The Play-Offs (Part Two): 1987-1992

The play-offs were re-introduced to the Football League almost a century after the ‘test matches’ of the 1890s. The measure was agreed at a League meeting in December 1985 as part of a package of compromise measures to prevent a ‘Super League’ breakaway of the First Division clubs. Initially the play-offs were proposed to run…

By Paul W April 29, 2023 0

Yugoslavs in the Football League 1978-92 – Appendix

A brief overview of the Yugoslav footballers who played in the Football League between 1978 and 1992. Radomir ‘Raddy’ Antić Born: 22.11.1948 Žitište (d. 06.04.2020) Signed from: Real Zaragoza (Spain), July 1980 [£50,000] Football League Career: Luton Town 1980-83 – 94 appearances, 9 goals Football League Debut: West Ham v Luton, Second Division 16 August…

By Paul W January 7, 2023 0

Yugoslavia: Foreign Players in the Football League

Yugoslavia provided a surprising number of imports to English football in the wave that followed the summer of 1978. While Ardiles and Villa, Mühren and Thijssen took the headlines, apart from the Netherlands no overseas country provided more players to the Football League in the immediate post-1978 period than Yugoslavia. 14 players moved to England…

By Paul W December 31, 2022 0

Argentina: Foreign Players in the Football League

Argentina provided the impetus for the first wave of foreign imports to the Football League from 1978. Though the PFA’s secretary Cliff Lloyd had warned, “I don’t think we would stand for a big influx of Argentinians to this country”, there was indeed a short-lived trend of English clubs tapping Argentine talent. Before the end…

By Paul W December 10, 2022 0

South Americans in the Football League 1978-92 – Appendix

A brief overview of the South American footballers who played in the Football League between 1978 and 1992. * Osvaldo ‘Ossie’ Ardiles Born: 03.08.1952 Córdoba, Argentina Signed from: Huracán (Argentina), July 1978 [£325,000] Football League Career: Tottenham Hotspur 1978-87 – 221 appearance (16 sub), 16 goals; Blackburn (loan) 1987-88 – 5 apps; QPR 1988-89 –…

By Paul W November 26, 2022 0