The Cradle of the Game by Stuart Roy Clarke

We bring you a selection of images from the latest book by Gordon Taylor's favourite football photographer. The book is full of evocative, shamelessly nostalgic and absorbing images of places and people.
  
  


Cradle of the Game: Bury 'Ladies Retiring Room'
Bury 'Ladies Retiring Room' 1990

A place was reserved for the womenfolk to wait downstairs whilst the men watched the match from up top
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Manchester United 'The end of One Mudbank'
Manchester United 'The end of One Mudbank' 1995

The club don't have to move across town to play, as they did after Old Trafford was bombed during World War 2. The reconstruction work will continue whilst the team do their thing on the pitch
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Sunderland 'The entire Fulwell End'
Sunderland 'The entire Fulwell End' 1996

The entire end captured on film.
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Hibernian 'Against the backdrop of The Big Two'
Hibernian 'Against the backdrop of The Big Two' 1995

Hibs v Hearts in the Edinburgh derby, with Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat in the background.
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Liverpool 'Two girls leaving the newsagents'
Liverpool 'Two girls leaving the newsagents' 2005

Back in Liverpool they are waiting to get the European Cup back. Others borrowed it for a few years
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Bobby Robson 'In the dressing-room'
Bobby Robson 'In the dressing-room' 2007

He starts by mumbling. After all these Gretna boys are not his team. He does not want to overstep his mark. He gives them a short story about honesty. The players are all ears. He has their respect. Sir Bobby gets excited. This promotion decider, he tells them, is about having seven or more players performing better than the oppostion. Which, if you do, then you will undoubtedly win
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Blackpool 'Promotion Gathering'
Blackpool 'Promotion Gathering' 2010

Good times
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Rangers 'Gazza and the three girls'
Rangers 'Gazza and the three girls' 1996

It's not really Gazza hob-knobbing with the crowd outside Hampden, just a couple of hours before kick-off. Is it?
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Millwall 'Family day in The Den'
Millwall 'Family day in The Den' 1990

Not everyone's idea of a picnic
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Everton 'The push for Gwladys'
Everton 'The push for Gwladys' 1990

Knowing it will then be a panic to get in, many nevertheless leave it till the very last moment to dash (from the pub)
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Greenock Morton 'Drop the daughter in it'
Greenock Morton 'Drop the daughter in it' 2005

Brought up with the football. Versus Gretna
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Droylsden 'The snorkelled swimmer & spiv unite in appeal'
Droylsden 'The snorkelled swimmer & spiv unite in appeal' 2008

Almost summer. It is the very last game of the season at Stafford Rangers and with both teams already relegated the honours now are in finishing bottom or next to bottom. It is not quite clear which position is more revered. Much humour envelopes the fixture and its fans
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Derby County 'Player crosses the ball'
Derby County ' Player crosses the ball' 1992

The crowd looks on, in close proximity
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Celtic 'Six-footed tackle'
Celtic 'Six-footed tackle' Hampden Park 1996

It takes three men to get the ball from Rangers' Paul Gascoigne. Even captain Paul McStay has to get involved
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Sunderland versus Newcastle 'A hand across the rivalry'
Sunderland versus Newcastle 'A hand across the rivalry' 2007

Would they, without policing, rip each other to bits?
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: 'England kick off the campaign v Paraguary' Frankfurt, Germany World Cup
'England kick off the campaign v Paraguay' Frankfurt, Germany World Cup 2006

The line-up under the giant spider shadow with the curious screens
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: 'German bomber' Kaiserslautern, Germany World Cup
'German bomber' Kaiserslautern, Germany World Cup 2006

A chance to show off
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: 'English Rose is prepared to strip' Frankfurt, Germany World Cup
'English Rose is prepared to strip' Frankfurt, Germany World Cup 2006

The lassie holds sway. She has the fountain boys - and the entire crowd gathered in the square - at her fingertips
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Mexico 'Arriving on his horse prop' Leipzig, Germany World Cup
Mexico 'Arriving on his horse prop' Leipzig, Germany World Cup 2006

Many many many many Mexicans are here. Their general of the Mounted Division marvels at the scene. This encounter against Argentina is to be the game of the tournament in the best ground. The only one 'behind' the old Iron Curtain
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Gretna '...on his dream nightmare day'
Gretna '...on his dream nightmare day' 2007

The rookie manager reflects. His charges blew a 12-point lead and took it right to the last game - indeed to the last minute of the last game - but they have got promotion, to the Scottish Premier League, today, at Ross County. The celebratory bus ride home passes through the dark mountain surrounds of Aviemore
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Preston North End 'The Kop End recalled'
Preston North End 'The Kop End recalled' 1996

The year of Fooball's Coming Home. Preston's ground is knackered. Yet the old Spion Kop is about to be redeveloped as the Bill Shankly Stand containing The National Football Museum; the Northern club with the insgnia of lamb with a halo and crucifix are edging their way back to a promised land they helped invent
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Arsenal 'Wright one-two'
Arsenal 'Wright one-two' 1994

Highbury. The Clock End. Arsenal move forward from the back five with a tight passing game against a Newcastle United side poised for a counterattack
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
Cradle of the Game: Bolton Wanderers 'Canteen girls stay behind'
Bolton Wanderers 'Canteen girls stay behind' 2000

Supping up the atmosphere, there is still a waft of the old era about the brand spanking new Reebok Stadium. But it is downstairs, almost out of sight
Photograph: Stuart Roy Clarke
 

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