My diary entries from April 1986, paint a vivid picture of teenage life in Shropshire. On the first Friday night in April, we were treated to Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Series 2 Episode 7 – No Sex Please, We’re Brickies.
That aside, the rest of my diary entires for the month are a blend of the mundane with the trials of school, family, hobbies, and just going out and playing for hours. A favourite pastime was an elongated hide and seek game that we called “Fox and Hounds.”
Despite being under the weather (I certainly whinged and whined about it), I moved through the days showing a mix of reluctance for schoolwork and enthusiasm for football, both playing and following professional matches. In my teenage way, I also mentioned our concern for a family member suffering from cancer.
I celebrated making the final payment for my bike – wheels like razor blades. After Easter saw the onset of exams and the pressure to revise, my diary reveals this teenager’s knack for procrastination as I found diversion in video games, TV shows, and sports.
Noteworthy events, mostly wins for Liverpool FC, provide a backdrop to my daily life, which oscillated between boredom, rebellion against academic obligations, and moments of joy and anticipation for the future.
Tuesday 1 April 1986
“Nice day today.”
April Fool’s Day, although I make no note about any pranks that were played either on or by me. We played our extended hide-and-seek game, Fox and Hounds. It was a simple game, Team One would run off up the course of the old railway line, which ran behind our houses, and then after a decent delay, the other team would go off to find them. There were lots and lots of great places to hide.
The further you went ‘up the line’, the steeper the embankments became. The undergrowth was a tangled, matted mess, so if you wanted, you could secrete yourself under a bramble and stay there all day. But where’s the fun in that? As ever, it’s the thrill of the chase. A member of Team Two spies you hidden there and the shout goes up and the chase is on. Fine fun.
I noted that had a cold, or in this sixteen-year-old’s parlance, “… a bastard of a cold!”
Wednesday 2 April 1986
According to my revision schedule, I should have been doing some “Maths revision.”
My cold kept me awake last night until 2:30 am. Now I’m not now, nor was I then, a bad sleeper, so I felt really miserable. But I am a trooper, so I got up, I guess at the normal time, did my papers, and then got on my bike to school for a game of football. Of course, there was no one else foolhardy enough to get there on time, so I had an hour to kill. I went to Auntie’s house. Boy was I a user, eh?!
At last, the gang arrived and by one o’clock we were playing rugby in the hockey goals at school. Rugby?! Now, none of us were egg chasers, but someone had the bright idea, so we went for it. Probably one of the more enlightened – maybe he who suggested the idea – knew some of the rules or had an idea, so we bodged up some sort of game. Unfortunately, there weren’t that many of us, so I don’t think that we stayed for long – with that it was back on my bike and home for tea.
Thursday 3 April 1986
I went to bed at “midnight last night” and luckily went straight off to sleep.
I got up at nine am and did my papers in leisurely style – my mum had even been to the shop to fetch them for me. Kids, eh?! Don’t know they’re bleddy well born, little beggars.
I then went on to complain that I had “done very little homework” and “zero revision.” This was, after all, the Easter Holidays. Anyway, stuff that for a game… let’s play football.
Friday 4 April 1986
Now I don’t want to come across as all maudlin here, but there’s no getting away from it.
We had a cancer sufferer in our immediate family. A cousin of Dad’s, who lived across the road from us, to be precise. I remember that he’d been suffering for a long time with what he thought was a bad back. He’d been everywhere to get his back sorted, but eventually, the correct diagnosis had been revealed, and by now it was too late.
My mum took him to Wolverhampton for treatment. A desperate attempt at chemotherapy or some palliative therapy, I don’t remember very well, but he didn’t live for very long afterwards – it was in June that he died, aged forty-something.
There is no other mention of him further on in my diary, but I do remember his death. I was watching the World Cup when his girlfriend came across the road in floods, (naturally).
Us kids, being what we were though, were hard at it playing Fox and Hounds up the old railway line and of course, a game of football was fitted in too. And in the evening, we watched Auf Wiedersehen Pet, which was “bloody marvellous” again.
The episode, which was the seventh in series 2, saw the lads taking a break after working at Thornley Manor for Ally Fraser’s bent associate Kenny Ames. With time on their hands, Dennis and Neville went back to Newcastle for the weekend whilst Barry went to have it out with his girlfriend, Hazel about their supposed wedding plans.
The remaining lads, Oz, Bomber, Moxy and Wayne had planned to head off into Manchester seeking, ahem, romantic liaisons. Unfortunately, they had a problem. Wayne’s German car had been impounded by Customs and Excise. Consequently, they had to walk to the local pub, the Barley Mow. Dressed up to the nines, the four head for the lounge where Oz hit it off with a local lady, Joy Chatterley…
Saturday 5 April 1986
Ooh wow! What a day.
First things first, my bike was now fully mine! Yes, today I made the final payment on it! What a relief!
West Tip won the Grand National at Aintree and in football news, Liverpool needed extra time to defeat Southampton 2-0 in their FA Cup semi-final at White Hart Lane, whilst Everton booked their passage to Wembley by defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Villa Park. So, the first-ever Merseyside Derby in the Cup Final was booked in.
And finally, I announced to the world, well to my diary, that my brother was a pain in the neck. I know I know, but I was sixteen he was fourteen, it’s a teenage brothers thing.
Sunday 6 April 1986
Ha ha! Sarcasm. The lowest form of wit.
I reported a “beautiful day – except for the wind, rain, sleet, snow and cold!” With Brian Moore commentating, highlights from Liverpool v Southampton were on ITV, as was Spitting Image. Erm… that is all.
Monday 7 April 1986
Oh dear, we had thought that Spring had sprung.
However, according to today’s entry, it was an “utter bastard of a day”. It was wet and windy, and surprise, surprise, there was nothing at all to do. I was frustrated by the fire, which I could not get to light, well not until I had put three firelighters on it. Why, there wasn’t even much on the telly. Boo and indeed, hoo.
No homework or revision reported, I should have been doing some “Physics.”
Tuesday 8 April 1986
Just as boring today as it was yesterday. Oh dear.
I played Football Manager on the C64, and did a little catching up, by doing some Physics homework.
I reported that I was thinking of buying a stereo if my brother, “tightness”’ was agreeable. Just a quickie about this, this would have to be a joint purchase. I was a spendthrift, and my brother was very careful. Careful to the extent that he would eschew spending his own money on things, wait for muggins to buy them and then make with it like it was his own! The bleeder. He wasn’t stupid was he… we never did buy that stereo.
Wednesday 9 April 1986
Oh no. Another “boring” day. Again, I played Football Manager on the C64. I also went to the library, and amongst all those books I was still bored.
At least Man Utd could offer us some entertainment as they lost 2-1 at home to Chelsea this evening.
And over on Channel 4 we had some seminal eighties TV, Prospects. Following the adventures of Jimmy ‘Pincey’ Pince, played by the late great Gary Olsen and Billy, played by Brian Bovell, Prospects was a cult hit for Channel 4 – one of the programmes that only Channel 4 could make.
The sun sets on the Thames, another day comes to an end…
Thursday 10 April 1986
Result! No mention of the words “bored” or “boring” today.
I played Football Manager again, I had almost finished my Physics homework, but I still had Maths, French, German and Chemistry to do. Note to self, if you know that you had so much homework to do, why pray, did you leave it until the Thursday before the Monday that you’re due to go back to school?
There’s a room in the secondary school that I went to in which I spent many a frantic half hour before school finishing homework that I should have done the night before. And I still carry out tasks in the same rushed manner!
I went to bed at 10:30 after the “best day for yonks.” Weather-wise I am presuming.
Friday 11 April 1986
At last, I had finished (surely phinished) my Physics homework. I noted also that I had better “start [my] Chemistry homework or else” – remember, back to school on Monday, that’s only a weekend away. It was “nearly a nice day up till dinner.”
I then went on to complain about somebody, let’s call him Teddy. Apparently, he was at ours all day, and “Gordon Bennet he’s a wanker”. Mmm, spurious to say the least. But anyway, at least Auf Widersehen, Pet was on again and this week it was “grate (sic).”
Saturday 12 April 1986
The race for the League Championship was really hotting up now.
Both Liverpool and Everton were keeping the pressure on each other. Liverpool demolished Coventry City 5-0 at Anfield, as Everton beat Arsenal at Highbury. Although still level on points, now with seventy-three each, Liverpool’s five goals may just have swung the goal difference in their favour at +42 versus +37. Everton still held a game in hand though.
Shrewsbury Town had a lovely day by the seaside, beating Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 at the Goldstone Ground.
I did very little homework – but was feeling rebellious, “who cares” and noted also that my French exam was “pretty soon!!!!!!!” – that’s seven exclamation marks.
Sunday 13 April 1986
Oh no! The last day before back to school.
In reality, it was the last push for us. With our ‘O’ Levels looming large on the horizon, we probably only had a few weeks left as regular school goers. Looking back now it seems like such an innocent time.
I’m not dismissing issues that some kids have with academic expectations, but if my job consisted solely of preparing for and taking exams, I’d be extremely happy. Of course, this is completely unfeasible, academic qualifications are a means to an end and not a means in themselves, but you get my point.
Any parents tempted to live vicariously through their children or put undue pressure on them to perform well in exams, please back off, exams etc are NOT the be all and end all. Life is about living, and ultimately, it’s about what you do, not what a few pieces of paper say you’re good at remembering.
Anyway, I got wet during the delivery of my papers, but enjoyed some dry, sunny weather when it was time to go back out to collect the money. Today I had a great day, taking £116.42 in total. In footy news, Man Utd entertained us all by losing 2-0, at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Ha ha.
Monday 14 April 1986
Here’s a thought for you. I think that I was Jim Royle before he was. First entry… “Back to school – not so bad eh? Not so bad – my arse!”
I did my French speech, which I didn’t know very well, and considering that exam was only next week. That’s a bit silly by me really. In the evening, I watched Now, Something Else, starring Jeremy Hardy and Sarah Crowe (the first bride in Four Weddings) and written by Rory Bremner and Ian Brown. I also watched the Joan Rivers show, Can We Talk? They were both “Brill.”
Tuesday 15 April 1986
Here is the full entry for today…
“Maths was long – wanted to get out. Chemistry – a dos (sic). Played tennis in games [PE]. Rained after and before and during tea. Nothing to write except – Physics h/wk last done.”
It’s a bit wonky, to say the least – but I suppose it was written as a stream of consciousness, and a sixteen-year-old’s at that.
Wednesday 16 April 1986
Today I missed some of my Physics lesson.
I went to a YTS information meeting with the careers adviser. I chose to look at the Engineering and Clerical categories. Now considering that I wasn’t YTS material, oh no sir – I had plans… big plans, this was most likely a cynical ploy to avoid a lesson, and Physics at that. Not bad, not bad.
Liverpool climbed back to the top of the league by defeating Luton 1-0 away. Everton had played the night before, in the same neck of the woods, seeing off Watford by two goals to nil. Points were equal on seventy-six each with goal differences of +43 versus +39. Everton still had their game in hand.
Thursday 17 April 1986
Another one of those days today.
That is, “Man talk about boring,” save for the two fire alarm tests that we had at school. It must have still been cold as I complained that it was “bloody cold outside with just a pullover and shirt.” In German we had a school inspector.
Friday 18 April 1986
A momentous day today.
The Head of the Fifth Year announced to us that Friday 9 May was to be our last official day at school. He stressed that should we be required to attend by any particular teacher that it would be in our interests to do so. By my reckoning at the time, this meant Chemistry and Physics only…
Saturday 19 April 1986
A spot of French revision for today, I had my first exam – a speaking one on Tuesday!
Gulp! Both Liverpool and Everton won today, so things were still just as tight at the top of the League. I went to see Shrewsbury Town versus Wimbledon. This game resulted in a 1-1 draw, and although I make no comment on it, Wimbledon must have been playing their particularly ugly brand of hoof-it football.
By all accounts, or mine at least, [Shrewsbury] Town should have won, and this was despite seeing Gary Stevens sent off. I must make it clear here that this was not the same Gary Stevens as played for Spurs (or the Everton one for that matter), but a third Gary Stevens. As I noted, “dirty twat.”
As I was in town anyway, and feeling a little flush, I spent some of my hard earned on no less than three 7″ singles. I bought Big Country’s, Look Away, Austrian demi-God Falco’s Rock Me Amadeus and one out of the bargain bucket – Kurtis Blow’s If I Ruled The World.
Sunday 20 April 1986
A big sporting day today. And let’s be under no illusion, there was no way that homework, revision or any other form of schoolwork was going to get in the way of it!
Early on, the two races in London Marathon (surely Snickers? No? OK, sorry) were won by Toshihiko Seko (Japan) and Greta Waitz (Norway). Then in the afternoon, I watched the Milk (League) Cup Final as Oxford United defeated QPR by three goals to nil. The goals were scored by Hebberd, Houghton and Charles – a great name for a fictional legal practice if ever there was!
And even after all that, we had still had time to go out in the car as a family. We took a trip up Carding Mill Valley, some spectacular views and some quite hairy, narrow roads with long drops to one side.
Monday 21 April 1986
“NOTHING MUCH HAPPENED MUCH TODAY! ** Queen was 60.”
Tuesday 22 April 1986
Big day today, after yesterday’s lame excuse. My first ‘O’ Level exam. French speaking (I know what we call the not writing part of a language exam, but you know, words can be misconstrued …). Done, finished. Out of the way. What a relief – the exam that is.
In unrelated footy news, West Ham stuffed eight goals past Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground. I think that Newcastle had a goalkeeping crisis, and one P. Beardsley went in goal for them. Unlucky Pete.
Wednesday 23 April 1986
St. George.
On this day of all days, it is important for England to beat Scotland when they meet in a game of football. And this they managed to do, just. Terry Butcher and Glenn Hoddle scored first for England, then Graeme Souness pulled one back from the spot on fifty-seven minutes, making a very hairy last half-hour for the English.
Not a lot else happened, except we didn’t get any Physics homework. A very slow diary day then.
Thursday 24 April 1986
Whoo hoo… what an exciting day.
I kid you not… I received my exam card for the JMB… Good grief, I could hardly breathe.
I did some multiple-choice questions in French, some letter writing in German and rather surprisingly, “Geography was boring.” You will know by now Dear Reader, that something is not right if there isn’t at least one use of the word “boring” per day in my diary of 1986.
In (possibly tenuously, but more than likely, not) related news, one of my friends was off school and there was a “bit of a thunderstorm brewing.”
Friday 25 April 1986
Mmm… am I contradictory or what?
Entry one, “boring today”. Followed by “best day for absolutely ages”, and “Chemistry was one ace laugh again.” Lincoln’s saying springs to mind, that you can please some people sometimes etc. It seems that I, though, could not be pleased at all.
And… uh oh, in a puberty-related link, one of my friends, was re-christened “Farmer Giles” due to the extensive stubble growing on his chin. And if I remember correctly, this young shaver (see what I did there?) was the first that anybody spotted with his new growth of hair in a place where none of us had grown it before… in the showers after football. Just goes to show I suppose that although we may have had it physically, mentally we were nowhere. Small boys in the park, jumpers for goalposts etc.
Saturday 26 April 1986
Liverpool beat Birmingham City by five goals to nil as Everton could only draw 0-0 away at Forest.
Thus, it was P(40)-Pts(82)-GD(49) versus 39-80-40. Liverpool with two games left still needed to win both of them and hope that Everton lost (or drew) one of their three remaining fixtures. I also noted that West Ham “damn well won” (vs Coventry). They were going really well on their way to a third-place finish, as Man Utd ran out of gas.
In the second division, Shrewsbury Town lost 3-1 away at Bradford City, but their relegation fears were almost over for another season at least. And fittingly, as it was the first full Saturday of the Cricket season it was, believe it or not, “a very nice, sunny day.”
My impending exams were given no shrift at all.
Sunday 27 April 1986
I was in philosophical mood today, with “Ah well, another week in the life of Simon Lewis is over.”
That apart, it was a “brill day” with “grate sunshine.” I managed £111.16 on my paper round and actually did some Physics, Chemistry and Geography revision. But then I qualified the statement, adding, “well some of it – I have got a lot to learn.” No? You don’t say.
Monday 28 April 1986
I was actually getting into doing some revision!
I did some more Chemistry, Physics and Geography revision today, and noted that I “must start Maths.” I was really quite upbeat about the whole thing.
Unfortunately, the weather let me down. Sunday’s nice day (“a flash in the pan”) was replaced by a “grotty and grey [day] – most displeasing.”
Tuesday 29 April 1986
Another exam today.
A bonus one at that – English Language (speaking not writing). So, no revision required! The examiner was one of our younger English teachers and I record that it wasn’t so hard once I had “brought the conversation around to cricket.”
Anyway, that was two down, just the sixteen to go…
Wednesday 30 April 1986
“Great. Ace. Brill.”
Liverpool’s grip on the First Division Championship tightened today as they beat Leicester City 2-0 at Filbert Street, with their nearest challengers Everton losing 1-0 at Oxford Utd. Thus, the Blues’ game in hand was effectively spent – they were now five points behind.
Mathematically too, West Ham were still in with a shout as they beat Ipswich to leapfrog the Toffees into second place to go four points behind with a game in hand. However, if Liverpool beat Chelsea on Saturday 3 May then their sixteenth League Title would be secured.
The top of the table read thus:
