Author: Paul W

South America: Foreign Players in the Football League

Changing Times

South America reinforced its credentials as the strongest footballing continent when Argentina lifted the World Cup for the first time on 25 June 1978 at the Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires. By beating the Netherlands 3-1 to win the tournament they had hosted, Argentina joined neighbours Brazil (three times winners) and Uruguay (twice) as World Champions…

By Paul W November 19, 2022 0
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Foreign Players in the Football League: Introduction

Changing Times

The Football League was made in England and founded by a Scot, William McGregor. The world’s first professional league flourished from 1888 with the contribution of Scottish, Welsh and Irish talent. While Britain exported the game worldwide, for much of its history foreign players in the Football League were a rarity. That changed permanently in…

By Paul W October 29, 2022 0
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Notts County v Mansfield Town, 1987

Match of the Month

Notts County met Mansfield Town in a rare Nottinghamshire derby in October 1987. County had spent the early part of the decade in the First Division, before successive relegations. Mansfield were in the Fourth Division until promotion in 1985/86. When the clubs met in the Third Division on Boxing Day 1986, it was their first…

By Paul W October 15, 2022 0
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Stoke City v Luton Town, 1982

Match of the Month

Stoke City welcomed Luton Town to the Victoria Ground in September 1982. It was a high-scoring day in the First Division – results included Coventry 4 Everton 2, Notts County 0 Ipswich 6, Spurs 4 Forest 1, Watford 8 Sunderland 0, and West Ham 4 Manchester City 1. The game at the Victoria Ground matched…

By Paul W September 25, 2022 0
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Portsmouth v Southampton, 1987

Match of the Month

Portsmouth hosted Southampton at Fratton Park in August 1987 in the first-ever meeting of the two clubs in the top division of English football. The former Southern League rivals had first met in the Football League in September 1920 as members of the newly-formed Third Division. Promoted in May 1987, Pompey were returning to the…

By Paul W August 20, 2022 0
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The 1982 World Cup finals

International

The 1982 World Cup tournament kicked off on 13 June at the Nou Camp, Barcelona. After all the months of anticipation and extensive build-up, Argentina met Belgium following the opening ceremony. First Group Stage [Group 3] Erwin Vandenbergh’s surprise winner for the Belgians was the first goal in an opening match for 20 years as…

By Paul W July 24, 2022 0
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Spain World Cup 1982: Qualifying and Build-Up

International

Spain 1982 was the biggest World Cup to date, played between 13 June and 11 July. The expanded tournament of 24 nations was instigated by FIFA President, the Brazilian João Havelange, to include increased representation from Africa and Asia. Among the 52 games, 14 more than in Argentina four years earlier, semi-finals were restored for…

By Paul W July 9, 2022 0
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1992 European Championship finals

International

The 1992 European Championship finals took place in Sweden between 10 and 26 June.  This was the last of the eight-team Euro tournaments which began in 1980 as England was to host an expanded edition with sixteen teams in 1996. It was Sweden’s first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup – all four venues…

By Paul W June 26, 2022 0
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Sunderland v Brighton & Hove Albion, 1982

Match of the Month

Sunderland went into this First Division fixture at Roker Park needing a win near the end of Alan Durban’s first season in charge. His side were struggling just outside the relegation zone, while visitors Brighton were comfortably in mid-table under manager Mike Bailey, also enjoying his first season at the South Coast club. David Snowdon’s…

By Paul W May 1, 2022 0
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