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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 15h

Jonathan Liew has just compared Guardiola’s blind loyalty to Stephens in The Remains of the Day and that’s the sort of analysis I’m after

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Neil Atkinson @knoxharrington.bsky.social · 20h

Burnham being a gobshite on this is not a shock. He has laid his groundwork with Everton. He didn't need to use his groundwork but he can't help himself. The PM should remain neutral at all costs. He is suggesting he may well already have tried to intervene. This and Everton have little in common.

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John Rain🥇 @johnrain.co.uk · 19h

"Oh Vic. I would be really concerned to lose them. They've been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester and obviously the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is."

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Sarah Elizabeth Cox @oispooky.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

In April last year I published two articles about Barbados-born 1880s Liverpool, London, travelling, boxer Felix Scott. I wasn't the first, but I believe I'm the first to look at him in detail, and particularly at his personal life. His great, and now a great great, grandson have been in touch...

A very fuzzy badly scanned photo from a 1900s newspaper showing boxers in the ring at Liverpool International Hall - one Black (George White, S. Africa) and one white (Johnny James, Liverpool) - and several trainers/cornermen including Felix Scott. Caption notes he is well-known and once met Dick Burge and Lachie Thompson

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Neil Atkinson @knoxharrington.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It's worth pointing out the rules then allowed for much more uncontrolled spending than the last 3 to 5 years. 900m of cheating is absolutely mind boggling and it casts everything since the takeover into doubt. This Manchester City now is built on the foundation of that 900m.

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Charlie Connelly @charlieconnelly.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Dublin folk, do not miss this. Saw it in Edinburgh and it’s amazing. In a lovely venue too - honestly, you can’t lose.

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Back from Dallas. Next up is Dublin. This will be an extended version of my Edinburgh show - two 45 mins with an interval. In many ways it will be like a football match. In other ways, it won’t. Either way, I hope to see you there! Tickets here - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-umbrel...

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The camera and flash responsible for this Pulitzer Prize winning photo. Part of a fantastic new journalism exhibit at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza

In the foreground, Bob Jackson’s original camera and flash

In the background, his famous photo of Lee Harvey Oswald being shot by Jack Ruby

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The camera and flash responsible for this Pulitzer Prize winning photo. Part of a fantastic new journalism exhibit at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza

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History Rage Podcast @historyrage.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🚨 THIS WEEK🚨 Why does everyone feel aggressively forced to have an unyielding opinion on JFK? 🗣️🇺🇸 @4hundredblows.bsky.social unleashes his history rage against this cultural trap, breaking down why society stubbornly refuses to accept "I don't know". 🤔📁 🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/65e9c7 #JFK #Podcast

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A City fan on the radio has just likened the club’s rule breaking to historical examples of Mancunian protest and insubordination - like the suffragettes and Peterloo.

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Achilles Micawber @achillesthe2nd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The chat was so compelling that I already bought the book and am now reading The Umbrella Man chapter.

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A City fan on the radio has just likened the club’s rule breaking to historical examples of Mancunian protest and insubordination - like the suffragettes and Peterloo.

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History Rage Podcast @historyrage.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

🚨 COMING TOMORROW🚨 Forget CIA dart guns 🎯! @4hundredblows.bsky.social breaks down the bizarre truth of the Umbrella Man, exploring how Dealey Plaza's chaotic crime scene spawned decades of wild myths and distorted memories ☂️📸. #JFK #History #UmbrellaMan #Myths

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

They had the biggest Dr Pepper bottle in the world in Waco

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History Rage Podcast @historyrage.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

🚨 NEXT WEEK🚨 The JFK assassination is ruined by toxic arguments! 🤬 @4hundredblows.bsky.social joins us to rescue this rich history from conspiracy dogmatism, focusing instead on the fascinating, deeply human story of Dealey Plaza. #JFK #HistoryPodcast #TrueHistory

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

They always miss Quarry off these lists.

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Neil Atkinson @knoxharrington.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It's very important to make the argument City shouldn't be relegated but should be expelled. The EFL should get to choose whether it takes them and at what tier. The bad faith dealings have impacted many sides that are currently EFL teams.

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Nige Tassell @nigetassell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

If you like music books that still have room for cameos from the likes of Spike Lee, Bob Monkhouse, the poet laureate, The Repair Shop, Bryan Robson, Bobby Robson, the Durham Classic Motorcycle Club and Roland Rat, then this is for you.

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Man City found guilty. There was no conspiracy - domestic or otherwise

A photo of Chief Justice Earl Warren - handing over the Warren Commission’s finding to President Johnson. Both men are surrounded by members of the commission

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Jaq - Art &c @jaqarts.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

George Clausen (1852-1944) - In the Small Hours, 1911

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Alec Lindsay’s Chops (Slight Return) @thelamblies.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Get on this, Irish pals!

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NoelM @noelmullin.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

My wife and I are really looking forward to this, both of us loved the book.

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

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Dylan Revisited @dylanrevisited.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Another gem from the Royal Festival Hall '64 programme, which included Dylan's autobiographical poem, My Life in a Stolen Moment. This was originally written for the 1963 Town Hall show in NYC. Naturally, it's a delightful mix of truth and legend.

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Behind the picket fence on the Grassy Knoll today - a new theory

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I’ll be interviewing @johnsweeneyroar.bsky.social about his new book - The Real Nigel Farage - in Nottingham on Saturday October 3rd. bromleyhouse.org/events/the-r...

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The courtroom where Jack Ruby was tried

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Rick Burin @rickburin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Elvis was a hero to most But he never meant shit to me To you To me To you

Paul Chuckle from the Chuckle Brothers with Chuck D and Flavor Flav from Public Enemy

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Simon Love @simonloverules.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Today’s Substack is about another awful b-side but I include an unpaid advertisement for @4hundredblows.bsky.social’s “The Umbrella Man And Other Stories” book

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Woolfinder General @brianwoolfinder.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I'm speechless

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Transpontine @transpontine.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

My new book 'New Cross, New Cross: a cultural history of London SE14' (2026) is now out in the wild, 300+ pages, £15. Available from The Word bookshop (314 New Cross Road) and Crofton Books (315 Brockley Road). Pubs, music, radical politics, sport and much, much more. (More stockists to come)

Cover of book showing stylised map of New Cross area

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Really enjoyable talk at Deep Vellum Books in Dallas yesterday. Dr Tim Cloward was asking the questions and you should all buy his book - The City That Killed The President. And if you’re in Dallas, support Deep Vellum!

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Hiya! If you’ve been holding out for a bargain then congratulations. You can get a whopping 20% off The Umbrella Man and Other Stories from the link below www.amazon.co.uk/dp/183736025...

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Hiya! If you’ve been holding out for a bargain then congratulations. You can get a whopping 20% off The Umbrella Man and Other Stories from the link below www.amazon.co.uk/dp/183736025...

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Gautham Rao (pronounced: Knicks in 5) @gauthamrao.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Not to be confused with Lee Bowyer

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Lee Bower’s Tower at Sunset - Bowers was a railroad switching engineer. From this tower he had a clear view of the picket fence, behind the grassy knoll. He said he saw two men and there was some kind of commotion at the time of the shooting. He died in a single vehicle road accident in 1966

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Jonn Elledge @jonnelledge.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

As President John F. Kennedy flicks through that day’s edition of the Dallas Morning News, he pauses and looks up at his wife. With evident frustration, he says, “We’re headed into nut country.” Lovely guest post by @4hundredblows.bsky.social

jonn.substack.com

Book Club: Nut Country

Of The Umbrella Man and Other Stories: What We Talk About When We Talk About the JFK Assassination, by Martin Fitzgerald.

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Tonight, the Butthole Surfers doc at The Texas Theatre

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A few photos from my talk and book signing at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza last night, which was obviously a thrill

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A few photos from my talk and book signing at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza last night, which was obviously a thrill

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A few lines that documented history. See alt text for details

A reporter’s original notebook from Dallas on 11/22/63. It reads as follows -

“Thick all way to Houston” (referring to the crowds)

“With vigour we’ll do this again in ‘64 - Woman” (Referring to a banner a woman in the crowd was holding)

A few lines of blank space

“12:30”

“At Triple Underpass - 3-4 shots”

“Man pounding ground”

“Lead car go”

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Andrew Male @andrewmale.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

If you like listening to Ronnie Lane in August but prefer the self-composed melancholy tracks to the knees-up country-folk folderol then you might enjoy this playlist. open.spotify.com/playlist/60H...

open.spotify.com

Roll On Babe: My Personal Ronnie Lane Best Of

“Well I've no use for riches/And I've no use for power/And I’ve no use for a broken heart/I’ll let this world go by.”

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

On the morning of the 22nd of November 1963, a man named Louis Steven Witt left this house and went to his office in Downtown Dallas. In his hand was a large black umbrella. The house is still owned by the Witt Family. Maybe, just maybe, the umbrella is inside.

A picture of me, standing outside a white single storey house in South East Dallas

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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

In another moment of serendipity I ended up at an art exhibition in East Dallas last night. The theme of the exhibition was umbrellas (of course it was) and I met Arty Turner there. Arty played bass on Homer Henderson’s Lee Harvey Was A Friend of Mine.

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