Plenty of Nothing

Nichelle Nichols and Alan Bean, 1977

Source.

The Wow! Signal

The Wow! signal was a radio burst recorded by the Ohio State University Big Ear radio observatory on August 15, 1977, from an unknown source in the constellation Sagittarius. It has yet to be explained as a natural phenomenon or as an artifact of alien intelligence. Source.

The War in Space (1977)

Yūko Asano starred in The War in Space, which opened on this date in 1977. Source.

Icy Conditions

Icy conditions at Ludwigsparkstadion, Saarbrücken, in 1977. Source.

Morton visit Livingston, weather permitting. [Game off.]

Morton lost 0 - 2 to Livi in Round One of the Challenge Cup, and 0 - 1 in their first league match of the season. So today they're looking for their first win of 2017-18 against Livi, and their first goal.

Livi's last two fixtures have been postponed due to bad weather.

Livingston's last ten seasons:

2016-17        1st        League One

2015-16        9th        Championship

2014-15        8th        Championship

2013-14        6th        Championship

2012-13        4th        First Division

2011-12        5th        First Division

2010-11        1st        Second Division

2009-10        1st        Third Division

2008-09        7th        First Division

2007-08        7th        First Division

Other match of the day: Queen of the South vs Dundee United. A QoS win coupled with a St Mirren draw or win would knock the Tangerines out of first place. [Match abandoned at the half.] [St Mirren win their game and take over first place.]

1978-79. Morton and St Mirren played the second leg of their Renfrewshire Cup final on December 12th at Love Street (see below). St Mirren won 6 - 0. Both legs were played in Paisley at the Cappielow pitch was in such bad shape.

On December 16th Morton played Motherwell to a 1 - 1 draw at Fir Park. Andy Ritchie scored.

1933-34. Morton visited Raith Rovers and lost 3 - 1.

1944-45. Morton visited Falkirk and lost 1 - 0.

What was Morton's most significant game against Livingston?

Morton beat Livi (then called Meadowbank Thistle) on the final Saturday of the 1994-95 season to secure first place in Division Two and promotion.

May 13th, 1995            Morton 1 - 0 Meadowbank

[At greenockmorton.org they're talking up this cup game:

Feb 26th, 1992            Meadowbank 2 - 3 Morton]

When was the last time a game at the Tony Macaroni Arena was postponed due to adverse weather conditions?

Dec 2nd, 2017 versus Falkirk.

Cappielow?

Dec 5th, 2015 versus Hibs.

Which Scottish football clubs were founded in 1977?

Deveronside FC

What are the levels of football in Saarland, and what clubs are in them?

    Bundesliga: no Saarlandish clubs currently

    2. Bundesliga: ditto

    3. Liga: ditto

    Regionalliga Südwest: SV Elversberg, 1. FC Saarbrücken, SV Röchling Völklingen 06

    Oberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar: FV 07 Diefflen, FSV Viktoria Jägersburg, SV Saar 05 Saarbrücken, FC Hertha Weisbach, FC 08 Homburg, FV Eppelborn

    Saarlandliga: SV Auersmacher, SV Bübingen, SV Elversberg II, VfB Dillingen, SC Friedrichsthal, SC Halberg Brebach, SV Rot-Weiß Hasborn-Dautweiler, SpVgg Quierschied, Sportfreunde Köllerbach, SV Mettlach, VfL Primstal, SG Lebach/Landsweiler, TuS Herrensohr, FSG Ottweiler/Steinbach, Borussia Neunkirchen, FC 08 Homburg II, FSG Bous, FV Schwalbach

    Verbandsliga: 2 divisions (NE and SW) of 16 teams each

    Landsliga: 4 divisions (N, E, S and W) of 16 teams each

    Bezirksebene: 6 divisions of 16 teams each

    Kreisebene: 2 levels of about 14 teams each

Make a table out of the results between Saarland teams in the first half of the 2017-18 Oberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar season, why don't you?

                        G    W    D     L      F     A    GD    P

Homburg          5     5     0     0    17     0    +17     15

Jägersburg       5     3     0     2    10     9     +1       9

Wiesbach         5     3     0     2    10    13     -3       9

Saar                 5     1     2     2      9      9      0        5

Diefflen            5     0     2     3      5     10    -5        2

Eppelborn        5     0     2     3      7     17   -10       2

Abruzzo: Vastese [2 - 1] L'Aquila

Largs Thistle [2 - 0] Rutherglen Glencairn

They're halfway through the schedule in the Swiss Challenge League. Xamax are on top. Vaduz are fourth. The three W's (Wohle, Winterthur and Wil) occupy the bottom three spots.

FIFA Club World Cup:

Dec. 12: Grêmio 1 - 0 Pachuca

Dec. 13: Al-Jazira 1 - 2 Real Madrid

Today's final: Real Madrid [1 - 0] Grêmio

Real Madrid are the champions of Earth.

66th All Japan University Football Championship:

Round One (Dec 13):

Match No. 1: Niigata University of Health and Welfare 0 - 2 Chiba University Hanamatsu Campus

Match No. 2: Tokyo International University 2 - 0 Hokkaido University of Education Iwamizawa School

Match No. 3: Sendai University 2 - 3 International Pacific University

Match No. 4: Kochi University 0 - 4 Fukuoka University

Match No. 5: Kyushu Sangyo University 1 - 0 Chukyo University

Match No. 6: Kansai University 2 - 1 Fukuyama University

Match No. 7: National Institute of Fitness and Sport in Kanoya 2 - 1 Matsumoto University

Match No. 8: Fuji University 2 - 3 Shizuoka Sangyo University

Round Two (today):

Match No.9: University of Tsukuba [2 - 1] Chiba University Hanamatsu Campus

Match No.10: Tokyo International University [3 - 2] Hannan University

Match No.11: International Pacific University [0 - 1] Ryutsu Keizai University

Match No.12: Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences [1 - 2] Fukuoka University

Match No.13: Juntendo University [4 - 1] Kyushu Sangyo University

Match No.14: Kansai University [1 - 0] Meiji University

Match No.15: National Institute of Fitness and Sport in Kanoya [0 - 1] Biwako Seikei Sport College

Match No.16: Hosei University [3 - 0] Shizuoka Sangyo University

A squad of JFL all-stars were touring Burma this week. Results:

Dec. 9        Zwegapin United FC 1 - 4 JFL

Dec. 12      Magwe FC 1 - 0 JFL

Dec. 14      Yangon United FC 2 - 3 JFL

ReinMeer Aomori and Vanraure Hachinohe supplied two players each. All three Burmese clubs play in the Myanmar National League.

"Love Street" by The Doors.

Dunfermline the Horse

Dunfermline, owned by the Queen, won both the Epsom Oaks and the St. Leger Stakes in the Silver Jubilee year of 1977. Source.

Morton visit Dunfermline for a game originally scheduled November 11th. This is Morton's thirteenth match of the season. In the first dozen they accumulated four wins, four draws and four losses, with a +2 goal difference, good for sixth place. In their first meeting with the Pars on September 9th Morton won 3 - 2. Morton have not scored more than two goals in a game since.

Dunfermline are part of pack of five teams any one of which could be holding first place on any given week. They (the Pars) have the best goal difference.

What was Morton's most significant game against Dunfermline?

April 30th, 2011            Morton 0 - 2 Dunfermline

The Pars clinched first place and promotion to the Premier League.

Since 1994, which Fife clubs have played in tier II?

1994-95        Raith Rovers, Dunfermline

1995-96        Dunfermline

1996-97        East Fife

1997-98        Raith Rovers

1998-99        Raith Rovers

1999-00        Raith Rovers, Dunfermline

2000-01        Raith Rovers

2001-02        Raith Rovers

2002-03

2003-04        Raith Rovers

2004-05        Raith Rovers

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08        Dunfermline

2008-09        Dunfermline

2009-10        Dunfermline, Raith Rovers

2010-11        Dunfermline, Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath

2011-12        Raith Rovers

2012-13        Raith Rovers, Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath

2013-14        Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath

2014-15        Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath

2015-16        Raith Rovers

2016-17        Raith Rovers, Dunfermline

2017-18        Dunfermline

Raith Rovers 16 times, Dunfermline 10, Cowdenbeath 4, East Fife 1.

Morton's 4 - 4 draws through history:

Sept 29, 1894            Partick 4 - 4 Morton

Dec 18, 1915             Queen's Park 4 - 4 Morton

Oct 5, 1929                Morton 4 - 4 Hamilton

Dec 20, 1941             Third Lanark 4 - 4 Morton

Sept 22, 1945            Morton 4 - 4 Third Lanark

Jan 26, 1946              Rangers 4 - 4 Morton

Nov 19, 1960             Morton 4 - 4 Hamilton

April 12, 1969            Morton 4 - 4 St Johnstone

How did Stirling Albion come to be known as a yo-yo club?

1945: founded

1946: joined the SFL Division C

1947: promoted to Division B

1949: promoted to Division A

1950: demoted

1951: promoted

1952: demoted

1953: promoted

1956: demoted

1958: promoted

1960: demoted

1961: promoted

1962: demoted

1965: promoted

1968: demoted

[1 - 1. Morton goal by Oliver.]

Voyager 1

Voyager 1 was launched toward the outer planets and interstellar space on this date in 1977, a couple of weeks after Voyager 2.

Helden Héros

Listen to "Heroes" in German and French.

Scottish Cup 1977

DRAWING BOARD VICTORY

Celtic 1, Rangers 0

by Jim Reynolds

    As controversy still raged around Saturday's Scottish Cup-winning goal at Hampden Park, a steady stream of wellwishers from places such as Swansea, Blackpool, Birmingham, and Luton moved through the corridors of Parkhead yesterday. They had to check themselves from bowing at the feet of Jock Stein as the Celtic manager emerged from his office to conduct his Sunday press conference.

    "There is always controversy when a match is won in such a fashion," said Stein, "but we are all convinced that it was a penalty. Andy Lynch scored, and the prize is in there," added Stein, pointing towards the trophy room where the Scottish Cup joined the Premier League championship trophy for the first time.

    The 1977 final will not go down in history as one of the classics . . . there was too much tension for that . . . but it provided high excitement for the lowest post-war attendance for such an occasion -- a crowd cut to 54,252 because of lashing rain and live television coverage.

Finest hour

    Stein commented, "It was not a good final. We had to change things round a bit because of the injury to Ronnie Glavin, and it was a game in which we tried to curtail Rangers and they tried to do the same with us. Our planning paid off and I am particularly happy for the lads who have just won their first Scottish Cup medal."

    If ever a match was won on the drawing board it was this one, and once again Stein proved that he is the master architect of football planning.

    Johannes Edvaldsson, the Icelandic Internationalist, who had never previously played in a winning side against Rangers, was brought in to mark Derek Johnstone. He had his finest hour in a Celtic jersey, making Johnstone as ineffective as I have seen him. Edvaldsson also caused a lot of trouble for the Rangers defence when he moved forward for set-pieces.

    Roddy McDonald was given the job of taking care of Derek Parlane, Rangers' other danger in the air. McDonald emerged as the man of the match with a brilliant display and, like Edvaldsson, put the Rangers defence under severe pressure when he moved forward.

    Danny McGrain had one of his quieter matches, but this was because Alex MacDonald did such a good job in blocking off the full back's route down the right. Ironically, this also suited Celtic, for MacDonald has scored some vital goals in Old Firm matches. On Saturday he was too busy taking care of McGrain to make much positive contribution.

    Stein's surprise move in bringing back Paul Wilson was also a winner. Wilson is so unpredictable that he must be watched at all times, and it is a tribute to his contribution that Tom Forsyth emerged as Rangers' man of the match. Forsyth, for me, can join McGrain and Kenny Dalglish as Scots who are true world-class players.

    Sandy Jardine and Alfie Conn, who has made history by gaining a winner's medal with both Rangers and Celtic, practically cancelled out one another, and so a match which should have been bursting with flair took on a chessboard look.

    Celtic were the first side to settle, and that is always a vital factor in a cup final. In the face of a gale they constantly probed away at the Rangers defence and were well on top when the moment of high drama came.

Handled

    With 20 minutes gone Conn swung over a corner from the left. McDonald headed back across goal and the ball was only partially cleared by Stewart Kennedy. Edvaldsson charged in and his shot beat the goalkeeper, but was handled on the line by Johnstone.

    Referee Valentine had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, and despite Rangers' furious protests, I feel that the referee was correct.

    While the protests were going on, the Celtic players were holding hurried consultations. Their regular penalty expert, Glavin, was absent, and it was expected that Dalglish, the captain, would take on the responsibility.

    Andy Lynch, who volunteered to take the kick, had taken only two penalties in his career. Both of them were for Hearts, his previous club -- and he missed them. It was third time lucky, however, for Lynch, who showed no signs of nerves as he cracked the ball past Kennedy with his left foot.

    Rangers changed their tactics after the interval, moving John Greig in front of the central defenders, but that left a gap at the back, which Celtic quickly spotted. Instead of attacking down the wings, they pumped long balls through the middle and on at least two occasions should have scored.

    With 19 minutes left, Rangers produced a substitution as a last effort to save the game. Young Chris Robertson came in for Kenny Watson, and he almost gave the Ibrox club the draw, which they thought they deserved. Robertson's header which cannoned back off the bar in the closing stages was one of the few highlights.

    Four players were booked -- Stanton and Aitken (Celtic) and McLean and Parlane (Rangers) -- but Mr Valentine again proved to be an inconsistent referee and let more persistent offenders get away unpunished.

    With Celtic seemingly on course for another era of glory, the big question is: Where do Rangers go from here? Jock Wallace has stood by the side who won the treble last season, but as each trophy has vanished off the Ibrox sideboard it has become more and more obvious that several of the players have not repaid the loyalty shown by the manager.

    At least one new face is need before Rangers go trophy-hunting at home and in Europe next season. Class players are hard to find -- at a reasonable cost -- but Celtic, buying wisely, are again at the top of the heap, and Rangers must try something similar.

    CELTIC -- Latchford, McGrain, Lynch, Stanton, McDonald, Aitken, Dalglish, Edvaldsson, Craig, Wilson, and Conn. Substitutes -- Doyle and Burns.

    RANGERS -- Kennedy, Jardine, Greig, Forsyth, Jackson, Watson, McLean, Hamilton, Parlane, MacDonald, and Johnstone. Substitutes -- Robertson and Miller.

    Referee -- R. B. Valentine (Dundee).

Morton Versus the Well

This year's coverage of Greenock Morton FC is brought to you by the 12" Canadian EP of Genesis, Spot the Pigeon, containing the hit "Match of the Day", which I had in my milk crate in 1977.

Morton kick off the 2011-12 season at home with a friendly match against Premier League side Motherwell today. This is a late addition to the pre-season schedule, and I wonder if it was added primarily to balance out all those away games coming up in the early part of the calendar. As things stand now there are no home gates for Morton between July 13 and August 13.

Motherwell, you'll recall, were Scottish Cup finalists in May, making it there for the first time in twenty years only to lose to Celtic 3 - 0. 2010-11 was a roller coaster year for Motherwell, but then again it was a roller coaster year for everyone. They started strong under the eye of veteran manager Craig Brown, then went into a dive after he absconded to Aberdeen. (Though to be fair, he had not signed a contract.) Well were able to stay in the top half of the Premier at the split, but conspicuously ended the season with fewer points than seventh-place Inverness CT. 

Morton and Motherwell last met in a cup game in [February 2007 in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup, Motherwell winning 2 - 0], August 2004 in the second round of the League Cup, Motherwell winning; and last played a league game in January 1988, Motherwell winning that one too.

Of the two clubs, Motherwell and Morton, which is more illustrious? Motherwell have won the Scottish Cup twice, the league cup once, and the league championship, finishing ahead of both Celtic and Rangers, once, in 1931-32. And they've been in the top division since 1984. Motherwell is more illustrious.

This is not strictly Morton's first match of the year as there have been some bounce matches to help manager Allan Moore winnow down his trialists. A bounce match is something like a friendly except less so, because fans aren't really welcome, and in fact there are two big blokes named Jamie and Alasdair who'll bounce you if you try to get in. On Thursday, June 30, two different Morton squads played sides from Hibernian FC [Hibs won 5 - 2] and Airdrie United [Diamonds won 4 - 1]. Both matches were played at Tranent, east of Edinburgh, just across the A1 from Prestonpans.

Morton have a new sponsor. After running around advertising Buchanan's Toffees, and then Millions, the tiny tasty chewy sweets, the Greenock men now campaign on behalf of Ferguson's Chocolates. I find it hard to believe that this has nothing to do with Greenock's long history as a sugar entrepôt.

[Motherwell 3, Morton 2.]

Central Consolidated High School Grads 1977

There's a bunch of new (and older) scans up at the Ottawa Comix Jam site. Unhappily, I'm responsible for that uncentred word 'consolidated', but I think Wendel and Angelo worked out pretty well. Douglas