On this day, 3 April 1971: Scorcher
On this day, 3 April 1971 … Football comics were a bit mad, back in the day, but also a bit brilliant. To me, as someone who wasn’t really conscious of what was going on in League Division One (or beyond, for that matter) in the early 1970s, I’ve always thought that this was a time of ugly 1-0 wins on muddy pitches, of cloggy Leeds, Chelsea, Arsenal and Stoke teams and players with functional haircuts and long-sleeved jumpers with no badges on them. Scorcher, however, tells a different story. It tells of club boards picketed by gangs of street urchins and convicts, of footballing robots and magical boots and of gypsies and nobility selected to save the fortunes of struggling clubs. There’s little concession to reality, but Scorcher’s a lovely comic and – like the beautiful game itself – an arena for dreams.
The East Mound Mob: creators unknown
The East Mound Mob: creators unknown
Charlie Ironsides: Osvaldo Torta? (artist)
Charlie Ironsides: Osvaldo Torta? (artist)
Billy’s Boots: Fred Baker (writer), Tom Kerr? (artist)
Billy’s Boots: Fred Baker (writer), Tom Kerr? (artist)
Bobby of the Blues: Tony Harding (artist)
Bobby of the Blues: Tony Harding (artist)
The Amazing Strollers: Scott Goodall (writer), John Stokes? (artist)
The Amazing Strollers: Scott Goodall (writer), John Stokes? (artist)
King of Football: Mike Western (artist)
King of Football: Mike Western (artist)
Manager Matt: Ken Reid (artist)
Lags Eleven: Fred Baker (writer), Doug Maxted (artist)
Lags Eleven: Fred Baker (writer), Doug Maxted (artist)
