1986 World Cup: Background & Preparations
The 1986 World Cup returned to Mexico 16 years after it hosted Brazil’s historic triumph and Pelé’s international swansong. Initially awarded to Colombia at FIFA’s 1974 congress, by the early 1980s it was clear that a struggling economy would struggle to cope with the 24-nation extravaganza and they officially withdrew at the end of 1982.…
The first shirt sponsors in the Football League
The history of shirt sponsors in the Football League dates from the late 1970s. In an era when English football hit hard times financially, clubs were forced – reluctantly in most cases – to look at income sources beyond the turnstiles. The first Merseyside derby with shirt sponsors, October 1979 In the early years of…
1966 replayed – England v West Germany, 1985
Elland Road was the venue for a unique fixture at the end of July 1985, which saw the 1966 World Cup Final ‘replayed’. Organised to raise funds for the Bradford Fire Disaster Fund in the wake of the recent tragedy at Valley Parade, nearly 20,000 attended to see a small slice of football history on…
Paul Atkinson: An Interview
Paul Atkinson began his professional career with Oldham Athletic, making a goalscoring debut in August 1979. He was called up to the England under-21 squad before moving to Watford for £175,000 (a fee set by tribunal) in summer 1983. He suffered a broken ankle in his first pre-season game, which hampered his progress in the…
Brentford v Wigan Athletic, 1985 Freight Rover Trophy Final
Brentford and Wigan Athletic met at the start of June 1985 to contest the Associate Members’ Cup (or Freight Rover Trophy) Final. It was the first time the competition for Third and Fourth Division clubs had a Wembley final, with sponsors Freight Rover lending their name to the cup, which remained in place until 1987. …
A Short History of Wages in English Football
Payment of wages in English football was the issue which defined professionalism from 1885 and led directly to the creation of the Football League three years later. The first regulations soon followed with the introduction of a maximum wage, which was to remain in place for the decades up to 1961. Jimmy Hill & George…
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…
Winston DuBose: Foreign Players in the Football League Interview
Winston DuBose was a US national team goalkeeper, and the first American player to try his luck in the Football League in modern times. He spent most of his career with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and won an NASL Championship with Tulsa Roughnecks in 1983, earning 14 caps for his country between 1979 and 1985. …
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…
Rest of the World: Foreign Players in the Football League
After looking at players from specific countries and regions, it is now time to cover the ‘rest of the world’. Over its long history, the Football League has seen sporadic arrivals from across the globe. While the bulk of imports have naturally come from Europe, and a number from the Americas, there have been representatives from…
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