Mike Bayly on why England’s warm-up match against non-League opponents might not have been the best way to prepare for Euro 88
One of the more curious international friendlies of recent times took place in June 1988. England had just qualified for the European Championships in Germany. A year earlier, on the return journey from a qualifying match in Turkey, the journalist Frank McGhee had approached Bobby Robson, suggesting England play a non-League team in their build-up to the tournament.
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Sunday, April 1st, 2012 - The Archive
The UK’s governing bodies should follow Europe’s lead when it comes to abandoned matches, argues Charles Ducksbury
Two identical events in recent football matches in Scotland and Italy had entirely different outcomes. Visitors Hibernian led Motherwell 1-0 at half time in an SPL match in December. This was a surprise, as Motherwell are fighting for a European place while their opponents are embroiled in a relegation battle. After the teams failed to appear for the second half, supporters were asked to evacuate the stadium due to an electrical fire in one of the floodlights. The game was abandoned and rearranged for February, starting goalless, with a full 90 minutes to play. Motherwell won the “replay” 4-3.
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Sunday, April 1st, 2012 - The Archive
When their drug money dried up, one of Columbia’s most successful clubs experience their first ever relegation, writes Carl Worswick
América de Cali, Colombia’s best supported football club with 13 league titles and four appearances in the Copa Libertadores final, have hit the bottom. They were relegated in December following a play-off defeat to a team of minnows from the second division. The Red Devils are at their lowest ebb in their 84 years of existence.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2012 - The Archive
Monaco were Champions League regulars a decade ago but now they are trying to avoid consecutive relegations, writes James Eastham
Eight years ago Monaco reached the Champions League final. They are now battling against relegation to France’s semi-professional third tier. It is a familiar story of decline. Since Didier Deschamps quit as coach 16 months after that European summit against Porto, a succession of managers, directors and presidents have been turfed out or walked away. Each has taken with him a blueprint for success that either failed or was dropped before coming to fruition.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2012 - The Archive
After a decade in the top flight Bolton seem destined for relegation, but Owen Coyle’s team are capable of conjuring up an unlikely belief and beating anyone on their day, argues Jon Callow
In August 2001, the Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld brought his career at the club to an early close with a late blunder that sent newly promoted Bolton Wanderers to the top of the table just three games into their current Premier League stint. Establishing themselves in the top division after years of ups and downs, Bolton became a tricky fixture for their distinguished guests. Liverpool collected just five points from their next five visits
to the Reebok.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2012 - The Archive