Tommy Docherty at United 1972 – 1977

The early 1970’s wasn’t a particular successful time for United.  Only a couple of years or so after their European Cup victory over Benfica at Wembley Stadium, they were on a bit of a downward spiral.  Certain players were coming to the end of their careers, and others were having problems outside of football.  During…

Manchester United, and The F.A. Youth Cup.

Arsenal, From Dial Square to Copenhagen. A History…

Beginnings. The team we know today as Arsenal Football Club, came into being in 1886.  The club was originally formed by the workers of the Royal Arsenal, based in Woolwich on the south bank of the river Thames.  Their first name was Dial Square, soon after they changed their name to Royal Arsenal.  Dial Square…

Bryan Robson, The Original Captain Marvel. A Tribute.

“This Sheffield United right back was kicking me in one game, giving me a few verbals and it affected me a bit.  I said to Robbo “That right back’s just said he’s going to break my legs”, Robbo said to me “Did he?  You come and play midfield, I’m going to play left wing for…

Manchester United, and The F.A. Youth Cup.

Introduction. As everyone knows Manchester United have such a rich history of youth football.  It’s something that the club has prided itself upon, a long standing cornerstone of the Old Trafford club.  Over time United’s reputation as a centre of youth footballing excellence became the envy of other football clubs around the world.  Players such…

United’s First Flying Dutchman, Arnold Mühren.

Arnold Mühren arrived at United in the August of ’82, a regular in the Dutch national team, an experienced and well respected midfielder who had won major silverware.  He was born Arnold Johannes Hyacinthus Mühren, in Volendam, northern Netherlands in 1951.  Indeed, it was for his home town, a place known for its fishing and…

Norwich City, A Brief History…

Norwich City Football Club were founded during the summer of 1902 at the White Lion Street café “The Criterion”, during a meeting hosted by Robert Webster and Joseph Cowper-Nutchey. The building still exists in Norwich city centre, the last time I checked it was a men’s clothing shop. As well as being school teachers, both…

Aston Villa, A Brief History…

Aston Villa are one of those clubs that in modern times at least, have never really been given the credit they deserve.  Whilst never being the most fashionable of clubs they have often had their hands on the top trophies both at home and in Europe.  Villa or The Villains as they are often known…

Queens Park Rangers, A Brief History…

Loftus Road Stadium. South Africa Road. London. W12 7PJ.  That’s the address of Queen Park Rangers, the football club residing in Shepherds Bush, in West London. It’s situated about 4 miles north of Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge and about 5 miles south of Wembley stadium.  Q.P.R. was founded in the late 19th century when the existing…

Nottingham Forest, A Brief History…

The club known as “The Tricky Trees” were first formed in 1865, therefore making them one of the oldest football clubs in the world.  The founding of the club came about when a group of Bandy players in Nottingham decided to form a football club; by the way Bandy is similar to hockey and is…

Motherwell, A Brief History…

The Scottish club Motherwell were first formed in 1886, from the merger of two clubs which were Glencairn and Alpha F.C..  Glencairn were founded in 1877 and were named after Lord John Glencairn Carter Hamilton. Alpha were formed in 1881 by the employees of the George Russell Alpha Steam Crane and Engineering Works.  Russell’s company…

Argentina, F.I.F.A. World Cup 1986.

When it comes to F.I.F.A. world cups, the 1986 tournament is easily one of the most interesting to say the least.  During a meeting in Stockholm during the summer of ’74 Columbia were awarded the thirteenth world cup, it was they who would be hosting the world cup of 1986.  However, during the early 1980’s…