The Football League’s First Million-Pound Players

The first million-pound players seemed a distant prospect in the early years of professional football. Yet the history of the Football League’s transfer market was marked by fears of inflation, and clubs recklessly spending beyond their means.   Trevor Francis – the Football League’s first million-pound player The first £1,000 transfer of Alf Common from Sunderland…

By Paul W August 31, 2024 0

Conclusion: Foreign Players in the Football League

This series on the history of foreign players in the Football League reaches its conclusion. Over 120 different nationalities have been represented in the Premier League, making it arguably the world’s most cosmopolitan league with global appeal – currently approximately two-thirds of the players are foreign, with an even higher percentage of overseas managers and owners. It’s…

By Paul W May 25, 2024 1

Birmingham City v Aston Villa, 1984

Birmingham City welcomed neighbours Aston Villa to St Andrew’s at the end of March 1984 with manager Ron Saunders the central figure. Villa’s league form had been in decline since winning the title under Saunders in 1980/81, their first league championship for 71 years (and their last to date). However after Saunders’ dramatic departure in…

By Paul W March 31, 2024 0

North American Players in the Football League 1978-92 – Appendix  

An overview of the North American footballers to have played in the Football League between 1978 and 1992.  Canada  Don Ferguson  Born: 02.01.1963 Toronto  Football League Career: Wrexham (1986) – 20 appearances  International Career: Canada (1986-89) 3 caps  * Craig Forrest  Born: 20.09.1967 Coquitlam, British Columbia  Football League Career: Ipswich Town (1985-97) – 263 appearances;…

By Paul W March 1, 2024 0

North America: Foreign Players in the Football League

Historically, few North Americans ventured to the English league. During the 1920s there was a brief exodus in the other direction, in the boom years of the American Soccer League (ASL). Some returned after the ASL went into decline, having gained US nationality along the way.   Most famously, Scottish-born Jim Brown was granted US citizenship…

By Paul W February 24, 2024 0

Eastern European Players in the Football League 1988-92 – Appendix

An overview of the Eastern European footballers to have played in the Football League between 1988 and 1992.  Czechoslovakia  Luděk Mikloško  Born: 09.12.1961 Prostějov  Signed from: Banik Ostrava, February 1990 [£300,000]  Football League Career: West Ham United (1990-98) – 318 appearances; QPR (1998-2001) – 57 appearances  International Career: Czechoslovakia (1982-92) 40 caps; Czech Republic (1996-97)…

By Paul W January 19, 2024 0