That 1980s Sports Blog
A blog about anything to do with sport in the 1980s.
Thursday 31 October 2024
Book review: Go To War
Tuesday 15 October 2024
1981/82: Tottenham v West Ham
Performing heroics against a local rival is a sure fire way in sport to guarantee a place in the hearts of your team's supporters. In football there are numerous examples of players enjoying a 90 minutes to remember in derby matches: Gary Rowell, Alan Sunderland, Ian Rush, Craig Bryson, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. An object lesson in how to win friends and influence people.
Another example of this could be found on the evening of September 2, 1981. Newly promoted West Ham went to White Hart Lane knowing that the clash would be a significant examination of their ability to compete in the top flight. What followed was the stuff of dreams. A memorable night for both the club and their number nine.
Thursday 3 October 2024
1988: The Paul Davis affair
One moment of madness. A split second that would play a huge part in the career of a footballer on the brink of international recognition. On an afternoon of frustration for Arsenal's players and supporters, one man could take no more. Paul Davis was about to inflict pain on both an opponent and his own future.
Trailing 2-0 at Highbury against Chris Nicholl's Southampton, Arsenal looked condemned to another home defeat, having lost two weeks before to Aston Villa. With 79 minutes played there was an air of desperation as George Graham's team looked for a way back into the match. This was not the stuff of title contenders.
Tuesday 24 September 2024
Golden goals: Peter Withe (1982)
Dalglish, Francis, Robertson and Kennedy. Not a group of solicitors, but a list of players who scored winners in European Cup finals between 1978-1981. A time when English clubs ruled Europe. After Liverpool's 1977 triumph, four 1-0 wins continued England's continental dominance. Yet there was more to come.
The name of Peter Withe would soon be added to this merry band of players. But there is a lot of ground to cover before we arrive at the right boot/shin of the England centre forward at the De Kuip, Rotterdam. Someone has kindly covered the story of Aston Villa's 1982 European Cup glory before. However, a recap might be useful.
Monday 12 August 2024
1985/86: Ipswich v Liverpool
Tuesday 23 July 2024
1984 Olympics: Daley Thompson
The unthinkable was about to happen. Britain's golden boy walked to the concrete discus circle knowing that he was throwing for his life, his reputation, his dreams. It was not just the Los Angeles smog that was suffocating the athletes in the Memorial Coliseum. Daley Thompson was a man under pressure.
It all seemed like business as usual after six events in the 1984 Olympic Decathlon. Thompson had managed to build a lead over his great rival Jurgen Hingsen, stamping his authority on the competition from the start. The West German may have arrived in Los Angeles as the world record holder, but when it came to competition, there was no one like Daley.