will be able to answer the question about the Red Rose?”
    Lexi volunteered. “Yes Mr. Grimshaw – you could say that!”
    For once Tom smiled in agreement. “Yep – we’ve had all the Lancashire stuff rammed down our throats since we were little – but I’ll let Lexi explain.”
    Lexi cleared her throat. “Lancashire stretches from Cumbria in the north down to Cheshire in the South and then across to Yorkshire in the East and includes cities such as Liverpool and Manchester. In 1974 an act of Parliament meant that new administrative