The Football Blog

Another silly-named football team formed...

After we spoke of Sheffield Wednesday's arrival into the world of football the other day, today sees another of the odder-named football sides born. For today in 1905 saw workers from London's Crystal Palace form a team, probably because they got so bored polishing the building all day. So they used to play their games on the ground at the Palace, which also hosted FA Cup Finals in its day.

The Palace, of course, burnt down in 1936, but the football club still remains, under the leadership of one of football's more colourful characters, Neil Warnock. Or Colin, as he's known to people who like to upset him. Lying fifth in the Championship, they'll be looking to gain promotion this year in order to add to their glittering club honours, which include, er, FA Cup Runners Up in 1990, and er, three times second tier League winners..

Also on this day, in 1977, in Baumettes Prison, France; Hamida Djandoubi, convicted of torture, murder and having a funny name became the last ever person to be executed by guillotine.

Meanwhile, in 1987, Osama Bin Laden launched Al Queda from his house in Afghanistan. The first meeting was held in his bedroom with a 'No girls allowed' sign on his door and his mum interrupting every five minutes with tea and biscuits.

And it's Jeppe Aakjær! As they say in Denmark, to; mockney icon Guy Ritchie (50) hip-hop icon Big Daddy Kane also (50) and golfing icon Arnold Palmer (80). Today was also the day that in 1985, the final whistle went for Jock Stein at the age of 72.