[Barrie Yates]

My two youngest moved to a "Flagship Comprehensive" in 1977 - Montgomery in Bispham.
The Sports Master was an ex-pro footballer with what had been one of the greatest teams in England.
No organised football, no other team games except what the lads organised themselves - cross country runs around the streets - usually 6 or so in my lounge drinking coffee, or fishing on North Pier.
Plenty of football pitches adjacent to the school so what was the problem - lack of motivation by the Staff (who did prove to be inept in other ways, but that is another story), ban on competitive sports???????????????
Good God, I was always taught play fair but play to win, and the same applied to my work, strive to be the best you can be.