Q & A: Postcard poses Test mystery

Q. In 1934 England played Australia in a Test match in London. The match was shared between Lord's and The Oval, three days at each. Was this a one-off, or were London Test matches frequently shared between the two grounds?

A. Mr Munday, in reply to J H Morris's questions, asks where did Mr Morris get his information regarding a supposed six-day Test match shared between The Oval and Lord's in 1934? Much as I dislike doing so, the blame must surely lie with London Transport, who are selling a postcard representing a poster giving full details of a Test match between England and Australia at the end of May, beginning of June 1934 - three days at Lord's, followed by three days at The Oval. Where do they get their information from? - Stewart Jones, London N2

Q. What, if any, is the status of football in Greenland? Does Greenland have a national team? Is there a league? Are there any pitches?

A. I am sure last Sunday's Q & A ('Greenland's game kept on ice') was a useful introduction to both the climate and sporting philately of Greenland but it did cast doubt over the merits of the Stanley Gibbons catalogue as a guide to world football.

Greenland's national team appeared in Britain as recently as July 1993 when they took part in the Inter-Island Games on the Isle of Wight. Although they finished fourth, of eight, they played some of the best football of the competition in wins over Ynys Mon (1-0) and Gibraltar (5-0). A 4-2 defeat by the eventual winners, Jersey, in their second group game meant they had to play the Aland Islands for third place. A 2-1 loss saw them finish outside the medals and probably dashed their hopes of appearing on a stamp at least until the next Games in 1995.

The tournament programme contained very little information on Greenland's domestic scene but did say that there has been regular competitive football since 1971 and revealed that the 1987 champions were Kissaviarsuk 1933 (K33 for short). Anyone who would like to see if Greenland can build on this might like to note that the next Island Games are in Gibraltar next year (15-22 July). Or they can wait for the stamp. - David Bogie, London E17

A. Organised football has been played in Greenland since 1971 under the Kalaallit Nunaanni Isikkamik Arsaattartut Kattuffiat - their ball-games association. Their league is based on regional groups with the winners progressing to the next stage. Their top clubs are NUUK (Godthaab), Aqigssiak Maniitsoq and K33 Qaqortoq. Their national team plays on a regular basis and mostly against Iceland and the Faroe Islands. - Mel Thomas, Blaenau Ffestiniog

Q. Has a professional football team in the English League ever won the FA Cup or any other major trophy and in the same season been relegated?

A. No team has won the FA Cup and been relegated in the same season, although three losing finalists suffered the drop, Manchester City in 1926, Leicester City in 1969 and Brighton in 1983. The 1985 League Cup winners, Norwich City, were relegated the same season along with Sunderland, the team they beat in the final. In 1988 the Simod Cup for First and Second Division teams was won by Reading, who beat Luton 4-1 in the final. Reading were relegated that season from the Second to the Third Division and thus were not able to defend the trophy in 1989. - S Beardsell, Huddersfield

Q: Which football league or FA Carling Premiership clubs have instituted changes in their first-choice kit and colours since their foundation?

A. Regarding A W Gilbert's answer about football clubs changing their kit (11 September). Mr Gilbert is exaggerating in his assertion that Sheffield Wednesday 'for many years wore blue shirts with white sleeves'. This period was, in fact, only for seven years, 1965- 72; a short spell considering that Wednesday were formed in 1867. Furthermore, the 'fairly recent' switch back to blue and white stripes, the Owls' predominant kit since their formation, occurred more than 22 years ago, at the start of the 1972-73 season. - Phillip Large, Croydon

ANSWERS PLEASE

Q. In the 1993-94 season only six players scored for Arsenal in the League. Is this a record low? Every other club last season had at least 10 scorers. - Paul Webbewood, London SE12

Q. The ex-National Hunt jockey Dick Francis, has achieved 'world fame' as a successful crime-writer. Is there a sports-person who has had as much success as this? - Kevin Maguire, Batley

Q. Is there a list of professional athletic records, ie from the days of the Powderhall sprint, etc? - Padraig O Snodaigh, Dublin

Q. In their first five games in the Premiership this season, Norwich City scored just one goal, but managed to obtain six points. Is this goal/point ratio some kind of record? - Tim Mickleburgh, Grimsby

Q. How far would one have to walk, cycle or swim to expend the same effort as running a marathon? - David Evans, Knowle

If you know the answers to any of these questions, or have a sporting question of your own you would like answered, write to:

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