The Harlem Globetrotters beat the Washington Generals again yesterday in a game played at Houston’s Toyota Center. This means the ‘Trotters have not lost a game since since 1971. Surely it can’t all be staged?

Well it turns out that the original Harlem Globetrotters didn’t even come from Harlem, New York. Instead they were formed in Chicago in the 1920s. The name “New York Harlem Globetrotters” was used to create some mystique. The team didn’t even play in Harlem until 1968. They originally played real games but gradually became better known for entertaining that real sport.

It seems that when the ‘Trotters lost in 1971 (to the New Jersey Reds, another stooge team) the fans were upset, especially the children. The official Harlem Globetrotters website claims the games are real but who would want to upset the fans again?

Today the ‘Trotters continue to travel the world demonstrating their amazing coordination,dribbling and ball control in a match against the Generals that is basketball’s equivalent of UK wrestling in the 1970s (but with much more skill involved).

Ah, those were the days: Mick McManus, Kendo Nagasaki, Catweasel and of course Big Daddy (don’t call him Shirley) and Giant Haystacks, seen here in the good old days of Saturday afternoon TV.

Altogether now: “Easy...Easy...Easy...”