Welcome to the first edition of ‘Northern Soul’ dedicated to bringing you veracious tales; trends; trials and tribulations, of a truly incomparable footballing region.

Join me this season as I attempt to uncover all the goings on in and around Manchester, Cheshire and Stoke-on-Trent. No doubt there’ll be scrapping down the Vale, a resurgence round at City, up the junction at the Alex, Silkmen survival stories and Gigs up the Lane. Not forgetting all the drama as it unfolds at Old Trafford – ‘The Theatre Of Dreams’. Ever watched a United game in Chorlton-cum-Hardy’s Royal Oak? It’s a must for all real Man Utd fans! Last but not least there’s ‘the pride of the potteries’ and the cornerstone of Northern Soul.

Ours is a region steeped in rich tradition. Local delicacies: North Staffs oatcakes and Eccles cakes, Barms and Pikelets, oh and Betty’s Lancashire hotpot. Then there’s our fantastic music heritage, oh and there’s Robbie Williams also. Through sprawling Manchester suburbs to urban sprawls of Crewe and Stoke, folk are brought up on a strict diet of nogger and music, and haven’t we been spoiled?

‘Joshua Brooks’ still pound out sounds of the Sixties and Seventies and of course Northern Soul’s timeless classics. Relished in Manchester in the early Seventies, spreading quickly across the Northwest, Jackie Wilson and his fellow more ‘relaxed’ R & B compatriots, (predominantly US) were played all night long in dingy underground nightclubs like ‘The Twisted Wheel’. These sweaty, yet intrinsically cool Soul clubs put this region on the cultural map.

What people seem to forget is, these underground sounds were first aired by DJ’s in ‘The Torch’ on Hose st. Tunstall: Stoke-on-Trent’s most northern of it’s ‘Six Towns’. Its a shame the mancs take all the credit.

Then came Madchester and the baggy phenomenon. In the 80’s and 90’s Manchester was the place to be, responsible for producing most of the country’s best music. Ian Brown, former lead singer from Manchester’s most promising band of that era: The Stone Roses, once blamed the sudden influx of bands on Manchester’s infamous rainy climate, suggesting there’s nothing else to do but practice on your instruments! He went on to advocate that the only thing missing in Manchester was a beach. Nobody get any ideas, from experience the beach isn’t much craic in the rain, so stay in doors and keep practicing. “Oh Manchester, so much to be answer for!”

Music movements come and go. People grow up and places inevitably change. Decline of industry has led to widespread depression. Derelict bottlekilns are all that remain in Tunstall and Wedgwood has long since packed up and moved on.  The days of The Hacienda are now just a blotted memory. Sadly in its place stands another lifeless apartment block desperately lacking in atmosphere. Outside sit flowers for the recently deceased Tony Wilson: former owner of ‘Factory Records’ and most responsible for creating such legendary nights at the venue, never to be forgotton by those who were there. Youth culture is disappearing fast and our one last hope is our indomitable football tradition.

Never has there been a more exciting time in English football and clubs from our region are heavily involved. Older statesman Ferguson and Erikkson will battle it out for Manchester supremacy, though realistically the latter will be out to salvage some much needed local pride. United’s dominance is relentless but with Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal hot their heals, this season’s Premier League promises to be the best for some years; with the highlight usually being United’s bitter battle with local scouse rivals Liverpool.

There’s reason for optimism for all our regions clubs as now – more so than ever - football is making us proud again. So come hither fellas and loves, ducks and darlin’s and stand tall once more, unite and keep the Northern Soul burning bright.          

Tim Killeen – Northern Soul

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