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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

"If it hadn't been for him, then goalkeeping wouldn't be what it is now" - Everton & Wales legend Neville Southall on his Everton & Wales predecessor Leigh Roose, declared missing in action on 7 October 1916 while fighting at the Battle of the Somme. His body was never recovered.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

"We would all get together, say our opinions on such and such a player, talk about any number of other issues and then go home again having had a quick drink." - Norman Wisdom, who died on this day in 2010, remembers his time on the board at Brighton & Hove Albion in the 1960s.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Thought I'd share this again today on what would have been Gerry Ryan's 71st birthday. Mark Lawrenson's beautifully crafted tribute, written on 16 October 2023, to his old Brighton & Hove Albion & Ireland teammate who had died the previous day.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

On this day in 1974 John Lennon released 'Walls and Bridges' featuring a picture he'd drawn as a child of George Robledo scoring Newcastle's winner in the 1952 FA Cup final on the album's cover. Read 'Postcards From Santiago', my 2025 biography on Robledo, to find out more.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It's 22 years today since Brian Clough left this Earth. Here's my favourite snapshot from his bafflingly bonkers 9-month spell in charge of Brighton & Hove Albion spanning 1973 and 1974, taken at an FA Cup tie at Walton & Hersham in Nov '73 and which appeared in my 2018 book 'Bloody Southerners'.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

It's Chilean Independence Day, so what better reason to post a picture of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, born in Chile in 1926, a post-war legend with Barnsley and Newcastle Utd before returning to Chile to play for Colo-Colo. Vamos Jorge!

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Seventy-five years ago today George Robledo scored four times as Newcastle Utd beat Burnley 7-1 at St James' Park. The Chilean would finish the season with 33 league goals to his name, still a record for an overseas-born foreign-registered player in English football's top flight.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

As much as it's portrayed as the devil, Amazon reviews & ratings can make a huge difference to the fortunes of a book. If you've read 'Postcards From Santiago - The George Robledo Story', and you enjoyed it, please take time to give it a positive review & rating. Thank you.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Today marks the anniversary of the start of The Great Evacuation of UK cities in 1939, and it's been my privilege to tell some of the personal stories of those evacuees who are still alive in the Daily Express. One of those occasions when I'm proud to do what I do.

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Reposted by Spencer Vignes

Everton FC Heritage Society @evertonheritage.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The great Leigh Richmond Roose is just one of those who’ll be covered at our EFC goalkeeper-themed talk and social evening at @denbighcastle.bsky.social on 3 September. Grab your tickets, here: www.tickettailor.com/events/evert...

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

This season marks 75 years since George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, scored 33 league goals for Newcastle United, still a record for a foreign registered, overseas born player in the top flight of English football. Vamos Jorge!

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Twenty-four seasons! That's how long I've been writing for Brighton & Hove Albion's match day programme. Watch out for 'Postcards From The Edge ' & 'Tales Of The Unexpected', my two new regular features, over the course of the 2026/27 campaign starting with Aston Villa on Sunday.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

"When people ask me about the managers and coaches that I've played under, I always say one of the best was Mike Bailey." - Gary Stevens, ex-Brighton & Hove Albion defender, remembers former Seagulls manager Mike Bailey whose death was announced yesterday

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

For anyone still experiencing Wimbledon withdrawal symptoms, there is always this.....

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

It's 40 years tomorrow since Freddie Mercury played his last ever gig with Queen, and I'm remembering the occasion (and me being there) in today's Daily Express across pages 22 and 23. Honestly, where does the time go?

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Wimbledon may be over, but it's not too late to get your hands on a copy of my latest book 'The Wimbledon Anthology: Tales, Trivia, Facts and Figures from the World's Oldest Tennis Tournament'. Available from all good bookshops (and Amazon) right now.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Always amuses & saddens me in equal measure how quickly tennis gets forgotten about in the UK once Wimbledon is over. Yesterday, mad for it. Today, tumbleweed. Never forget folks - tennis is for life, not just a fortnight.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

What's your favourite all-time Wimbledon moment? I tried to cover as many as possible in my latest book 'The Wimbledon Anthology', but it's a tough call. I don't know about 'favourite' but John McEnroe's infamous 1981 outburst on Court 1 remains, for me, the most memorable.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

True story. Wimbledon, 1982. John McEnroe is practising guitar in his hotel room, playing ‘Suffragette City’ & ‘Rebel Rebel’. There's a knock on the door - it's David Bowie. "Come up and have a drink," says Bowie to a stunned McEnroe. "Just don’t bring your guitar."

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Imagine two Brits meeting across the net in a Wimbledon ladies' singles final. Incredibly, it actually happened in 1961 when Angela Mortimer from Devon took on (and beat) Essex girl Christine Truman, and I've told the whole story in this month's 'Best of British' magazine.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I'm starting to feel like the former. Maybe I should stop coming and allow everyone to live long and healthy lives?!

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

It's 149 years today since the first Wimbledon Championships got underway - not at its present location but across town at The All England Club's old home at Worple Road, with 22 men paying a guinea each to take part. Not until 1884 did the ladies get a competition of their own.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Mind, I wouldn't complain if it was Paul Weller.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Good morning from Wimbledon. It's 30 years to the day since Cliff Richard took over the Royal Box at The All England Club. The surrealist Centre Court performance of all time, without a doubt.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

"There's something about the tradition and history of Wimbledon that makes it so special. It's like playing in a cathedral of tennis." - Rafael Nadal, taken from my new book 'The Wimbledon Anthology', out now & published by Pitch Publishing

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Despite being Patron of The All England Club, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II didn’t really ‘do’ Wimbledon. The third of her four trips to SW19 came on 1 July 1977 when she sat through Virginia Wade’s singles triumph over Betty Stove, presenting ‘Ginny’ with the trophy afterwards.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Good morning everyone from Wimbledon.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

'It was a hot afternoon, the last day of June, and the sun was a demon' So go the opening words to 'Summer' (The First Time)' which Bobby Goldsboro, the man who wrote and sang the song, gave me permission to use in my 2018 book 'Bloody Southerners'. Thank you Bobby.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Wimbledon has the largest collection of tennis books & periodicals in the world courtesy of The Kenneth Ritchie Wimbledon Library, situated next to the museum at The All England Club. And here's the latest addition!

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Wimbledon has arrived! And with it comes my latest book called 'The Wimbledon Anthology: Tales, Trivia, Facts and Figures from the World's Oldest Tennis Tournament'. Available now from all good bookshops (and Amazon).

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Forty-three years I've been going to Wimbledon, 23 of them as a working journalist. .....and this is the result. 'The Wimbledon Anthology: Tales, Trivia, Facts and Figures from the World's Oldest Tennis Tournament' - out now, written by me, and published by Pitch Publishing.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Of the 279 players who competed at the FIFA 1950 World Cup in Brazil, only one played for a club based outside his own country. That man was George Robledo of Chile, and that club was Newcastle United. Even better, there's now a book out about him!

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

"Wimbledon is the only major that feels like it did 100 years ago." - Chris Evert, taken from my new book 'The Wimbledon Anthology', out now & published by Pitch.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

I should've had you in the book for that Dorian!

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

The Damned United is on BBC1 tonight. I wasn't sold on the book but enjoyed the film, even if it played fast & loose with the real story of how Brian Clough & Peter Taylor came to be at Brighton & Hove Albion, something I sought to put right in my 2018 book 'Bloody Southerners'.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

My piece in today's Daily Express about Ray Wilson, so often the forgotten member of England's World Cup winning side of 1966, who went on to become an undertaker in his home town of Huddersfield. High time this man's contribution to sport, and life, came in from the cold.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

On this day in 1953 George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football, made his debut for Colo-Colo after returning to Chile from Newcastle United, scoring twice in a 4-0 win over Ferrobadminton at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago (pictured here, centre, prior to kick).

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

And so the curtain comes down on my twenty-second season as a feature writer for the Brighton & Hove Albion match day programme. It's a tangible memory of attending a football game, is a printed programme. Get them while you can, because one day they'll be consigned to history.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

To quote John McEnroe, 'You cannot be serious!' Yes, yours truly has another book out. Welcome to the world 'The Wimbledon Anthology: Tales, Trivia, Facts and Figures from the World's Oldest Tennis Tournament', available from today & published by Pitch Publishing

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

She's been here four weeks partaking in The Football Association's commemorations/celebrations surrounding the centenary of her father George Robledo's birth. And today she leaves us. Thank you, Elizabeth Robledo, for yet another memorable visit to the UK. Vamos Jorge, always....

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Great to read this in the Newcastle Utd v West Ham Utd match programme. My thanks to Paul Joannou, Newcastle's club historian, for the kind words and to Elizabeth Robledo, daughter of George Robledo, for gracing us with her presence over the past three weeks. It's been a blast!

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Seventy-four years after her dad George Robledo scored the winning goal for Newcastle United in the FA Cup final, Elizabeth Robledo returns to Wembley Stadium from her home in Chile for this year's showdown between Manchester City and Chelsea.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

"I never knew what it meant, but it always sounded terrific when sung by the supporters. You couldn't mistake it for anything else." - George Robledo, Newcastle United's Chilean international & scorer of the winning goal in the 1952 FA Cup final, recalls 'The Blaydon Races'

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

'The FA Cup final is like no other game in the world. I have been told of famous stars unable to lace their own boots because their hands were shaking so much.' - Ken Sheppard, sports writer on The Journal in the 1950s (taken from 'Postcards From Santiago', my biography of George Robledo)

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

On 14 May 1953 George Robledo, widely recognised as the first overseas star of English football, left London Airport to return to Chile having been signed by Colo-Colo from Newcastle United. A crowd of over 2,000 people were at Los Cerrillos Airport in Santiago to welcome him.

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

The story of the Chilean boy who became the first overseas star of English football, brought to you by a Welsh-based writer with a Norwegian surname. 'Postcards From Santiago - The George Robledo Story' by Spencer Vignes, out now from @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

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Spencer Vignes @spencervignes.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

That sounds like the kind of lyrics Half Man Half Biscuit would write!

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