70's SWEETNESS - Candy and Gum cards

My latest additions to the collection both come from the end of the 1970's. In fact, the pair were both issued for the 1979 season and were a product of gum and candy premiums.

 

OSVALDO ARDILES was a the dynamic midfield general of Argentina's 1978 FIFA World Cup winning team. A year later he joined English club Tottenham. His career with the London club earned him a place in the Football Hall off Fame.

 

 

 

1979 Topps England - Osvaldo Ardiles

 

The other player, Kenny Dalglish, also played in the 1978 World Cup for Scotland. It was his 2nd of 3 World Cups for the Scotsman. The Scots left it too late and didn't get past the group stages. He would go on to play a record 102 times for his country and a record 30 international goals.

1979 Barratt Footballers - Kenny Dalglish

 

Dalglish made his mark on English football after a leaving Scottish football with over 100 goals. He added over 200 with Liverpool and a showcase full of trophies. Kenny Dalglish is also a member of the Football Hall of Fame.

 

Both of these are great additions to my soccer PC and a super way to start 2014.

 

 

Keeping Up With The JONES ... Vinny JONES

Playing football can be a hard life. Or if you're VINNY JONES, make life hard - for other players.

 

1996 Merlin Premier League pog

 

English soccer's "tough guy" has retired from the game many years ago. But after watching last week's episode of CBS' "ELEMENTARY" - a modern SHERLOCK HOLMES - Vinny is still playing the game.

Sherlock is confronted by a murderous "Moriarity". It is just another role for the soccer player cum actor.

 

Beginning with the classic LOCK, STOCK and TWO SMIKING BARRALS (pictured below),

Jones has had a succession of work playing the murderous, the silent and the deranged. In this ELEMENTARY episode he hangs his victims upside down and slits their throats while watching "THE ARSENAL" on the TV. Not to be interupted, even by the call girl trying to seduce him while the game is on.

 

1992 Topps Stadium Club

 

Vinny played for several London clubs including Chelsea and Wimbledon (with which he won the F.A. Cup). But he never played for Arsenal.

 

Comic fanboys will forever have this image (see below) of the X-MEN villain JUGGERNAUT. He looks like he could really go through a wall !

 

Chances are Vinny will never play the role of the quiet and sensative leading man. But he is still appearing on trading cards as seen in Rittenhouse' X-MEN 3: The Last Stand.

 

 

While he will not win points for his penmenship, the glare on this autographed card is priceless - and probably included with his audition photos.

 

See if you can figure out what Mr. Jones is selling in this advert :

 

1996 Pro Match carature.

 

Vinny Jones is a great character and worth watching whether he was on the playing field or on the big screen.

 

Nice one Vinny. Now cut the man down.

 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE 100 : Ossie Ardiles # 90

For two countries that were once at war over an island, there is the commonality of football that unite both Argentina and England. With current Argentine stars like Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez (both Manchester City) making their living in the English Premier League, it shows the power of sport over politics.

However, all of the South American imports playing in England today can be attributed to the sucess of one individual Argentine legend - OSVALDO "OSSIE" ARDILES.

1979 Topps "All-Star" Ossie Ardiles.

Ardiles concluded the 1978 FIFA World Cup with a Champion's medal as his home nation hosted that tournament. Afterwards, he went overseas to play for Tottenham Hotspur were he bacame a fan favorite.

After 10 seasons playing in London, he moved to the American club Ft. Lauderdale Strikers for their 1989 Championship season.

Osvaldo Ardiles is the first and only player from South America in the Football League top 100. Subsequently, he is the lone player with his first card appearing in a South American (and relatively rare) set.

Ardiles first appears on a rare 1977 Argentine League card with his Huracan club.

Return of the ROWDIES

The ROWDIES are here, the ROWDIES are there ... a kick in the grass. The 1970's theme song was a hit in the early days of Florida's permier sports teams. Before the Rowdies, the only professional franchise in the Sunshine State was an obsecure ABA basketball team and the NFL Miami Dolphins.

But all that changed in 1975 - when the NASL awarded a franchise to the city of Tampa. By 1976, the Rowdies were the most popular team in Florida. The New York Cosmos signed the legendary PELE' to a multimillion dollar contract. It is no secret this is what prompted baseball's N.Y. Yankees to do the same with Jim "Catfish" Hunter - the first million dollar player in MLB.

But the Rowdies went out and got a wild one ... the quick witted, clown prince of soccer - RODNEY MARSH. A superstar in England, best selling author by age 20, and the hero of the stadium terraces. HE - came to Tampa Bay.

When the Rowdies opened their 2010 season at Steinbrenner Field on May 8th - the fans were introduced to 10 of the original Rowdies. Rodney was one of those in attendance. I did not hesitate to have him autograph his 1977 Topps card and his 1967 Autobiography.

While I was at it, I added to my 1990 ProSet England soccer cards with former Everton and Manchester City star - Adrian Heath. Heath is now the head coach of the visiting Austin Aztex. This was my 3rd signed Manchester City player in this set.

This is not you father's NASL - but the teams are young and exciting. Hopefully, there will be more collectables on the horizon.